THURSDAY SPORTS, NOVEMBER 5, 2026
MITCHELL KERNELS
— Mitchell Kernels volleyball will host Tea Area on Thursday night at 7 pm for Senior Night to wrap up the regular season. The No. 12 seed Mitchell could face No. 5 seed O’Gorman next Thursday in the Class AA SoDAK 16.
DAKOTA WESLEYAN.
— Dakota Wesleyan men’s soccer faces top-seed Concordia on Friday in Seward, Nebraska at 7 pm in the GPAC tournament semifinals.
— Dakota Wesleyan football, 4-5 on the season and 4-4 in the GPAC, hosts No. 12 Dordt on Saturday at 1 pm.
— Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball 2-1, will be at York (Neb.) on Saturday at 2 pm.
— Dakota Wesleyan volleyball will face the No. 2 seed Concordia on Saturday in the GPAC tournament quarterfinals at 7:30 pm.
— No. 2 Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball, 2-0 on the season, will face Dakota State in Seward, Neb. on Friday at 2 pm.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
— No. 5 South Dakota State football begins the final month of the regular season on the road Saturday against Northern Iowa. The Jackrabbits are 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference after consecutive wins over Murray State and USD. Northern Iowa is 4-4 but unbeaten in four home games, including wins over two top-10 teams. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Coverage starts with the Jackrabbit pregame show at 11 am on KORN News Radio.
— South Dakota State volleyball wraps up its Summit League road schedule this week with matches at Oral Roberts on Thursday and Kansas City on Saturday. The Jackrabbits are coming off a split at home against St. Thomas and Omaha. Sylvie Zgonc recently recorded a career-high 28 kills against Omaha and was named the Summit League Offensive Player of the week. Thursday’s match in Tulsa starts at 7 p.m., with Saturday’s match in Kansas City set for 1 p.m.
— South Dakota State women’s soccer hosts St. Thomas on Friday at 6 p.m. in a Summit League tournament quarterfinal.
— South Dakota State women’s basketball hosts Northern Iowa on Friday at 6 pm.
— South Dakota State men’s basketball will have its home opener on Friday night vs. Briar Cliff at 8:30 pm.
SOUTH DAKOTA
— USD men’s basketball fell to Northern Kentucky 102-94 on Wednesday night in Vermillion. Jahni Summers led the Coyotes with 24 points, while Vince Buzelis added a career-high 20. USD trailed by five at halftime and cut a 15-point deficit to four in the final minute, but Northern Kentucky sealed the win at the free-throw line. The Coyotes are 1-1 and host Cal State Fullerton Saturday at 1 p.m.
— USD volleyball takes a nine-match winning streak on the road this week for Summit League matches against Kansas City on Thursday and Oral Roberts on Saturday. The Coyotes went unbeaten in October and hold a two-match lead in the conference standings. Two wins this week would clinch at least a share of the regular-season title. Thursday’s match starts at 7 p.m.
— USD women’s basketball hosts UTRGV on Friday at 11 am.
— USD women’s soccer travels to Omaha on Friday for a 2:30 p.m. Summit League tournament quarterfinal.
NAIA
— The NAIA has approved a fifth year of eligibility for college athletes, with the change taking effect in fall 2027. The new rule ties eligibility to academic progress rather than age and allows athletes to spread their five years of competition over a longer period, including time away from school or part-time enrollment. The change will not restore eligibility for those who already used all four years before the 2026-27 school year.
HIGH SCHOOL
— The South Dakota High School Activities Association is looking for ways to recruit and retain activities directors amid long hours, low pay and high turnover. A survey found 90% work 50 to 80 hours a week, while more than 60% are in their first five years on the job. More than half earn less than $10,000 for their duties. The association is considering using retired activities directors as mentors for newcomers.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
— Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney will undergo surgery for a high ankle sprain and miss multiple weeks. The No. 1 Hurricanes will be without the Heisman Trophy candidate for Saturday’s game at No. 11 Notre Dame. Toney ranks among the national leaders with 73 catches, 1,027 receiving yards and 13 touchdown receptions. The sophomore leads Miami in all three categories and accounts for nearly half of the team’s touchdown catches.
WNBA
— The WNBA capped its most-watched postseason since 1997, with an average of 1.49 million viewers, up 27% from last year. The seven-game Finals between Golden State and Atlanta averaged 1.88 million viewers, the highest average since 1999. The decisive Game 7 drew 3.3 million viewers, setting a record for the most-watched WNBA postseason game. All seven Finals games were sold out.
NFL
— The Philadelphia Eagles are making another quarterback change, naming Joe Milton their starter for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Milton replaces Tanner McKee, who went 0-3 as the starter after Jalen Hurts was sidelined for the season with blood clots. Philadelphia has lost six straight games. This will be the 26-year-old Milton’s first NFL start.
— Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell says he has full movement in his lower body and is making progress with movement in his upper body after suffering a neck injury Sunday against Minnesota. Campbell was taken off the field on a backboard and hospitalized following a 19-15 win over the Vikings. Campbell says he remains optimistic and is taking his recovery one day at a time.
— The Baltimore Ravens are acquiring veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from Arizona. Baltimore needed help after Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury and backup Tyler Huntley was sidelined. Brissett started eight games for Arizona this season and has thrown for 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
— San Francisco wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has filed paperwork to be reinstated and plans to report to the 49ers on Friday. Aiyuk hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury in October 2024. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the team will consider its options, including a trade or release, after Aiyuk returns.
