Bison vs. Jackrabbits Rivalry Immortalized in Bobblehead

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited-edition, officially licensed bobblehead honoring the longstanding football rivalry between the North Dakota State Bison and South Dakota State Jackrabbits this morning. This special edition bobblehead featuring Thundar and Jack the Jackrabbit was released in conjunction with the 115th game between the two teams on Saturday, November 4th, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota.

Submitted Photo

Thundat and Jack Bobblehead

Standing on a football field base with "BISON" and "JACKRABBITS" at opposing ends, the mascots exhibit the No. 1 signal in their team costumes. This bobblehead is remarkable because the miniature Dakota Marker trophy bobbles between Thundar and Jack the Jackrabbit. The bobblehead's base has both clubs' logos with a "VS" in the middle.

Each bobblehead is numbered to 1,903, honoring the first matchup in this longstanding rivalry. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum's Online Store sells these limited-edition bobbleheads exclusively. Football fans and collectors can get these unique collectibles for $50 plus $8 shipping. The bobbleheads should ship in January.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits and North Dakota State Bison have had a football rivalry since 1903. In their debut match, NDSU, then North Dakota Agricultural, won 85-0. These two teams have played 114 times, most recently in the NCAA Division I Football Championship game in Frisco, Texas, on January 8, 2023. South Dakota State won its first FCS title 45-21. NDSU leads the series 63-46-5 heading into the 115th encounter on November 4th, but SDSU has won the last four.

The NDSU-SDSU rivalry began in the Division II North Central Conference and moved to the Great West Football Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2008. Both teams are FCS postseason regulars, and this matchup often decides the MVC winner. These two powerhouses have met five times in FCS playoffs, with the Bison winning 4-1.

To honor their fierce rivalry, the Dakota Marker trophy was instituted in 2004 when both institutions moved up to Division I. The victorious team hoists this 75-pound trophy around the field after the game, replicating the quartzite statues that marked the border between North and South Dakota when Dakota Territory split into two states. The inscriptions N.D., S.D., and 190 M represent the 190-mile Interstate 29 distance between Fargo and Brookings. NDSU leads the Dakota Marker series 10-9, but SDSU won the trophy on October 15, 2022, after a 23-21 win in Fargo.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum at 170 S. 1st St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened on February 1, 2019. Beyond their museum, they make high-quality, customizable bobbleheads for retailers and organizations, people, and teams nationwide. Visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more.

Fans of both teams and college football fans can celebrate the 115th matchup between the NDSU Bison and SDSU Jackrabbits with a limited-edition bobblehead that captures the spirit of competition and camaraderie that has defined this historic series for over a century. Get your bobblehead by clicking here.