Preview: South Dakota Coyotes at Mercer Bears MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — A pair of nine-win teams will clash Saturday when the South Dakota Coyotes visit the Mercer Bears at Five Star Stadium. Both teams enter the postseason tune-up with momentum, though their paths diverged in late November. The Coyotes (9-4) ride a three-game winning streak, capped by a 38-17 home victory over Drake on Nov. 29. Quarterback Aidan Bouman has been exceptional during the run, completing 50 of 71 passes for 719 yards and 10 touchdowns with zero interceptions. In the win over Drake, he threw for 261 yards and four scores. “Bouman is operating at a very high level right now,“ South Dakota coach Bob Nielson said. “His decision-making and ball security are giving us a chance every week.“ The Bears (9-2), however, are looking to rebound from a 62-17 road loss to FBS powerhouse Auburn on Nov. 22. Prior to that, Mercer’s offense was explosive, averaging 52 points per game in its previous three contests. Quarterback Braden Atkinson leads that attack, having thrown for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last three outings, including a 443-yard, three-total-touchdown performance in a 49-47 win at Western Carolina on Nov. 8. “Auburn was a different animal,“ Mercer coach Drew Cronic said. “We’ve responded well to adversity all season. Our focus is on executing our system and protecting our home field.“ The matchup features a stark contrast in recent competition. South Dakota’s wins came against FCS conference foes, while Mercer’s lone losses are to an FBS opponent (Auburn) and a surprising season-opening defeat to Presbyterian. The Bears have been dominant at home, outscoring opponents 252-51 in five games at Five Star Stadium this season. South Dakota will look to balance its offense with running back L.J. Phillips Jr., who rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown last week. Containing Atkinson’s dual-threat capability will be the primary task for a Coyotes defense that allowed 51 points in a late September loss to North Dakota State. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, Mercer is projected to win 42-29. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. EST Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.