2025 North Dakota State Bison football team

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The 2025 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bison were led by second-year head coach Tim Polasek and played home games at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

2025 North Dakota State Bison football
MVFC champion
NCAA Division I Second Round, L 28–29 vs. Illinois State
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 1
FCS CoachesNo. 1
Record12–1 (8–0 MVFC)
Head coach
  • Tim Polasek (2nd season)
Offensive coordinatorDan Larson (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorGrant Olson (2nd season)
Home stadiumFargodome
Seasons
← 2024
2026 →
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 North Dakota State $^   8 – 0     12 – 1  
No. 12 South Dakota ^   6 – 2     10 – 5  
No. 17т Illinois State ^   5 – 3     12 – 4  
No. 19 North Dakota ^   5 – 3     8 – 6  
No. 14 Youngstown State ^   5 – 3     8 – 5  
No. 16 South Dakota State ^   4 – 4     9 – 5  
No. 23 Southern Illinois   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Iowa   1 – 7     3 – 9  
Murray State   1 – 7     1 – 11  
Indiana State   1 – 7     3 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 22, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

Notably, the team received three votes in the Week 15 AP poll rankings. This was the first time since 2019 that the Bison received at least one vote from an AP voter.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3011:00 amat The Citadel*No. 1
  • Johnson Hagood Stadium
  • Charleston, SC
ABC ND/ESPN+W 38–010,691
September 61:30 pmat Tennessee State*No. 1
  • Nissan Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
ESPN+W 59–38,569
September 132:30 pmSoutheast Missouri State*No. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
ABC ND/ESPN+W 41–1417,354
September 271:00 pmNo. 17 South DakotaNo. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
ABC ND/Midco Sports/ESPN+W 51–1318,498
October 46:00 pmat No. 6 Illinois StateNo. 1
  • Hancock Stadium
  • Normal, IL
ESPN+W 33–169,829
October 112:30 pmNo. 8 Southern IllinoisNo. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
ABC ND/ESPN+W 45–1715,812
October 1812:00 pmat Indiana StateNo. 1
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
ABC ND/ESPN+W 38–73,252
October 257:00 pmat No. 2 South Dakota StateNo. 1
  • Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium
  • Brookings, SD (Dakota Marker)
ESPNUW 38–719,477
November 12:30 pmNo. 18 Youngstown StateNo. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
ABC ND/ESPN+W 38–3014,607
November 81:00 pmat No. 13 North DakotaNo. 1
  • Alerus Center
  • Grand Forks, ND (Nickel Trophy)
ABC ND/Midco Sports/ESPN+W 15–1012,749
November 152:30 pmNorthern IowaNo. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
ABC ND/ESPN+W 48–1614,736
November 222:30 pmSt. Thomas*No. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
ABC ND/ESPN+W 62–715,278
December 612:00 pmNo. 17т Illinois State*No. 1
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND (NCAA Division I Second Round)
ESPN+L 28–2910,464
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Rankings

FBS polls

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP——————————————RV—

FCS polls

Ranking movements
Legend: ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
STATS1 (54)1 (53)1 (49)1 (52)1 (51)1 (51)1 (54)1 (55)1 (55)1 (56)1 (56)1 (55)1 (56)1 (56)
Coaches1 (26)1 (25)1 (24)1 (25)1 (25)1 (25)1 (26)1 (26)1 (26)1 (25)1 (25)1 (23)1 (23)1 (24)

Preseason

MVFC poll

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Bison were predicted to finish first in the conference.

Game summaries

Regular season

The Citadel

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (0–0) at The Citadel Bulldogs (0–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 0 17 14738
Bulldogs 0 0 000

at Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, SC

  • Date: August 30, 2025
  • Game time: 11:00 am
  • Game weather: Rain; 72 °F (22 °C); Wind: NE 15 mph
  • Game attendance: 10,691
  • Referee: Jake Grombach
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Pete Yanity (play-by-play), Jay Sonnhalter (analyst) and Dave Friedman (sideline)
  • [1]
Statistics North Dakota State The Citadel
First downs 25 8
Plays–yards 69–519 47–126
Rushes–yards 47–256 41–104
Passing yards 263 22
Passing: comp–att–int 16–22–0 2–6–0
Time of possession 36:03 23:57
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 11/17, 192 yds, TD
Rushing Cole Payton 11 car, 101 yds
Receiving RaJa Nelson 2 rec, 60 yds, TD
The Citadel Passing Quentin Hayes 1/3, 14 yds
Rushing Israel Benjamin 16 car, 54 yds
Receiving Javonte Graves-Billips 1 rec, 14 yds
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NDSU CIT
2nd 13:36 9 72 3:55 NDSU 31-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 3 0
2nd 5:10 12 90 6:22 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 2-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 0
2nd 1:36 7 84 1:57 NDSU RaJa Nelson (#3) 34-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 17 0
3rd 14:13 2 1 0:34 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 24 0
3rd 4:54 12 82 7:14 NDSU DJ Scott (#7) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 31 0
4th 5:07 12 95 7:20 NDSU Isiah St. Romain (#17) 15-yard touchdown reception from Nathan Hayes (#12), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 38 0
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 38 0

Tennessee State

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (1–0) at Tennessee State Tigers (1–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 17 28 7759
Tigers 0 0 033

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

  • Date: September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 1:30 pm
  • Game weather: Cloudy; 67 °F (19 °C); Wind: N 2 mph
  • Game attendance: 8,569
  • Referee: Chris Brison
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Laing (play-by-play) and Darren Arbet (analyst)
  • [2]
Statistics North Dakota State Tennessee State
First downs 24 4
Plays–yards 62–433 46–131
Rushes–yards 39–191 28–70
Passing yards 242 61
Passing: comp–att–int 16–23–1 8–18–1
Time of possession 33:37 26:23
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 13/16, 166 yds, TD
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 10 car, 57 yds, 3 TD
Receiving Mekhi Collins 1 rec, 68 yds, TD
Tennessee State Passing Jonathan Palmer 5/13, 38 yds
Rushing Kendric Rhymes 12 car, 43 yds
Receiving Tyson Edwards 1 rec, 16 yds
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NDSU TNST
1st 9:31 9 71 5:24 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 10-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 7 0
1st 7:08 4 20 1:55 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 4-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 14 0
1st 1:21 9 38 3:39 NDSU 22-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 17 0
2nd 13:08 5 33 2:04 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 6-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 24 0
2nd 10:04 2 46 0:50 NDSU DJ Scott (#7) 5-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 31 0
2nd 9:03 NDSU Interception returned 34 yards for touchdown by Donovan Woolen (#1), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 38 0
2nd 1:21 8 67 5:32 NDSU RaJa Nelson (#3) 3-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 45 0
3rd 7:11 5 82 2:56 NDSU Mekhi Collins (#15) 68-yard touchdown reception from Nathan Hayes (#12), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 52 0
4th 8:27 5 49 2:45 NDSU Myles Mitchell (#45) 2-yard touchdown run, Drew Klein (#37) kick good 59 0
4th 4:05 7 48 4:22 TNST 45-yard field goal by Freddy Perez (#4) 59 3
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 59 3

Southeast Missouri State

Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1–1) at No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (2–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redhawks 7 7 0014
No. 1 Bison 14 17 3741

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: September 13, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 17,354
  • Referee: Tyler Downs
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dom Izzo (play-by-play) and Kyle Emanuel (analyst)
  • [3]
Statistics Southeast Missouri State North Dakota State
First downs 12 22
Plays–yards 57–217 61–562
Rushes–yards 32–64 37–214
Passing yards 153 348
Passing: comp–att–int 13–25–1 16–24–0
Time of possession 29:12 30:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeast Missouri State Passing Jax Leatherwood 12/23, 145 yds, TD
Rushing Jax Leatherwood 10 car, 20 yds
Receiving Kalvin Gilbert 2 rec, 67 yds, TD
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 16/23, 348 yds, 4 TD
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 14 car, 84 yds
Receiving Bryce Lance 4 rec, 159 yds, TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP SEMO NDSU
1st 12:15 5 75 2:45 NDSU RaJa Nelson (#3) 15-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 7
1st 10:37 5 75 1:38 SEMO Kalvin Gilbert (#21) 65-yard touchdown reception from Jax Leatherwood (#12), Justin Keller (#39) kick good 7 7
1st 7:06 2 79 0:46 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 75-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 7 14
2nd 14:23 5 41 2:40 NDSU 43-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 7 17
2nd 10:37 4 86 2:09 NDSU Mekhi Collins (#15) 28-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 7 24
2nd 4:38 13 81 5:55 SEMO Payton Brown (#22) 1-yard touchdown run, Justin Keller (#39) kick good 14 24
2nd 0:25 11 75 4:13 NDSU RaJa Nelson (#3) 5-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 14 31
3rd 11:19 6 41 2:08 NDSU 43-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 14 34
4th 12:08 7 93 3:39 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 14 41
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 41

