(Dickinson, ND) – The Dickinson State University Blue Hawks are making their tenth straight appearance in the NAIA Football Playoffs, but for the first time in 20 years, they will be playing at home as the Blue Hawks host Kansas Wesleyan on Saturday, November 23. The DSU/KWU game will also be the first NAIA playoff game to be played on the turf of the Biesiot Activities Center.
DSU Blue Hawks after 10th consecutive conference championship win this last Saturday, October 16, 2024.
The last home playoff appearance by DSU was in 2004 at their previous home field, Whitney Stadium. The Blue Hawks were ranked number five in the post-season NAIA poll and hosted #13 Montana Tech in the opening round, defeating the Orediggers, 30-13. DSU hosted #9 Carroll College, MT, the following week in the quarterfinals, dropping a 56-17 decision to the Fighting Saints, who went on to capture their third straight national championship, 16-13 over St. Francis, IN.
In the 2023 post-season, Dickinson State defeated Montana Tech in Butte, MT, 35-28, the second post-season road win in school history. Running back Braden Zuroff had the best game of his career in the blue and gray, rushing for 227 yards on 30 carries and scoring three touchdowns. Will Madler was 9-17 passing for 244 yards and a pair of scores. Cameron Shepherd had four catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. The next weekend, the Hawks season came to an end with a 28-3 loss at #2 Grand View, IA. Grand View held DSU to just 205 yards of offense with the lone points coming on a 26 yard Chase Miller field goal early in the second quarter.
DSU Blue Hawks after win at Montana Tech in 2023.
While the 2023 win over Montana Tech was the second post-season road win, their previous road triumph resulted in a matchup with their 2024 post-season opponent, Kansas Wesleyan. DSU opened the 2018 playoffs on the road, facing number five Northwestern, IA. The first ever post-season road victory was a 14-6 defensive battle, highlighted by All-American defensive back Jay Liggins setting the school record for interceptions in a game with four. The following week at Kansas Wesleyan, the Coyotes scored with 46 seconds remaining to end the Blue Hawks season by a 43-40 final score.
Jay Liggins with an interception against Presentation College in 2018.
After waiting twenty years for a home playoff appearance, Head Coach Pete Stanton and the Blue Hawks are looking forward to the first ever home playoff game at the BAC. Stanton said, “This playoff game is an exciting opportunity for the players in our program to play at home. It will be the first home game in 20 years after going 16 times on the road. Although we would be happy to be playing anywhere, to be able to play in Dickinson in front of our students, families, and fans is going to be special.”
2004 DSU Blue Hawk Football Team at Whitney Stadium.
DSU enters the playoffs with a 9-1 record and the champion of the North Star Athletic Association. KWU is 7-4 and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Bissell Division champion. The Blue Hawks are the 14th seed in the tournament, while the Coyotes are seeded 19th. The other first round match-ups have #13 Baker, KS hosting #20 Pikeville, KY; #18 Saint Francis, IN at #15 Southwestern, KS and #16 Friends, KS at home to play #17 Ottawa, AZ. The top 12 seeded teams receive first round byes – the are, in order, Keiser, FL; Grand View, IA; Indiana Wesleyan; Montana Western; St. Thomas, FL; Morningside, IA; Montana Tech; Texas Wesleyan; Benedictine, KS; Georgetown, KY; Northwestern, IA and MidAmerica Nazarene, KS.
The Blue Hawks and Coyotes will kick-off at 1:00 PM Mountain Time on Saturday. The tailgate party will begin the festivities at 10:00 AM in the parking lot of the BAC. Tickets for the game will go on sale at 9:00 AM Wednesday, November 20 and can be purchased at https://www.dsubluehawks.com/game-day-tickets.
By Guest Contributor Jim Dahl, KDIX Radio
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