North Dakota State University (3-1, 0-1 GWFC) is scheduled to take the road against Nicholls State University (2-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 in John L. Guidry Stadium (12,800) in Thibodaux, La. ... It will be Family Day at Nicholls State ... It will be the first ever game in Louisiana for a Bison football team ... North Dakota State upended Carson-Newman College (Tenn.) 49-19 before a crowd of 11,523 at the Fargodome on Sept. 18 ... Nicholls State defeated Texas Southern University 21-6 on Sept. 25 ... The Colonels had their game with Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 18 canceled because of Hurricane Ivan ... The meeting with Nicholls State will be the third of three straight non-conference games before jumping back into Great West Football Conference action on Oct. 9 at South Dakota State ... Members of the Southland Conference, Nicholls State opened the season with a 37-14 win over Eastern Washington on Sept. 2 ... The Colonels led 30-0 at halftime ... Western Carolina handed Nicholls State a 28-7 setback on Sept. 11 ... Nicholls State had a change in head coaches on Aug. 15 as Daryl Daye was fired over allegations of academic fraud ... Daye was replaced by assistant head coach Jay Thomas ... The Colonels were 5-6 in 2003.

TRAVEL PLANS: Depart Friday morning, Oct. 1, via charter airline to New Orleans, La. ... Practice is scheduled for Friday afternoon at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, La. ... Headquarter at Radisson Hotel in New Orleans ... Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux ... Return home immediately following the game via charter airline to Fargo.

TICKETS: For more information, contact the NDSU ticket office at 1-888-231-NDSU (6378).

THE SERIES: This will be the first meeting between the two schools ... The Nicholls State game will be the first of two games against Southland Conference opponents this season ... The Bison will host No. 14 Northwestern State University of Louisiana at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Fargodome ... NDSU is 1-1 against former members of the Southland Conference (1-0 vs. Arkansas State, 23-14, 1968 Pecan Bowl, and 0-1 vs. Texas-Arlington, 0-13, 1967 Pecan Bowl) ... The Bison lost to current Southland Conference member Texas State, when it was known as Southwest Texas State, 42-13, in the 1981 Palm Bowl in McAllen, Texas ... The coaches were Jim Wacker for SW Texas State and Don Morton for North Dakota State.

2004 BISON Schedule
(3-1, 0-1 GWFC)
Date Opponent Time
A28 VALPARAISO W 52-0
S4 *at Northern Colorado L 13-15
S11 MONTANA TECH W 56-3
S18 CARSON-NEWMAN W 49-19
(Trees Bowl)
S25 OPEN DATE
O2 at Nicholls State 4 p.m.
O9 *at South Dakota State 6:40 p.m.
O16 *SOUTHERN UTAH 1 p.m.
(Homecoming)
O23 *CAL POLY 1 p.m.
O30 *NORTHWESTERN ST. 1 p.m.
(Harvest Bowl)
N6 at Weber State 1:05 p.m.
N13 *at UC Davis 1 p.m.
*Great West Football Games
Home games at Fargodome in BOLD CAPS
All times local

2004 Nicholls State Schedule
(2-1, 0-0 Southland)
Date Opponent Time
S2 EASTERN WASHINGTON W 37-14
S11 at Western Carolina L 7-28
S18 TEXAS A&M KINGSVILLE CCD
S25 at Texas Southern W 21-6
O2 NORTH DAKOTA STATE 4 p.m.
(Family Day)
O9 at Florida A&M 7 p.m.
O16 *at Sam Houston State 2 p.m.
O23 *NORTHWESTERN STATE 6:30 p.m.
(Homecoming/Hall of Fame)
N6 *STEPHEN F. AUSTIN 6:30 p.m.
N13 *at Texas State 2 p.m.
N20 *at McNeese State 7 p.m.
*Southland Conference Games
All times local

