September 28, 2026
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dakota State (S.D.) remained among the nation's top 25 teams Monday, coming in at No. 22 in the latest STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The national poll was released by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The Trojans slipped one spot from No. 21 despite improving their verall record to 4-1 with a 27-25 thrilling road victory over Southern Oregon Saturday. Dakota State has now been ranked in each of the first four NAIA polls of the 2026 season, including the preseason poll.
DSU opened the season ranked No. 25 in the preseason poll before moving to No. 23 in the first regular-season rankings on Sept. 14. The Trojans climbed two more spots to No. 21 on Sept. 21 before settling at No. 22 this week.
Dakota State is one of four Frontier Conference teams ranked in this week's Top 25. College of Idaho made the biggest move among conference teams, jumping two spots into a tie for No. 1 with Keiser (Fla.). The Yotes received five first-place votes after improving to 4-0 with a 35-19 victory over previously No. 2 Montana Tech.
Montana Tech fell four positions to No. 6 following its first loss of the season, while Carroll (Mont.) remained at No. 13. Montana Western received votes in the national poll.
College of Idaho and Keiser share the No. 1 ranking, followed by Indiana Wesleyan at No. 3, Benedictine (Kan.) at No. 4 and Grand View (Iowa) at No. 5. Montana Tech is sixth, followed by Morningside (Iowa), Friends (Kan.), Campbellsville (Ky.) and St. Thomas (Fla.) to complete the top 10.
The Trojans return home Saturday, hosting No. 6 Montana Tech in the opening weekend of Frontier Conference divisional play. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Central Time at Brian Kern Family Stadium at Blankley Field.
Madison Regional Health Systems will be the game day sponsor for Saturday's football game.
Dakota State in the 2026 NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25
- Preseason (Aug. 24): No. 25
- Sept. 14: No. 23
- Sept. 21: No. 21
- Sept. 28: No. 22
