South Dakota
Recap: Wisconsin Badgers edge past South Dakota 27-13 for 2-0 start to the season
The Wisconsin Badgers were able to come up with a close win against the South Dakota Coyotes with a final score of 27 -13.
A well fought game from both sides, Wisconsin was able to slip away, despite struggling at times, thanks to a strong start and finish.
1st Half
Wisconsin’s offense started the game on fire, taking the ball downfield and scoring in on a seven-play, 75 yard touchdown drive that lasted just 2:46 of game time.
A huge play to Vinny Anthony for 32 yards off a play action bootleg and a 22 yard catch-and-run from Bryson Green put Wisconsin in place for a Chez Mellusi touchdown run.
With Tawee Walker out for the game, Cade Yacamelli took the role of RB2 and really showed out. Yacamelli had seven carries for 59 yards, including a huge 29-yard gain where he broke off multiple tackles and nearly edged past the defense for a score. Yacamelli was also effective in the pass game taking in two catches for 13 yards.
The defense showed out and started off much stronger than last week, however mishaps were definitely present. Safety Hunter Wohler and inside linebacker Jaheim Thomas led the team tackles in the first half and were both making plays all over the field.
The defensive line continued to have issues when trying to create pressure and win at the line of scrimmage, with defensive coordinator Mike Tressel relying on blitz packages to really cause quarterback pressure. Creating pressure with the front four is going to be pivotal for the Badgers moving forward and even to finish this game.
After a questionable performance last week, Van Dyke looked much more comfortable in the pocket in the first half, going 9-11 for 147 yards with a 50-yard bomb to C.J Williams for a score. The rhythm for Van Dyke is slowly settling in as offensive coordinator Phil Longo dialed up more of his RPO actions as the first half progressed.
The big question with Van Dyke was his progressions. He started the game off well going through his reads well and fast, however; as the game progressed, his rhythm was getting more and more off. One major misthrow was when Van Dyke underthrew an open C.J Williams deep down the hashes, which should have been a touchdown.
Getting Van Dyke in rhythm with the rest of the offense is going to be very important to do well with a tough schedule, as the Big Ten teams are not going to give him the time he currently has to go through his reads.
2nd Half
The Coyotes received the ball to start the second and took it all the way to the house. South Dako opened the half with four consecutive run plays, of which three resulted in gains of over 10 yards. The defensive line struggled in the first possession, restricting the flow of the linebackers and leading to these huge gains.
Coyotes running back Keyondray Logan-James ended the drive with a 35-yard touchdown run off a one-cut zone run, cutting the lead to a single touchdown. Missed tackles from Jaheim Thomas really hurt the Badgers on this drive as did the poor flowing of the linebackers.
The Badgers offense also struggled, starting the half off with a short possession, giving the ball right back to the Coyotes. This time around, the defense was able to hold after an initial push from the Coyotes offense, but a muffed punt by Vinny Anthony gave South Dakota the ball at the Wisconsin 8 yard line.
From that point on, the defense and especially the defensive line played lights out, getting a tipped pass as well as a sack by transfer Elijah Hills to force the Coyotes to kick a field goal, despite starting with favorable field position. They even survived a targeting call against linebacker Jake Chaney, which kept him out of the game and will force him to miss the first half next week against Alabama.
The Coyotes would go on to get shut out the rest of the way, as they were limited to only seven yards in the whole fourth quarter.
Defensive tackle Curt Neal and backup linebacker Tackett Curtis, who replaced ejected linebacker Jake Chaney, especially shined in the second half, coming up with huge tackle for losses, and playing their gaps properly, limiting the Coyotes’ explosive run game.
Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke took a step down in the second half, only completing half of his 16 second-half passes, but the Badgers run game was able to get them into the end zone and run the clock down.
Running backs Chez Mellusi and Cade Yacamelli really helped take the pressure off of Van Dyke and create a sort of rhythm that was missing from this team in the early part of the second half. True freshman backs Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones also saw the field during the Badgers last offensive possession as they bullied their way through the South Dakota defense to run out the clock.
The comeback of the Badgers defense and the methodical play calling of Phil Longo allowed the Badgers to escape with this win. However, as the season goes on, it is going to be very important for Van Dyke to get used to the RPO reads and the overall offense in order to compete with stacked Big Ten teams. The Badgers can not rely solely on their plethora of running backs to win them games.