NORTH DAKOTA STATE Bison (3-1, 0-1 GWFC) TWO-DEEP
Offense Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown
LT 76 Nick Zilka 6-6 311 Jr. Bloomington, Minn.
77 Nate Safe 6-5 298 Fr. Cannon Falls, Minn.
LG 75 Justin Monson 6-4 1/2 279 Jr. Gardner, N.D.
78 Jake Erickson 6-3 288 So. Brooklyn Park, Minn.
C 53 Rob Hunt 6-4 289 Sr. Cavalier, N.D.
62 Hugh Medal 6-1 282 Jr. Grand Forks, N.D.
RG 73 Justin Buckwalter 6-4 313 So. Lake Preston, S.D.
60 Jerrod Wagner 6-4 293, Fr., Pewaukee, Wis.
RT 69 Tim Popowski 6-2 1/2 311 Jr. Brookings, S.D.
74 Adam Tadisch 6-6 1/2 309 So. Wausaukee, Wis.
TE 85 Andy DelaBarre 6-2 1/2 251 Jr. Minot, N.D.
81 Derek Arndt 6-5 1/2 237 Jr. LaMoure, N.D.
QB 9 Tony Stauss 6-0 209 Sr. Racine, Wis.
11 Steve Walker 6-1 198 Fr. Lockport, Ill.
FB 45 Johnny Frank 6-1 245 Sr. Wabasso, Minn.
46 Tyler Roehl 5-10 228 Fr. West Fargo, N.D.
HB 23 Kyle Steffes 5-11 1/2 204 So. Dickinson, N.D.
34 Cinque Chapman 5-8 1/2 173 Fr. Chicago, Ill.
FL 1 Allen Burrell 5-10 176 Sr. Aurora, Colo.
10 Charles Wiest 6-1 179 Sr. North Mankato, Minn.
SE 15 Travis White 5-11 173 Jr. Cedar, Minn.
6 Marques Johnson 5-8 159 Jr. Milwaukee, Wis.

Defense Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown
LE 91 Alvin Robinson 6-0 238 Jr. Sumrall, Miss.
97 Isaac Lavant 5-11 1/2 248 Jr. Phoenix, Ariz.
DT 98 Dwight Summerville 6-2 1/2 266 Sr. Grenada, Miss.
95 Rodney Thompson 6-2 1/2 309 Jr. Minneapolis, Minn.
NG 59 Isaac Snell 6-6 288 Sr. Pipestone, Minn.
82 Justin Frick 6-3 1/2 283 So. Yankton, S.D.
RE 50 Travis Ware 6-0 245 Sr. Batesville, Miss.
96 James Delmedico 6-4 258 Sr. White Bear Lake, Minn.
LB 33 Jayd Kittelson 5-9 1/2 216 Sr. Velva, N.D.
26 Bill Wrigley 6-0 1/2 199 Sr. Heyburn, Idaho
LB 28 Kole Zimmerman 5-11 1/2 222 Jr. Windom, Minn.
8 Joe Mays 5-11 244 Fr. Chicago, Ill.
LB 32 Brian Erenberg 6-2 221 Sr. West Fargo, N.D.
48 Rob Mamula 5-11 230 Sr. West Linn, Ore.
CB 18 Matt Gorman 5-11 1/2 185 Sr. Marshfield, Wis.
21 Ryan Olson 5-11 182 So. Buffalo, Minn.
SS 20 Craig Dahl 6-1 1/2 207 So. Mankato, Minn.
14 John Majeski 5-11 190 Fr. Hastings, Minn.
FS 13 Jared Essler 5-11 1/2 191 Sr. Minot, N.D.
24 Kyle Ihry 5-9 1/2 175 Sr. Reynolds, N.D.
CB 2 Bobby Babich 5-10 177 Jr. Fargo, N.D.
27 Scott Walter 5-9 172 Jr. Wahpeton, N.D.

Specialists
Punter?#88 Mike Dragosavich
Snapper?#51 Allan Woodstrom
FGs, PAT, KO?#4 Cory Vartanian
Holder?#11 Steve Walker
Punt Return?#31 Shamen Washington
Kickoff Return?#1 Allen Burrell, #6 Marques Johnson

Avg. Weight Off. Line 292
Avg. Weight Backs 219
Avg. Weight Receivers 174
Avg. Weight Def. Line 259
Avg. Weight LB 219
Avg. Weight DB 190

NICHOLLS STATE Colonels (2-1 Overall, 0-0 Southland) TWO-DEEP
Offense Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown
LT 77 Jacob Bender So. 6-6 255 Mayo, Md.
72 Torey McKenzie Jr. 6-3 285 Jackson, Miss.
LG 64 Benjamin Gombossy So. 6-1 280 Monroe, La.
68 Miguel Martinez So. 6-1 270 Glendora, Calif.
C 60 Cody Stogner Jr. 6-0 285 Picayune, Miss.
65 Greg Theriot Jr. 6-0 285 Baton Rouge, La.
RG 75 Jake Housson Jr. 6-2 280 Houston, Texas
76 Jessie Frazier Jr. 6-3 285 Houston, Texas
RT 55 Joseph Trosclair Sr. 6-3 280 Reserve, La.
81 Jonathan DeAvila Fr. 6-3 255 Houston, Texas
QB 3 Yale Vannoy Jr. 6-2 225 Kingsville, Texas
5 Michael Williams Fr. 5-11 200 Fort Walton, Fla.
WR 80 Marcus Richardson Sr. 6-3 190 New Orleans, La.
16 Michael Okoronkwo Fr. 6-4 205 New Orleans, La.
TE 84 David LeBouef Sr. 6-1 240 Houma, La.
86 Jared Landrum Fr. 6-2 230 Diberille, Miss.
FB 8 Broderick Cole Fr. 5-10 230 New Orleans, La.
32 Cal Jones Fr. 5-10 205 Port Arthur, Texas
RB 21 David Plaisance Sr. 5-8 185 Baton Rouge, La.
46 Joel Fontenot-Amadee Jr. 5-11 190 Baton Rouge, La.
RB 34 Colt Colletti Sr. 5-10 230 River Ridge, La.
20 Joseph Robbins Fr. 5-10 180 Baton Rouge, La.

