NDSU snaps losing streak to SDSU to reclaim the Dakota Marker in dramatic fashion

FARGO (KVRR) – What a moment, what a feeling, what a game. The #2 North Dakota State Bison snapped a five-game losing streak to the #1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits to win the Dakota Marker Saturday night. Returning the rock to Fargo thanks to a 13-9 victory.

It means a lot to these players, this program and the region that root for the Herd. And it means a lot to first year Head Coach Tim Polasek who has been a part of many championship locker rooms at NDSU. He shares what it was like in there after winning the Dakota Marker.

“The best I’ve ever seen. I’m dead serious,” said Coach Polasek. “There’s been times we’ve won the national title and guys are trying to say sorry because it didn’t go down the way we thought it would and they knew that we were thinking about the next one already. That’s really sad, that will not happen here ever again. That locker room was pretty cool. I mean, they gave a game ball whatever, not about me it’s about the kids and they played their tails off and they fought.”

Many players have stepped up in big ways to help capture the elusive trophy. Cam Miller, who has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury, went 7-7 in the final drive that led to a go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes on the clock.

“Wide receivers made plays, offensive line blocked up perfectly and we went I think it was 95 yards and scored on a four minute drive. I’m just so happy for us.” said Miller.

A favorite for the Walter Payton Player of the Year Award, Miller finished the night going 20-27 with 163 yards and two touchdowns. Miller becomes the latest quarterback in program history to win the Dakota Marker.

The man who caught those touchdowns was RaJa Nelson. The senior has been in and out of the line-up this year due to his health issues, had two touchdown catches for the Bison. Crediting the athletic trainer and staff that help him get through his pain to play on the field.

“Technically, I’m not even supposed to be playing with what I am diagnosed with. But the amount of times she puts in to helping me get better is just unbelievable and I can thank her enough.” said Nelson.

The Code Green defense also stepped up. They held a South Dakota State offense to only nine points. They swarmed the Jackrabbits drive after drive, trying to keep Mark Gronowski from getting SDSU into the endzone. The Jackrabbits did get a long touchdown run in the first half, and were up 9-7 heading into halftime.

But thanks to the Miller to Nelson connection with less than two minutes on the clock, the Bison held a 13-9 lead. They needed one more stop from their defense. What happened next was like a Hollywood movie as Logan Kopp made a leaping interception to give NDSU the ball and most importantly the Dakota Marker.

It sent the FARGODOME crowd and the Bison sideline into a frenzy. The defense made their stops, the offense scored whey they needed it most and Coach Polasek expressed how proud he was of how his team stepped up against the number one team in the country.

“It wasn’t pretty, don’t care. I asked the guys to drag these guys into the murky, deep end of the swamp and let’s just see if they can swim in the deep end of the pool with us.” said Coach Polasek.

The Bison won 13-9. They snapped the losing streak that included four Dakota Marker games and a national championship game as well.

This moment will live on through the players, the coaching staff and the fans. The Dakota Marker is back in Fargo, and the Herd intends to keep it that way for years to come.

The Bison (7-1) take their seven game winning streak on the road on October 26 to take on the Murray State Racers (1-6) at 1 p.m. in Murray, KY.