Youngstown State at South Dakota State: Where to watch, who is commentating, and what to know
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Youngstown State face South Dakota State in a key NCAA Division I FCS clash on 20 September 2026, with kick-off listed for 00:00 UK time. For viewers on both sides of the Atlantic, the game is set to be available on ESPN Unlimited / ESPN+ in the USA as well as Midco Sports Network and Midco Sports+, making it accessible through major American streaming and regional TV platforms rather than a UK broadcaster such as Sky or ITV.
The broadcast team gives the match extra appeal. Tyler Merriam is on play-by-play and brings extensive South Dakota State experience to the coverage. Merriam has served as the Jackrabbits’ senior associate athletic director for media and has been the lead television and radio voice for SDSU athletics across Midco Sports, the Summit League Network and the Jackrabbit Sports Network since the mid-2000s. His résumé also includes football, basketball, wrestling, baseball and softball coverage, and he has won multiple honours including South Dakota Sportscaster of the Year and the Bill Schwanke Award for top FCS radio broadcaster.
Working alongside him is former coach and analyst Kurtiss Riggs, whose football background adds strong tactical insight. Riggs spent more than two decades as head coach of the Sioux Falls Storm, guiding the indoor side to eleven national championships. He has also been involved in South Dakota football development through Sanford Sports and has long been recognised as one of the most knowledgeable voices in the state’s football scene. That mix of institutional knowledge and coaching pedigree should suit a meeting that could have real FCS implications.
On the sideline, Kelsey Dennehy is listed as the reporter. Dennehy has worked as a sports anchor and reporter for KELOLAND Media Group and previously gained experience as a student producer and sideline reporter with the Big Ten Network, as well as through internships and student media roles at Indiana University. Her recent broadcast journalism background suggests sharp, modern sideline coverage and a solid understanding of college football storytelling.
The matchup itself is a familiar one for FCS followers. South Dakota State have built a reputation as one of the standard-bearers in the subdivision, while Youngstown State remain a historic programme with championship pedigree of their own. Games like this often draw attention because they combine playoff-style intensity with high-level production values, and the presence of an experienced commentary crew only enhances the occasion.
For readers wanting more context on the Jackrabbits, the official South Dakota State athletics site provides a useful overview of the programme at GoJacks.com. With coverage available via ESPN+ in the United States and Midco platforms in the region, this is one to watch closely if you follow the FCS race, whether in the UK or in America.
In short, the focus is not just on the teams but also on a broadcast line-up that combines a long-time SDSU voice, a championship-winning coach-analyst and a rising reporter. That should make Youngstown State at South Dakota State one of the more polished FCS viewing options of the weekend.
Article generated: 20 September 2026, 00:01 GMT