#2 NDSU ready for primetime battle against #1 SDSU for the Dakota Marker

FARGO (KVRR) – The #2 NDSU Bison have their eyes set on taking down the #1 SDSU Jackrabbits to reclaim the Dakota Marker. South Dakota State has won five straight times against the Bison and have held the Marker for the past four seasons.

However, they will look to win without one of their star defenders. Dylan Hendricks is out this game with a knee injury that could keep him out for the foreseeable future.

“That’s a six-year guy that’s been through a lot. It’s a major knee, if we can get the swelling out of there he could cowboy it up and he’s tough enough to do it. But it’s just life-long decisions now. It was much worse than the report we got coming out of the locker room without the MRI.” said NDSU Football Head Coach Tim Polasek.

The Bison will be taking on a Jackrabbits offense that ranks second in the conference averaging 39 points per game. SDSU is led by their quarterback Mark Gronowski and the league leading rushing attack that averages 245.2 yards a game. It will be up to the Code Green defense to keep the Jackrabbits out of the end zone. NDSU has had success this year in stopping the run, holding teams to only about 107 yards a game.

“Really just being as physical as I can be. Playing with good technique, good fundamentals and just playing the game I play. Yeah they are physical up front but we also got some physical guys that I am used to go up against in practice everyday.” said Loshiaka Roques, a senior defensive end for NDSU.

On the other side of the ball, Cam Miller has had a great season so far as the QB for the Bison, making plenty of plays with his feet and with his arm. But a recent ankle injury has limited Miller’s rushing ability. It could be up to other players to make big plays for NDSU, which includes putting Cole Payton out there more at QB.

“We’ve got to test Cam a little bit more in practice this week. That way if we have to play both quarterbacks or we know we can ride Cam and we can do everything that’s accessible to him and his game. I think a big part of it is scrambling and keeping us on the field.” said Coach Polasek.

This primetime matchup is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. down at the FARGODOME. The game will be shown on ESPN 2.