Scenes from the ultimate FCS grudge match: North Dakota State against South Dakota State

The Dakotas' Battle Line

Brookings, South Dakota was abuzz as college football fans flocked to the Jackrabbits' Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium to witness the epic showdown between North Dakota State Bison and South Dakota State Jackrabbits - two programs notorious for their rugged rivalry. The stakes were high: a spot in the national championship picture hung precariously in the balance, with NDSU seeking to bolster its claim to the coveted title.

Scott Peterman, a die-hard South Carolina season-ticket holder from the Midlands, made the arduous 1,300-mile trek north to Brookings to catch this pivotal matchup. His motivation? The intoxicating prospect of witnessing two FCS programs locked in an unyielding battle that transcended the gridiron, speaking to the essence of small-town America.

"It's very similar to a Michigan-Ohio State or Alabama-Georgia," said Ryan McKnight, South Dakota State alum and Jackrabbits Former Players Association president. "It's a national championship feel for a regular-season game." The air was thick with anticipation as fans from both sides proudly sported their team colors, while tailgating parties sprouted up across the parking lot.

Les Ressler, a NDSU aficionado, concurred that this rivalry was one of its kind: "It's a bitter respect." Indeed, for generations, these programs have forged an unyielding bond, fueled by years of competition and mutual admiration. Fans from both sides relish the notion that each school elevates the other's performance.

The stage was set at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, where 19,477 spectators packed the stands to witness this spectacle. Alas, South Dakota State's hopes were dashed when NDSU quarterback Cole Payton racked up a dazzling 380 yards and four touchdown runs, leading his team to a resounding 38-7 victory.

As fans from both sides dispersed, an air of disappointment hung over Brookings. Jackrabbits fan apologized for their lackluster performance, only to be met with a wry retort: "That's called North Dakota Nice and South Dakota Nice." The tension between these two programs has long been characterized by its paradoxical nature - equal measures of pride, respect, and camaraderie.

"It's more important now that NIL and the transfer portal have altered the fabric of the sport," observed Scott Peterman. For most college football players, games like this represent their last hurrah on the gridiron, a testament to the enduring power of small-town America in shaping the very essence of this national pastime.

meh ...i mean, have you ever stopped to think about how our passions can be both a source of strength and weakness? like, these college football fans are so invested in their teams that they're willing to travel thousands of miles just to catch a game...and yet, when things don't go their way, they can get pretty down on themselves . it's like, we put so much stock in winning or losing that it blinds us to the true value of what's really going on here.

i mean, think about it - these rivalries between schools aren't just about bragging rights or championships...they're about community, tradition, and a shared sense of purpose. they represent the very best of small-town america: pride, camaraderie, and a deep-seated love for what's right in front of us . so yeah, maybe ndsu won this game, but what really matters is the spirit that made those fans show up in the first place .

Man I just watched this game and it was so intense the rivalries between these two teams are for real its not just about winning or losing its about the pride and respect you have for each other as players and fans I mean NDSU and SDSU are like brothers in arms their games are always gonna be super competitive but in a good way, it's like they're pushing each other to be better. And yeah NIL is changing the game for sure these kids can basically make their own money off their name image and likeness its crazy to think about what this means for the future of college football

ugh i cant believe those south dakota state fans had to deal with that crushing loss i mean what is north dakota nice supposed to even mean anyway lol its like they expect us to feel bad for them because we won? newsflash ndsu we got that 38-7 asskicking coming and honestly im kinda glad those fans are so humble about it "apologies" is cute. but seriously though its true - NIL and transfers have ruined the whole college football experience for those last-year seniors... who are basically just trying to make a buck and still get to play the game they love

What's up with all these fans traveling crazy distances just for a game? I mean, 1300 miles from SC to SD is wild! You gotta wonder what kind of dedication those season ticket holders have... and also kinda feel bad for them leaving their fam behind . On the other hand, I guess it's all about that rivalry vibe – some folks would kill to see NDSU/Jackrabbits go head-to-head every year

the Dakotas' rivalry is more than just about two teams going head-to-head, its about the people who live and breathe these programs - you got fans like Scott Peterman who travel over 1k miles to support their team, it shows how passionate they are about the sport . and when you look at players like Cole Payton, he's not just a player, he's someone who has taken his skills to the next level because of this rivalry - its got a sense of pride that goes beyond just winning or losing . but what I think is really interesting is how NIL and the transfer portal have changed the landscape of college football, it's no longer about just the players, its about the teams as a whole and how they're built .

the whole thing feels so staged , i mean don't get me wrong, it's awesome that college football fans are passionate about these games but 19k people at one game? that's just crazy, like everyone knows who won and by how much, no suspense here... and also cole payton's stats, 380 yards in a single game? okay i guess that's impressive but was the defense even on ?

I remember when college football was all about tradition and loyalty, not just about player movement and transfers . This rivalry between NDSU and SDSU is like the old-school Michigan-Ohio State game - you know, the one where both teams would hate each other on and off the field? Those were the days when winning wasn't everything, it was about the love for the game and the school. Now, with NIL deals and all that jazz, it's like they're trying to buy their way to a championship . Still, fans from both sides will always have a special bond, kind of like how I still talk trash about my old Xbox console when my new PS5 comes out . It's the small-town America spirit that makes this rivalry so great!

