September 14, 2026
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dakota State (S.D.) continued its stay in the national rankings Monday as the NAIA released its latest STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 poll. The Trojans moved up from their No. 25 preseason ranking to No. 23 ranking in the first regular-season edition after improving to 2-1 overall.
It marked the fourth consecutive poll, dating back to last season, that DSU appeared inside the NAIA's Top 25 national poll (No. 24 in the final poll and No. 25 in the postseason poll).
The Trojans are coming off a dominating 52-0 victory over NCAA Division III Nebraska Wesleyan in the 11
th annual Ag Bowl Saturday evening at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field. Dakota State established a school record with 713 yards of total offense, surpassing the previous mark of 642 yards set against Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Aug. 24, 2017.
DSU's defense was equally impressive, limiting NWU to just 89 total offensive yards and no rushing yards. Dakota State held a 32-6 advantage in first downs and forced Nebraska Wesleyan to punt 11 times.
Dakota State opened the season with a 35-27 victory over rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) before suffering a 44-31 setback at NCAA Division II Black Hills State (S.D.). DSU responded with Saturday's shutout victory over Nebraska Wesleyan.
Two-time defending national champion Grand View (Iowa) retained the No. 1 ranking and received all 13 first-place votes in Monday's national poll. Keiser (Fla.) remained second, while Frontier Conference member Montana Tech rose two positions to No. 3. College of Idaho is fourth.
Dakota State is one of five Frontier Conference programs represented in the national Top 25, joining Montana Tech, College of Idaho, No. 15 ranked Carroll (Mont.) and No. 21 ranked Montana Western.
The Trojans return to Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field Saturday as they continue their 2026 schedule against Arizona Christian. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. in Madison, S.D.
