MVC Football

Former North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance declared for the 2021 NFL draft Tuesday, per Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel.

Lance made his decision after North Dakota State announced in August it would not play football in the fall and would attempt to hold the season in the spring.

"It's a little bit mind-boggling for me," he told Thamel. "It's been a heck of a ride for the last year. I've learned a ton, I've grown a ton as a person and a football player. I honestly have to give all the credit to the guys around me, to the strength staff and coaching staff and guys I've played with."

Lance added that it "was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life, without a doubt."

The Missouri Valley Football Conference postponed its season to the spring amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bison did end up playing one game, beating Central Arkansas 39-28 on Saturday. Lance finished 15-of-30 for 149 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

Lance was already considered one of the top players in the 2021 NFL draft class. He was rated No. 4 overall by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller in his initial big board. The Minnesota native joins Clemson's Trevor Lawrence as the top quarterbacks available.

Even with just one full season playing at the college level, Lance was incredible as a redshirt freshman in 2019 while leading the Bison to an FCS championship.

The 6'4" quarterback finished last year with 2,786 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions in 16 games. He also added 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

In the FCS Championship Game, Lance took over with 160 rushing yards to lead his team to a win over James Madison. 

While some will question the numbers versus weaker competition, the quarterback has impressed scouts with both his physical and mental abilities on the field.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network compared Lance to Andrew Luck as a prospect, noting both had good athleticism and impressive maturity.

"More than anything else, these are two guys who exude confidence on the field," Jeremiah wrote. "They are fearless, but they avoid being reckless. That's a very delicate balance."

Considering he was just a freshman last year, there is still room for the talented player to grow.

The question for NFL teams is whether he has done enough to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft or close to it.

A limited amount of game tape against mostly inferior competition and what is in effect a whole year off could create too many question marks for teams trying to invest in a franchise quarterback. It puts more pressure on the predraft workouts for one of the most intriguing prospects in years.

North Dakota State's Trey Lance is one of the quarterbacks to watch during the 2020 college football season (assuming there is one amid the COVID-19 pandemic).   

And despite playing for a smaller school, Lance is already garnering big comparisons. The NFL Network's draft guru, Daniel Jeremiah, sees a lot of Andrew Luck in Lance's game:

"I know Luck is a little bit bigger, but they are similar athletes and they both played with a maturity beyond their age at the collegiate level. I remember watching Luck run over defenders. I also remember being so impressed with his ability to execute on key plays in every game. I see the same things when I study Lance. More than anything else, these are two guys who exude confidence on the field. They are fearless, but they avoid being reckless. That's a very delicate balance. Luck was on his way to a Hall of Fame career before shocking the football world and retiring a year ago. I don't have quite the same grade on Lance, but he could get there with continued growth and development."

Lance has good size for the position (6'3", 224 lbs) and had an excellent 2019 season, throwing for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions while completing 66.9 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 scores. 

Those are massive numbers on their own. But don't ignore that North Dakota State has also become something of a burgeoning quarterback factory in recent years. Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Carson Wentz is an NDSU alum. So is Los Angeles Chargers' fifth-round pick Easton Stick. 

And Jeremiah isn't alone in being high on Lance:

https://twitter.com/EaglesXOs/status/1278708239887224834

The QB1 of the 2021 draft is expected to be a battle between Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. However, @MoveTheSticks and I believe another QB (Trey Lance) should be included in the conversation. We had a lively discussion on the MTS podcast today.. pic.twitter.com/mEHnCGtmDe

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) May 26, 2020

Trey Lance has certainly caught the eyes of the NFL scouting community as a dynamic player with outstanding skills. It doesn’t take long to see his talent and potential as a future QB1 in the next level... He’s a good one https://t.co/lFSGV3EOzl

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) April 17, 2020

Here's what I'll say tonight...

I am a BIG Trey Lance fan. B-I-G.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 24, 2020

Comparing him to Luck is major praise. Before shocking the world by retiring before the age of 30, Luck was a four-time Pro Bowler who had thrown for 4,593 yards, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2018, completing 67.3 percent of his passes. 

