Go Watertown Go Watertown Logo

Dakota State picked fourth on NSAA Coaches Football Preseason Poll

Share
Dakota State picked fourth on NSAA Coaches Football Preseason Poll
Photo: Brent Nathaniel

8-2-22

BISMARCK, N.D. (PlayNorthStar.com) – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced its 2022 football coaches’ preseason poll Monday, voted by the league’s head coaches. Dickinson State (N.D.) was the unanimous pick to win the conference title for the eighth consecutive year. Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Dakota State (S.D.) tallied 22 points to place fourth in the NSAA football coaches’ preseason poll. The Trojans finished the league with a 5-3 record last season, tying for third place with Waldorf (Iowa). Dakota State was 4-0 home record against members of the North Star Athletic Association at Trojan Field in 2021, the first time that the Trojans finished the North Star conference play undefeated at home since its league inception in 2013-14.

DSU finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 6-4, their first winning season since 2017.

The Blue Hawks earned six first place votes after tallying 36 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll. Valley City State (N.D.) and Waldorf (Iowa) were tied for second with 28 points each. The Vikings picked up the final first place vote.

Mayville State (N.D.) placed fifth with 15 points, followed by Presentation (S.D.) sixth with 12 points, and NSAA’s football associate member Iowa Wesleyan finished seventh with six points.

Each North Star football member will play a total of six conference games during the season, with each team receiving a bye for one week. The league officially starts on Oct. 1, where the Trojans host the seven-time defending champion Dickinson State at Trojan Field with a 1 p.m. kick-off time.

The NSAA conference season ends on Nov. 12 with DSU hosting Waldorf (Iowa). The Trojans will have their bye in North Star conference play on Nov. 5.

Dakota State makes their 2022 season debut on Thursday, Aug. 25 in the 7th annual Ag Bowl game versus Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at Trojan Field. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. There will be an Ag Bowl tailgate party and activities prior to the season opening football home game.