Head Coach Bob Nielson and the South Dakota football program Make Huge Announcement For 2024 Team
VERMILLION, S.D. — Head Coach Bob Nielson and the South Dakota football program have announced the four captains for the 2024 season, along with three alternates. This year’s captains include four offensive players and three defensive players from various positions.
2024 CAPTAINS
- Aidan Bouman (QB, R-Jr.)
- Blake Holden (DL, Sr.)
- Dennis Shorter (DB, Sr.)
- Travis Theis (RB, Sr.)
2024 ALTERNATES
- Carter Bell (WR, Sr.)
- Joey Lombard (OL, Sr.)
- Teven McKelvey (DB, Sr.)
Bouman (Buffalo, Minn.) returns for his second season as a captain after a successful 2023, in which he achieved the program’s fifth-best single-season passing record. He will lead a potent South Dakota offense in 2024.
Theis (Pratt, Kan.), entering his sixth collegiate season, brings extensive experience to the running back unit. He earned Second Team All-MVFC honors last year, starting all 13 games and ranking in the top five all-time at USD with 2,494 career rushing yards.
On defense, Holden (Watertown, S.D.) becomes a captain for the first time this season after serving as an associate captain last year. As one of the 11 Coyotes to start all 13 games in 2023, he brings valuable experience and ranked sixth in tackles on the team.
Shorter also steps into a larger leadership role on the defense, having been an associate captain last season. The Honorable Mention All-MVFC player returns to the USD secondary after starting every game last year.
Bell (Bettendorf, Iowa) will continue to lead the wide receiver group as an alternate, while Lombard (Anoka, Minn.) will represent the offensive line. Both were associate captains in 2023.
McKelvey (Gardner, Kan.) takes on a leadership role on defense after competing in all 13 games last season, consistently rotating in at outside linebacker.
Catch the captains and the rest of the Coyotes in action on August 24 during the blackout-themed season and home opener against Northern State University at 7:00 p.m. in the DakotaDome.
