Last Updated 7:36 PM, November 06, 2021

No. 12 South Dakota State hands No. 2 North Dakota State first loss to win the 2021 Dakota Marker

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Celebrating North Dakota State's football dynasty
3:34
10:32 pm, November 6, 2021

How No. 12 South Dakota State upset No. 2 North Dakota State

SDSU wins

No. 12 South Dakota State handed No. 2 North Dakota State its first loss, winning 27-19 to take home the 2021 Dakota Marker.

The top-15 Missouri Valley matchup started with a bang as All-American running back Pierre Strong Jr. burst up the right sideline for a 75-yard score just two plays into the game. North Dakota State would answer with a score of its own to tie the game 7-7, but the Jackrabbits responded by scoring 20 unanswered points. The 20 point lead would be all South Dakota State needed as the Jackrabbits held off a late Bison rally.

Strong showed why he is one of the best running backs in the FCS, rushing for 156 yards on 23 carries for two touchdowns. Strong also passed for a touchdown on a special trick play in the second quarter, giving Strong a role in every Jackrabbit score on the day. Defensively, South Dakota State forced two turnovers from North Dakota State QB Cam Miller, grabbing an interception and forcing a fumble. 

South Dakota State moves to 7-2 (4-2), picking up its first home conference win to snap a two-game slide, boosting SDSU's FCS Playoff chances. North Dakota State falls to 8-1 (5-1), losing its first game. 

10:11 pm, November 6, 2021

Final- South Dakota State 27, North Dakota State 19

Dakota Marker Trophy

No. 12 South Dakota State has defeated No. 2 North Dakota State 27-19 to win the 2021 Dakota Marker. 

See final stats below.

Final Stats
10:09 pm, November 6, 2021

Jackrabbits recover! Jackrabbits 27, Bison 19 | 1:08 4Q

South Dakota State recovers the North Dakota State onside kick. The Jackrabbits lead by eight points and the Bison have zero timeouts. South Dakota State will take a few knees and run out the clock.
10:04 pm, November 6, 2021

One score game! Jackrabbits 27, North Dakota State 19 | 1:09 4Q

North Dakota State kicked a field goal to end a drive that took three minutes and three seconds off the clock. The kick cuts the Jackrabbit lead to eight.

The Bison have zero timeouts left and will kick an onside kick to try and get the ball back.

9:54 pm, November 6, 2021

Safety! Jackrabbits 27, Bison 16 | 4:21 4Q

South Dakota State's offense was unable to move the ball out from its own endzone after forcing a turnover on downs its last defensive possession. Rather than punt the ball, the Jackrabbits took a safety in order to get better field position for its defense.

North Dakota State now trails by 11 points. A touchdown with a two point conversion and a field goal can tie the game.

9:44 pm, November 6, 2021

Red-zone stop! Jackrabbits 27, Bison 14 | 5:40 4Q

South Dakota State's defense forced a turnover on downs from North Dakota State at the Jackrabbit three-yard line. Bison QB Cam Miller fumbled on first-and-goal before getting stopped short on second and third down runs. Miller's fourth down pass fell incomplete.

South Dakota State will try and take some time off the clock, up two scores.

9:26 pm, November 6, 2021

The 4th quarter is here

South Dakota State leads North Dakota State 27-14 entering the fourth quarter. 

See the stats through three quarters below.

third quarter stats
9:18 pm, November 6, 2021

Touchdown North Dakota State! Jackrabbits 27, Bison 14 | 0:42 3Q

North Dakota State QB Cam Miller faked a quarterback draw, then found WR Raja Nelson for a touchdown. The Bison score stopped a 20-point run from South Dakota State. North Dakota State has now put the game in reach with the fourth quarter approaching.

9:06 pm, November 6, 2021

South Dakota State field goal! Jackrabbit 27, Bison 7 | 7:35 3Q

South Dakota State kicked a 45-yard field goal to cap off a eight-play, 45-yard drive. The Jackrabbits now lead by three touchdowns.
8:52 pm, November 6, 2021

South Dakota State forces another turnover

South Dakota State LB Adam Bock tackled his former high school teammate, North Dakota State QB Cam Miller, forcing a fumble on the opening Bison drive of the second half. The Jackrabbits take over at the Bison 37-yard line.

8:32 pm, November 6, 2021

Halftime update

No. 12 South Dakota State has dominated No. 2 North Dakota State in the first half of the 2021 Dakota Marker, leading 24-7.

RB Pierre Strong Jr. has led the Jackrabbit offense. Strong has 137 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown on the day while averaging 9.13 yards per rush. QB Chris Oladokun has been efficient passing the ball too, completing 67 percent of his passes in the first half. The South Dakota State offensive performance has come against a North Dakota State defense that led the FCS in points allowed at 8.12 points per game. That number has almost tripled in the first half.

South Dakota State's defense has limited North Dakota State to just 54 rushing yards. This season, the Bison average 260 rushing yards per game but are currently on pace for less than half that total. A Jackrabbit interception early in the second quarter prevented a second Bison scoring opportunity. 

Down big entering the second half, look for North Dakota State to target top wide receiver Christian Watson; he has zero catches so far.

The Bison will receive the second-half kickoff.

8:23 pm, November 6, 2021

Halftime- South Dakota State 24, North Dakota State 7

South Dakota State leads North Dakota State 24-7, kicking a field goal as the first half clock expired.

See the first half stats below.

First Half Stats
8:08 pm, November 6, 2021

Trick-play TD! Jackrabbits 21, Bison 7 | 02:17 2Q

A second direct-snap to RB Pierre Strong Jr. went through the quarterback's legs. Strong danced in the backfield before throwing a jump-pass to TE Tucker Kraft in crazy fashion. The score is Kraft's fifth of the season. Strong remains perfect in his career as a passer, now 8-for-8 for 198 yards and five touchdowns.

7:52 pm, November 6, 2021

Interception South Dakota State

South Dakota State S Chase Norblade grabbed the first turnover of the day, intercepting North Dakota State QB Cam Miller.

7:38 pm, November 6, 2021

Too Strong, Two touchdowns! Jackrabbits 14, Bison 7 | 0:18 1Q

South Dakota State RB Pierre Strong Jr. took a direct-snap into the endzone for his second touchdown of the game. Strong has now rushed for over 1000 yards for the third time of his career. 

The play capped off a 12 play, 75-yard drive. Earlier in the drive Jackrabbit QB Chris Oladokun found WR Jaxon Janke on a 38-yard pass, getting near the Bison redzone.