ST. LOUIS, Mo. — After a 9-2 (7-1 MVFC) regular season with a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) title, the South Dakota football team garnered two major awards and seven First Team honorees, the conference office announced Monday afternoon.
Mi’Quise Grace (So., Cincinnati, Ohio) was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, stepping into his first year starting role in his defensive line spot and started all 11 games for the Coyotes. Grace proved to be a menace for opposing offenses all season long, ending the season as the Valley leader in both tackles for loss (17.0) and sacks (9.5).
He had a career day against Indiana State with bests in TFLs (4.0) and sacks (2.5) back on November 9. He notched 2+ sacks twice this season, while recording at least one in six games. He also notched 1.5+ TFLs in seven games, having 11.5 in the final five games.
Head coach Bob Nielson earned the Bruce Craddock Valley Coach of the Year honor for the second-straight season. Nielson led the Coyotes to a 9-2 (7-1 MVFC) record heading into the FCS Playoffs, capping off the season with a comeback 29-28 win over No.1 North Dakota State to earn a share of the Valley title for the first time in program history.
Nielson has now guided the Coyotes to all four of the program’s FCS Playoff appearances, earning a top-4 seed in back-to-back seasons. The Coyotes were a perfect 6-0 in the DakotaDome this season and notched 500+ yards of offense in five games this season, while holding the second-best scoring defense mark in the FCS on the defensive side of the ball.
FIRST TEAM HONOREES
Charles Pierre Jr., running back
Pierre Jr. (So., Orlando, Fla.) led the Valley in total rushing yards (1,073) and rushing yards per game (97.5), playing in one less game than most of the MVFC teams this season. He sat second in the conference in rushing touchdowns, though leading all MVFC running backs with his 15 scores.
The Florida native was third in the league with his 7.6 yards per carry, while becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher in program history in the Division I era. He recorded six 100-yard rushing games and three 150+ yard games, being named the (Co-)Offensive Player of the Week on November 17.
Travis Theis, fullback
Theis (Sr., Pratt, Kan.) started all 10 games he played this season at running back, though he played in a full back formation throughout the season. He ranked third in the Valley to end the regular season at 84.6 yards per carry and had 13 rushing scores.
His 846 rushing yards sat seventh on the season, which also marks a single-season best for the sixth-year senior. He now has back-to-back seasons with 800+ yards on the ground. He notched three 100-yard rushing games with a season-high of 147 against Southern Illinois (Sept. 28).
The Kansas native ends his career as the Division I-era leader in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns heading into the FCS Playoffs.
Additionally, Theis also had 221 receiving yards on 20 receptions out of the backfield, bringing in a pair of receiving touchdowns.
Joey Lombard, offensive lineman
A four-year starter on the Coyote offensive line, Lombard (Sr., Anoka, Minn.) proved to be the anchor on the South Dakota offensive line making all 11 starts at center. He was an instrumental leader on a Coyote line that sat second in the Valley in total yards per game (441.6) and rushing yards per game (224.3), while having an effective pass block that allowed Bouman to sit second in the Valley in passing yards per game. All this led South Dakota to have the second-best scoring offense in the MVFC at 37.0 points per game.
JJ Galbreath, tight end
Despite missing the final three games due to injury, senior tight end Galbreath (Arvada, Colo.) proved to be a true senior leader on the field and a key target in the passing game. He sat second on the team, and the Valley, in yards per catch at 17.8 on the season in just eight games played.
He sat tied for second on the team with his 20 receptions for 356 yards (third on team). He was one of four Coyotes to bring down a pair of touchdown receptions, holding one 100-yard game this season against Southern Illinois (Sept. 28).
Mi’Quise Grace, defensive line
See information above for Grace’s Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Nick Gaes, defensive line
Proving to be a headache for opposing offenses, Gaes (Sr., Alta, Iowa) was a difference maker on the South Dakota defensive line. Making nine starts in his 10 games played, Gaes finished second in the Valley with his 8.0 sacks.
He sat T5th in the MVFC with his 10.0 tackles for loss, while being one of two Yotes with double-digit TFLs. Gaes also recorded 37 total tackles in the regular season.
The Iowa native enters the FCS Playoffs sitting fourth in program history with his 22.0 sacks.
Dennis Shorter, defensive back
In his senior season, Shorter (Sr., Daytona Beach, Fla.) proved to be one of the best safeties in the conference. He sat tied for the league lead with his 12 pass break-ups, while leading the conference with his 1.20 PBUs per contest.
