South Dakota to open Nielson era at Lobos

(STATS) - The University of South Dakota will play an 11-game schedule under first-year coach Bob Nielson, kicking off the 2016 season with a Sept. 3 matchup at New Mexico that was announced Wednesday.

The first-ever meeting of the two programs will be played at New Mexico's University Stadium in Albuquerque, where the Lobos hosted Arizona in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl last month.

USD hired the 56-year-old Nielson after he spent the last three seasons at fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference member Western Illinois.

The Coyotes, who were 5-6 overall and 3-5 in the Missouri Valley this past season, will play five home games in Vermillion - Weber State (Sept. 10) in non-conference action and then Northern Iowa (Oct. 8), Illinois State (Oct. 22), Western Illinois (Oct. 29) and five-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State (Nov. 19) in conference action.

2016 South Dakota Football Schedule

Sept. 3, at New Mexico

Sept. 10, Weber State

Sept. 17, at North Dakota

Oct. 1, at Youngstown State*

Oct. 8, Northern Iowa*

Oct. 15, at Indiana State*

Oct. 22, Illinois State*

Oct. 29, Western Illinois*

Nov. 5, at Southern Illinois*

Nov. 12, at South Dakota State*

Nov. 19, North Dakota State*

* - Missouri Valley Football Conference game