2016 North Dakota State Bison football team

The 2016 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Chris Klieman. The team played their 24th season in the Fargodome, entering the season as the five-time defending national champions and five-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Champions. The Bison have been members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference since the 2008 season.

2016 North Dakota State Bison football
MVFC co-champion
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 3
FCS CoachesNo. 3
Record12–2 (7–1 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Polasek (3rd season)
Offensive schemeWest Coast
Defensive coordinatorMatt Entz (3rd season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumFargodome
Seasons
← 2015
2017 →
2016 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 North Dakota State +^ 71  122 
No. 6 South Dakota State +^ 71  94 
No. 2 Youngstown State ^ 62  124 
Illinois State ^ 44  66 
Northern Iowa 44  56 
Western Illinois 35  65 
South Dakota 35  47 
Indiana State 26  47 
Missouri State 26  47 
Southern Illinois 26  47 
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll

They were one of very few FCS teams who ever beat a highly ranked FBS team (in this case, No. 13 Iowa). After that win, for four weeks they received votes in the AP's poll of the best football teams in the country (including FBS teams). Their 74 votes in week 3 (barely missing out on a Top 25 ranking) were the most votes ever earned by an FCS program in the AP Poll.[1]

The Bison went 12–2 on the season and won their sixth straight conference title with their lone loss coming on a last-second touchdown versus rival SDSU. The Bison received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs where they defeated San Diego and South Dakota State in the second round and quarterfinals before losing to James Madison in the semifinals, ending their five-year championship run.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 276:30 pmNo. 7 Charleston Southern[2]*No. 1ESPNW 24–17 OT18,881
September 102:30 pmNo. 8 Eastern Washington*No. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, North Dakota
NBC ND
ESPN3
W 50–44 OT18,906
September 1711:00 amat No. 13 (FBS) Iowa*No. 1ESPN2W 23–2170,585
October 11:00 pmNo. 18 Illinois State No. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, North Dakota
NBC ND
ESPN3
W 31–1018,907
October 82:00 pmat Missouri StateNo. 1NBC ND
ESPN3
W 27–310,462
October 152:30 pmNo. 11 South Dakota StateNo. 1
NBC ND
ESPN3
L 17–1918,828
October 226:00 pmat No. 12 Western IllinoisNo. 4NBC ND
ESPN3
W 21–135,329
October 296:00 pmat Northern IowaNo. 4NBC ND
ESPN3
W 24–2012,032
November 52:30 pmNo. 15 Youngstown StateNo. 4
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, North Dakota (Harvest Bowl)
NBC ND
ESPN3
W 24–318,332
November 122:30 pmIndiana StateNo. 4
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, North Dakota
NBC ND
ESPN3
W 41–1718,276
November 192:00 pmat South DakotaNo. 4NBC ND
ESPN3
Midco SN
W 28–2110,011
December 32:30 pmNo. 24 San Diego*No. 4
ESPN3W 45–718,305
December 1011:00 amNo. 7 South Dakota State*No. 4
ESPNW 36–10**18,285
December 167:00 pmNo. 5 James Madison*No. 4
ESPN2L 17–2718,282
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time
  • Source: STATS Poll [1]
  • ** Second-most watched FCS Game of all time – 1.98m viewers on ESPN [3]

Roster

[4]

2016 North Dakota State Bison Football

Quarterback

  •  6 James Hendricks – Freshman
  •  7 Cole Davis – Junior
  • 12 Easton Stick Sophomore
  • 14 Henry Van Delle – Freshman

Tailback

  •  8 Bruce Anderson – Sophomore
  • 10 Lance Dunn – Sophomore
  • 22 King Frazier – Senior
  • 24 Demaris Purifoy – Freshman
  • 25 Chase Morlock – Senior
  • 28 Ty Brooks – Freshman
  • 30 Adam Cofield – Freshman

Fullback

  • 34 Brock Robbins – Freshman
  • 39 Garrett Malstrom – Freshman
  • 40 Dan Sargeant – Junior
  • 41 Zak Kuntz – Freshman