Personal Thoughts
The Badgers struggling against both their preseason FCS matchups is not a good sign for this season.
The team definitely has the talent and coaching to be competitive in the Big Ten, but mental errors are really hurting this team. They need to get their offense on the same page in order to get the rhythm and timing necessary for Phil Longo’s offense.
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line needs to do a much better job of creating quarterback pressure and winning the line of scrimmage battles. Without a strong line push, it becomes difficult for linebackers to flow and make tackles, which is why the Coyotes were able to get the ball going on the ground.
While there were signs of good defensive play and offensive play that we know this team is capable of, the consistency has to be improved before the big game against Alabama next week.
Another key point is the emergence of Cade Yacamelli and his ability to really change the game. Yacamelli went for 73 yards on eight rushes, breaking out a huge run of 29 yards. His downhill running ability combined with great vision can be really helpful for the Badgers when they need a spark plug. Look to see him get integrated more and more into the game plan as the season progresses, even with the backs at hand.
Lastly, Fickell’s experimentation with the defensive backs looks to be working well. True freshman Xavier Lucas had another great game, and the rotation at nickel with Austin Brown, Max Lofy, and even Nyzier Fourqurean is really helping defensive coordinator Mike Tressel open up his defensive playbook.
With a big game against Alabama coming up next week, it is pivotal for the Badgers to get on the same page offensively and consistently drive the ball downfield. The defensive line has to be faster off the ball and better at maintaining their gaps to allow the second and third lines to flow and make tackles.
These small improvements will take this team to a different level and could even put them in the conversation for a possible top 25 ranking, should Wisconsin show out next weekend.
South Dakota
TBD vs. South Dakota Coyotes – Live Score – March 31, 2026
South Dakota
SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 28, 2026
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from March 28 drawing
11-42-43-59-61, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from March 28 drawing
15-29-30-32-35, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from March 28 drawing
04-08-13-31-35
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 28 drawing
12-14-17-22-55, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
South Dakota
7 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in South Dakota
There is only one rattlesnake native to South Dakota: the prairie rattlesnake. Also known as the Great Plains rattlesnake, it has the largest range of any rattlesnake in North America, stretching from Canada to Mexico.
In South Dakota, the prairie rattlesnake’s range crosses through the western parts of the state and lands around the Missouri River. The prairies, badlands, rocky outcrops, and river watersheds make ideal places for it to thrive, and these snakes are most often found in areas where that terrain provides them with room to hide and hunt.
These snakes are not aggressive toward humans, but they will defend themselves if threatened. That is why the areas below stand out, as they combine the kinds of habitat where prairie rattlesnakes are most likely to live with places where people also hike, camp, and explore.
Custer State Park
Spanning 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is home to granite mountain peaks, lakes, and grasslands. Set in the Black Hills, its most noteworthy trails are up mountains such as Black Elk Peak, but its Wildlife Loop Road runs for 18 miles through open grasslands home to prairie dogs, bison, and other animals. These grasslands are a prairie rattlesnake’s preferred habitat, as they can slither through undetected and feed on prairie dogs, taking over their colonies.
Prairie rattlesnakes can be found in other places in Custer State Park as well, including in lower-elevation campgrounds. There have been multiple reports of rattlesnakes wandering onto campgrounds. This can be especially dangerous for guests who wander outside without proper footwear. That’s why it’s critical to always wear good shoes or boots while in these parks to avoid a nasty bite if you accidentally step on one of these reptiles.
Badlands National Park
These badlands contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. The area was once covered by a sea, leaving behind many ancient marine creatures, such as the massive Mosasaurus. Mammal fossils are also common here, such as the Nimravid cat and the Brontothere, which likely grew to 8 to 16 feet tall and closely resembled modern rhinos. The badlands still provide rich habitat for wildlife, including prairie rattlesnakes, which are most often found in the prairies below the Badlands National Park’s iconic sedimentary rock formations.
The prairie rattlesnake feasts on a wide variety of prey in the park, from prairie dogs to burrowing owls and ferrets. It uses its heat-seeking pits to track its prey, while its tongue picks up particles in the air to “smell.” However, these snakes are not the only predators here. Red-tailed hawks and Golden Eagles are known to attack and eat these rattlesnakes, along with badgers.