If Lance ends up being anything close to Luck, he'll have had a successful career and made an organization very happy. For now, of course, he has to prove his superb 2019 season wasn't a fluke. 

President Donald Trump once again has served fast food to a championship college football team. 

The North Dakota State football team was invited to the White House Monday to celebrate its FCS championship—its seventh in the last eight years—and the players were treated to a mix of McDonald's and Chick-fil-A food:

Fast food spread at the White House for North Dakota State University Football Team. Big Macs and Chick-Fil-A. pic.twitter.com/B3iTtSHbW2

— Laura Figueroa Hernandez (@Laura_Figueroa) March 4, 2019

Easton Stick presented the #45 jersey to President Trump in the State Dining Room followed by a quick lunch. Next stop, the Oval Office! #NDSUinDC pic.twitter.com/qdFVODhEej

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) March 4, 2019

This came nearly two months after the Clemson Tigers were also treated to fast food at the White House after winning the FBS championship.

Trump reportedly paid for the meal in January himself with the government in the midst of a shutdown, although that wasn't an issue this time around.

According to Tom Schad of USA Today, the president personally chose the fast food instead of a meal prepared by chefs.

The North Dakota State Bison football team is scheduled to visit President Donald Trump at the White House after winning the FCS football championship for the seventh time in eight years.

According to TMZ Sports, North Dakota Republican Senator John Hoeven contacted Trump to set up the invite.

"With NDSU's history of excellence, it is only fitting that they be honored at the White House," Hoeven said. "And we look forward to working with the President to coordinate the visit."

NDSU will follow Clemson, which visited the White House in January after beating Alabama for the FBS national title.

As part of the visit, Clemson football players and coaches were served a fast food feast amid the federal government shutdown.

The Bison have dominated the FCS scene for the past several years, and their 38-24 win over Eastern Washington in the 2018 title game helped them break a tie with Georgia Southern for the most FCS national titles in history.

North Dakota State will be honored for its achievements with a trip to the White House at a yet-to-be-determined date, but it is unclear if head coach Chris Klieman will be part of the celebration since he made the jump to Kansas State to replace Bill Snyder.

Stop if you've heard this before: No. 1 North Dakota State (14-0) is headed to the FCS Championship. After handling rival South Dakota State in the semifinal by a score of 44-21, the defending champion Bison will play in the championship for the seventh time since 2011—having won all of their previous six appearances.

What's different about the 2018 FCS Championship Game, though, is the opponent. North Dakota State has never faced No. 3 Eastern Washington (12-2) on the biggest stage. After taking care of Maine 50-19 on Saturday afternoon, the Eastern Washington Eagles will join the Bison in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 5.

The game will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at noon ET.

No, that wasn't a dream...

The Bison are headed back to Frisco for 7th time!#FCSPlayoffs #RaiseTheBar 🤘 pic.twitter.com/edxm487yf8

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 15, 2018

This will be Eastern Washington's second appearance in the FCS Championship—the last coming in 2010, which they won.

Based on each team's semifinal performances, the ground game will feature heavily in the championship game. NDSU senior quarterback Easton Stick rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns as the Bison accumulated 439 rushing yards on 49 total carries split between six ball-carriers.

Eastern Washington sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere shouldered the Eagles through the air against Maine with seven touchdowns and 352 yards on 21-of-30 passing. Barriere's target of choice was senior Nsimba Webster, who finished the game with 188 yards and four touchdowns on nine receptions.

On top of that, the Eagles gashed the Black Bears for 216 yards on the ground between six ball-carriers.

This @EWUFootball duo is WHOA! 🔥#FCSPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/spp1dsSk1T

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 15, 2018

Barriere took over as starting quarterback in October after senior Gage Gubrud suffered a career-ending toe injury. With Barriere under center, the Eagles have gone 8-1—their last loss coming on Oct. 13.

NDSU will have extra incentive. On top of looking to become the first FCS program to win seven championships, the Bison will be sending off head coach Chris Klieman. Klieman has already been named Kansas State's head coach beginning next season.