Wide receiver

  •  1 Cole Jacob – Freshman
  •  2 Kiwanne Durant – Freshman
  •  4 Dimitri Williams – Sophomore
  •  9 Marquise Bridges – Freshman
  • 13 Eric Perkins – Senior
  • 15 Daniel Polanski – Junior
  • 16 RJ Urzendowski – Junior
  • 18 Khayvon Hawkins – Sophomore
  • 20 Darrius Shepherd Sophomore
  • 31 Bennett RIndy – Freshman
  • 80 Sean Engel – Freshman
  • 81 Isaiah Frandsen – Junior
  • 83 Dallas Freeman – Sophomore
  • 84 Trevor Heit – Freshman

Tight end

  • 45 Beau Pauly – Freshman
  • 46 Braydon Lund – Freshman
  • 49 Matt Biegler – Freshman
  • 82 Ben Ellefson Freshman
  • 85 Nate Jenson – Sophomore
  • 86 Jeff Illies – Junior
  • 87 Connor Wentz – Junior
  • 88 Matt Anderson – Freshman
  • 89 Isaac Lashua – Sophomore
 

Offensive lineman

  • 54 Dillon Radunz – OT – Freshman
  • 58 Josh Howieson – OT – Freshman
  • 59 Karson Schoening – C – Freshman
  • 60 Max Polson – C – Junior
  • 63 Zach Kubas – OL – Freshman
  • 64 Colin Conner – OT – Sophomore
  • 65 Jack Albrecht – OG – Freshman
  • 66 Zack Johnson – OG – Senior
  • 67 Cordell Volson – OT – Freshman
  • 68 Zack Johnson – OT – Freshman
  • 70 Jack Plankers – OL – Senior
  • 71 Luke Bacon – OG – Sophomore
  • 72 Erik Olson – OT – Junior
  • 73 Zack Ziemer – OG – Junior
  • 74 Tanner Volson – C – Sophomore
  • 75 Austin Kuhnert – C – Junior
  • 76 Ben Hecht – OG – Freshman
  • 77 Christian Triplett – C – Sophomore
  • 78 Landon Lechler – OT – Senior

Defensive tackle

  • 57 Bryan Carlton – Freshman
  • 61 Cameron Hackl – Freshman
  • 62 Bryce Messner – Junior
  • 63 Aaron Steidl – Sophomore
  • 66 Quinn Alo – Freshman
  • 69 Blake Williams – Sophomore
  • 90 Grant Morgan – Junior
  • 92 Jack Darnell – Freshman
  • 95 Connor Hubbs – Freshman
  • 99 Nate Tanguay – Junior

Defensive end

  • 53 Cole Karcz – Freshman
  • 91 Derrek Tuszka Freshman
  • 93 Jarrod Tuszka – Junior
  • 94 Stanley Jones – Sophomore
  • 95 Caleb Butler – Sophomore
  • 96 Greg Menard – Junior
  • 97 Brad Ambrosius – Senior
 

Linebacker

  •  1 Chris BoardJunior
  • 41 MJ Stumpf – Senior
  • 42 Jabril CoxFreshman
  • 43 Kurt Mattox – Junior
  • 44 Matt Plank – Junior
  • 45 Levi Jordheim – Sophomore
  • 47 Pierre Gee-Tucker – Senior
  • 48 Dan Marlette – Sophomore
  • 49 Nick DeLucaSenior
  • 50 Ross Kennelly – Freshman
  • 52 Jake Brinkman – Freshman
  • 55 Aaron Mercadel – Freshman

Defensive backs

  •  2 Quinten McCoy – CB – Senior
  •  3 Tre Dempsey – FS – Junior
  •  5 Robbie Grimsley – SS – Sophomore
  • 11 Darren Kelley – SS – Junior
  • 13 Ross Godfrey – CB – Freshman
  • 17 Felix Dixon – CB – Freshman
  • 21 Jalen Allison – CB – Sophomore
  • 23 Jaylaan Wimbush – CB – Sophomore
  • 26 Keenan Hodenfield – CB – Junior
  • 27 Isaac Cenescar – SS – Sophomore
  • 29 Eric Bachmeier – FS – Sophomore
  • 30 Bryce Bennot – CB – Sophomore
  • 31 Victor Kizewski – FS – Freshman
  • 32 Dakota Reid – CB – Sophomore
  • 33 Moses Nyangacha – SS- Freshman
  • 35 Dom Davis – CB – Freshman
  • 37 Tre Fort – CB – Freshman
  • 38 Jaxon Brown – SS – Freshman
  • 42 Ross Effertz – CB – Freshman

