Now that we, as fans, have had some time to reflect on the NDSU football season, we should feel much different than the majority of us did after the national championship loss to the Jackrabbits. Of course we were upset, so were the players. At North Dakota State, anything less than a championship is short of the goal, but that doesn’t mean we should see it as a failure, especially now as some time has passed.
There are 130 teams in the FCS. Every year, only two get to play in the championship—NDSU managed to reach that mark for an unprecedented 10th time in the last 12 years. That is something to celebrate.
Let’s take a look back on the season.
Week 01
NDSU 56
Drake 14
Eight different Bison players scored touchdowns in NDSU’s season-opening win against the Drake Bulldogs.
With the score tied 7-7, DL Jake Kava blocked a field goal and DB Destin Talbert scored on a 56-yard return to give the Bison their first lead. On the very next possession, special teams struck again with DB Jayden Price returning a punt 66 yards to the house. DL Will Mostaert scored NDSU’s other non-offensive touchdown on a 5-yard fumble recover.
WR Zach Mathis and RB Barika Kpeenu both scored their first career touchdowns in this route for NDSU.
Details
Date: September 9, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Zachary Lucy
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 386 | Bulldogs 219
Turnovers Forced: Bison 2 | Bulldogs 0
Yards Per Carry: Bison 7.4 | Bulldogs 2.3
Star of The Game
The Rams (The NDSU Offensive Line)
Yards Rushing 274
Yards Per Carry 7.4
Week 02
NDSU 43
N.C. A&T 3
NDSU scored 21 points off turnovers in the 33rd annual Trees Bowl game to route the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
The Bison kicked off the scoring with a four-play opening drive that ended in a 40-yard touchdown connection between QB Cam Miller and WR Zach Mathis.
History was made in the contest when DB Dawson Weber scooped up a fumble forced by DL Jaxon Duttenhefer and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown, tying the school record for longest fumble returned for a touchdown which was set by Claudie Miller in 1925.
The Bison forced three total turnovers in the contest and held N.C. A&T to just 50 yards passing on 19 attempts.
Details
Date: September 10, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Zachary Lucy
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 273 | Aggies 189
Turnovers Forced: Bison 3 | Aggies 0
Yards Per Carry: Bison 5.7 | Aggies 3
Star of the Game
#7 QB Cam Miller
Yards Passing 102
Passing Touchdowns 2
Week 03
Arizona 31
NDSU 28
NDSU had a strong showing, but ultimately had its six-game winning streak against FBS opponents snapped against the Arizona Wildcats.
The game was close all the way through with FB Hunter Luepke delivering a three-touchdown All-American level performance.
The Bison led by four with just over nine minutes remaining, but failed to convert on a 4th and 2 deep in Arizona territory. The Wildcats took advantage and drove 78 yards to take a threepoint lead. NDSU was unable to make up the difference.
The Bison are now 9-4 all-time against FBS opponents.
Details
Date: September 17, 2022
Location: Tuscon, AZ (Arizona Stadium)
Photos by Jacob Reiner
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 407 | Wildcats 394
Passing Yards: Bison 124 | Wildcats 229
Rushing Yards: Bison 283 | Wildcats 165
Star of the Game
#44 FB Hunter Luepke
Rushing Yards 115
Rushing Touchdowns 2
Receiving Yards 65
Receiving Touchdown 1
Week 04
NDSU 34
USD 17
NDSU got back to its winning ways against the University of South Dakota Coyotes in week 4, rushing for 200 yards in the second half and scoring 24 unanswered points to end the game and erase a 17-10 halftime deficit.
Ball control was the name of the game for the Bison who possessed the pigskin for nearly 40 minutes of game time. FB Hunter Luepke continued his 2022 dominance, rolling for 150 yards on 20 carries and scoring twice.
RB Kobe Johnson and QB Cam Miller also scored rushing touchdowns for NDSU in the contest.
Details
Date: September 24, 2022
Location: Vermillion, SD (DakotaDome)
Photos by Tim Sanger
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 476 | Coyotes 266
Time of Possession: Bison 39:49 | Coyotes 20:11
Yards Per Play: Bison 356 | Coyotes 146
Star of the Game
#44 FB Hunter Luepke
Rushing Yards 150
Rushing Touchdowns 2
Yards Per Carry 7.5
Week 05
NDSU 27
Youngstown St 14
Nine different Bison toted the rock in a solid win over the Youngstown State Penguins who would go on to have their first winning season since 2017.
FB Hunter Luepke kicked off the scoring for NDSU with a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. The Penguins managed to cut the lead to 24-14 in the fourth quarter on a touchdown reception by the NCAA’s all-time rushing leader Jaleel McLaughlin, but that is the closest they got.
Code Green managed three sacks and an interception in the win.
