LARAMIE, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming and North Dakota State University announced Monday the creation of a traveling rivalry trophy to be contested annually between the two Mountain West Conference football programs.
New hardware honors regional energy roots
Dubbed the “Battle of the Basins,” the trophy was commissioned with backing from the North Dakota Petroleum Council. The award sits on a wooden base featuring both schools’ insignia and includes a 10-inch replica drill bit intended to symbolize the petroleum industry that has shaped both states’ economies and identities.
Per the agreement, the winner of the annual regular-season meeting will keep the trophy until the teams meet the following season. North Dakota State is set to host the Cowboys on Saturday, Oct. 4, for its homecoming kickoff at 2:30 p.m.; broadcast coverage is slated to be available on The CW.
“North Dakota and Wyoming are two of our nation’s energy powerhouses. It is only fitting that our Mountain West universities battle it out each year for the coveted Battle of the Basins trophy,” said Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council.
Matt Larsen, NDSU’s director of athletics, also commented on the new rivalry, noting that the hardware represents another milestone for the Bison program as it completes its transition to the FBS level.
Context and early history
The teams have met just once previously at the FBS level: Wyoming claimed a 16-13 victory in Laramie on Sept. 13, 2008. That limited history, combined with geographic and economic parallels between the states, helped fuel support for a formalized rivalry and physical trophy.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| First meeting (modern) | Wyoming 16, NDSU 13 (Sept. 13, 2008) |
| Next scheduled game | NDSU hosts Wyoming, Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m., The CW |
| Trophy features | Wood base, both team logos, 10-inch replica drill bit |
Why the trophy matters locally
For Wyoming, adding a named rivalry with a traveling trophy amplifies a conference narrative and gives fans, alumni and donors another visible symbol to rally around. The petroleum industry’s sponsorship underscores the connection between college athletics and regional economic identity; Wyoming has long linked high school and college athletic traditions with community pride and local industry.
For North Dakota State, which moved into the FBS ranks recently, the hardware represents an institutional milestone and a public-facing acknowledgment of the school’s evolving profile on the national college football stage.
Practical details for fans
- Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m.
- Location: NDSU homecoming game (stadium in Fargo)
- Broadcast: The CW will provide full coverage
Ahead of the contest, both institutions released statements expressing enthusiasm about the new tradition and the role the petroleum council played in creating the piece of hardware. Athletic departments typically use such trophies to deepen rivalry storytelling, promote ticket sales and enhance recruiting pitches.
Looking ahead
The trophy will be decided on the field this weekend and then carried by the victor until the next meeting of the two squads. Whether the Battle of the Basins develops into a heated rivalry will depend on multiple seasons of competitive play, but the early framing connects shared regional industry and institutional ties to what the programs hope becomes an enduring tradition.
The creation of the trophy reinforces how college football continues to intersect with regional culture and commerce across the Mountain West, offering fans new rituals and symbols to mark intercollegiate competition.
Cody Marsh, State Correspondent