Placekicker

  • 21 Garret Wegner – Freshman
  • 36 Cam Pedersen – Sophomore

Punter

  • 19 Jackson Koonce – Junior

Long snappers

  • 51 James Fisher – Junior
  • 56 Peder Olson – Sophomore (+LB)

  • * : 2015 NDSU Bison Football Commits (02/04/2015)

Recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for 2016 recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Henry Van Dellen
QB
Plymouth, MinnesotaProvidence Academy6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)205 lb (93 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Adam Cofield
TB
Lee's Summit, MissouriBlue Springs South High School5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 lb (86 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Zak Kuntz
FB
Grand Forks, North DakotaRed River High School6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)251 lb (114 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Sean Engel
WR
Chaska, MinnesotaChaska High School6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Trevor Heit
WR
Pepin, WisconsinPepin High School5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)170 lb (77 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Cole Jacob
WR
Medina, MinnesotaMedina High School6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)177 lb (80 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Matt Biegler
TE
Underwood, MinnesotaUnderwood High School6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)256 lb (116 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Braydon Lund
TE
Minot, North DakotaMinot High School6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)246 lb (112 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Quinn Alo
OL
LaMoure, North DakotaLaMoure High School6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)336 lb (152 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Ben Hecht
OL
Shawnee, KansasMill Valley High School6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)255 lb (116 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Josh Howieson
OL
Baxter, MinnesotaBrainerd High School6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)275 lb (125 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Zach Kubas
OL
Dickinson, North DakotaTrinity High School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)260 lb (120 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Dillon Radunz
OL
Becker, MinnesotaBecker High School6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)260 lb (120 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Karson Schoening
OL
Rolla, North DakotaMt. Pleasant High School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)320 lb (150 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Cordell Volson
OL
Balfour, North DakotaDrake High School6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)250 lb (110 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Cameron Hackl
DT
Green Bay, WisconsinBay Port High School6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)260 lb (120 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Jabril Cox
LB
Raytown, MissouriRaytown South High School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)220 lb (100 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Ross Kennelly
LB
Superior, WisconsinSuperior High School5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 lb (86 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Moses Nyangacha
LB
Robbinsdale, MinnesotaRobbinsdale Cooper High School5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 lb (86 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:
Beau Pauly
LB
Becker, MinnesotaBecker High School6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)207 lb (94 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Felix Dixon
DB
Clearwater, FloridaCountryside High School5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)165 lb (75 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Ross Godfrey
DB
Sioux City, IowaSioux City East High School5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)150 lb (68 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Victor Kizewski
DB
Stevens Point, WisconsinStevens Point High School6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Garret Wegner
P
Lodi, WisconsinLodi High School6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)177 lb (80 kg)February 03, 2016 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Darren Kelley
DB
Baltimore, MarylandNorth Dakota State College of Science6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)192 lb (87 kg)February 03, 2015 (Transfer) 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Jackson Koonce
P
Oceanside, CaliforniaSouthern Methodist University6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)178 lb (81 kg)February 03, 2015 (Transfer) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: #-   247Sports: #-  ESPN: #-
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 1, 2016.

Coaching staff

NamePositionYear at
North Dakota State
Alma mater (Year)
Chris KliemanHead coach6thNorthern Iowa (1990)
Matt EntzDefensive coordinator
Linebackers
3rdWayne State (NE) (1995)
Tim PolasekOffensive coordinator
Running backs
10thConcordia (WI) (2002)
Atif AustinSpecial teams coordinator
Wide receiver coach
3rdIowa State (2003)
Jamar CainDefensive ends coach3rdNew Mexico State (2002)
Nick GoeserDefensive tackles coach7thWisconsin–Eau Claire (2003)
Randy HedbergQuarterbacks coach3rdMinot State (1977)
Joe KlandermanDefensive backs coach3rdMinnesota State Mankato (2001)
Conor RileyOffensive line coach4thNebraska–Omaha (2002)
Tyler RoehlTight ends
Fullbacks
3rdNorth Dakota State (2009)
Bryan ShepherdDefensive assistant1stNorth Dakota State (2013)
Jake OttenVideo coordinator3rdCal Poly (2013)