Details
Date: October 1, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Tim Sanger
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 371 | Coyotes 281
Third Down Conversions: Bison 6/13 | Penguins 3/10
Yards Per Carry: Bison 4.9 | Penguins 5.3
Star of the Game
#99 DL Spencer Wage
Tackles 4
Tackles For Loss 2.5
Sacks 1.5
Week 06
NDSU 31
Indiana St 26
NDSU eeked out a 31-26 win over the Indiana State Sycamores with RB TaMerik Williams rushing for a career-high 145 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bison are not used to trailing, but found themselves down 13-10 at half. However, just five minutes into the second half, Williams scored his second touchdown of the day to give NDSU a 17-13 lead. On the first play of Indiana State’s next possession, RB Justin Dinka took a carry 82 yards to regain the lead.
Williams capped the next possession with a 27-yard touchdown run and the Bison never surrendered the lead. WR Zach Mathis also had his best game to date, reeling in five passes for 86 yards as well as NDSU’s final touchdown.
Details
Date: October 8, 2022
Location: Terre Haute, IN (Memorial Stadium)
Photos by Tim Sanger
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 516 | Sycamore 340
Rushing Yards: Bison 306 | Sycamore 178
Turnovers Forced: Bison 0 | Sycamore 3
Star of the Game
#22 RB Tamerik Williams
Rushing Yards 145
Rushing Touchdowns 3
Yards Per Carry 11.2
Week 07
SDSU 23
NDSU 21
NDSU lost its third straight Dakota Marker game to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits after getting blanked in the second half.
NDSU looked strong early, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. The Fargodome’s finest.
RB Isiah Davis had the lone touchdown for SDSU in the first half.
The second half was a different story with the Jackrabitts scoring 16 unanswered to secure the win.
Details
Date: October 15, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Zachary Lucy
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 354 | Jackrabbits 359
Rushing Yards: Bison 207 | Jackrabbits 127
Passing Yards: Bison 227 | Jackrabbits 152
Star of the Game
#7 QB Cam Miller
Passing Yards 227
Passing Touchdowns 2
Rushing Touchdown 1
Week 08
NDSU 24
Illinois St 7
Code Green delivered a standout performance as NDSU got back in the win column against the Illinois State Redbirds.
The Redbirds scored on their opening possession but did not accomplish much after that, collecting just one first down in the second half and reaching only as far as the Bison 48-yard line.
FB Hunter Luepke, QB Cam Miller and QB Cole Payton all scored rushing touchdowns in the contest for NDSU who won their 38th straight game after an open week in the regular season or postseason.
Details
Date: October 29, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Zachary Lucy
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 372 | Redbirds 219
First Downs: Bison 21 | Redbirds 10
Third Down Conversions: Bison 12/17 | Jackrabbits 6/13
Star of the Game
#7 QB Cam Miller
Passing Yards 174
Passing Touchdown 1
Rushing Touchdown 1
Week 09
NDSU 56
Western Illinois 17
NDSU was dominant on the ground, rushing for 453 yards and seven touchdowns against the Western Illinois Leathernecks.
The Bison only attempted five passes in the contest with RB TaMerik Williams (120) and RB TK Marshall (118) both going over the century mark. RB Kobe Johnson nearly eclipsed the mark as well, toting the rock 13 times for 96 yards.
Williams (2), Marshall (2), Johnson, FB Hunter Luepke and QB Cam Miller all scored touchdowns on the ground.
Details
Date: November 5, 2022
Location: Macomb, IL (Hanson Field)
Photos by Tim Sanger
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 453 | Leathernecks 133
Turnovers Forced: Bison 4 | Leathernecks 1
Yards Per Carry: Bison 8.2 | Leathernecks 3.9
Star of the Game
#28 RB TK Marshall
Rushing Yards 118
Rushing Touchdowns 2
Yards Per Carry 19.7
Week 10
NDSU 21
Southern Illinois 18
On a day when the offense struggled, getting outgained 307 to 229, NDSU still managed to secure an important victory over the Southern Illinois Salukis.
The Bison stuck first with a 27-yard connection between QB Cam Miller and RB Kobe Johnson. However, Southern Illinois grabbed a 10-7 lead before the end of the third quarter.
Less than a minute into the final quarter, Miller put the Bison back on top with a 5-yard run to make it 14-10. NDSU increased the lead to 21-10 with just under five minutes remaining thanks to a 3-yard run by RB TaMerik Williams.
The Salukis threatened cutting the lead to 21-18 with 39 seconds remaining, but LB Logan Kopp secured the win by recovering the ensuing onside kick.
Details
Date: November 12, 2022
Location: Carbondale, Ill.(Saluki Stadium)
Photos by Tim Sanger
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 229 | Salukis 307
Turnovers Forced: Bison 1 | Salukis 0
Rushing Yards: Bison 149 | Salukis 121
Star of the Game
#26 LB James Kaczor
Tackles 4
Sacks 5
Week 11
NDSU 42
UND 21
The Bison closed out the regular season in style with a dominating Harvest Bowl win over nationally ranked, in-state rival University of North Dakota.