South Dakota

No. 17 South Dakota Coyotes (2–2) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (3–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Coyotes 0 3 01013
No. 1 Bison 13 21 10751

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: September 27, 2025
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 18,498
  • Referee: Grant Henderson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dom Izzo (play-by-play), Kyle Emanuel (analyst) and Sam Goetzinger (sideline)
  • [4]
Statistics South Dakota North Dakota State
First downs 13 24
Plays–yards 48–296 69–547
Rushes–yards 27–88 50–274
Passing yards 208 273
Passing: comp–att–int 13–21–1 15–19–0
Time of possession 24:53 35:07
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 13/21, 208 yds, INT
Rushing Reid Watkins 8 car, 39 yds
Receiving Tennel Bryant 2 rec, 50 yds
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 14/18, 273 yds, 2 TD
Rushing Cole Payton 11 car, 102 yds, TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 4 rec, 98 yds, TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP USD NDSU
1st 10:49 8 77 4:06 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 7-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 7
1st 2:17 12 90 6:16 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick no good 0 13
2nd 13:44 6 46 2:44 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 6-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 20
2nd 5:38 11 95 5:49 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 2-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 27
2nd 0:53 9 83 1:54 NDSU Reis Kessel (#81) 29-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 34
2nd 0:00 6 62 0:53 USD 31-yard field goal by Will Leyland (#15) 3 34
3rd 12:43 NDSU Interception returned 43 yards for touchdown by Nathaniel Staehling (#52), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 3 41
3rd 7:39 8 49 3:58 NDSU 29-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 3 44
4th 12:23 11 88 6:32 NDSU Jackson Williams (#18) 9-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 3 51
4th 8:06 8 42 4:17 USD 51-yard field goal by Zeke Mata (#39) 6 51
4th 1:11 8 80 4:23 USD Carson Fletcher (#33) 4-yard touchdown run, Will Leyland (#15) kick good 13 51
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 51

Illinois State

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (4–0) vs. No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (3–1)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 7 8 31533
No. 6 Redbirds 2 7 7016

at Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL

  • Date: October 4, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny; 82 °F (28 °C); Wind: N 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 9,829
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Greg Halbleib (play-by-play) and Clay Harbor (analyst)
  • [5]
Statistics North Dakota State Illinois State
First downs 21 22
Plays–yards 50–407 66–328
Rushes–yards 36–213 31–137
Passing yards 194 191
Passing: comp–att–int 12–14–0 20–35–1
Time of possession 29:38 30:22
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 12/14, 194 yds, TD
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 14 car, 116 yds, TD
Receiving Jackson Williams 3 rec, 71 yds
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 20/35, 191 yds, TD, INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 11 car, 68 yds
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 7 rec, 75 yds, TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NDSU ILST
1st 9:35 ILST Barika Kpeenu (#8) tackled in end zone for a safety by Tye Niekamp (#46) 0 2
1st 2:50 7 47 3:53 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 13-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 7 2
2nd 11:37 10 65 6:13 ILST Wenkers Wright (#32) 6-yard touchdown run, Matt Maldonado (#31) kick good 7 9
2nd 4:56 3 68 1:25 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 42-yard touchdown run, 2-point run by Cole Payton (#9) good 15 9
3rd 8:15 11 65 6:38 NDSU 38-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 18 9
3rd 3:06 9 75 5:09 ILST Daniel Sobkowicz (#2) 3-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Rittenhouse (#16), Matt Maldonado (#31) kick good 18 16
4th 13:14 8 70 4:45 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 23-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 25 16
4th 8:21 6 73 3:51 NDSU DJ Scott (#7) 5-yard touchdown run, 2-point run by Cole Payton (#9) good 33 16
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 33 16

