NDSU Beats Montana State to Win 2025 FCS Championship Bracket; 10th Title in 14 Years
Jan 7, 2025
FRISCO, TX - JANUARY 06: North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cam Miller (7) runs with the ball during the FCS Championship game between North Dakota State and Montana State on January 6, 2025 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
North Dakota State ended its season as champions in the first year of the Tim Polasek era.
The Bison defeated Montana 35-32 in the FCS championship Monday night, ending the Bobcats' undefeated season and giving North Dakota State its 10th title in the last 14 years.
Quarterback Cam Miller, who is in his fifth season with the program, ended his collegiate career with a bang. He threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-22 while picking up 121 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
His favorite target was Bryce Lance, younger brother of former North Dakota State star Trey Lance. He had nine receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Those who remember the first Thursday night of the season, when North Dakota State QB Cam Miller nearly led his team past Colorado, shouldnβt be surprised by what he has done since. Absolute stud. Another huge night in FCS title game.
It was all Bison through the first half as North Dakota State took a 21-3 lead into the third quarter, but Montana State came storming back to make it 21-18, setting up a dramatic fourth quarter.
The two teams traded early touchdowns at the Bison led 28-25 for most of the quarter. North Dakota State gained a 10-point cushion with a touchdown with just over two minutes to play.
But the Bobcats weren't out of the game after the late score. They answered with one of their own to cut the lead to three with a minute left to play. Montana State's comeback fell short, however, as North Dakota State recovered the onside kick and ran the clock down to just 10 seconds. Time ran out when the Bison punted the ball away.
North Dakota State vs. Montana State.
National Championship.
If you need your football fix, this is it. Phenomenal matchup.
FYI - there is a rocking football game for the NCAA FCS Division I National Championship going on right now on ESPN between Montana State and North Dakota State. 28-25 NDS with about 11 minutes to play. Check it out! #FCSChampionship
The win marks 10 championships for the Bison over the 14 years, adding to what has been on of the most impressive dynasties in recent college football memory. There were questions of whether the standard of excellence could be carried on by Polasek after Matt Entz left for Fresno State, and he's quickly shown that he's capable of carrying the torch.
FCS Playoff Bracket 2024-25: Date, Schedule for NDSU vs. Montana State Championship
Dec 22, 2024
AMES, IA - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Jaylin Noel #13 of the Iowa State Cyclones pulls in a pass as defensive back Tyler Erkman #9, and defensive back Devin Hembry #23 of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks defend in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on August 31, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
The stage is set for the 2024 FCS National Championship.
North Dakota State punched its ticket with a 28-21 victory over defending champion South Dakota State while Montana State took a 31-17 victory over South Dakota.
The Bison entered the fourth quarter tied at 14 with the Jackrabbits before the team traded three consecutive touchdowns in the final quarter to give the game its final score.
The star of the day was wide receiver Bryce Lance, the younger brother of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance, who had six catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns.
Montana State's run to the title game was a bit easier as the Bobcats jumped out to a 21-14 halftime lead and limited South Dakota to just three points in the second half.
Montana State is chasing its first FCS Championship since 1984 and the fourth overall National Title in program history. North Dakota State is playing for its 18th National Championship, 10th at the FCS level and first since 2021.
Montana State holds the all-time series lead between the programs at 21-17 but has not defeated the Bison since 2005. North Dakota has won the last five matchups, including the 2021 FCS National Championship.
The game is set for Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. ET in Frisco, Texas.