Defense Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown
DE 91 Michael Young Jr. 6-4 240 New Orleans, La.
35 Antwan Dunn Jr. 6-3 260 Birmingham, Ala.
DT 59 Shane Kliebert Sr. 6-3 255 Vacherie, La.
95 Doug King Sr. 6-0 280 Harvey, La.
NG 92 Trae Robertson Jr. 6-2 275 Tylertown, Miss.
98 Kareem Anderson Fr. 6-4 265 Atlanta, Ga.
DE 99 Bryan Paille Jr. 6-2 270 Gonzales, La.
50 Juan Montoya Jr. 6-1 240 Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
SLB 43 Lavinco Brown Sr. 6-4 200 Greenwood, Miss.
57 Levon Bailey So. 6-2 190 Missouri City, Texas
MLB 47 Cory Vavala So. 6-1 215 San Antonio, Texas
11 Brian Fitzpatrick So. 6-0 230 Lewisville, Texas
WLB 25 Rogers Williams Sr. 6-1 235 Jeanerette, La.
56 Dustin Gisclair So. 6-0 210 Galliano, La.
CB 14 Henry Johnson Jr. 5-10 180 Marerro, La.
2 Jermaine Boggan Fr. 5-10 175 Jacksonville, Fla.
FS 29 Joe Ogletree Jr. 5-11 195 Houston, Texas
19 Nick Reasons Fr. 6-0 180 Spring, Texas
SS 10 David Willis Sr. 5-11 195 St. Martinville, La.
17 Chris Hodge So. 5-10 175 Brainbridge, Ga.
22 Chris Turner Jr. 6-3 218 Birmingham, Ala.
CB 9 Tommy Lee Brown Jr. 6-2 188 Amite, La.
40 Earnest West Jr. 5-9 170 Miami, Fla.

SPECIALISTS
PK?#89 Jay Jones, #88 James Wilcox
P?#88 James Wilcox, #6 Sean Comeaux
LS?#78 Kyle Freeman
H?#88 James Wilcox
KR?#22 Chris Turner, #2 Jermaine Boggan, #21 David Plaisance
PR?#21 David Plaisance, #22 Chris Turner, #2 Jermaine Boggan

Avg. Weight Off. Line 270
Avg. Weight Backs 217
Avg. Weight Receivers 190
Avg. Weight Def. Line 257
Avg. Weight LB 218
Avg. Weight DB 189

NORTH DAKOTA STATE (3-1,0-1 GWFC)
TEAM STATS BISON OPP
Points Per Game 42.5 9.2
First Downs 86 54
Rushing Game 259.8 135.2
Passing Game 211.5 118.2
Total Offense 471.3 253.4
Interceptions 6 6
Fumbles-Lost 4-3 5-4
Penalties 24-206 19-170
Net Punt Avg. 40.8 32.9
Time of Possession 27:59 32:01
3rd Down Conversions 26/48 22/64
4th Down Conversions 2/5 1/4

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING Att Net Avg TD YPG
Kyle Steffes 68 434 6.4 6 108.5
Cinque Chapman 50 290 5.7 0 72.5

PASSING C-A-I Pct. TD YPG
Tony Stauss 55-83-6 66.3 7 160.0

RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD YPG
Travis White 25 332 13.3 4 83.0
A.J. Cooper 11 80 7.3 2 20.0

DEFENSE U-A-TT TFL Int. FF-FR
Brian Erenberg 16-11-27 1.5-2 1 0 0-0
Kole Zimmerman 10-15-25 1.5-9 0 1 0-0

NICHOLLS STATE (2-1, 0-0 Southland)
TEAM STATS COLONELS OPP
Points Per Game 21.7 16.0
First Downs 54 44
Rushing Game 268.3 113.3
Passing Game 70.7 138.3
Total Offense 339.0 251.6
Interceptions 4 1
Fumbles-Lost 8-4 6-3
Penalties 30-272 15-129
Net Punt Avg. 37.6 31.1
Time of Possession 31:16 28:44
3rd Down Conversions 12/38 10/39
4th Down Conversions 0/4 1/2

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING Att Net Avg TD YPG
Colt Colletti 38 258 6.8 3 86.0
Broderick Cole 40 163 4.1 1 54.3