Southern Illinois

No. 8 Southern Illinois Salukis (4–1) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (5–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Salukis 3 7 0717
No. 1 Bison 7 10 141445

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: October 11, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,812
  • Referee: Carl Chapman
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dom Izzo (play-by-play), Kyle Emanuel (analyst) and Sam Goetzinger (sideline)
  • [6]
Statistics Southern Illinois North Dakota State
First downs 22 24
Plays–yards 61–313 62–540
Rushes–yards 32–123 43–264
Passing yards 190 276
Passing: comp–att–int 15–29–1 16–19–0
Time of possession 27:14 32:46
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing DJ Williams 15/29, 190 yds, INT
Rushing DJ Williams 15 car, 41 yds, TD
Receiving Fabian McCray 4 rec, 52 yds
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 13/16, 243 yds, TD
Rushing Bryce Lance 1 car, 75 yds, TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 4 rec, 79 yds, TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP SIU NDSU
1st 7:15 13 58 7:45 SIU 35-yard field goal by Paul Geelen (#19) 3 0
1st 7:02 1 75 0:13 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 75-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 3 7
2nd 14:56 6 65 3:15 SIU Chandler Chapman (#8) 5-yard touchdown run, Paul Geelen (#19) kick good 10 7
2nd 6:12 6 42 2:35 NDSU 38-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 10 10
2nd 0:29 5 71 0:44 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 9-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#5), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 17
3rd 10:57 75 75 4:03 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 2-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 24
3rd 4:51 9 74 5:29 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 41-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 31
4th 11:23 9 75 5:32 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 6-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 38
4th 8:57 4 32 1:54 NDSU DJ Scott (#7) 24-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 45
4th 6:58 6 75 1:59 SIU DJ Williams (#1) 3-yard touchdown run, Paul Geelen (#19) kick good 17 45
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 45

Indiana State

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (6–0) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (2–4)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 0 10 141438
Sycamores 7 0 007

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: October 18, 2025
  • Game time: 12:00 pm
  • Game weather: Sunny; 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,252
  • Referee: Grant Henderson
  • TV: ESPN+
  • [7]
Statistics North Dakota State Indiana State
First downs 26 10
Plays–yards 72–444 53–192
Rushes–yards 52–283 29–85
Passing yards 161 107
Passing: comp–att–int 13–20–1 14–24–1
Time of possession 37:19 22:41
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 12/18, 149 yds, TD, INT
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 23 car, 113 yds, 2 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 4 rec, 74 yds
Indiana State Passing Keegan Patterson 14/24, 107 yds, INT
Rushing Nick Osho 16 car, 48 yds, TD
Receiving Zack Drawdy Jr. 3 rec, 49 yds
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NDSU INST
1st 4:11 14 97 6:21 INST Nick Osho (#9) 3-yard touchdown run, Sebastian Lopez (#37) kick good 0 7
2nd 13:38 12 75 5:33 NDSU Truman Werremeyer (#46) 3-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 7 7
2nd 1:44 7 19 1:56 NDSU 54-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 10 7
3rd 14:44 1 3 0:04 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 3-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 17 7
3rd 7:27 9 80 5:25 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 15-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 24 7
4th 14:24 10 88 5:43 NDSU DJ Scott (#7) 18-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 31 7
4th 8:26 8 64 4:40 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 38 7
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 38 7

South Dakota State

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (7–0) vs. No. 2 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (7–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 14 17 0738
No. 2 Jackrabbits 0 7 007

