It’s Goliath vs. Goliath in the 2024-2025 FCS National Championship Game, as the North Dakota State Bison will face off against the Montana State Bobcats in Frisco, Texas. It’s not the first title duel for the two programs, as NDSU throttled Montana State 38-10 in 2021.
With an electric end to the season around the corner, there’s no better time to review the Bison’s most recent path to the natty.
How North Dakota State Made the National Championship Game
Last year was an anomaly for the Bison, as they struggled with inconsistency and dropped four games — their most in 14 years. With HC Matt Entz off to be an assistant at USC, NDSU brought in Tim Polasek, who was part of the program’s four FCS championship-winning teams during the 2010s.
The result? A return to the Bison’s dynastic roots.
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North Dakota State kicked the season off against Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes and nearly pulled off the upset as 11.5-point underdogs (31-26).
While “nearly” isn’t enough for an actual win, the Bison proceeded to rattle off 10 straight victories, including a 13-9 nail-biter in the Dakota Marker vs. the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
Yet, all good things must come to an end, and Polasek’s squad lost by one point (29-28) to the South Dakota Coyotes in the regular-season finale. Although the loss prohibited the Bison from winning the Missouri Valley Football Conference outright, they did receive the No. 2 overall seed in the playoffs.
From there, they did what they usually do: win. Abilene Christian gave them a first-quarter scare, going up 14-3. But in the end, North Dakota State left with a 20-point victory (51-31). Mercer wasn’t so lucky, suffering a 31-7 loss that the Bison controlled from start to finish.
However, the semifinal round offered NDSU its toughest test yet: a rematch with South Dakota State. While it was a higher-scoring affair this time around, it was no less tight, coming down to the Jackrabbits’ final offensive drive.
Down seven with under two minutes and operating from its own 47, South Dakota State still had a chance to win the game. But a 1st and 10 facemask on OT Evan Beernsten wiped out a seven-yard play and backed the offense up 15 yards. The next three plays went incompletion, eight-yard completion, incompletion, setting up a 4th and 17.
Two-time national champion and former Walter Payton Award-winning QB Mark Gronowski dropped back … only to be sacked by multiple Bison defenders, effectively sealing the game and booking their ticket to Frisco, Texas.
Players Who Led the North Dakota State Bison
Expectations are always high in Fargo, but with nine of 12 All-MVFC performers running it back, they’re attainable in 2024.
North Dakota State enters the championship with a retooled roster. Leading the charge is Jerry Rice Award winner CharMar Brown (227-1,104-14 rushing line) in the backfield, Walter Payton Award finalist Cam Miller (31 TDs, 4 INTs) under center, and 6’3″, 200-pound WR1 Bryce Lance (66-946-16 receiving line) on the outside.
The Bison’s dominance continues in the trenches, where they are anchored by NFL-caliber talents Grey Zabel and Mason Miller on the offensive line and All-American Eli Mostaert (team-leading seven sacks) on the defensive front.
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Overall, the Bison allow just 316.3 yards per game (18th nationally) and 17.73 points per game (10th). Meanwhile, the offense has scored 28+ points in seven consecutive games, showcasing their firepower. Even kicker Griffin Crosa has remained automatic, connecting on 31 of 36 field goals and 139 of 140 extra points over the last two years.
With two powerhouse programs colliding, the 2024 FCS National Championship promises to be a battle for the ages.
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