With a win on Jan. 5, Klieman will tie Jim Tressel as the FCS coach with most championship wins (four).

With a win in Frisco, Stick will have his 49th career victory and become the winningest FCS quarterback in history—a record he is currently tied for with former NDSU quarterback Brock Jensen.

"Never underestimate the power of people that love each other, are honest with each other and will battle for each other," Klieman said after his team's semifinal win on Friday night. He has been head coach since 2014.

His final interview in the Fargodome as the @NDSUFootball head coach... #Raisethebar pic.twitter.com/swXkdjqOk2

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 15, 2018

The last time these two teams faced off came in Week 2 of the 2017 season on Sept. 9 at Eastern Washington. The Bison dominated and won 40-13 with a team largely the same as the one that will show up in Frisco—NDSU sports 24 seniors. But Jan. 5 will be the first time NDSU plays a Barriere-led Eagles squad.

School teacher Jason Seaman had only one thought when he intervened to stop a shooter at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana. 

"I want to make it clear that my actions on that day, in my mind, were the only acceptable actions I could have done given the circumstances," Seaman said Monday in his first public comments since the shooting, per the Associated Press. "I deeply care for my students and their well-being. That is why I did what I did that day."

In addition to teaching at Noblesville West, Seaman is a coach for the football team. He played football in college for the Southern Illinois Salukis, appearing in 47 games over four years. He graduated from SIU in 2010.

According to CNN's Jay Croft and Janet DiGiacomo, the shooter entered the school Friday morning and walked into Seaman's classroom while his students were taking a test. Seaman tackled the shooter and kept the suspect on the ground long enough for authorities to arrive.

Seaman was shot three times and underwent surgery to address his wounds. He was released from the hospital Saturday. 

The North Dakota State Bison held off the James Madison Dukes 17-13 on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to win their sixth FCS National Championship in the past seven seasons.

NDSU led from wire to wire and used its dominant defense to return to the top of FCS college football, as it held James Madison to 241 total yards and forced three turnovers.

Bison quarterback Easton Stick played a mistake-free game with 130 yards and one touchdown through the air, while running back Bruce Anderson ground out 63 rushing yards and a score.

The Dukes couldn't get anything going offensively throughout the day, and that manifested itself in quarterback Bryan Schor's numbers, as he finished with 148 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

There was a clear championship atmosphere for Saturday's game at Toyota Stadium, and NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler was among those who took notice:

I live in Frisco and every year I'm blown away by the way #NDSU fans travel. Green and yellow everywhere - I feel like I'm in Green Bay. Credit to #JamesMadison also, plenty of purple here too.

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 6, 2018

While both teams were well-represented in Frisco, the NDSU faithful were energized early on when the Bison scored on their first drive of the game.

North Dakota State marched 66 yards on 11 plays, and Anderson finished things off by punching the ball into the end zone from three yards out, as seen in this video courtesy of FCS Football:

Bruce Anderson punches it in and NDSU strikes first!

Watch the #FCSChampionship on the ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/LqzLGPcZ4X

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2018

James Madison closed the gap with a field goal, but the Bison took an even more commanding lead with just over four minutes remaining in the half.

On what was undoubtedly the most explosive offensive play of the game for either team, Stick found wide receiver Darrius Shepherd on a perfectly thrown deep ball for a 50-yard touchdown:

An offensive play breaks through! Easton Stick finds Darrius Shepherd for a 50 yard touchdown.

NDSU 14, JMU 3 - 2Q
Watch the #FCSChampionship on the ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/nmJH3plE2U

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2018

Shepherd was an unlikely candidate to put NDSU ahead 14-3 since he hadn't scored a touchdown all season entering the contest.

NDSU added a field goal after a JMU fumble, which put the Dukes in a precarious position ahead of halftime.

James Madison got the ball with just 39 seconds remaining in the half, but it managed to drive 69 yards and cancel out the North Dakota State field goal with a field goal of its own to make it 17-6.

The pivotal play on that drive was a remarkable 28-yard catch by wideout Riley Stapleton:

Riley Stapleton has another #SCTop10 grab this postseason and the Dukes are on the move!