Game summaries

Polls are based on the FCS STATS Poll

Charleston Southern

1234OTTotal
#7 Buccaneers0377017
#1 Bison0377724
  • (Q2, 9:44) CSU – Jacob Smoak 46 yard field goal – CSU 3–0
  • (Q2, 0:00) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 52 yard field goal – TIED 3–3
  • (Q3, 13:07) CSU – Mike Holloway 47 yard run (Tyler Tekac kick) – CSU 10–3
  • (Q3, 10:02) NDSU – #20 Darrius Shepherd 23 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – TIED 10–10
  • (Q4, 10:34) NDSU – #16 RJ Urzendowski 47 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 17–10
  • (Q4, 2:59) CSU – Mike Holloway 6 yard run (Tyler Tekac kick) – TIED 17–17
  • (OT) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 25 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 24–17

Eastern Washington

1234OTTotal
#8 Eagles0141020044
#1 Bison714716650
  • (Q1, 6:19) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 8 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q2, 12:54) EWU – Cooper Kupp 20 yard pass from Gage Gubrud (Roldan Alcobendas kick) – TIED 7–7
  • (Q2, 11:01) NDSU – #12 Easton Stick 1 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–7
  • (Q2, 6:12) NDSU – #86 Jeff Illies 33 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 21–7
  • (Q2, 5:05) EWU – Cooper Kupp 8 yard pass from Gage Gubrud (Roldan Alcobendas kick) – NDSU 21–14
  • (Q3, 10:58) EWU – Roldan Alcobendas 37 yard field goal – NDSU 21–17
  • (Q3, 7:05) NDSU – #20 Darrius Shepherd 37 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 28–17
  • (Q3, 4:06) EWU – Gage Gubrud 13 yard run (Roldan Alcobendas kick) – NDSU 28–24
  • (Q4, 14:53) NDSU – #10 Lance Dunn 41 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 35–24
  • (Q4, 12:05) EWU – Nsimba Webster 35 yard pass from Gage Gubrud (Roldan Alcobendas kick) – NDSU 35–31
  • (Q4, 9:29) NDSU – #49 Nick DeLuca 40 yard interception return – NDSU 41–31
  • (Q4, 7:49) EWU – Stu Stiles 34 yard pass from Gage Gubrud – NDSU 41–37
  • (Q3, 4:32) EWU – Tamarick Pierce 1 yard run (Roldan Alcobendas kick) – EWU 44–41
  • (Q4, 0:42) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 28 yard field goal – TIED 44–44
  • (OT) NDSU – #10 Lance Dunn 25 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 50–44

At Iowa

1234Total
#1 Bison707923
#13 (FBS) Hawkeyes0147021
  • (Q1, 2:26) NDSU – #41 MJ Stumpf 21 yard interception return (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q2, 13:03) IOWA – Riley McCarron 30 yard pass from C. J. Beathard (Keith Duncan kick) – TIED 7–7
  • (Q2, 8:05) IOWA – Matt VandeBerg 14 yard pass from C.J. Beathard (Keith Duncan kick) – IOWA 14–7
  • (Q3, 8:06) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 1 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – TIED 14–14
  • (Q3, 2:12) IOWA – Matt VandeBerg 9 yard pass from C.J. Beathard (Keith Duncan kick) – IOWA 21–14
  • (Q4, 3:41) NDSU – #25 Chase Morlock 7 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick – IOWA 21–20
  • (Q4, 0:00) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 37 yard field goal – NDSU 23–21

Illinois State

1234Total
#18 Redbirds370010
#1 Bison7213031
  • (Q1, 8:12) ILST – Sean Slattery 23 yard field goal – ILST 3–0
  • (Q1, 1:14) NDSU – #20 Darrius Shepherd 31 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–3
  • (Q2, 13:06) ILST – Anthony Fowler 18 yard pass from Jake Kolbe (Sean Slattery kick) – ILST 10–7
  • (Q2, 12:48) NDSU – #16 RJ Urzendowski 65 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–10
  • (Q2, 8:43) NDSU – #10 Lance Dunn 38 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 21–10
  • (Q2, 0:27) NDSU – #85 Nate Jenson 35 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 28–10
  • (Q3, 0:39) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 47 yard field goal – NDSU 31–10