The Florida native sat second on the team with his 58 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles, which sat in a tie for second in the Valley. He was also one of 10 Valley defensive backs to have multiple interceptions with his two.
SECOND TEAM HONOREES
Joe Cotton, offensive line
Cotton (So., Sioux Falls, S.D.) has started all 26 games in his Coyote career over two seasons, including all 11 games in 2024. Serving at left tackle on a Coyote line that sat second in the Valley in total yards per game (441.6) and rushing yards per game (224.3), while having an effective pass block that allowed Bouman to sit second in the Valley in passing yards per game. All this led South Dakota to have the second-best scoring offense in the MVFC at 37.0 points per game.
Bryce Henderson, offensive line
In his third season on the USD offensive line, Henderson (Jr., North Aurora, Ill.) has split time at guard and tackle. He’s started all 11 games at right tackle for the Yotes in 2024 on a O-line that sat second in the Valley in total yards per game (441.6) and rushing yards per game (224.3), while having an effective pass block that allowed Bouman to sit second in the Valley in passing yards per game. All this led South Dakota to have the second-best scoring offense in the MVFC at 37.0 points per game.
Blake Holden, defensive line
A captain of the defensive line, Holden (Sr., Watertown, S.D.) is a three-year starter on the Coyote D-line and started all 11 games for South Dakota this season. He sat third on the team in tackles for loss (6.0) and sacks (4.0).
He notched a career-best 1.5 sacks and a season-best five tackles against Indiana State (Nov. 9). He also had 33 tackles on the season heading into the FCS Playoffs.
Gary Bryant III, linebacker
The Coyote leader in tackles made the most of his first year as a starter at linebacker. Bryant III’s (So., Baltimore, Md.) 78 tackles sat 13th in the MVFC and his 7.1 tackles per game ranked 10th.
He had a season-best 11 tackles in four games this season, while posting three TFLs, three pass break-ups, and a forced fumble. He earned MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors back on October 14 following the Northern Iowa game.
Mike Reid, defensive back
Starting 10 of the USD 11 games at cornerback in his lone season as a Coyote, Reid (Sr., Owings Mills, Md.) was a lockdown corner with teams choosing to avoid his direction as the season progressed. He posted 31 tackles (19 solo), while having one interception.
HONORABLE MENTION
Aidan Bouman, quarterback
Bouman (Jr., Buffalo, Minn.) led South Dakota to a 6-0 record inside the DakotaDome this season and to a share of the MVFC title with being one of two Valley quarterbacks to average 200+ passing yards per game. He sat second in the category with 205.2 yards per game, while throwing for 14 passing touchdowns which sat fifth.
His 2,257 passing yards sat fourth in the Missouri Valley, while also sitting fourth in completion percentage (67.8%). His longest pass this season of 80 yards (touchdown) sits third-best in the conference.
On the season, the Minnesota native entered the program’s top-10 list in passing yards in a season for the second-straight year. He had seven games with 200+ passing yards with a season-best 284 yards against Northern Iowa (Oct. 12). QB1 enters the FCS Playoffs with 20 career wins as a Coyote.
Travis Theis, running back
See information above in First Team honors.
Carter Bell, wide receiver / return specialist
The program’s best wide receiver in career receptions and receiving yards ends his collegiate career at South Dakota as an Honorable Mention wide receiver and return specialist. Bell (Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa) was the team’s leading receiver with 41 receptions for 587 yards. His receiving yards sat 10th in the Valley. He brought down a pair of receiving touchdowns which occurred in the final four games of the regular season.
He had one 100-yard receiving game against Indiana State (Nov. 9) and needs just four receiving touchdowns to break the program’s career record in his third different category.
Josiah Ganues, defensive back
A four-year starting safety in the Coyote secondary, Ganues (Miramar, Fla.) sat sixth on the team in tackles this season with his 43. He notched a season-best six tackles at No. 3 South Dakota State (Oct. 26).
The senior also had a pair of pass break-ups on the year and one tackle for loss from his safety spot.
Keyondray Jones-Logan, all-purpose
Jones-Logan (So., Orlando, Fla.) was the only FCS player to return TWO kickoffs for touchdowns this season, earning the season’s first Special Teams Player of the Week honor.
His first return of 97 yards (Northern State) and his second of 99 yards (Drake) were the main reasons he only had the opportunity to return just seven kickoffs this season. His 43.2 yards per return would’ve led the MVFC had he reached the minimum return number.
He now sits tied for the South Dakota career record for kickoffs returned for scores.