Grey Zabel NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for North Dakota State Iol
Nov 13, 2024
BOULDER, CO - AUGUST 29: North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel (74) during the college football game between the North Dakota State Bison and the Colorado Buffaloes on August 29, 2024 at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. (Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'6"
WEIGHT: 301
HAND: 9Β½"
ARM: 32"
WINGSPAN: 77Β½"
40-YARD DASH: NA
3-CONE: NA
SHUTTLE: NA
VERTICAL: 36.5"
BROAD: 9'3"
POSITIVES
β Shows impressive lower half mobility and pad level, especially for a player listed at 6'6"
β Does a nice job stepping on the toes of defenders, working his hips through contact and getting them turned away from the ball on angle-drive and base blocks
β Excels securing and climbing off combination blocks before working inside-out on backers to widen them out of the hole
β Has a firm, stiff punch to create lift on rushers, quickly transition into his anchor and cede minimal ground
β Fluidly redirects and moves laterally to get rushers, loopers and blitzes squared up
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NEGATIVES
β Below average arm length leaves him susceptible to losing first meaningful contact and getting caught on his heels against speed to power
β Struggles to consistently protect his outside edge at tackle, creating short corners against high-side chops and swipes
β Will get stacked, raised and slipped on down blocks
NOTES
β Born March 30, 2002
β Unranked recruit from the 2020 class, per 247Sports
β Two-way starter on three state championship winning teams in South Dakota. Also lettered in basketball and baseball
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β Turned down lucrative NIL offers to transfer schools for the opportunity to play with his younger brother during the 2024 season
β 2024: AP First-team FCS All-American and FCS Champion
β 38 career starts at left tackle (16), left guard (four), right tackle (17) and as a sixth OL (one)
β Participated in the 2025 Senior Bowl where he won overall practice player of the week
OVERALL
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Grey Zabel is a two-and-a-half-year starter including 16 starts at left tackle during the 2024 season inside North Dakota's run-heavy (64-36 run-pass split), multiple-run scheme. Zabel has a well-proportioned build with good athletic ability and play strength.
Zabel excels as a run blocker using very good pad level and leverage to work inside/underneath his target on angle-drive and base blocks, working to step on the toes of the defender, work his hips through and seal off rush lanes behind his back. Once he gets defenders lifted he shows a firm understanding of how to create displacement away from the ball and he strains hard late in the rep to create knockdowns. Zabel can get stacked and lifted himself if he loses the initial leverage battle and will struggle to regain control quickly enough to save the block due to a narrow base and being a little light in the pants.
In pass protection Zabel has smooth, calculated footwork to square up rushers with good strike timing and placement to create lift and quickly transition into his anchor to grind down the bull-rush. He will struggle to consistently protect the corner and prevent his outside hand from getting pinned against high-side rushes that suggest a move inside will be necessary as a pro.
Overall, Zabel shows starter-level physical tools with refined run blocking skills and understanding of leverage that signal he can become an immediate role player and potential starter within his first year or two with center likely being his best fit.
GRADE: 7.7 (Potential Impact Player β 2nd Round)
Cody Mauch NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for North Dakota State IOL
Feb 16, 2023
TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: North Dakota State Bison offensive tackle Cody Mauch #70 during a college football game between the North Dakota State Bison and the University of Arizona Wildcats on September 17, 2022 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 65"
WEIGHT: 302
HAND: 9 3/4"
ARM: 32 3/8"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: 5.08
3-CONE: 7.33
SHUTTLE: 4.55
VERTICAL: 29"
BROAD: 9'0"
POSITIVES
β Well-versed and skilled gap scheme run-blocker
β Good upper-body strength and leg drive to gain control, steer and seal defenders on down blocks, double-teams and kick-outs
β Unrelenting finisher with excellent grip strength once latched inside of defenders to sustain through contact, torque and drive them off balance for knockdowns
β Has good balance to absorb force, maintain an upright posture and find his anchor against power with the ability to turn pass-protection reps into run-blocks
β Good burst and quickness on the move to close space on smaller targets as a puller, lead blocker and on second-level climbs
NEGATIVES
β Adequate arm length with a high-cut frame and a lean, narrow lower half
β Needs to incorporate more tempo and tact on his second-level climbs; takes erratic angles that cause him to misalign his target, forcing him to get grabby against quick-trigger backers
β Limited exposure as a pass-protector on an island both in terms of quantity of reps and quality of opponent
β Unrefined footwork and use of hands in pass-protection
2022 STATISTICS
β 15 starts at left tackle
NOTES
β First team AP FCS All-American
β Former walk-on tight end from Hankinson High School in North Dakota.
β Standout athlete at Hankinson High School with letters in football (quarterback, tight end and defensive end), basketball, baseball and track. Averaged 20 points per game, 15 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game as a senior on the basketball team.
β 39 consecutive career starts; 37 at LT and two at RT.