PASSING C-A-I Pct. TD YPG
Yale Vannoy 11-24-1 45.8 2 70.7

RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD YPG
Marcus Richardson 8 116 14.5 1 38.7
David Plaisance 3 96 32.0 1 32.0

DEFENSE U-A-TT TFL Int. FF-FR
David Willis 11-10-21 2.0-3 1 1 0-0
Cory Vavala 10-9-19 2.5-4 0 0 0-0

RADIO BROADCASTS: WDAY-AM 970, Fargo ... Scott Miller will handle the play-by-play. Former NDSU All-American and 11-year NFL great Phil Hansen will handle the color duties, while WDAY-TV sports anchor Steve Hallstrom and radio personality Jack Michaels will handle the sideline and locker room interviews ... Air time is set for 3:15 p.m. (CST) Saturday, Oct. 2 ... Bismarck (KXMR, 710 AM) and Williston (KEYZ, 660 AM) are on the Bison Radio Network.

POLL WATCHING: North Dakota State was ranked 28th in the Football Gazette's I-AA Top 40 released Sept. 26 ... North Dakota State received six points in The Sports Network's fourth regular season I-AA Top 25 released Sept. 27 ... The Bison received one point toward the second regular season ESPN/USA Today I-AA Top 25 poll released Sept. 20.

The Sports Network NCAA I-AA Top 25
Issued Sept. 27, 2004 (4th regular season)
First-place votes in parenthesis
Team (next game) Record Pts. Prv.
1.Southern Illinois (71) 3-1 2,584 1 vs. No. 15 Northern Iowa
2. Furman (15) 3-1 2,458 2
vs. Western Carolina
3. Georgia Southern (10) 3-1 2,413 3
vs.Elon
4. Delaware (1) 3-1 2,187 4
vs. No. 8 Maine
5. Stephen F. Austin (4) 4-0 2,180 5 OPEN
6. Western Kentucky (1) 2-1 2,017 6
vs. Youngstown State
7. Montana 3-1 1,981 7
at Weber State
8. Maine (2) 2-1 1,893 8
at No. 4 Delaware
9. Wofford 2-1 1,660 9
vs. Chattanooga
10. Villanova 3-1 1,510 11
vs. No. 12 New Hampshire
11. Colgate 2-1 1,446 10
at Yale
12. New Hampshire 3-1 1,389 14
at No. 10 Villanova
13. Cal Poly 3-0 1,278 15
vs. South Dakota State
14. Northwestern State 3-1 1,141 19
vs. Panhandle State
15. Northern Iowa 1-2 1,104 13
at No. 1 Southern Illinois
16. Northeastern 2-1 1,006 18
at William & Mary
17. Hampton (2) 4-0 999 20
at Delaware State
18. Sam Houston State 3-1 637 NR
OPEN
19. Massachusetts 2-2 501 16
at Boston College
20. Northern Arizona 1-2 487 23
vs. Sacramento State
21. Lehigh 2-1 429 25
vs. Albany
22. Jacksonville State 3-0 416 NR
vs. Murray State
23. McNeese State 2-2 406 12
vs. Southern Utah
24. Appalachian State 2-2 372 17
vs. Texas State
25. James Madison 2-1 303 24
vs. Hofstra
Dropped Out: No. 21 Montana State, No. 22 Penn
Others receiving votes (in order of points, minimum of five required): William & Mary 268, Montana State 203, Portland State 176, Penn 163, UC Davis 148, Western Illinois 121, Alabama State 104, Texas State 66, Southwest Missouri State 61, Illinois State 58, South Carolina State 51, Tennessee State 45, Eastern Washington 43, Harvard 30, Hofstra 26, Bethune-Cookman 15, Southeastern Louisiana 12, Lafayette 12, Southern 11, Bucknell 10, NORTH DAKOTA STATE 6, South Dakota State 6.
NDSU Opponents in BOLD

Football Gazette NCAA I-AA Top 40 Poll
Issued September 26, 2004
Team Record
1. Georgia Southern 3-1
2. Furman 3-1
3. Maine 2-1
4. Southern Illinois 3-1
5. Stephen F. Austin 4-0
6. Western Kentucky 2-1
7. William & Mary 2-1
8. Delaware 3-1
9. Northern Iowa 1-2
10. New Hampshire 3-1
11. Colgate 2-1
12. Hampton 4-0
13. Cal Poly 3-0
14. Villanova 3-1
15. Montana 3-1
16. Pennsylvania 1-1
17. Northern Arizona 1-2
18. Northeastern 2-1
19. Massachusetts 2-2
20. Sam Houston State 3-1
21. Wofford 2-1
22. Northwestern State 3-1
23. UC Davis 3-0
24. Appalachian State 2-2
25. James Madison 2-1
26. Lehigh 2-1
27. South Carolina State 2-1
28. NORTH DAKOTA STATE 3-1
29. Bucknell 2-1
30. Texas State 2-1
31. Alabama State 3-0
32. Illinois State 2-1
33. Lafayette 3-1
34. Cornell 1-1
35. Richmond 2-2
36. Jacksonville State 3-0
37. Western Illinois 2-2
38. Western Carolina 2-2
39. Towson 1-2
40. Harvard 2-0
NDSU opponents in Bold