Watch the #FCSChampionship on the ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/3Mg4sqlM04

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2018

Stapleton was JMU's lone standout on offense, finishing the game with seven grabs for 107 yards.

The momentum gained from the late field goal carried over to the second half when James Madison forced North Dakota State to punt on its first drive of the third quarter.

D'Angelo Amos set up shop with a 33-yard punt return, and running back Marcus Marshall finished the drive shortly thereafter with a one-yard scoring plunge:

The defense comes up big and Marcus Marshall finds the end zone to bring JMU within a score in the 3rd quarter.

Watch the #FCSChampionship on the ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/7wbHfkgTV7

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2018

The Dukes created some nervous moments in shrinking the deficit to 17-13, but the remainder of the game was a defensive struggle in which neither team could find an offensive rhythm.

With roughly three minutes remaining in the game, JMU feigned punting on a 4th-and-9 from its own territory, but it pulled off a gutsy fake with punter Harry O'Kelly running 24 yards for a first down:

This play on 4th and 9 has kept JMU's hopes alive!

Watch the #FCSChampionship on the ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/4geacedfUH

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2018

James Madison quickly got itself in prime position to take the lead with a first down at the NDSU 19-yard line.

Just as the Bison defense had done all game long, however, it stiffened and forced a turnover on downs that effectively ended the game.

North Dakota State was once again the king of FCS after losing to James Madison in last season's semifinals, and ESPN's Anish Shroff put what the Bison have accomplished into perspective:

https://twitter.com/AnishESPN/status/949737324287594507

There was some thought that last season's win over North Dakota State and eventual national title win signaled a changing of the guard in favor of James Madison, but the Bison proved Saturday that they are a true dynasty.

No team in FCS history has ever enjoyed the run of success NDSU is in the midst of, and the victory over James Madison suggests there is no end in sight.

Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State are powerhouses at the FBS level, but it is hard to match what North Dakota State has built in the FCS.      

Running back Bruce Anderson and the second-seeded Bison advanced to their sixth FCS national championship game in seven years Friday with a commanding 55-13 victory over the No. 6 Sam Houston State Bearkats at the Fargodome.

They never looked back after scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and are one win away from taking back the throne after James Madison snapped their streak of five straight national championships last season.

They will play the titleholders if the Dukes beat No. 5 South Dakota State in the other semifinal Saturday.

Anderson was dominant as North Dakota State gashed the Bearkats on the ground with 471 rushing yards in the blowout win. He finished with 183 rushing yards, 54 receiving yards and five total touchdowns, while quarterback Easton Stick demonstrated his own dual-threat abilities with 160 passing yards, 32 rushing yards and five total touchdowns.

Given recent precedent, it was no surprise the Bison set the tone with the running game. According to J.P. McBride of the Huntsville Item (h/t NCAA.com), Sam Houston State allowed a combined 935 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground in its playoff losses the last three years and was once again overmatched up front.

Anderson's showing was only part of the problem for the visitors in a nightmare first half as the Bison established an overwhelming 41-3 lead.

Sam Houston State couldn't get out of its own way as Jeremiah Briscoe threw interceptions to Tre Dempsey and Marquise Bridges, while Nathan Stewart lost a fumble on a kick return. Anderson scored touchdowns following the Bridges pick and the Stewart fumble, and Dempsey's interception came on the final snap of the half with the Bearkats inside the red zone.

Sam Houston State also struggled with Stick, who scored on the ground on the Bison's first possession and connected with tight end Jeff Illies and Anderson for touchdowns.

He hit Anderson over the top on a wheel route for 23 yards after Sam Houston State brought up additional defenders to deal with the run, via FCS Football:

Another TD for Bruce Anderson, this time through the air

NDSU 21, SHSU 3 - 1Q
📺 #FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/dzLSpHOvnf

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017

               

There was a reason so many defenders were caught flatfooted.

Anderson's ability on the ground was the primary storyline, as he demonstrated a Le'Veon Bell-like patience at the line of scrimmage and waited for holes to open before he consistently burst through them for explosive plays.

