D-III power to face DSU in BAC opener

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Dickinson State’s first football game at the Badlands Activities Center isn’t going to be a cakewalk.

The long search for the 2009 season’s 10th game ended recently when DSU agreed with NCAA Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater on a one-year contract for a nonconference game at noon on Sept. 5 in Dickinson.

It will be the first game the Blue Hawks play at the Badlands Activities Center — and it sure won’t be easy.

The Warhawks reached the D-III national championship game last season before falling to Mount Union 31-26.

“They have an outstanding reputation in small college football,” DSU coach Hank Biesiot said. “It’s a very, very strong group coming down.”

Wisconsin-Whitewater returns 10 offensive starters, nine defensive starters and an All-American kicker.

The last four seasons, the Warhawks have a combined record of 55-5, reached the title game each year and won a national title in 2007.

DSU finished last season 7-4 overall after winning all seven of its Dakota Athletic Conference games and losing to eventual national runner-up Carroll College in the first round of the NAIA playoffs.

Wisconsin-Whitewater and DSU were both stuck at nine games scheduled in conferences that allow teams to play 10. It seemed to work out swimmingly since the Warhawks already had six scheduled home games and DSU had four.

“They were willing to travel and it worked out for both teams because it’s just a one-year commitment,” Biesiot said. “You look for longer commitments, but that’s the thing that works out for both teams.”

The Blue Hawks open next season on Aug. 29 at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. They have an open week following the Wisconsin-Whitewater game and start their Dakota Athletic Conference schedule at Jamestown College on Sept. 19.

DSU has home games against Valley City State, South Dakota Mines and Minot State. Homecoming is on Oct. 3 against Mayville State.

The Blue Hawks will visit Black Hills State and Dakota State.

The final game of the season will be at the DAC Jamboree, an event for all eight teams to be played on either Nov. 7 or 8 at the Fargodome.

DAC commissioner Lavern Jessen said Tuesday the details for the event are still being ironed out and an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

Dickinson State football 2009 schedule

Date Opponent Time

Aug. 29 at Rocky Mountain 1 p.m.

Sept. 5 Wis.-Whitewater noon

Sept. 19 at Jamestown noon

Sept. 26 Valley City State 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 Mayville State 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Black Hills State 1 p.m.

Oct. 17 S.D. Mines 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Dakota State 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 Minot State 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 or 8 DAC Jamboree at Fargodome, Times TBD

Tags: blue hawks, hank biesiot, sports, dac, colleges, wisconsin-whitewater