The Dakota Marker game is set up for prime-time television Saturday. No. 1 South Dakota State
University is set to travel I-29 to Fargo to visit No. 2 North Dakota State University. The Jackrabbits are walking into Saturday, motivated to keep their win streak against the Bison alive, as South Dakota State has taken the last five matchups, six, if you count the 2022-23 FCS Championship game in Frisco Texas.
The Dakota Marker didn’t always have this publicity, as recent success from both programs has highlighted this rivalry, but this Saturday matchup feels different. After an in-season schedule adjustment has this matchup slotted in the 7 P.M. (CST) kickoff time, aired on ESPN. As we all know, this game always and once again will have serious Missouri Valley Football Conference standings implications.
Throughout this rivalry’s history, North Dakota State has primarily dominated this rivalry especially during the 2010’s. Like mentioned previously, South Dakota State is walking into Saturday winners of the last five matchups. When the two programs met in 2023, the Jackrabbits controlled the flow of the whole game, sending the Bison out of Brookings with a 33-16 win. This victory brought the record of the Dakota Marker game to 10-10 between the two schools. The two programs have been playing this game since 2004, even though before then, there is still lengthy history between the two football programs.
Head coach Tim Polasek spoke about the game in 2016, where SDSU won the regular season matchup, but later on in the season NDSU ended the Jackrabbits season in postseason play, is where Polasek thinks the rivalry was enhanced to where we stand today. Outside factors onbehalf of SDSU was something that stuck with the NDSU coach before that playoff game, which is why he theorizes why that playoff victory felt even better In 2016.
The Bison coach isn’t expecting any change in the Jackrabbits plan, as he expects them to come out and play the cleanest, best football they can. He also doesn’t expect much different out of his locker room, as he anticipates both teams playing hard, smashmouth, but very clean and free of mess-ups, football.
The Jackrabbits play a very complete game of football. On their offensive side Quarterback Mark Gronkowksi, Running Back Amar Johnson, and wide receiver Griffen Wilde are responsible for the balance offensive attacks. Coach Polasek was asked on where to start preparing for a complete offensive unit, like the Jackrabbits and spoke about stopping the run game first, then try to make Gronkowski make the right reads and plays. The 11-man defensive unit for SDSU has limited both sides of offense for their opposition as they are giving up an average of 97 yards per game and around 200 passing yards per game. The defensive unit has been very good in the RedZone as well, allowing only five touchdowns this year. The offensive unit for NDSU will be tasked with gaining more than those averages, as it will take that effort plus more to remain perfect in MVFC play.
NDSU is ranked No. 2 for more than obvious reasons, as their defensive unit is going into Saturday’s matchup giving up 1.8 yards per carry and a miniscule 48 yards per game on the rushing side. NDSU’s pass rush is also improving week after week, which will look to keep improving this Saturday and make a more substantial impact then previous weeks. Standout Senior running back Amar Johnson will be tasked on SDSU’s sidelines for the early insertion and success with the Jackrabbits running game. 5th year Quarterback Cam Miller is trending to be much healthier in this game, then a week ago, which will allow the Bison offense to open up and get back to their true schemes and establish their patented run game early once again as Polasek noted in his Tuesday press conference.
Once again, the Fargo community is tasked with a huge ask at the end of their week. Come out and support the Bison. The Bison coach touched on the to role his local community plays, noting on how all the success on and off the field is attributed to the fans and the community.
Time after time, the Bison have relied on the support from the locals, and they have provided. Whether the support is at Coach Polasek’s weekly Thursday night Bison Football coaches Show, heading to your favorite spot for the game, or tailgating and going into the Fargodome, Coach Polasek sees the effort and praises it highly. Polasek knows that this Saturday will be no different with the support and he hopes to deliver the joy and Dakota Marker trophy back to the Fargo and the surrounding communities when that final whistle blows.
Kickoff will take place at the Fargodome at 7 p.m. Viewers can tune in on ESPN2 with Jay Alter and Rocky Boiman on the headset. This is the first nationally televised Dakota Marker game.