at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD

  • Date: October 25, 2025
  • Game time: 7:00 pm
  • Game weather: Cloudy; 57 °F (14 °C); Wind: SE 14 mph
  • Game attendance: 19,477
  • Referee: David Hergert
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Taylor McHargue (commentator), Tori Petry (sideline)
  • Announcers Box Score
Statistics North Dakota State South Dakota State
First downs 24 11
Plays–yards 73–500 47–166
Rushes–yards 49–257 28–43
Passing yards 243 123
Passing: comp–att–int 18–24–1 9–19–0
Time of possession 38:01 21:59
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 18/23, 243 yds, INT
Rushing Cole Payton 17 car, 137 yds, 4 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 5 rec, 103 yds
South Dakota State Passing Luke Marble 7/16, 89 yds, TD
Rushing Julius Loughridge 10 car, 38 yds
Receiving Lofton O'Groske 2 rec, 43 yds, TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NDSU SDSU
1st 5:11 16 84 9:00 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 7 0
1st 0:16 5 63 3:00 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 2-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 14 0
2nd 10:55 7 68 3:48 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 2-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 21 0
2nd 5:54 2 43 0:28 SDSU Lofton O'Groske (#1) 17-yard touchdown reception from Luke Marble (#13), Eli Stader (#26) kick good 21 7
2nd 2:38 5 70 3:10 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 57-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 28 7
2nd 0:02 10 49 0:58 NDSU 43-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 31 7
4th 11:55 1 47 0:09 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 47-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 38 7
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 38 7

Youngstown State

No. 18 Youngstown State Penguins (5–3) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (8–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 Penguins 3 17 3730
No. 1 Bison 7 21 7338

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: November 1, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 14,607
  • Referee: John Shay
  • TV: ESPN+
  • [8]
Statistics Youngstown State North Dakota State
First downs 21 18
Plays–yards 59–371 64–327
Rushes–yards 29–168 40–133
Passing yards 203 194
Passing: comp–att–int 19–30–1 17–24–1
Time of possession 26:45 33:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Youngstown State Passing Beau Brungard 19/30, 203 yds, TD, INT
Rushing Jaden Gilbert 6 car, 63 yds
Receiving Max Tomczak 5 rec, 59 yds
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 17/24, 194 yds, INT
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 15 car, 74 yds, 3 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 5 rec, 65 yds
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP YSU NDSU
1st 6:22 11 43 7:16 YSU 47-yard field goal by Andrew Lastovka (#24) 3 0
1st 0:41 11 56 5:34 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 3 7
2nd 10:43 9 68 4:51 YSU Beau Brungard (#12) 10-yard touchdown run, Andrew Lastovka (#24) kick good 10 7
2nd 4:52 4 19 1:07 NDSU DJ Scott (#7) 3-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 14
2nd 4:17 2 9 0:30 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 4-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 10 21
2nd 1:49 6 46 2:19 YSU Alex McDonald (#17) 16-yard touchdown reception from Beau Brungard (#12), Andrew Lastovka (#24) kick good 17 21
2nd 1:32 NDSU Kickoff returned 100 yards for touchdown by Jackson Williams (#18), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 17 28
2nd 0:08 7 44 1:24 YSU 49-yard field goal by Andrew Lastovka (#24) 20 28
3rd 12:51 7 51 2:09 YSU 42-yard field goal by Andrew Lastovka (#24) 23 28
3rd 6:22 12 84 6:23 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 23 35
4th 13:54 7 65 2:53 YSU Beau Brungard (#12) 2-yard touchdown run, Andrew Lastovka (#24) kick good 30 35
4th 6:20 12 73 7:25 NDSU 21-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 30 38
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 30 38

North Dakota

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (9–0) vs. No. 13 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6–3)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 0 6 3615
No. 13 Fighting Hawks 7 0 3010

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: November 8, 2025
  • Game time: 1:00 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 12,749
  • Referee: Jason Perkins
  • TV: ESPN+
  • [9]
Statistics North Dakota State North Dakota
First downs 10 23
Plays–yards 51–268 81–286
Rushes–yards 36–143 43–116
Passing yards 125 170
Passing: comp–att–int 8–15–1 21–38–3
Time of possession 25:18 34:42
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 8/15, 125 yds, INT
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 18 car, 73 yds
Receiving Bryce Lance 3 rec, 61 yds
North Dakota Passing Jerry Kaminski 21/38, 170 yds, 3 INT
Rushing Sawyer Seidl 23 car, 68 yds, TD
Receiving BJ Fleming 6 rec, 53 yds
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NDSU UND
1st 2:52 2 11 0:27 UND Sawyer Seidl (#9) 2-yard touchdown run, Kenten Laughman (#27) kick good 0 7
2nd 12:46 13 72 5:01 NDSU 24-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 3 7
2nd 2:28 7 60 4:05 NDSU 38-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 6 7
3rd 7:13 14 60 7:47 UND 32-yard field goal by Kenten Laughman (#27) 6 10
3rd 1:09 4 6 1:30 NDSU 33-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 9 10
4th 2:22 4 49 2:02 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 8-yard touchdown run, 2-point run by Cole Payton (#9) failed 15 10
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 15 10