Prairie rattlesnakes are most active from the spring to fall, but they can also come out in slightly cooler weather to bask in sunlight.
Lake Francis Case
Lake Francis Case was formed by the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River in the 1950s. It covers 102,000 acres with a maximum depth of 140 feet. Unfortunately, its creation flooded a Native American settlement and forced the community out. The lake is surrounded by prairies, from which hikers have seen prairie rattlesnakes. The lake is also home to a population of prairie dogs, which are prime prey for prairie rattlesnakes.
However, some prairie rattlesnakes can get closer to the shoreline, as Snake Creek Recreation Area is one of the better-known hotspots. They have been spotted hiding in the rocks and bushes by the lake. One trail known as a rattlesnake hotspot is the Shannon Trail, which connects the north and south campgrounds and overlooks Lake Francis Case.
George S. Mickelson Trail
The George S. Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile-long trail along an abandoned rail line across western South Dakota in the Black Hills. It connects to multiple forests, state parks, and privately maintained trails, including areas near Custer State Park. Toward the lower-elevation southern end of the trail, rattlesnakes have been regularly sighted by hikers and South Dakota park authorities.
The southern end of the trail passes through several habitats that support the prairie rattlesnake, such as the lower-elevation Sheep Canyon, where the rattlesnakes can hide among rocks, and the grassy prairies near Custer, South Dakota. Hikers in South Dakota sometimes find these snakes in prairie dog holes, as prairie rattlesnakes occasionally stick their heads out of them.
Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park comprises two distinct ecosystems: a vast cave and an above-ground prairie. The cave was of great importance to the Lakota people because it is central to their emergence story. What makes this park a good environment for rattlesnakes is its mixture of prairies and ponderosa forests. Prairie dogs in particular dig holes known as underground colonies or ‘towns,’ which prairie rattlesnakes often use as ambush sites to hunt prey.
The rattlesnakes can also take refuge in rocky outcrops, both to protect themselves from the elements and to ambush prey. During cooler parts of the year, snakes are more likely to bask in the sun, increasing the chance of human encounters. The Wind Cave National Park is also close to several other rattlesnake hotspots on this list, including Custer State Park.
Missouri River
The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States, flowing for 2,341 miles from the Rocky Mountains of Montana down into the Mississippi River in Missouri. It flows through western and central South Dakota as well, providing water for a large semi-arid watershed. In South Dakota, the drier climate and the rocky bluffs, shorelines, and nearby prairie habitat along the river make this corridor one of the main areas where prairie rattlesnakes are found.
Prairie rattlesnakes are most strongly associated with western South Dakota and the lands around the Missouri River. They are more often found in rocky or grassy areas near the river than in the water itself, though they have been observed swimming and may occasionally enter the water. As a result, people fishing or hiking through the Missouri River valley should stay alert for this snake.
Black Hills National Forest
The Black Hills National Forest is a massive area, covering 1.2 million acres of forests and mountains, or 110 miles long by 70 miles wide. It has been called an Island in the Plains, as it rises above the mostly flat landscape of the Great Plains.
The forest contains 1,300 miles of streams, 11 reservoirs, 353 miles of trails, and 30 campgrounds. While exploring this forest, hikers and campers may encounter rattlesnakes, especially in lower-elevation areas or in rocky areas. In hot summer weather, rattlesnakes often retreat from the heat, but during the cooler spring and fall months, they are more likely to bask in the open.
In some cases, hikers may not hear a warning rattle right away, which is one reason caution matters in rocky or brushy areas. These tails don’t provide the support needed for their rattles to make a sound. Wildlife experts believe this is an evolutionary change, since rattlesnakes that make a loud rattle are more likely to be killed by frightened hikers or campers.
Humans are rattlesnakes’ biggest predators
Prairie rattlesnakes face many threats, and encounters with humans are one of them. Rattlesnakes usually try to avoid people when they can, or warn them when someone gets too close. These incidents are often avoidable if you take proper precautions, such as wearing sturdy shoes, staying on trails, and being aware of what lies ahead. These snakes may be intimidating, but they are far more threatened by humans than we are by them.
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