South Dakota State football, 1889–1909
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The South Dakota State Jackrabbits football program represents South Dakota State University in American football. This article covers the history of the program in the first two decades. Prior to 1904, the school was known as the South Dakota Agricultural College. In 1904, the school was renamed South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The team played its home games at Brookings, South Dakota.
Significant milestones in the period covered include the following:
- South Dakota Agricultural began competing in intercollegiate football in 1889, eight years after the school was founded. The team played a single game against the University of South Dakota in 1889, ending in a 6–6 tie. It was the first game in the South Dakota–South Dakota State football rivalry. South Dakota State did not win a game in that rivalry until 30 years later in 1919.[1]
- After a seven-year hiatus, the program resumed intercollegiate play in 1897 with a game against the University of Sioux Falls, ending in a 22–0 loss.[1]
- In 1898, South Dakota Agricultural won its first football game, a 62–0 victory over a team from Watertown, South Dakota.[1]
- The 1899 team compiled the program's first winning record of 3–1, including shut out victories over Huron College (55–0) and Madison Normal (23–0) and ending with a 57–0 loss to Mitchell University.[1]
- In 1903, the team commenced its rivalry with North Dakota State, now known for the Dakota Marker trophy. North Dakota State won the inaugural game by an 85–0 score. It remains the worst loss in program history, followed by an 81–0 loss to Minnesota in 1905 and an 86–6 loss to Kansas in 1947.[1]
- In 1908, the team won its first rivalry game with North Dakota State, prevailing by an 11–5 score.[1]
Regular opponents during the first two decades included the Flandreau Indian School, the Yankton College, the Huron University, Madison Normal School (now known as Dakota State University), and Dakota University at Mitchell (now known as Dakota Wesleyan University).