β Three-time FCS National champion (2018, 2019, 2021).
β Graduated with a degree in agricultural engineering
β Accepted an invite to the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
OVERALL
Cody Mauch is a three-year starter with 39 consecutive career starts (37 at left tackle, two at right tackle) including 15 during the 2022 season. Mauch is a former walk-on tight end with adequate arm length on a high-cut frame with a lean, narrow build in his lower half.
Mauch played in a 70-30 run-pass split offense focused on gap schemes primarily out of a three-point stance. Mauch has good upper-body strength with heavy hands and an aggressive, attacking mentality that he uses to consistently jolt and displace defenders on down, double-team and kick-out blocks. He has a strong inside hand and rotational strength to torque and uproot defenders off of their spots with the grip strength to maintain his latch and control through contact and shed attempts.
He has good athletic ability, burst and quickness to effectively track down smaller targets as a puller, lead blocker and on second-level climbs with the power to create knockdowns in space.
In pass protection, he primarily set flat or at a 45-degree angle with solid foot quickness to get to his spots and landmarks against tightly aligned rushers. He flashed some independent hand usage to establish quick leverage on rushers, anchor and he rarely ever lost control once clenched inside of their frame, ending reps quickly.
Mauch needs to incorporate more tempo and patience on his second-level climbs rather than going for the kill shot too often so he can more consistently line up his target and prevent overrunning shifty, quick-trigger backers. His adequate arm length shrinks his margin for error with hand placement and he needs to learn how to more quickly refit and re-leverage his hands and hips on stalemates rather than trying to out-muscle defenders (which he could mostly get away with against FCS competition).
Against wide-9 rushers, his inability to expand his landmarks, adjust his strike location and protect the corner combined with below-average length and poor competition suggests a move inside would allow the smoothest transition and best suit his game as a pro.
Overall, Mauch is a tone-setting blocker with good athletic ability and play strength paired with a nasty demeanor to be an asset and wear down defenders in the run game, anchor in pass protection and earn a role as a high-quality interior backup. He has a chance to start at center within his first contract as he gains the necessary processing skills to handle the line calls and manage the pre-snap phase of the game.
FCS Playoffs 2022-23: Date, Schedule for NDSU vs. SDSU Championship
Dec 18, 2022
BROOKINGS, SD - OCTOBER 29: South Dakota State Jackrabbits Running back Isaiah Davis (22) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the college football game between the Indiana State Sycamores and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on October 29th, 2022, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The No. 1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits will face the No. 3 North Dakota State Bison in a huge rivalry matchup in the 2023 FCS championship game Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas, following a 39-18 win over No. 4 Montana State on Saturday.
South Dakota State is back in the championship game for the first time since 2020 and is looking for its first title in program history.
The Bison, meanwhile, have been the most dominant team in the FCS over the last decade-plus. They clinched a berth in the FCS title game for the 10th time in the past 12 seasons with a 35-32 win over Incarnate Word on Friday.
North Dakota State is aiming to win its 10th FCS title, all of which have come since 2011.
Here's a look at the schedule for the championship game and a deeper dive into each program's playoff run.
Championship Schedule
No. 1 South Dakota State vs. No. 3 North Dakota State: Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. ET
Tale of the Tape
The rivalry between South Dakota State and North Dakota State dates all the way back to 1903. The Jackrabbits dominated play through 1963, but since then, the Bison have been in command despite three straight losses dating back to the 2021 season.
North Dakota State leads the series against South Dakota State 63-45-5.
The Jackrabbits and Bison met Oct. 15, and South Dakota won 23-21 after trailing 21-7 entering halftime. SDSU scored on all four of its second-half possessions and kept NDSU off the board after halftime to claim the win.
The Jackrabbits and Bisons have met in the FCS playoffs four timesβ2012 second round, 2014 second round, 2016 quarterfinals and 2018 semifinalsβand North Dakota State won each matchup.
South Dakota State's Run to the Final
As the No. 1 seed, South Dakota State earned a first-round bye after going 10-1 in the regular season.
They began their run to the title game with a 42-6 win over Delaware in the second round behind a 104-yard, two-touchdown performance from running back Isaiah Davis.
