Feature photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
After ending the season with a loss for the first time since 2010, the 2017 North Dakota State football team was on a mission to reclaim its throne atop the FCS. With a dominating start in the nonconference schedule to the grind of the Missouri Valley Football Conference gauntlet to another home stretch in the playoffs, the Bison provided a trip back to Frisco, Texas, that the players, coaches and fans will never forget.
North Dakota State cornerback Jalen Allison tells us all about his reaction from another trip back to Frisco.
Position: Cornerback
Year: Junior
Stats: 46 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 7 passes defended
What were the weeks like for you leading up to the game in Frisco?
“I had a pretty good idea that I wasn’t going to play. But I kept doing rehab in case anything miraculous happened. My main role was to help out Josh (Hayes), mainly because he’s a true freshman and do what I can from what I saw on the sidelines.”
You weren’t able to play, unfortunately, was it nice to just suit up after what initially looked like a bad injury?
“Definitely. When it first happened, I definitely thought it was the ACL. I thought the worst. When they told me it was an MCL, it was a little better. Then they told me it was fully torn and I’d be out 4-6 weeks. But being able to suit up, run around and warm up with everyone, it’s just a different type of feeling than sitting on the sidelines, not in uniform.”
What did you see in the young CBs in the semifinals and title game?
“Marquise (Bridges) definitely stepped up all throughout the playoffs. His confidence just grew. His main thing is he’s confident. He’s one of the best corners in our league. And Josh already has confidence as a true freshman. He just needs to learn the little things and let the game slow down for him and he’ll be great.”
“It’s the next-man-up mentality all the time and we just worry about ourselves. If teams don’t score, they don’t win.” – Jalen Allison, “Cornerback Jalen Allison Discusses The Suffocating Bison Defense“
RELATED: Read other returning players’ reactions from their trip back to Frisco.
SUBSCRIBE TO BISON ILLUSTRATED
Get 12 issues delivered to your door for only $29.99. Stay up to date with the latest in Bison Athletics with a Bison Illustrated subscription! This monthly magazine showcases the latest news in NDSU Sports with exclusive interviews, original game photos, and insightful writing. Subscribe today!