SDSU GAME TIME CHANGE: The game time for the Oct. 9th North Dakota State-South Dakota State contest in Brookings has been changed from 4 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. The game will be broadcast by WDAY-TV (Channel 6, ABC) on the North Dakota ABC network. Pre-game will begin at 6:30 p.m. WDAY-TV sports anchor Steve Hallstrom will handle the play-by-play.

THE COACH: North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl (Nebraska, 1979) is in second season at the helm of the Bison with an 11-4 mark to date ... Bohl came to NDSU in 2003 from the University of Nebraska where he was an assistant coach for eight seasons including defensive coordinator over the final three years ... He was an assistant at North Dakota State, Tulsa, Wisconsin, Rice and Duke prior to Nebraska ... He played his college ball at Nebraska (1977-79).

Jay Thomas (Southern Mississippi, 1988) is in his first season as head coach of the Colonels ... Has a 2-1 record ... In his eighth season overall at Nicholls State, serving as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/defensive line for previous five seasons ... Defensive line coach for Colonels from 1990-92 ... Prior to heading back to Thibodaux, Thomas was the defensive line coach at Southeast Missouri State (1993-98) ... Graduate assistant at LSU (1988-89) ... Assistant coach in Hattiesburg (Miss.) Public School System for three seasons.

NDSU FREE SAFETY JARED ESSLER NAMED TO 2004 AFCA “GOOD WORKS TEAM: North Dakota State University free safety Jared Essler has been selected to the 22-member 2004 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) “Good Works” Team. Essler is the first NDSU football player to receive the honor.

There are two 11-man teams, a Division I-A team and a combined team from Divisions I-AA, II, III and the NAIA, that honor players for their dedication and commitment to community service. From 1992-1996, the “Good Works” Team was selected by the College Football Association. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA began selecting the teams.

Essler, a senior co-captain from Minot, N.D. (Bishop Ryan H.S.), maintains a 3.81 grade point average majoring in social science and education. His community service file includes working with the NCAA's National Youth in Sports Program (NYSP), Special Olympics, Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, Fargo (N.D.) elementary school Reading/Recess Program, volunteer track coach, meet official for USA Track & Field Junior Meet, North Dakota State Campus Clean-up and the annual NDSU Valentine Victory Blood Drive.

BISON DEFENSE STIFFENS: Several streaks ended for North Dakota State's defense when Carson-Newman scored a first quarter rushing touchdown. It was the first touchdown allowed by Bison in 12 quarters to start the 2004 season and the first rushing touchdown in 14 quarters dating back to the Concordia-St. Paul contest in 2003.

In the modern era, the 1986 NDSU team held opponents without a touchdown in 15 quarters spanning five games, while the 1987 Bison defense had a 14-quarter stretch over a four-game stretch. The 1973 NDSU team had a similar streak over four games. North Dakota State held five teams scoreless in 1901, 1919, 1933 and 1935. The Bison had a shutout string of seven games, 28 quarters from 1902 (four games) and 1903 (first three games).

The Bison have allowed the opposition 253.5 yards per game including 135.2 yards rushing. NDSU linebacker Brian Erenberg leads the team with 27 tackles, while linebacker Kole Zimmerman has 25 tackles and linebacker Jayd Kittelson has 24 tackles. Nose guard Isaac Snell has 24 tackles including 7.5 stops for a loss.

NDSU allowed just 81.4 yards per game rushing last season.

NO PASSING ZONE: Through the first four games, North Dakota State's defense has picked off six passes. Strong safety Craig Dahl, linebacker Brian Erenberg, linebacker Rob Mamula, cornerback Matt Gorman, free safety Jared Essler and cornerback Scott Walter have each recorded an interception this season. The Bison had three picks in the opener against Valpo, two against Northern Colorado and one against Montana Tech. Essler and Gorman each have eight career picks.

Cornerback Bobby Babich leads NDSU with five pass breakups.

North Dakota State had 20 interceptions last season.

SACK PACK: Keeping the pressure on the quarterback has been key for the North Dakota State and the Bison have recorded eight sacks through four games this season. Linebacker Jayd Kittelson has a team-high 1.5 sacks, while nose guard Isaac Snell, linebacker Kole Zimmerman, nose guard Justin Frick, strong safety Craig Dahl, defensive end Isaac LaVant and defensive end Alvin Robinson have all contributed one sack. Defensive end Travis Ware has a 0.5 sack. The Bison had 36 sacks a season ago.