The Jackrabbits then defeated No. 8 Holy Cross 42-21 in the quarterfinals behind a respectable performance from quarterback Mark Gronowski, who completed 12 of 22 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 47 yards and one score.
In Saturday's semifinal matchup against No. 4 Montana State, SDSU won 39-18 on another three-touchdown performance by Gronowski, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another score.
Gronowski and Davis have been SDSU's biggest performers this postseason, and the Jackrabbits will need both to be at their best if they want to claim the title over North Dakota State.
North Dakota State's Run to the Final
North Dakota State secured a first-round bye and the No. 3 seed after going 9-2 in the regular season.
The Bison earned a 49-26 win over Montana in the second round behind brilliant rushing performances from running backs Kobe Johnson (206 yards, two touchdowns) and TaMerik Williams (101 yards, one touchdown).
From there, NDSU defeated No. 9 Samford 27-9 in the quarterfinals behind a two-touchdown performance by Cam Miller. The quarterback completed 15 of 18 passes for 194 yards and one touchdown, in addition to rushing for 21 yards and a score.
In Friday's semifinal matchup against No. 7 Incarnate Word, North Dakota State won 35-32 thanks to a three-touchdown performance from Johnson.
The Bison offense has been somewhat one-dimensional this postseason as Miller has thrown for just 257 yards in three games. The running game has been outstanding, but the passing game needs to get going if NDSU hopes to claim another title.
North Dakota State Routs Montana State 38-10 to Claim 9th FCS Championship
Jan 8, 2022
FRISCO, TX - JANUARY 08: Cody Mauch #70 and Hunter Luepke #44 of the North Dakota State Bison celebrate a touchdown against the Montana State Bobcats during the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 8, 2022 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
The North Dakota State Bison returned to the top of FCS on Saturday with a 38-10 demolition of the Montana State Bobcats in the FCS Championship Game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
With Saturday's win, NDSU has now won nine of the past 11 FCS titles and improved its record in FCS Championship Games to a perfect 9-0.
While the Bison have boasted some top-flight talent at quarterback over the past several years, including Carson Wentz of the Indianapolis Colts and Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday's win was largely the result of a dominant running game and a suffocating defense.
North Dakota State rushed for 380 yards and four touchdowns on 53 carries as a team against Montana State.
Three players rushed for at least 82 yards in the contest, including Hunter Luepke, who finished with 82 yards and three touchdowns. The Bison also got 106 yards out of Kobe Johnson and 98 yards from Quincy Patterson.
NDSU's defense performed at an elite level as well, holding the Bobcats to 335 total yards and a 5-of-15 conversion rate on third downs.
One key factor in Montana State's offensive struggles was the fact that true freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott suffered an apparent leg injury on the first drive of the game and had to be removed.
Mellott didn't start his first game until the FCS playoffs, but he played a big role in Montana State reaching the title game, as he rushed for 411 yards and six touchdowns in three playoff wins.
With Mellott unable to continue, junior Tucker Rovig replaced him and struggled to the tune of 156 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 13-of-28 passing.
NDSU essentially put the game out of reach in the first half by taking a 28-0 lead and rushing for 270 yards.
Of those four touchdowns, three were scored by Luepke:
The Bison get on the board first with the big TD run! πͺ
With the Bison blowing the Bobcats out of the water, former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee, ESPN's Matt Miller and SiriusXM's Boston Connor all marveled at NDSU's dominance:
This North Dakota State squad is BEATING THE LIVING BREATHING HELLLLLLL aht of Montana State in the Natty right now
Rather than allowing Montana State to potentially get back in the game during the third quarter, North Dakota State kept its foot on the gas pedal.
Quarterback Cam Miller helped extend the NDSU lead to 35-0 just 2:26 into the third quarter with his first touchdown of the day on a 35-yard pass to tight end Josh Babicz:
A little misdirection sends Josh Babicz into the end zone!
Montana State did manage to get into the end zone in the fourth quarter, but it was far too late at that point, as the celebrations had already begun for the Bison.