He averaged 10.8 yards per carry and tallied touchdown runs of 62, 37 and 33 in the first half alone:

The Bruce got loose!

NDSU 14, SHSU 3 - 1Q
📺 #FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/QhvziT32XL

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017

BRUUUUUUUUCE!
Make that three touchdowns on the night for Bruce Anderson…in only the second quarter

NDSU 28, SHSU 3 - 2Q
📺 #FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/qdIC7e6qXK

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017

Bruce Anderson. Touchdown. Again. 😤

NDSU 35, SHSU 3 - 2Q
📺 #FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/yD5YzHUXsF

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017

The game was a formality after halftime, although Stick padded his totals with touchdown throws to tight end Ben Ellefson and Anderson once again. Seth Wilson also got involved in the offense and thrived right alongside Anderson with 194 rushing yards on 24 carries, many of which came as the home team was running out the clock.

The question now is whether the Bison can replicate their head-turning offensive performance in what figures to be a more challenging championship game.

A contest against James Madison would mean a date with a stout defense that held opponents to single digits five times and allowed more than 14 points just once all season. A showdown with South Dakota State would be a rematch of a Nov. 4 game that saw the Jackrabbits win 33-21.

It is difficult to imagine the Bison will lose if they play like they did Friday. But with the championship hanging in the balance Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, the stakes will be higher, and the competition will be stiffer.

Ma'lik Richmond filed a federal lawsuit against Youngstown State University on Wednesday after he was told he could not play for the football team. 

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), Richmond is seeking to be placed on the active roster in addition to attorney fees and damages.

The decision was made to keep Richmond off the active roster after a petition to prevent him from playing was circulated.

In 2013, Richmond was convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville, Ohio. He served 10 months in juvenile detention.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office released a reply to Richmond's lawsuit in defense of Youngstown State:

The reply said "proving no deed goes unpunished," the school has been "hauled into court by a student that YSU has bent over backward to assist, support and provide a second chance when no one else would.

"The rest of the world had written Plaintiff off as an unrepentant rapist, but YSU encouraged him and integrated him as 'part of the student community.'" 

Per WKBN, Youngstown State announced in August it would keep Richmond as part of the team and he would surrender a year of eligibility, but he could only take part in practices.

It noted 10,000 people signed the petition to keep Richmond off the team, and YSU released the following statement regarding its decision:

"Youngstown State University takes the matter of sexual assault very seriously and continues to educate everyone within the campus community about the impact and prevention of sexual assault.

"The University is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and of petitions that are circulating on social media in protest and support of one of our students, Ma'lik Richmond. We value the input of the entire YSU community and are committed to providing a safe learning environment and growth opportunities for all students, faculty and staff."

According to the Associated Press, Richmond was "despondent" over Youngstown State's decision and quit the team.

Prior making the Youngstown State roster as a walk-on, Richmond played at California (Pa.) and Potomac State College of West Virginia University.

Richmond's argument for reinstatement will be heard Thursday in Youngstown, Ohio.

Defensive end Ma'lik Richmond will not play football for Youngstown State in 2017 following a petition to prevent him from doing so.

According to WKBN, YSU announced Richmond will remain with the team as a practice player and surrender a year of eligibility, but he will not be permitted to play in games.

More than 10,000 people signed a petition started by a Youngstown State student to stop Richmond from playing after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl while she was unconscious in 2012.

As part of a statement, Youngstown State University acknowledged taking the students' concerns into account:

"Youngstown State University takes the matter of sexual assault very seriously and continues to educate everyone within the campus community about the impact and prevention of sexual assault.

"The University is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and of petitions that are circulating on social media in protest and support of one of our students, Ma'lik Richmond. We value the input of the entire YSU community and are committed to providing a safe learning environment and growth opportunities for all students, faculty and staff."

Richmond previously played at California (Pa.) and Potomac State College of West Virginia University, and he was attempting to make the YSU roster as a walk-on.

Per WTOV-TV (via ESPN.com), Richmond served less than one year in a juvenile detention center after being found guilty of sexual assault in Steubenville, Ohio.