QB Cam Miller was sensational under center for NDSU, tying the school record for five rushing touchdowns in a game on a carrier high 16 carries for 93 yards.
RB TaMerik Williams sparked things with a 51-yard rushing touchdown on the second offensive play of the game.
Miller also went 8-12 passing for 159 yards.
Details
Date: November 19, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Zachary Lucy
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 552 | Fighting Hawks 318
Rushing Yards: Bison 363 | Fighting Hawks 165
Time of Possession: Bison 32:25 | Fighting Hawks 24:35
Star of the Game
#7 QB Cam Miller
Passing Yards 159
Rushing Yards 99
Rushing Touchdowns 5
Week 12
NDSU 49
Montana 26
North Dakota State was unstoppable on the ground in a second-round win over the Montana Grizzlies.
In the contest, the Bison rushed for 10.8 yards per carry and 453 yards overall which were most and second most respectively in any FCS game in program history. RB Kobe Johnson led the Bison with 206 yards rushing on six carries. RB TaMerik Williams also had a big day with 101 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Code Green turned the game with a sack-fumble by DL Kody Huisman that was recovered by LB Cole Wisniewski for a touchdown to extend their lead to 21-20 late in the second quarter. The TD by Wisniewski was one of three turnovers forced by the defense which also recorded a season-high six sacks.
Details
Date: December 3, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Zachary Lucy
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 511 | Grizzlies 346
Rushing Yards: Bison 453 | Grizzlies 163
Sacks: Bison 6 | Grizzlies 1
Star of the Game
#4 RB Kobe Johnson
Rushing Yards 209
Rushing Touchdowns 2
Yards Per Carry 17.2
Week 13
NDSU 28
Samford 9
Code Green pitched a three-quarter shutout on its way to a win over the Samford Bulldogs to advance to the FCS semifinals.
NDSU broke a 0-0 tie late in the second quarter with a two-yard touchdown pass from QB Cam Miller to TE Joe Stoffel. K Griffin Crosa extended the lead to 10 on the final play of the half.
The Bison put the game away in the third quarter with touchdown runs by RB TK Marshall and Miller.
Samford put up 9 points in the fourth but it was far too late.
DL Javier Derritt has two sacks and S Dawson Weber had his third interception of the season.
Details
Date: December 9, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Jacob Reiner
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 360 | Bulldogs 336
Rushing Yards: Bison 166 | Bulldogs 57
Time of Possession: Bison 39:05 | Bulldogs 20:55
Star of the Game
#58 DL Javier Derritt
Tackles 4
Sacks 2
Week 14
NDSU 35
IUW 32
NDSU held on in the game of the year against the Incarnate Word Cardinals to advance to the FCS Championship game.
The Cardinals jumped out to a 16-3 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, NDSU would claim a 17-16 lead heading into halftime.
The Bison extended the lead to 24-16 on the next drive via a 49-yard touchdown run by RB Kobe Johnson who finished the day with 137 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Incarnate Word responded with back-to-back drives that ended in rushing touchdowns by the Walter Payton Award winner QB Lindsay Scott.
The teams traded field goals before Johnson scored his final touchdown on a 31-yard scamper. NDSU converted a two-point play to bring the game to its final score.
The Cardinals drove late, but S Dawson Weber sealed the game with his second interception of the contest to send the Bison to its 10th FCS Championship game in 12 years.
Details
Date: December 16, 2022
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Jacob Reiner
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 333 | Cardinals 539
Rushing Yards: Bison 328 | Cardinals 257
Turnovers Forced: Bison 4 | Cardinals 0
Star of the Game
#2 DL Dawson Weber
Tackles 7
Fumble Recovered 1
Interceptions 2
Week 15
SDSU 45
NDSU 21
For the first time in program history, North Dakota State lost an FCS Championship game, falling to their rivals South Dakota State.
SDSU scored on a 16-yard run by RB Isiah Davis to take the game’s first points. NDSU tied the game at 7-7 a few minutes later on a 27-yard touchdown pass from QB Cam Miller to TE Joe Stoffel. However, that is the closes the game would be from there on out. The Jackrabbits scored touchdowns on each of their next three drives and did not look back.
QB Mark Gronowski threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns on his way to winning the game’s Most Outstanding Player award.
QB Cam Miller went 18-29 passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns. WR Eli Green had the first touchdown of his NDSU career, a 44-yarder in the second quarter and WR Zach Mathis had a career-high seven catches and a career-high 123 yards in the defeat.
Details
Date: January 8, 2023
Location: Fargo, ND (Fargodome)
Photos by Tim Sanger
Stats
Total Offense: Bison 420 | Jackrabbits 506
Rushing Yards: Bison 160 | Jackrabbits 283
Turnovers Forced: Bison 0 | Jackrabbits 3
Star of the Game
#0 WR Zach Mathis
Receptions 7
Receiving Yards 123