FCS Playoffs 2021-22: Date, Schedule for Montana State vs. North Dakota Championship
Dec 18, 2021
Montana State wide receiver Nate Stewart (10) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against South Dakota State in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)
The No. 2 North Dakota State Bison will face the No. 8 Montana State Bobcats for the 2021 FCS championship on Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State is looking for its ninth national championship in 10 years, while Montana State will be aiming for just its second title in program history.
The Bobcats have not won the FCS title since 1984, when they defeated Louisiana Tech 19-6 under head coach Dave Arnold. The Bison last won the title in 2019 with a 28-20 win over James Madison under current head coach Matt Entz.
Montana State and North Dakota State have met just three times in the playoffsβ2010 second round, 2014 first round and 2019 semifinalβwith the Bison winning each matchup by a significant margin.
Championship Schedule
No. 2 North Dakota State vs. No. 8 Montana State: Saturday, Jan. 8 at noon ET
North Dakota State's Run to the Final
The Bison earned a first-round bye and the second overall seed after going 10-1 in the regular season. They began their championship pursuit with a 38-7 win over the Southern Illinois Salukis in the second round behind a two-touchdown performance from junior running back TaMerik Williams.
North Dakota State then steamrolled the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 27-3 in the quarterfinals with another two-score performance from Williams and a 123-passing-yard performance from sophomore quarterback Cam Miller.
In the semifinals, the Bison defeated the James Madison Dukes 20-14 with a two-touchdown performance from Miller and a 199-yard, two-touchdown day for junior fullback Hunter Luepke.
Williams, Miller and Luepke have been big performers for the Bison throughout the 2021 season. Williams has 115 carries for 718 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, in addition to two catches for 15 yards.
Meanwhile, Miller has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 1,318 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions, in addition to rushing for 176 yards and four scores. Luepke has rushed for 461 yards and five touchdowns this season, in addition to catching nine passes for 165 yards and three scores.
Montana State's Run to the Championship
The Bobcats also earned a first-round bye after going 9-2 in the regular season and began their championship run in the second round with a 26-7 win over the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks behind an incredible 181-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance from freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott.
Montana State then steamrolled the Sam Houston State Bearkats 42-19 in the quarterfinals by another impressive performance from Mellott, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more.
The Bobcats continued rolling in the semifinals with a 31-17 win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits behind Mellott, who again passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another two.
Mellott only recently took over as Montana State's starting quarterback after Matthew McKay entered the transfer portal just before the playoffs began. He has been nothing short of incredible, throwing for 500 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 410 yards and six scores in three games.
Other big performers for the Bobcats include junior running back Isaiah Ifanse, who has rushed for 1,539 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, and senior wide receiver Lance McCutcheon, who has caught 53 passes for 1,015 yards and seven scores this year.
FCS Playoffs 2021: Dates, Schedule, Teams, Bracket and More
Nov 28, 2021
HARRISONBURG, VA - May 02: A view of the NCAA FCS logo on the sidelines during the second half of the NCAA Division I FCS Football Championship Quarterfinal game between the James Madison Dukes and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bridgeforth Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Saturday marked the first day of the FCS playoffs, with eight games across the country setting things up for a second round next weekend that will bring the top eight teams in the rankings into the fold.
Defending champion Sam Houston State is the No. 1 overall seed in this year's tournament. The Bearkats finished the regular season 10-0 and have won 21 straight games overall dating back to November 2019.
No. 2 North Dakota State (10-1) will be seeking its ninth national title since 2011. The Bison lost to Sam Houston State in the quarterfinals of last year's playoffs, ending their quest for a fourth consecutive title.
Looking ahead to the second round of the playoffs, here's a recap of Saturday's first-round results and the upcoming schedule.
Holy Cross (10-2) vs. No. 5 Villanova (9-2), Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. ET
Eastern Washington (10-2) vs. No. 6 Montana (9-2), Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET
Kennesaw State (11-1) vs. No. 7 East Tennessee State (10-1), Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. ET
Southeastern Louisiana (9-3) vs. No. 3 James Madison (10-1), Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. ET
Incarnate Word (10-2) vs. No. 1 Sam Houston State (10-0), Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. ET
Southern Illinois (8-4) vs. No. 2 North Dakota State (10-1), Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Tennessee-Martin (10-2) vs. No. 8 Montana State (9-2), Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. ET
South Dakota State (9-3) vs. No. 4 Sacramento State (9-2), Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. ET
Preview
Sam Houston State and North Dakota State could be on a collision course to the title game, but the path to that point is going include several major obstacles.