NDSU DEFENSE HANGS A ZERO: The North Dakota State defense disrupted Valparaiso's offense in the season opener. The last NDSU shutout was 24-0 vs. South Dakota State during the 2003 season. The Bison have three shutouts since 2000. North Dakota State didn't allow Valpo past its own 49-yard line during the contest. The Bison recorded their 29th shutout in an opening game and the first since 1974 when NDSU defeated Nebraska-Omaha 3-0. The Bison allowed 85 yards rushing and 180 yards of total offense overall vs. Valpo.

STEFFES HAS TWO 100-YARD GAMES IN 2004, FOUR IN CAREER: Kyle Steffes rushed 23 times for 128 yards and one TD in the loss to Northern Colorado. Steffes, a 5-foot-11 sophomore from Dickinson, N.D., logged his fourth career 100-yard game against UNC. He rushed for a career-high 175 yards and four touchdowns against Valparaiso in the opener. Steffes scored on runs of 43, 14, 34 and two yards.

For the season, Steffes has carried the ball 68 times for 434 yards (6.4 avg.) and six touchdowns for an average of 108.5 yards per game. He scored a total of three TDs in an injury-shortened 2003 campaign.

THE THUNDERING HERD: North Dakota State is averaging 259.8 yards rushing over the first four games. Kyle Steffes has rushed for 434 yards on 68 carries and Cinque Chapman has 50 carries for 290 yards. Overall, the Bison are averaging 471.2 yards of total offense per game. The offensive line is anchored by All-America candidate senior center Rob Hunt and senior tackle Nick Zilka. The wide receivers and senior fullback Johnny Frank also help to pave the way.

PANCAKES AND PROTECTION: The work of the offensive line, particularly the job of 6-foot-4, 289-pound senior center Rob Hunt and 6-6, 311-pound senior tackle Nick Zilka, has been outstanding. North Dakota State has allowed only three sacks through four games this season and 19 over the past 15 games. Hunt and Zilka have not allowed a sack in 15 games dating back to the 2003 season. Hunt gave up only one quarterback hit last season, while Zilka allowed only two in 2003. Neither player has allowed a quarterback hit this season.

Hunt has recorded 21 “Pancake” blocks through four games, while Zilka has 20. Hunt recorded a team-high 32 “Pancake” blocks in 2003, while Zilka turned 31 “Pancakes” a season ago.

AMAZING SHAMEN: Speedy 5-foot-6, 140-pound freshman Shamen Washington (St. Petersburg, Fla.) has electrified the crowd everytime he has touched the football. Washington broke free vs. Carson-Newman for a 24-yard TD run.

Washington scored on an 80-yard run from scrimmage and a dazzling 90-yard kickoff return against Montana Tech. His kickoff return for a touchdown was the first for NDSU since Richard Lewis romped 94 yards for a TD against Angelo State in the 2001 opener. Washington's 80-yard TD was the first 60+ yard scoring run since Lamar Gordon's 64-yard scamper vs. South Dakota State in 2001. He also returned three punts for 25 yards.

Washington is second on the team in all-purpose yardage with an average of 106 yard per game. Washington has rushed 13 times for 192 yards (14.8 avg.).

GO SPEED RACER GO: North Dakota State has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in back-to-back games, Shamen Washington went 90 yards against Montana Tech and Allen Burrell sped 90 yards against Carson-Newman (Tenn.).

WHITE ON THE RECEPTION: North Dakota State wide receiver Travis White had a career day against Northern Colorado with 10 receptions for 127 yards. His previous career best was seven receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown against Concordia-St. Paul. White currently tops the Bison with 25 catches for 332 yards (13.3 avg.) and four TDs.

SPREADING THE WEALTH: There's more than wide receiver Travis White in the North Dakota State air assault. Nine different receivers have caught passes from quarterbacks Tony Stauss and Steve Walker. For example, senior fullback Johnny Frank entered the season with one reception for one yard good for a touchdown. Frank has caught six passes this season for 35 yards. Four players have caught TD passes, White (4), tight end A.J. Cooper (2), wide receiver Allen Burrell (2) and wide receiver Marques Johnson (2).

STAUSS MOVING UP CAREER COMPLETION CHARTS: North Dakota State quarterback Tony Stauss has completed 55 of 83 passes for 640 yards, seven TDs and six interceptions in three games this season ... Since the UNC game, he has completed 34 of 45 passes (75.6%) for 414 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Stauss is in third place all-time in completions ... With 275, he's passed Terry Hanson (222, 1965-67), Mark Speral (225, 1977-80), and No. 3 Ryan Johnson (240, 1997-00) ... Next on the completion list is No. 2 in Graig Gorder (287, 1999-02) ... Kevin Feeney (1995-98) is NDSU's all-time leader in completions (304) and total yards (4,769).

