September 21, 2026
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dakota State (S.D.) continued its climb in the national rankings Monday, moving up two spots to
No. 21 in the latest STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
The Trojans, who were ranked No. 23 in last week's poll, improved to 3-1 overall after rolling past Arizona Christian 44-17 Saturday afternoon at Brian Kern Family Stadium on Blankley Field. DSU has now moved up four positions since opening the season at No. 25 in the preseason poll.
Dakota State has appeared in the NAIA Top 25 in five consecutive polls dating back to last season. The Trojans were No. 24 in the final regular-season poll and No. 25 in the 2025 postseason poll before opening the 2026 campaign at No. 25.
The Trojans produced 426 yards of total offense in Saturday's victory over Arizona Christian, including 222 rushing yards and 204 passing yards. Dakota State built a 21-3 halftime advantage before stretching its lead to 35-3 midway through the third quarter.
Dakota State's defense held the Firestorm to 233 total offensive yards and 3.5 yards per play. The Trojans also forced multiple turnovers and recorded a safety in the victory.
The win extended Dakota State's home winning streak to nine games, dating back to the final home contest of the 2024 season. DSU went undefeated at home with a 5-0 record last season and is 3-0 at Brian Kern Family Stadium this fall.
Dakota State is one of four Frontier Conference teams ranked in this week's Top 25. Montana Tech climbed to No. 2 with four first-place votes, while College of Idaho moved to No. 3 and received one first-place vote. Carroll (Mont.) rose two positions to No. 13. Montana Western dropped out of the Top 25 and is receiving votes.
Keiser (Fla.) took over the No. 1 ranking with eight of the 13 first-place votes. Montana Tech is second, followed by College of Idaho at No. 3, Indiana Wesleyan at No. 4 and Benedictine (Kan.) at No. 5.
Dakota State returns to the road Saturday for its final Frontier Conference crossover contest. The Trojans travel to Ashland, Ore., to face Southern Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Central Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time) at SOU Raider Stadium.
Following Saturday's contest, Dakota State begins its six-game Frontier Conference divisional schedule. DSU hosts Montana Tech at 1 p.m.
