The Rapid City Red Dogs were one of two teams to go 13-1 in the inaugural season of the NIFL. The Red Dogs were undefeated on the road, but when the postseason came, the team was not ready. Sioux Falls defeated the Red Dogs, 40-25. The Dogs would never bounce back. In 2002, the team went 6-8, including two more losses to Sioux Falls. The season was up-and-down to say the least; the longest winning streak for the Dogs was two. 2003 was almost an exact copy of 2002. The team finished at 7-7, finally winning one game against Sioux Falls, but never winning more than two games in a row. After the 2003 season, the Rapid City Red Dogs became the Black Hills Red Dogs. The Dogs finished the 2004 season at 3-11, their only wins coming against Utah, Wyoming, and the Tri City Diesel. Following this dismal season, the franchise left the NIFL and joined the UIF, fearing that the NIFL was expanding too quickly and would soon go under.