SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -  Sioux Falls (0-0, 0-0 NSIC) opens its 105th season on Thursday night when the Cougars travel west to face in-state foe Black Hills State (0-0, 0-0 RMAC). Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. (MST) on August 28 at Lyle Hare Stadium in Spearfish, South Dakota. The matchup marks the first of a two-game series between the programs, with the Yellow Jackets returning the trip to Bob Young Field in 2026.

The Cougars and Yellow Jackets will meet for the 33rd time in program history. USF trails the all-time series 12-20-1, dating back to the first meeting in 1927. Sioux Falls notched its first win over BHSU in 1958 with a 23-13 road victory, and has since won the last seven meetings, including a 44-20 triumph in 2011. Overall, USF has scored 714 points against the Yellow Jackets (21.6 per game), with the largest margin coming in a 51-0 win in 1982.

In that 2011 matchup at Bob Young Field, the Cougars used big plays on all sides of the ball to pull away. After a blocked punt return touchdown by Angelo Pree swung momentum early, USF's two-quarterback system shined as Taylor Perkins and Carrington Hanna each threw for scores. Tyrell Hicks added an 85-yard punt return touchdown - just shy of a school record - while Jordan Taylor rushed for 148 yards and a late score. Defensively, USF forced two interceptions and held BHSU to just 17 offensive points.

Historically, Sioux Falls is 44-54-6 in season openers. The Cougars opened 2024 with a statement win, stunning NCAA Division I St. Thomas 34-13 under the lights, before finishing the season 8-3. Since moving to NCAA Division II in 2011, USF owns an 8-5 record in season openers.

The 2025 roster brings back 73 returners from last year's squad while adding 43 newcomers, including nine transfers. Head Coach Jim Glogowski announced this week that senior quarterback Camden Dean and redshirt-junior safety Garret Hoffman will serve as team captains. They'll be joined by eight players on the program's leadership team: Cal Botsford, Andy Henson, Jarome Jackson, Cade Morse, Ben Pederson, Preston Yohnke, Cain McWilliams, and Isaiah Emanuel.

"I am pleased to announce that Camden Dean and Garret Hoffman will serve as team captains for the 2025 USF Football Team," stated Glogowski. "Both Cam and Garret are terrific representatives of our squad and will be great examples for our guys.  Leadership positions are voted on by the players and it is a tremendous honor when your teammates choose you to be out in front.  Along with Cam and Garret, the team also chose eight additional teammates to serve on the leadership team for 2025 season. I am extremely excited about this group and look forward to them leading us throughout the season."

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