NDSU and Wyoming Unveil Battle of the Basins Traveling Trophy
- North Dakota State University and the University of Wyoming are launching an annual football tradition called "The Battle of the Basins," anchored by a traveling trophy featuring a...
- The newly established traveling hardware highlights the petroleum history and energy economies of both states, according to school announcements.
- The Battle of the Basins will be an excellent way to celebrate a conference football game along with great traditions of the petroleum industry in both Wyoming and...
North Dakota State University and the University of Wyoming are launching an annual football tradition called “The Battle of the Basins,” anchored by a traveling trophy featuring a 10-inch replica drill bit mounted on a wood base, as announced by the schools on Sept. 28. Sponsored by the North Dakota Petroleum Council, the game pits the two Mountain West Conference programs against each other during regular-season matchups, with the inaugural contest scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome as part of NDSU’s homecoming.
Origins of The Battle of the Basins Rivalry Trophy
The newly established traveling hardware highlights the petroleum history and energy economies of both states, according to school announcements. North Dakota Petroleum Council president Ron Ness stated that North Dakota and Wyoming operate as national energy powerhouses, making an annual football clash a fitting showcase for the universities. “The North Dakota Petroleum Council is proud to sponsor this annual FBS matchup, and we look forward to years of great football between these two division rivals,” Ness said, per the initial school release. Wyoming director of athletics Tom Burman noted that the institutions share substantial common ground beyond geography.
The Battle of the Basins will be an excellent way to celebrate a conference football game along with great traditions of the petroleum industry in both Wyoming and North Dakota.
Tom Burman, via 7220sports.com
The trophy incorporates the logos of both schools alongside the drill bit design, celebrating industrial ties that match economic data compiled by NDSU. That research indicated North Dakota’s oil and gas sector directly employs over 30,000 workers while indirectly supporting more than 63,000 jobs, generating nearly $49 billion in economic activity, which accounts for over 30% of the state’s total economic output.
Coaching Connections and Transition Context
The matchup brings together two coaching staffs with deep ties to former head coach Craig Bohl, who led both programs across a combined 21 seasons. Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel and NDSU head coach Tim Polasek served together on Bohl’s Laramie staff from 2021 to 2023, where Polasek directed the offense and Sawvel coordinated the defense before taking over the top jobs at their respective universities in late 2023. NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen emphasized that the traveling trophy marks another milestone as the Bison continue their transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
“This traveling trophy with Wyoming is another ‘first’ in our football program’s transition to FBS,” said NDSU director of athletics Matt Larsen. “The synergies between our states and universities go way beyond geography.”
Matt Larsen, NDSU Director of Athletics
Wyoming entered the market for a stable annual conference opponent following Colorado State’s departure for the Pac-12. Sawvel noted in July remarks covered by 7220sports.com that matching up with NDSU provides a natural regional fit regarding fan bases and blue-collar identities.
Series History and Upcoming Kickoff
Saturday’s game marks only the second all-time meeting between the two football programs. Wyoming claimed the first encounter 16-13 in Laramie on Sept. 13, 2008, during an era when Bohl coached the Bison. Ahead of the Saturday meeting inside a sold-out Fargodome, Wyoming senior linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz expressed enthusiasm for the new matchup in comments reported by 7220sports.com. Junior offensive guard Griffin Empey added that both fan bases appreciate physical, run-heavy football played in harsh winter climates, making the pairing an ideal fit for a conference rivalry.