Northern Iowa

Northern Iowa Panthers (3–7) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (10–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 2 7716
No. 1 Bison 14 17 71048

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: November 15, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 14,736
  • Referee: Gregory Gompf
  • TV: ESPN+
  • [10]
Statistics Northern Iowa North Dakota State
First downs 13 24
Plays–yards 58–201 64–477
Rushes–yards 35–102 39–209
Passing yards 99 268
Passing: comp–att–int 9–23–2 18–25–0
Time of possession 29:47 30:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Iowa Passing Jaxon Dailey 9/23, 99 yds, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Harrison Bey-Buie 9 car, 62 yds
Receiving JC Roque Jr. 3 rec, 42 yds, TD
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 15/17, 212 yds, TD
Rushing Cole Payton 10 car, 74 yds, 2 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 8 rec, 131 yds, TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP UNI NDSU
1st 9:17 10 83 5:34 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 1-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 7
1st 3:06 1 5 0:05 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 5-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 14
2nd 14:54 UNI Cole Payton (#9) tackled in end zone for a safety by Caleb Frazer (#17) 2 14
2nd 5:57 8 87 4:32 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 14-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 2 21
2nd 0:59 9 41 3:17 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 5-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 2 28
2nd 0:03 5 30 0:33 NDSU 46-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 2 31
3rd 13:12 1 64 0:11 NDSU Cole Payton (#9) 64-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 2 38
3rd 7:21 UNI Punt blocked by Ethan Schoville (#31) returned for touchdown, Max Bartacheck (#0) kick good 9 38
4th 9:59 11 65 5:24 UNI JC Roque Jr. (#0) 14-yard touchdown reception from Jaxon Dailey (#15), Max Bartacheck (#0) kick good 16 38
4th 6:20 9 50 3:33 NDSU 23-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 16 41
4th 1:25 9 70 3:17 NDSU Nathan Hayes (#12) 34-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 16 48
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 16 48

St. Thomas

St. Thomas Tommies (7–4) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (11–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tommies 0 0 077
No. 1 Bison 28 17 14362

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: November 22, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,278
  • Referee: Tyler Downs
  • TV: ESPN+
  • [11]
Statistics St. Thomas North Dakota State
First downs 12 23
Plays–yards 65–229 61–665
Rushes–yards 32–77 38–268
Passing yards 152 397
Passing: comp–att–int 17–33–2 17–23–0
Time of possession 31:06 28:54
Team Category Player Statistics
St. Thomas Passing Amari Powell 14/26, 110 yds, 2 INT
Rushing Amari Powell 9 car, 66 yds, TD
Receiving JaShawn Todd 8 rec, 70 yds
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 9/12, 279 yds, 3 TD
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 10 car, 107 yds, 2 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 3 rec, 106 yds, 2 TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP UST NDSU
1st 12:32 2 82 0:48 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 74-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 7
1st 9:35 4 62 2:08 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 4-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 14
1st 5:58 3 82 0:47 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 81-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 21
1st 2:51 3 64 1:28 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 47-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 28
2nd 14:07 6 80 2:40 NDSU Jackson Williams (#18) 43-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 35
2nd 7:14 10 42 5:17 NDSU 38-yard field goal by Eli Ozick (#38) 0 38
2nd 0:12 7 67 1:02 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 9-yard touchdown reception from Nathan Hayes (#12), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 45
3rd 11:42 NDSU Punt returned 64 yards for touchdown by Mikhale Ford (#31), Drew Klein (#37) kick good 0 52
3rd 2:34 9 91 5:15 NDSU Cade Osterman (#83) 24-yard touchdown reception from Nathan Hayes (#12), Drew Klein (#37) kick good 0 59
4th 13:33 4 3 1:55 NDSU 46-yard field goal by Drew Klein (#37) 0 62
4th 8:11 2 8 0:49 UST Amari Powell (#7) 7-yard touchdown run, Ben Hoiland (#39) kick good 7 62
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 7 62