At Missouri State

1234Total
#1 Bison01301427
Bears30003
  • (Q1, 9:43) MOST – Zach Drake 50 yard field goal – MOST 3–0
  • (Q2, 8:14) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 38 yard field goal – TIED 3–3
  • (Q2, 5:45) NDSU – #20 Darrius Shepherd 21 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 10–3
  • (Q2, 0:27) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 21 yard field goal – NDSU 13–3
  • (Q4, 13:08) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 22 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 20–3
  • (Q4, 4:51) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 4 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 27–3

South Dakota State

1234Total
#11 Jackrabbits037919
#1 Bison0107017
  • (Q2, 13:49) NDSU – #12 Easton Stick 1 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q2, 2:13) SDSU – Chase Vinatieri 38 yard field goal – NDSU 7–3
  • (Q2, 0:00) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 49 yard field goal – NDSU 10–3
  • (Q3, 10:16) NDSU – #12 Easton Stick 26 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 17–3
  • (Q3, 5:26) SDSU – Dallas Goedert 12 yard pass from Taryn Christion (Chase Vinatieri kick) – NDSU 17–10
  • (Q4, 11:04) SDSU – Chase Vinatieri 42 yard field goal – NDSU 17–13
  • (Q4, 0:01) SDSU – Jake Wieneke 2 yard pass from Taryn Christion – SDSU 19–17

At Western Illinois

1234Total
#4 Bison7140021
#12 Leathernecks337013
  • (Q1, 10:00) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 3 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q1, 0:19) WIU – Nathan Knuffman 29 yard field goal – NDSU 7–3
  • (Q2, 11:16) WIU – Nathan Knuffman 28 yard field goal – NDSU 7–6
  • (Q2, 3:25) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 1 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–6
  • (Q2, 0:45) NDSU – #86 Jeff Illies 17 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 21–6
  • (Q3, 8:56) WIU – Jamie Gilmore 3 yard run (Nathan Knuffman kick) – NDSU 21–13

At Northern Iowa

1234Total
#4 Bison777324
Panthers0371020
  • (Q1, 4:42) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 1 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q2, 13:12) UNI – Austin Errthum 30 yard field goal – NDSU 7–3
  • (Q2, 1:22) NDSU – #86 Jeff Illies 31 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–3
  • (Q2, 0:00) UNI – Austin Errthum 25 yard field goal – NDSU 14–6
  • (Q3, 7:19) NDSU – #25 Chase Morlock 8 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 21–6
  • (Q3, 2:52) UNI – Jaylin James 17 yard pass from Eli Dunne (Austin Errthum kick) – NDSU 21–13
  • (Q4, 14:53) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 25 yard field goal – NDSU 24–13
  • (Q4, 12:10) UNI – Briley Moore 4 yard pass from Eli Dunne (Austin Errthum kick) – NDSU 24–20

Youngstown State

1234Total
#15 Penguins03003
#4 Bison1700724
  • (Q1, 7:34) NDSU – #25 Chase Morlock 71 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q1, 3:54) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 36 yard field goal – NDSU 10–0
  • (Q1, 1:51) NDSU – #86 Jeff Illies 15 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 17–0
  • (Q2, 8:28) YSU – Zak Kennedy 32 yard field goal – NDSU 17–3
  • (Q4, 12:39) NDSU – #10 Lance Dunn 7 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 24–3

Indiana State

1234Total
Sycamores0701017
#4 Bison21137041
  • (Q1, 12:03) NDSU – #20 Darrius Shepherd 84 yard punt return (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q1, 6:42) NDSU – #12 Easton Stick 16 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–0
  • (Q1, 2:04) NDSU – #12 Easton Stick 42 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 21–0
  • (Q2, 8:23) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 29 yard field goal – NDSU 24–0
  • (Q2, 5:09) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 2 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 31–0
  • (Q2, 1:47) ISU – Kelvin Cook 2 yard run (Jerry Nunez kick) – NDSU 31–7
  • (Q2, 0:00) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 45 yard field goal – NDSU 34–7
  • (Q3, 11:07) NDSU – #10 Lance Dunn 14 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 41–7
  • (Q4, 12:43) ISU – Jerry Nunez 41 yard field goal – NDSU 41–10
  • (Q4, 4:52) ISU – Roland Genesy 2 yard run (Jerry Nunez kick) – NDSU 41–17