The Dakotas' rivalry is definitely one for the books! I mean, two teams that have such history and respect for each other, but also still want to win, you know? It's like they're trying to one-up each other in a good way . And can we talk about the fans who travel so far just to watch this game? Scott Peterman's 1,300-mile trek is insane!

I think what makes this rivalry so special is that it transcends just the team itself - it's about the whole community coming together to support their school. And when one team wins or loses, there's always a sense of respect for the other team's performance. It's like they're saying, "You know what, you guys played really well, and we can't take that away from you."

And I love how the fans use terms like "North Dakota Nice" and "South Dakota Nice" to describe each other's teams. It's like a code word for respect, you know? The fact that NIL and the transfer portal have changed the game is definitely true, but at the end of the day, it's still about the love of the sport and the community that comes with it

omg i'm so hyped about this fcs game !!! it's literally like the michigan ohio state vibe but for college football! the rivalry between ndsu and sdstate is insane, all that pride and respect but still super friendly . i feel ya scott peterman, NIL and transfer portal have changed everything now . it's crazy to think these players are basically playing their last game in front of their home crowd . gotta respect the small-town america spirit though

omg i just watched this game with my friend and it was so intense but why do ppl have to travel like 1300 miles for a football game what's up with that?! anyway, its cool that the fans are so into it and stuff... but i still dont get whats the big deal about college football lol

omg u guys i just watched the most epic game ever!!!! ndsu totally destroyed SDSU 38-7 but i gotta give props to those jackrabbits fans they were so supportive and gracious even after the loss its like, u know when ur team loses but ur still proud of them cuz that's what makes college football so great plus idk how many ppl actually care about the national championship pic but this rivalry between ndsu and sdsu is def one for the ages i mean scott peterman drove 1300 miles from south carolina to sdsu just to watch it lol thats dedication

Omg what a game!!! 38-7 is crazy! I feel bad for the Jackrabbits, they gave it their all but NDSU just dominated . That Cole Payton dude is insane . Anyways, I love how passionate the fans are, even though one side lost, they're still hyping up the other team . This rivalry between SDSU and NDSU is so fire , it's like a national championship game without the title on the line . And can we talk about NIL and the transfer portal changing the game? It's crazy how college football has evolved, but games like this still bring back the old-school spirit .

omg what a game i feel bad for south dakota state tho they gave it their all but north dakota state was just too strong i love how rivalries like this keep the spirit of college football alive tho its crazy to think about how NIL and transfers are changing everything in the sports world right now i'm still trying to process what makes this rivalry so special between north dakota and south dakota state is it just me or do you guys love watching these underdog games where anything can happen?

I'm kinda bummed that the Jackrabbits lost, they were playing so well but just couldn't catch up to NDSU's Cole Payton . It's crazy how much hype surrounds this rivalry, and for good reason - those two teams have such a deep respect for each other on and off the field . I love how fans from both sides are always trying to one-up each other in terms of tailgating parties , it's just part of the fun of being a college football fan . At the end of the day, though, it's all about the love for the game and the community that comes with it . Maybe next time South Dakota State will get their revenge?

I felt so bad for SD State fans ... NDSU just brought their A game and it was tough to watch them get destroyed . I think Ryan's point about it feeling like a national championship game is spot on - these two teams have been going at it for years and it's always intense . But what really gets me is the respect between the fans, even when one team loses. It's clear they all love the game and the rivalries that come with it . And can we talk about Cole Payton for a sec? 380 yards in one game?!

I can feel how disappointing that game must've been for you, especially if you were cheering for South Dakota State . It's totally normal to be sad when your team doesn't play as well as you hoped, but it sounds like the rivalry between those two teams is really special - all that pride and respect for each other is beautiful . And I'm sure the fans from both sides will always have some great stories to share about their experiences at those games . NIL and transfers can be tough on college football, but it's also amazing how passionate fans like you are still here cheering on your teams .

so what's up with these FCS teams and their rivalries? they're kinda like the unsung heroes of college football like how NDSU and SDSU have been going at it for years, it's almost like a national championship feel without all the drama cole payton is a beast tho, 380 yards in one game?! and yeah, NIL and the transfer portal are changing the game, but these old-school rivalries still hold a special place in people's hearts it's not just about winning or losing, it's about the sense of community and tradition that comes with being part of something bigger than yourself

just watched that game and i'm low-key shook Cole Payton is a beast! 380 yards in one game? that's crazy numbers 38-7 isn't even close, but you gotta respect NDSU's team effort the crowd was electric too, only thing missing was a comeback from SDSU fanbase is still reeling from the loss

meanwhile, i just checked some stats and its clear that FCS football has seen a major surge in popularity over the past decade viewership has increased by 25% since 2015, with revenue on the rise too the NFL's attempt to expand into the FCS scene might be onto something

anyway, just a thought - if you're tracking sports betting trends, you'd know that SDSU was the underdog coming in and they still managed to pull off an impressive 90% win percentage against NDSU over the past 5 years might be worth keeping an eye on those odds for future games

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole 'NIL' and transfer portal thing . If college football players are basically free agents now, doesn't that mean their loyalty is all over the place? Like, Scott Peterman's kid was offered a scholarship to play for his in-state team, but he chose to attend NDSU instead... what's the point of any rivalry if it's all about personal gain?

And another thing, 19,477 spectators at one game is wild . Is that even safe for fans and staff? I'm no expert, but it seems like a lot of people in close quarters, which should be a health concern. Not to mention the energy on the field was intense... I can imagine some players might get hurt just from all the hype