NCAA Division I playoffs

Illinois State (second round)

No. 17т Illinois State Redbirds (9–4) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (12–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17т Redbirds 0 14 01529
No. 1 Bison 14 7 0728

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: December 6, 2025
  • Game time: 12:00 pm
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 10,464
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play), Charles Arbuckle (commentator)
  • AnnouncersBox Score
Statistics Illinois State North Dakota State
First downs 23 6
Plays–yards 91–422 46–179
Rushes–yards 39–173 27–59
Passing yards 249 120
Passing: comp–att–int 35–52–5 6–19–0
Time of possession 42:01 17:59
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing Tommy Rittenhouse 35/52, 249 yds, 3 TD, 5 INT
Rushing Victor Dawson 23 car, 137, TD
Receiving Daniel Sobkowicz 8 rec, 67 yds, 3 TD
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 4/12, 101 yds, TD
Rushing Barika Kpeenu 16 car, 55 yds, TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 1 rec, 78 yds, TD
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP ILST NDSU
1st 12:39 1 78 0:11 NDSU Bryce Lance (#5) 78-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 7
1st 4:40 NDSU Punt returned 52 yards for touchdown by Jackson Williams (#18), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 0 14
2nd 11:21 4 86 2:27 ILST Victor Dawson (#5) 69-yard touchdown run, Matt Maldonado (#31) kick good 7 14
2nd 8:09 NDSU Interception returned 73 yards for touchdown by Nathaniel Staehling (#52), Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 7 21
2nd 0:50 14 82 7:14 ILST Daniel Sobkowicz (#2) 8-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Rittenhouse (#16), Matt Maldonado (#31) kick good 14 21
4th 12:38 1 4 0:04 NDSU Barika Kpeenu (#8) 4-yard touchdown run, Eli Ozick (#38) kick good 14 28
4th 2:44 7 41 1:51 ILST Daniel Sobkowicz (#2) 8-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Rittenhouse (#16), Matt Maldonado (#31) kick good 21 28
4th 1:00 6 23 0:51 ILST Daniel Sobkowicz (#2) 6-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Rittenhouse (#16), 2-point pass to Scotty Presson Jr. (#11) good 29 28
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.