WALKER SETS SEVERAL RECORDS IN RELIEF: Redshirt freshman quarterback Steve Walker completed a NDSU single-game completion percentage record 10-of-10 passes for 112 yards. He broke the old record of 5-for-5 previously set twice by former All-American Chris Simdorn vs. North Dakota in 1988 and Northern Michigan in 1989. Walker, who completed his first 16 passes attempted in the first three games, broke the NDSU record of 10 consecutive passes completed set previously by Graig Gorder vs. Nebraska-Omaha in 2002 / Kevin Feeney vs. North Dakota in 1995. Walker has completed 16 of 17 passes for 206 yards and three TDs.

VARTANIAN ON THE MARK: North Dakota State kicker Cory Vartanian has connected on 23 of 23 extra points this season and has converted his last 32 in a row ... His last miss of a PAT came against St. Cloud State in 2003 ... Overall, he has made 86 of 88 extra points.

PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA LIST: North Dakota State had four players listed on Don Hansen's Football Gazette preseason I-AA All-America list ... Quarterback Tony Stauss, offensive center Rob Hunt, defensive end Travis Ware and cornerback Matt Gorman were all honorable mention.

Bison 2004 Player of the Week Honors
Great West Football Conference
Offense
8-28 Kyle Steffes, HB

Defense
8-28 Craig Dahl, SS
9-20 Brian Erenberg, LB

Special Teams
8-28 Shamen Washington, PR
9-13 Shamen Washington, KO/PR

I-AA.org All Stars of the Week
Offense
8-28 Kyle Steffes, HB

Defense
8-28 Alvin Robinson, DE

FULL IMPACT NETWORK
Offense
8-28 Kyle Steffes, HB

Defense
8-28 Craig Dahl, SS

FOOTBALL GAZETTE
Offense
8-28 Kyle Steffes, HB

Defense
8-28 Craig Dahl, SS

Bison in NCAA Stats
(thru games Sept. 18)
TEAM LEADERS
6th scoring defense (9.3 ppg)
11th pass efficiency defense (81.7)
11th scoring offense (42.5 ppg)
13th rushing offense (259.8 ypg)
14th total offense (471.3 ypg)
23rd total defense (253.5 ypg)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Kyle Steffes, So., HB
T35th scoring (9 ppg)
31st rushing (108.5 yds/g)

Tony Stauss, Sr., QB
25th pass efficiency, 144.4

Travis White, Jr., WR
T26th receptions (6.3 rec/pg)

Shamen Washington, Fr., PR/RB
22nd punt returns (13.6 avg)

Isaac Snell, Sr., NG
23rd tackles for loss (1.9 tfl/pg)
(NDSU and SDSU are listed in the Division II statistics by the NCAA because of reclassifying from a Division II to Division I-AA football program. Both schools are in the second of a five-year transition period. UNC was listed in the Division II statistics in 2003.)

GREAT WEST FOOTBALL CONFERENCE: This is North Dakota State's first season at the Division I-AA level in the newly-formed Great West Football Conference. The conference is comprised of six schools located in five states and three time zones. League membership includes NDSU, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State, Cal Poly, Southern Utah and UC Davis.

North Dakota State had three seniors ? offensive center Rob Hunt, defensive end Travis Ware and cornerback Matt Gorman ? named to the Preseason All-Great West Football Conference first team selected by GWFC correspondent Chris Kelly.

On another Preseason All-GWFC team selected by I-AA.org, Hunt, Ware, and Gorman were all first team selections. Second team picks included sophomore running back Kyle Steffes, junior linebacker Jayd Kittelson, senior free safety Jared Essler, junior kicker Cory Vartanian and senior return specialist Allen Burrell. Honorable mention included senior quarterback Tony Stauss.

Bison in GWFC Stats
(thru games Sept. 25)
TEAM LEADERS
Rushing Offense 259.8 yds/g
Scoring Defense 9.2 ppg
Total Offense 471.2 yds/g
Pass Defense 118.2 yds/g
Total Defense 253.5 yds/g
First Downs 86 (49 r, 35 p, 2 pen)
PAT Kicking 23-23, 1.000
3rd Down Conv. 26-48, 54.2
Opp 3rd Down Conv. 22-64, 34.4
Opp 4th Down Conv. 1-4, 25.0

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (Top 2)
Kyle Steffes, So., HB
2nd rushing (108.5 yds/g)

Steve Walker, Fr., QB
1st pass efficiency (254.1)

Mike Dragosavich, Fr., P
2nd punting (41.4 avg.)

