The North Dakota State Bison are back in action for their last regular season game this season in Vermillion, South Dakota, to take on the South Dakota Coyotes, this Saturday. The Bison are coming into the last week of the 2024 regular season ranked number one again, a far too familiar sight for the Bison faithful, as this is a record of 200 weeks straight being ranked as a program.
Last week, NSDU clinched at least a share of the 2024-25 Missouri Valley Football Conference championship, as a 59-21 throttling of the Missouri State Bears saw North Dakota State remain a perfect 7-0 in conference play. The Bison are coming into the last week of the season feeling secure, but they still want to be the only program credited with finishing at the top, alone to end the season.
This is the 11th time the Bison are going to be awarded at least a share of the title in their 17 years of being in the Missouri Valley Conference.
NDSU is reeling off of one of their best rushing games all season, as two of their backs totaled over 100 yards, a feat that the Bison captured back in 2022. Junior Barika Kpeenu carried the ball 10 times for a career-high of 169 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Freshman CharMar Brown also carried the ball 13 times, rushing for 113 yards and one touchdown.
The Coyotes are coming into Saturday’s matchup, sitting at 8-2 overall, amidst a three-way tie in the second spot in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Last week, the Coyotes defeated the UND Fighting Hawks 42-36.
North Dakota State and the Coyotes have plenty of history as Saturday will be the 89th meeting between the two programs. Last year, these two programs matched up twice, South Dakota snapped a six-game losing streak to the Bison in the first game, resulting in final score of 24-19. North Dakota State sought out revenge in the quarterfinals round of last year’s playoffs and they received it by the time the game had ended, as a 45-17 win saw them advance in the playoffs, while the Coyotes season was over.
First-year Head Coach Tim Polasek doesn’t have his locker room looking forward in their schedule, as they know the Bison have a tough Coyotes squad again this year. Coach Polasek had high praise for the Coyotes and their coaching staff, as his respect for head coach Bob Nielson is “second to none.” Coach Polasek praised South Dakota’s game, claiming that this could be the most physical game the Bison play all year. The Coyote’s force their opposition into uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations, which Polasek looks to avoid.
South Dakota’s defensive unit has been stellar this year, as they are the highest scoring defense in the conference. They also have only given up 37% of first down’s, on third down yardage.
Senior defensive lineman Nick Gaes has enjoyed a spectacular year so far with eight sacks on. quarterbacks. Gaes and fellow defensive lineman, sophomore Mi’Quise Grace have formed a very sound duo in the trenches, as Grace has enjoyed a great sophomore season to the tune of seven-and a-half sacks.
Coach Tim Polasek knows how much Gaes and Grace can impact and ruin a gameplan. Not only do they have an impact on the passing side of the game, but also the rushing game as well. The Bison know they’re going to have their hands full, but Coach Polasek reiterated that the two lineman will be a critical matchup on Saturday. Look for the Bison offense to build off last week’s success by continuing their dominance in their rushing attack while aiming to take control early, once again.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday in Vermillion, South Dakota. Viewers can tune in with Dom Izzo on ABC stations state-wide.
*This article was written by Flag Family Media intern Cayden Lloyd*