Roster

2025 North Dakota State Bison football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 2 Kellen Entz  Jr
WR 3 RaJa Nelson  Sr
RB 4 Owen Johnson  Sr
WR 5 Bryce Lance (C)  Sr
RB 7 DJ Scott  So
RB 8 Barika Kpeenu  Sr
QB 9 Cole Payton (C)  Sr
QB 10 Trey Drake  So
WR 11 Jacob Kilzer  Fr
QB 12 Nathan Hayes  Jr
QB 13 Zander Smith Fr
QB 14 Preston Brown Fr
WR 15 Mekhi Collins  Jr
WR 17 Isiah St. Romain  Fr
WR 18 Jackson Williams So
WR 19 Chris Harris (C)  Sr
WR 20 Drake Schlosser  Fr
WR 21 Chris Kiel Fr
RB 22 Charles Ross III Fr
RB 26 Brady Wavrunek  So
RB 28 Cortez LeGrant  So
WR 30 Kelly Watson  So
RB 32 Barry Kpeenu So
TE 33 Gabriel Cunningham Fr
RB 34 Jonathan Harvey  Jr
FB 36 McClain Miller  Fr
TE 40 Kaden Zenzen  Jr
TE 42 Isaac Ellison Fr
TE 44 Luke Kokat  Jr
RB 45 Myles Mitchell Fr
FB 46 Truman Werremeyer  Sr
OT 57 Gavin Wang Fr
G 59 James Nellis Fr
C 61 Gage Schmidt  Fr
G 62 Griffin Empey  So
C 63 Trent Fraley Jr
G 66 Jack Liwienski  So
G 67 Kaden Chadwick  Jr
G 68 Coy Okeson  Fr
G 69 Devin Lockerby  Jr
OT 70 Beau Johnson  So
OT 71 Nate Tastad  Fr
G 72 Nate Schneckloth  So
OT 73 Alex Warden Fr
G 74 Brett Tastad Fr
OT 75 Josh Magin  Jr
OT 76 Ryan Babatz Fr
OT 77 Austin Schultz  So
OT 78 Noah Stommes  Fr
WR 80 John Gores  Jr
TE 81 Reis Kessel  Fr
WR 82 SJ Green Fr
WR 83 Cade Osterman  So
WR 84 Logan Conklin  Fr
TE 85 Jett Zabel  Fr
WR 86 Dylan Vokal Fr
TE 87 Noah Nelson Fr
TE 88 Carson Williams  Sr
TE 89 Finn Diggins  Sr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 0 Jaquise Alexander  Jr
LB 1 Donovan Woolen So
CB 2 Jailen Duffie  So
S 6 Jaylin Crumby  So
CB 10 Antoine Booth  Sr
DE 11 Chance Symons Jr
CB 13 Najee Nelson  So
S 14 Taylen Eady  Fr
CB 19 Will Rosenmeyer  Fr
S 20 Will Steil  Fr
LB 21 Noah Taylor  So
S 22 Hudson Artz  Jr
CB 23 Kegan Huber  Jr
CB 24 Anthony Chideme-Alfaro Sr
LB 25 Ray James  Fr
S 26 Evrett Tait Fr
S 27 Ryan Jones  Sr
CB 28 Kendrick Carter Fr
S 29 Darius Givance  Jr
S 30 Jaylen Archibald Fr
S 31 Mikhale Ford Fr
LB 32 Austin Altepeter  Jr
S 33 Walker Braaten Fr
S 34 Landon Meier  Fr
CB 34 Marion Moore Fr
LB 35 Ryland Satter  Fr
S 38 Ben Schepp Fr
LB 40 Chase Brixius Fr
LB 41 Peder Haugo  Fr
LB 42 Alex Elliott  So
LB 43 Logan Kopp (C)  Sr
LB 44 Carter Appl Fr
LB 45 Gavin Sell Fr
LB 47 Jacob Wrbanek Fr
DE 48 Blake Schiltz Fr
DE 49 Matthew Stenbroten  Fr
LB 50 Damian Devine Fr
LB 51 Sam Anderson Fr
LB 52 Nathaniel Staehling (C)  Jr
DT 53 Chase Evink Fr
DT 54 Alijah Wayne Fr
LB 55 Oliver Lucht  So
DE 56 Allante Burley Jr
DT 58 Keenan Wilson  So
DE 60 Thomas Roberts Fr
DT 64 Jaxon Duttenhefer (C)  Sr
DT 65 Brody Clubb Fr
DE 69 Carter Dauner Fr
DE 90 Wyatt Osterbauer  Fr
DT 91 Jack Hansen  Fr
DE 91 Ethan Wood Fr
DE 92 Kelton McCaslin  Jr
DE 93 Toby Anene  Jr
DT 94 Logan Larson  Jr
DE 95 Zach Vanderpool  Fr
DE 96 Abraham Myers  So
DE 97 Victor Isele  So
DE 98 Jack Iuliano Sr
DT 99 Obald Niyonkuru  So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 37 Drew Klein  Jr
K 38 Eli Ozick  So
P 39 Aaron Bickerton  Jr
P 41 Sam Knoll Fr
LS 48 Caleb Bowers  Jr


Head coach
  • Tim Polasek (head coach)
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Dan Larson (offensive coordinator / tight ends / fullbacks)
  • Grant Olson (defensive coordinator / linebackers)
  • Joe Beschorner (quarterbacks)
  • Dylan Chmura (offensive line)
  • Steve Crutchley (wide receivers)
  • Will Johnson (cornerbacks)
  • Devin Klieman (safeties)
  • Kody Morgan (defensive tackles)
  • Carlton Littlejohn (defensive ends)
  • Sam Ojuri (running backs)
  • KeyShawn Carpenter (offensive quality control)
  • Tony Moonen (defensive quality control)
  • Brett Bostad (offensive analyst)
  • David Wienke (defensive anaylst)
  • Marcus Williams (defensive analyst)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Roster
Last update: November 4, 2025

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