What Is 2012 South Dakota Coyotes football

Overview

The 2012 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota during the 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Led by sixth-year head coach Ed Meierkort, the team competed as a member of the Great West Conference and played its home games at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.

The Coyotes showed improvement over their 2011 campaign, finishing with a 6–5 overall record, their first winning season since reclassifying to Division I. Though they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, the season marked a step forward for the program amid conference realignment.

• Record: The team finished with a 6–5 overall record, improving from a 3–8 mark in 2011, marking a positive turnaround under Ed Meierkort’s leadership.
• Head Coach:Ed Meierkort served as head coach for his sixth season, overseeing the transition from Division II to FCS and building team consistency.
• Home Stadium: Games were played at the DakotaDome, a 19,34.5-capacity indoor facility in Vermillion, South Dakota, which has hosted Coyotes football since 1979.
• Conference: South Dakota competed in the Great West Conference, which disbanded after 2012, prompting the Coyotes to join the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2012.
• Quarterback:John DeSanto started 10 games, throwing for 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 58.2% completion rate.

Season Performance

The 2012 campaign featured a mix of competitive non-conference matchups and conference play against Great West opponents. The Coyotes demonstrated resilience, particularly on offense, despite missing postseason contention.

• Offensive Output: The team averaged 26.5 points per game, a significant improvement from previous years, driven by a balanced passing and rushing attack.
• Passing Game: John DeSanto and backup Kevin Earl combined for 2,214 passing yards, with DeSanto leading in completions and touchdown throws.
• Running Back:Chris Whittaker was the top rusher, gaining 548 yards on 127 carries and scoring 4 rushing touchdowns during the season.
• Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Joe Mortensen recorded 87 tackles, leading the defense, while safety Logan Harris added two interceptions.
• Key Win: A 38–31 victory over Southern Utah in October was a highlight, showcasing the team’s offensive potential and depth.
• Schedule Challenges: The Coyotes faced tough non-conference opponents, including losses to North Dakota State (23–13) and UC Davis (31–24).

Comparison at a Glance

The 2012 season is best understood in context of prior and subsequent years, reflecting transitional progress for the program.

The table illustrates the upward trajectory of the program, with 2012 serving as a turning point. The improved scoring and win total laid the foundation for stronger performances in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Why It Matters

The 2012 season was pivotal for the South Dakota football program, marking the end of an era in the Great West Conference and the beginning of integration into a more competitive league.

• Conference Transition: The dissolution of the Great West Conference after 2012 pushed South Dakota into the Missouri Valley Football Conference starting in 2012.
• Program Growth: The 6–5 record signaled progress after years of sub-.500 seasons, boosting recruiting and fan engagement.
• Coaching Legacy: Ed Meierkort’s leadership through the Division I transition culminated in this season before he was succeeded by Joe Glenn in 2014.
• Player Development: Quarterback John DeSanto’s performance set a benchmark for future signal-callers at the FCS level.
• Facility Use: The DakotaDome remained a key asset, providing a consistent home-field advantage during this developmental phase.
• Historical Context: The 2012 season is remembered as a bridge between rebuilding years and future competitiveness in the MVFC.

Ultimately, the 2012 South Dakota Coyotes season represented a modest but meaningful step forward for a program building toward sustained FCS relevance.