At South Dakota

1234Total
#4 Bison7147028
Coyotes770721
  • (Q1, 7:29) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 1 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q1, 3:58) SD – Tacari Carpenter 36 yard pass from Chris Streveler (Miles Bergner kick) – TIED 7–7
  • (Q2, 8:42) NDSU – #20 Darrius Shepherd 40 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–7
  • (Q2, 4:01) SD – Chris Streveler 1 yard run (Miles Bergner kick) – TIED 14–14
  • (Q2, 1:01) NDSU – #86 Jeff Illies 13 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 21–14
  • (Q3, 11:30) NDSU – #87 Connor Wentz 6 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 28–14
  • (Q4, 9:30) SD – Alonge Brooks 12 yard pass from Chris Streveler (Miles Bergner kick) – NDSU 28–21

FCS Playoffs

Second Round–San Diego

1234Total
#24 Toreros00707
#4 Bison71471745
  • (Q1, 10:49) NDSU – #41 MJ Stumpf 40 yard interception return (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 7–0
  • (Q2, 7:11) NDSU – #25 Chase Morlock 16 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–0
  • (Q2, 0:39) NDSU – #16 RJ Urzendowski 11 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 21–0
  • (Q3, 6:56) USD – Ross Dwelley 1 yard pass from Anthony Lawrence (Patrick Murray kick) – NDSU 21–7
  • (Q3, 4:48) NDSU – #25 Chase Morlock 49 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 28–7
  • (Q4, 10:13) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 31 yard field goal – NDSU 31–7
  • (Q4, 11:30) NDSU – #10 Lance Dunn 56 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 38–7
  • (Q4, 9:30) NDSU – #8 Bruce Anderson 61 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 45–7

Quarterfinals–South Dakota State

1234Total
#7 Jackrabbits1000010
#4 Bison7781436
  • (Q1, 11:16) SDSU – Brady Mengarelli 5 yard run (Chase Vinatieri kick) – SDSU 7–0
  • (Q1, 4:33) SDSU – Chase Vinatieri 34 yard field goal – SDSU 10–0
  • (Q1, 1:29) NDSU – #10 Lance Dunn 49 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – SDSU 10–7
  • (Q2, 1:48) NDSU – #12 Easton Stick 3 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 14–10
  • (Q3, 9:13) NDSU – #90 Grant Morgan Safety – NDSU 16–10
  • (Q3, 5:27) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 35 yard field goal – NDSU 19–10
  • (Q3, 1:29) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 45 yard field goal – NDSU 22–10
  • (Q4, 9:57) NDSU – #12 Easton Stick 14 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 29–10
  • (Q4, 7:14) NDSU – #20 Darrius Shepherd 67 yard pass from #12 Easton Stick (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – NDSU 36–10

Semifinals–James Madison

1234Total
#5 Dukes71001027
#4 Bison0710017
  • (Q1, 1:18) JMU – Jonathan Kloosterman 14 yard pass from Bryan Schor (Tyler Gray kick) – JMU 7–0
  • (Q2, 11:59) JMU – Tyler Gray 23 yard field goal – JMU 10–0
  • (Q2, 6:51) JMU – Khalid Abdullah 10 yard pass from Bryan Schor (Tyler Gray kick) – JMU 17–0
  • (Q2, 1:36) NDSU – #25 Chase Morlock 3 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – JMU 17–7
  • (Q3, 11:24) NDSU – #36 Cam Pedersen 45 yard field goal – JMU 17–10
  • (Q3, 5:53) NDSU – #22 King Frazier 16 yard run (#36 Cam Pedersen kick) – TIED 17–17
  • (Q4, 11:46) JMU – Tyler Gray 45 yard field goal – JMU 20–17
  • (Q4, 6:59) JMU – John Miller 25 yard pass from Bryan Schor (Tyler Gray kick) – JMU 27–17

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
STATS FCS1 (152)1 (137)1 (151)1 (167)1 (164)1 (164)1 (160)4 (11)4 (6)4 (4)4 (4)4 (7)4 (10)3
Coaches1 (25)1 (23)1 (24)1 (26)1 (26)1 (26)1 (26)4 (1)44 (1)4 (1)4 (1)3 (1)3
AP Top 25 (FBS)RVRVRVRV
FCS PlayoffsNot released431Not released

References