USD Plays Football Game At Howard Wood

It was a change of venue on Saturday for the University of South Dakota coyotes. But you couldn’t tell if you looked up into the stands.

Thousands came out as the University of South Dakota and North Dakota State University battled it out at Howard Wood field.

USD chose to play at Howard Wood, in hopes of attracting more people to the game and to the city of Sioux Falls.

With a packed outdoor stadium, the change of venue could easily be interpreted as a success.

Earlier on Saturday, the thousands tailgating like Willy Gartner and his crew from West Fargo were looking forward to the new atmosphere the outdoor field would have.

"It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun," Gartner said.

While some say they would have gone to the game regardless of the location, the fact that Howard Wood is outdoors is a plus.

"I would have gone to the game in vermillion, but, let's face it, being outdoors is so much better," Dave Ruzicka said.

And Ruzicka says being outside not only makes for a better pre-game party, but a better football game too.

"Football is meant to be played outdoors, period." Ruzicka said.

Back at the game, the packed stands prove that USD’s decision to give up a home game to play a game in Sioux Falls wasn't a bad idea at all.

In addition to playing outdoors, this is the first game where alcohol was served in the stands.