Cory Vartanian, Jr., K
T1st, PATs (23-23, 1.000)

Isaac Snell, Sr., NG
1st tackles for loss (7.5, 1.88 tfl/g)

Craig Dahl, So., SS
T1st fumbles recovered (4 g, 2 fr, 0.50)

GREAT WEST FOOTBALL CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLLS: North Dakota State was picked third in the Great West Football Conference Media Poll and fourth in the Great West Football Conference Coaches Poll.

RECORD CROWD AT OPENER: The Bison rumbled past Valparaiso University 52-0 before a record home opening crowd of 18,665 on Aug. 28. The previous Fargodome home opener record was 18,059 against Pittsburg State in the first-ever game played at the dome in 1993, and also topped the previous home opener record of 18,500 that witnessed the Northern Michigan game at Dacotah Field in 1989. The crowd ranks fifth all-time at the Fargodome.

AT THE FARGODOME: North Dakota State is 3-0 at the Fargodome this season ... The Bison have won eight of its last nine games played at the Fargodome over the past two seasons and have compiled a record of 57-12 (.823) since beginning play in the facility in 1993 ... Over three games this season, the Bison are averaging 13,379 fans ... The total would rank No. 11 in NCAA I-AA attendance figures this season ... NDSU has five perfect home ledgers in the Fargodome (5-0, 1993 / 6-0, 1995 / 6-0, 1999 / 7-0, 2000 / 5-0, 2001 ... The longest winning streak at the Fargodome is 22 games from 1994 to 2002.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE FIRST IN DIVISION II ATTENDANCE: North Dakota State University's football program, annually one of the top draws in the country in Division II football, earned its fifth national attendance title in 2003.

The Bison averaged 11,567 fans per game in six regular season games in 2003. The Bison dumped Tuskogee out of the top spot for the first time in three years. NDSU would have been ranked No. 23 among 2003 NCAA I-AA
attendance leaders.

The Bison have won five national attendance crowns including 1987 (14,120), 1989 (16,833), 1997 (12,512), 2000 (12,723, and 2003 (11,567).

SUCCESS OF THE BISON PROGRAM: The success of North Dakota State football over the past few years has been nothing short of phenomenal. Here is what the Bison have accomplished since the early 1980s:
-Won 159 of the last 203 conference games (159-42-2, .783)
-Won 215 of the last 275 games (215-58-2, .782)
-Won 189 of the last 238 regular-season games (189-48-2, .792) played including a streak of 22 straight wins before losing to Nebraska-Omaha in October 1983.
-Won 200 of the last 219 home games (200-17-2, .917) at home since a 1980 season-opening 10-0 loss to Northern Michigan.
-Appeared in six straight NCAA playoffs from 1981 to 1986 and 15 in the last 23 years including finishing second nationally in 1981 and 1984, making the semifinals in 1982 and 2000, and winning the NCAA title in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1990.

FOOTBALL 101: Bison athletics is offering an opportunity for all to learn more about the game of football. Head coach Craig Bohl will be teaching a course called Football 101. The goal of the program is for ladies and fun-loving fans to gather in a social setting and learn more about football.
The Bison locker room of the Fargodome is the setting for the sessions. The final class will meet from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 29. Sessions include classroom chalk talks, on field demonstrations, offense, defense, kicking game and football rules. All proceeds from the class benefit the Bison Excellence Fund.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE FEATURED IN USA TODAY, ON USA TODAY.com, PHOTOS APPEAR ON OTHER NATIONAL SITES: North Dakota State received a great deal of national publicity following its opener against Valparaiso University on August 28 ... In the Sept. 3 print edition of USA Today, “Elements of the Game” featured four photos and a brief story ... A 10-photo spread by NDSU photographer Dan Koeck on Bison tailgating appeared on
USA Today.com's photo gallery on Sept. 3.

A photo captured from the Fargodome catwalk of Bison wide receiver Allen Burrell in the end zone (taken by the Forum's Darren Gibbins and distributed by The Associated Press) has been seen on web sites like FoxSports.com (“Best of the Weekend”).

BISON CAPTAINS SELECTED: Quarterback Tony Stauss, center Rob Hunt, safety Jared Essler and cornerback Matt Gorman have been selected as North Dakota State's team captains for the 2004 season.

Stauss and Hunt served last year with former linebackers Mike Sheppard and Josh Mock. Sheppard is still with the team as a student assistant coach.

NEW TALENT, NEW FORMAT FOR CRAIG BOHL FOOTBALL SHOW: The Craig Bohl Football Show airs every Sunday throughout the season at 10:30 p.m. on WDAY-TV in Fargo, and on KBMY-TV in Bismarck and KMCY-TV in Minot on Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Former NDSU and Buffalo Bills star Phil Hansen, in his second year as a radio commentator for Bison broadcasts on WDAY-AM, will host the new show with a different format and new set from previous Bison football shows.