ESPN's Bill Connelly has No. 3 James Madison with the second favorite to reach the championship game thanks in part to ranking in the top 20 in both offense and defense:
The Dukes fell by a single point to Villanova in October and responded by winning their last six games by an average of 38-13. Before they head off to the Sun Belt, can they win their second national title in six years? In terms of high-level offense and defense, they might be the most balanced team in the country.
The Bison are a favorite to reach the title game, according to Connelly, but they haven't been a juggernaut all year. They only beat North Dakota by six points and Missouri State by seven points. Their lone defeat was against South Dakota State on Nov. 6.
It's certainly hard to bet against North Dakota State given its success this season and its reputation. The program has won eight of the past 10 national titles.
Since Cam Miller took over as the Bison's starting quarterback on Oct. 30 against Indiana State, the offense has scored at least 44 points in three of four games. Opponents have scored a total of 70 points during that span.
Sam Houston State has really only been tested twice this season. in back-to-back games against Central Arkansas (45-35) and Stephen F. Austin (21-20).
In six games since that close call against Stephen F. Austin in Week 2, the Bearkats have beaten their opponents by an average of 29.3 points per contest.
Saturday's game against Incarnate Word is the first time Sam Houston State has played an opponent ranked in the FCS Top 25 since the opener against Central Arkansas.
If there's a potential spoiler in the field, No. 5 Villanova has a ceiling on offense that can cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses. Rayjoun Pringle averaged 20.2 yards per reception and caught seven touchdown passes during the regular season.
Jaaron Hayek led the Wildcats with 37 receptions and eight touchdowns in 11 games. Quarterback Daniel Smith and running backs Jalen Jackson and Justin Covington combined for 1,484 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
Villanova has two losses this season, with one coming against Penn State, 38-17, at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 25. Its other defeat came against William & Mary, 31-18, on Oct. 30.
No. 1 North Dakota St.'s 39-Game FCS Winning Streak Snapped by Southern Illinois
Feb 27, 2021
North Dakota State head football coach Chris Klieman leads the Bison onto the field for an of an NCAA college football game against Incarnate Word Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State's FCS-record 39-game winning streak came to a screeching halt Saturday against Southern Illinois.
The longest winning streak in FCS history comes to an end at 39 games with a whimper, as SIU dismantles #1 NDSU, 38-14. https://t.co/M4kB5ZW8Gp
The Salukis upset the No. 1-ranked Bison 38-14 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, ending the most dominant run in the history of FCS football.
Southern Illinois' defense held NDSU to just 268 yards in the game and forced two turnovers, while the Salukis imposed their will on the ground with 170 rushing yards in the win.
Romeir Elliott and Javon Williams Jr. combined for 129 of those yards on the ground and each rushed for two touchdowns.
PerΒ Reddit CFB, North Dakota State's 39-game winning streak goes down as the third-longest in Division I college football history. The only programs with longer winning streaks are Oklahoma, which won 47 in a row from 1953 to 1957, and Washington, which won 40 straight from 1908 to 1914.
Bryan Fischer of Athlon Sports noted that Alabama now has the longest active winning streak in college football at 14, and he listed the rest of the top five as well:
North Dakota State and Southern Illinois now both sit at 2-1 for the spring campaign.
The Bison went undefeated in each of their past two seasons, going 15-0 in 2018 and 16-0 in 2019. They also won six in a row to close out the 2017 season after a 33-21 to rival South Dakota State, which was their last defeat prior to Saturday.
North Dakota State entered this season having won three consecutive FCS national titles and eight of the past nine.
A big reason for their success in recent years has been quarterback play, as current Indianapolis Colts and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz led the way from 2012 to 2015 and likely 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance was the starter in 2019.
The Bison did not play an official game during the 2020 fall college football season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they since lost Lance to the draft.
Zeb Noland started at quarterback Saturday, and he went just 13-of-24 for 159 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
With their record winning streak now a thing of the past, the Bison will look to get back on track next Saturday against the winless Missouri State Bears.
