On the crisp afternoon of October 4, 2025, the South Dakota Coyotes ushered in a remarkable turnaround as they triumphed over Murray State with an impressive 49-24 victory in Week 6 of the college football season. This win was not just pivotal for the team, but also momentous for the local community as it marked the Coyotes’ 70th win during the cherished Dakota Days homecoming weekend.
LJ Phillips Jr., an indomitable force in the Coyotes’ lineup, emerged as the star of the game, with the crowd at the DakotaDome frequently chanting his name. This dynamic running back set the field ablaze, scoring three touchdowns by halftime, propelling South Dakota to a formidable 35-7 lead.
Following an early 40-point loss in their previous game, the Coyotes were in dire need of this soul-soothing victory. By the start of the third quarter, Phillips had already amassed an astounding 239 rushing yards. Less than five minutes into the second half, he broke through Murray State’s defense yet again, bringing his touchdown tally to four and extending the Coyotes’ lead to 42 points.
Murray State, however, was not ready to concede easily. They responded with a determined touchdown less than 10 minutes into the third quarter, followed by a surprise onside kick that caught the Coyotes off-guard, reducing the score gap to 42-17.
Despite the temporary setback, the South Dakota Coyotes maintained their offensive prowess. With wide receiver Jack Martens, who solidified the final score with a touchdown catch, the Coyotes reinforced their sovereignty on the field. Martens’ crucial play brought the team’s score to an unassailable 49 points.
“Those wide receivers out there were making blocks and making plays, so we got to reward them and give them the ball,” noted Phillips in a post-game interview with Midco Sports, acknowledging the collaborative effort that powered the win.
As the game clock ticked down, Murray State managed one final touchdown, concluding the bout at 49-24. Yet this endeavor stood meaningfully insignificant as the victory was sealed in the history books as a celebratory feat for the South Dakota community.
The Coyotes’ triumph was powered by an impressive total of over 300 rushing yards, a testament to the team’s relentless drive and the solid efforts from each player. Phillips’ individual contribution was nothing short of phenomenal; he closed out the game with 244 rushing yards and, cumulatively, eight rushing touchdowns over his last two home games at the DakotaDome.
“God is good, and the offensive line is even greater,” Phillips remarked jubilantly in his Midco interview. “They’re doing their job, and they’re making it easy. I just got to do my job, and they’re just making me look good.”
South Dakota, ranked No. 21 nationally, now enjoys a level-headed 3-3 record for the season. Looking forward, they face a challenging matchup against Indiana State on October 11. Head Coach Travis Johansen emphasized the necessity for keen preparation and execution, pointing out, “Indiana State’s a good football team. Going on the road is tough, particularly there, so we got to have a great week of practice and be ready to execute similarly on Saturday.”