Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports & Marketing Information Director
Dickinson, N.D. — Dickinson State continued their dominant season, routing Dakota State 38-7 on a wet and windy day at the BAC on Saturday, their 41st straight NSAA win. The victory put a bow on Dickinson State's tenth straight NSAA Championship and a perfect 8-0 conference record. The Blue Hawks now await their fate for the NAIA Football Champion Series (FCS) Opening Round, DSU looks to be in a solid position to host the game for the first time in nearly two decades.
"I'm very proud of our guys for getting it done today," said Head Coach Pete Stanton. "Our seniors never lost a conference game. So proud of our seniors for the example they have set for others and the impact they have made on our program."
The Blue Hawks (9-1, 8-0 NSAA) set the tone early. Quarterback Will Madler connected with Gage Gilbert for a 20-yard touchdown on the opening drive, giving DSU a quick 7-0 lead. The offense stayed hot in the second quarter, as running back Braden Zuroff broke free for a 41-yard touchdown run, followed by another score from Zuroff on a gritty 3-yard rush. Madler capped the first half with a 3-yard quarterback keeper, pushing the lead to 28-7 at halftime.
Zuroff showcased his versatility, racking up 78 yards on just ten carries and finding the end zone twice. Meanwhile, fellow running back Jackson Simonson torched the Dakota State defense with 126 yards, including a game-long 55-yard dash.
The Blue Hawks' defense was just as relentless, holding the Trojans (6-4, 4-4 NSAA) to a mere 128 total yards, including only 58 rushing. Linebacker Jackson Willems led the charge with six tackles, while Matt Anderson added a sack and multiple quarterback pressures. Dickinson's front seven consistently disrupted Dakota State quarterback AJ Donovan, who managed just 70 passing yards and was sacked six times.
Dakota State's lone highlight came midway through the second quarter when Donovan found Melek Ford for a 1-yard touchdown, capping a methodical 10-play, 75-yard drive. However, it was the only time the Trojans would find the end zone as the Blue Hawks clamped down.
The second half saw Dickinson State lean on their ground game and defense to maintain control. A 13-yard touchdown pass from Madler to Semaj Clark extended the lead to 35-7 early in the fourth quarter. Kicker Chase Miller then added a booming 53-yard field goal to close out the scoring.
Statistically, the Blue Hawks dominated every facet. They amassed 399 total yards, including a staggering 256 on the ground, while converting 53% of their third-down opportunities. In contrast, the Trojans struggled mightily, averaging only 2.2 yards per play.
With the win, Dickinson State solidifies their place in the NAIA playoffs and builds momentum heading into the postseason. The Blue Hawks' focus now shifts to chasing a national title, with hopes of carrying their NSAA success onto the larger stage.
Blue Hawk fans hoping to to see who and where DSU plays next week should tune into the NAIA Selection Show tomorrow, November 17, at 5pm MT on the NAIA YouTube page.