GOLF
— LIV Golf’s financial backer is reportedly abandoning plans for a revamped league in 2027 because of a lack of player support. The Financial Times reports BC Partners Credit had pledged up to $300 million for the proposed LIV 2.0, but could not attract enough star players. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund also plans to stop funding LIV after this season. The league, which filed for bankruptcy in September, is now reportedly considering liquidating its assets.
NBA
— The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Houston Rockets 117-107 on Wednesday night behind 21 points from Ayo Dosunmu. Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 points and sparked a late fourth-quarter surge with two 3-pointers to help the Timberwolves pull away. LaMelo Ball added 20 points, while Alperen Sengun recorded a triple-double for Houston.
— The San Antonio Spurs edged the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 behind a historic performance from Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs star finished with career highs of 52 points and 24 rebounds, along with eight blocked shots. Kyrie Irving had 29 points for Dallas but missed a potential game-winning jumper in the final seconds. San Antonio extended its winning streak to six games.
— The Los Angeles Lakers beat Sacramento 116-103 behind 40 points from Luka Doncic. He also had nine rebounds and seven assists, extending his streak to six straight games with at least 35 points. The Lakers improved to 7-2. Sacramento fell to 1-7 despite 22 points and 12 assists from rookie Darius Acuff Jr.
— Philadelphia beat Detroit 112-106 behind a season-high 30 points from Jaylen Brown, who also blocked a key shot in the final minute to seal the win. Joel Embiid added 26 points and 15 rebounds, while LeBron James had 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. The 76ers improved to 8-1 and remain atop the Eastern Conference.
— Miami rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 117-116 in overtime. Klay Thompson hit the game-winning 3-pointer with one second remaining. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Thompson added 30 and Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds. The Clippers have lost seven straight games.
— Oklahoma City beat Cleveland 124-116 behind 42 points and eight assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder led by as many as 25 points before holding off a late Cavaliers rally. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 27 points.
— Jalen Brunson had 22 points in the first quarter as the New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 135-105. Brunson finished with 33 points, leading the Knicks to 84 first half points, tying a franchise record. The Bulls have dropped six straight.
— Denver rolled past Toronto 128-109 behind Nikola Jokic’s third triple-double of the season. Jokic finished with 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
— Boston beat Milwaukee 109-102 behind 25 points from Paul George and 24 from Derrick White. Tyler Herro led the Bucks with 25 points as Milwaukee fell to 1-7.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL – SATURDAY
No. 3 Utah vs. No. 9 BYU, 11 am on ABC
No. 18 Missouri vs. No. 7 Texas, 11 am on ESPN
Minnesota vs. No. 8 UCLA, 11 am on FOX
No. 14 LSU vs. No. 5 Alabama, 2:30 pm on ABC
No. 12 Ohio State vs. No. 23 Oregon, 11 am on CBS
No. 13 Tennessee vs. No. 6 Kentucky, 5:15 pm on ESPN
No. 11 Notre Dame vs. No. 1 Miami, 6:30 pm on NBC
No. 10 Ole Miss vs. No. 2 Georgia, 6:30 pm on ABC
Northwestern vs. No. 19 Iowa, 6:30 pm on FOX
NFL – WEEK 8
Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:15 pm, Thursday Night Football
Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:30 pm from Spain
Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets, Noon on CBS
Indianapolis Colts vs. Dallas Cowboys, Noon on FOX
New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers, 3:25 pm on FOX
Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:20 pm on NBC
Minnesota Vikings vs. Buffalo Bills, 7:15 pm on ESPN/ABC, Monday Night Football
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – SEMIFINALS – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
CLASS 11AAA
No. 1 SF Jefferson vs. No. 4 Harrisburg, 5 pm
No. 2 SF Lincoln vs. No. 3 Brandon Valley, 7:30 pm
CLASS 11AA
No. 1 Pierre vs. No. 5 Sturgis
No. 2 Yankton vs. No. 3 Watertown, 7 pm
CLASS 11A
No. 1 SF Christian vs. No. 5 Dell Rapids
No. 2 West Central vs. No. 3 Lennox
CLASS 11B
No. 1 Elk Point-Jefferson vs. No. 4 Winner
No. 2 St. Thomas More vs. No. 3 Clark/Willow Lake
CLASS 9AA
No. 1 Parkston vs. No. 4 Britton-Hecla
No. 2 Hamlin vs. No. 3 Platte-Geddes
CLASS 9A
No. 2 Freeman vs. No. 3 Castlewood
No. 5 Bennett County vs. No. 8 Kimball/White Lake
CLASS 9B
No. 1 Wall vs. No. 4 Avon
No. 2 Dell Rapids St. Mary’s vs. No. 3 Warner
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL REGIONS – THURSDAY, NOV. 5
REGION 5A
No. 1 Wagner vs. No. 4 McCook Central/Montrose
No. 2 Lennox vs. No. 3 Mt. Vernon/Plankinton
REGION 6A
No. 2 Platte-Geddes vs. No. 3 Mobridge-Pollock
REGION 3B
No. 1 Colman-Egan vs. No. 4 Bridgewater-Emery
REGION 4B
No. 2 Parkston vs. No. 3 Ethan
REGION 5B
No. 1 Avon vs. No. 4 Burke
No. 2 Corsica-Stickney vs. No. 3 Lyman