11/7/2005 6:00:00 AM | Football
GAME TEN:
No. 20/22-ranked North Dakota State University (6-3, 2-2 GWFC) is scheduled to host South Dakota State University (5-4, 2-1 GWFC) in Great West Football Conference action at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 in the Fargodome ... It will be the final home game for 14 NDSU seniors ... The teams will battle for the "Dakota Marker", a traveling trophy unveiled in April 2004 and supported by the NDSU Blue Key chapter and the SDSU Student Association ... The "Dakota Marker" is a model of the original border monuments that were 7 feet long and 10 inches square ... The markers were placed at half-mile intervals along the border, with "S.D." on the south side and "N.D." on the north side ... South Dakota State hoisted the large trophy last year after a 24-21 win in Brookings ... The Bison are 4-1 at the Fargodome this season after defeating Northern Colorado 44-0 on Nov. 5 ... NDSU is 14-3 at the Fargodome over the past three seasons ... North Dakota State snapped a three-game losing streak to UNC ... South Dakota State rebounded from its 55-42 shoot-out loss to nationally ranked Georgia Southern to pound Southern Utah 55-7 ... The Jackrabbits have scored over 40 points on five occasions this fall and have tallied over 60 twice in wins over Valparaiso (69-6) and Missouri-Rolla (64-28) ... SDSU's high-powered offense, tops in the conference, will be quite a challenge for the league's top-ranked North Dakota State defense ... The Jackrabbits are averaging 35.1 points and 402.9 yards of total offense including 246.6 yards rushing through nine games ... SDSU uses several running backs to carry the mail including Anthony Watson (94.9 ypg, 9 TDs), Cory Koenig (86 ypg, 6 TDs) and Trevor Hohn (61.3 ypg, 2 TDs) ... South Dakota State can pass too, quarterback Andy Kardoes came back from an injury to start against Southern Utah ... Kardoes has completed 71 of 151 passes for 801 yards, six interceptions and five TDs ... Backup QB Ryan Berry has completed 28 of 51 passes for 425 yards, seven TDs and three interceptions ... Ryan is the brother of former NDSU women's basketball player Jaime Berry ... Josh Davis is the Jacks' top receiver, hauling in 44 passes for 685 yards (15.5 avg.) and six TDs ... Defensively, South Dakota State is led by cornerback Hank McCall, who is one of four players with two interceptions ... McCall also has 56 tackles, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick ... Defensive end Hank Goff has five sacks ... Linebacker Billy Ray Kirch leads SDSU with 57 tackles ... The kicking game is solid with placekicker Parker Douglass, hitting 37 of 38 PATs and 15 of 21 field goals including a career long 54-yarder against UC Davis ... Punter Neal Bainbridge is averaging 42.1 yards per kick and has placed 15 inside the 20-yard line.CANNED FOOD ITEMS: In conjunction with this week's game sponsor, Thrivent Financial and North Dakota State athletics are encouraging fans to donate a canned food item at Saturday's game with South Dakota State to help the efforts of the Great Plains food bank. Collection sites will be located a several locations at the Fargodome.
BISON QUICK HITTERS: North Dakota State is tied for No. 4 nationally in turnover margin (+1.22), forcing 20 turnovers overall and committing only nine ... The 501 yards of total offense the Bison rolled up against Northern Colorado was the most since 2003 when NDSU had 509 yards in the 33-30 overtime loss to St. Cloud State on Nov. 8 in St. Cloud ... Cinque Chapman rushed for 109 yards against UNC, his second career 100-yard effort ... North Dakota State held the ball for 79 plays and over 39 minutes against the Bears ... For the season, the Bison have averaged 31-minutes, 36-seconds in time of possession compared to 28-minutes, 24-seconds per game for the opponents ... North Dakota State is tied for No. 2 nationally in turnovers lost (9) and fumbles lost (3), and 19th in passes had intercepted (6) ... A dozen different NDSU defensive players have been credited with at least one tackle for loss this season led by linebacker Joe Mays (8.5/37 yards) and defensive tackle Justin Frick (8.5/32 yards) ... Mays also has seven quarterback hurries ... The Bison have 18 sacks led by linebacker Kole Zimmerman, defensive end Joe Lardonis, Mays and Frick ... NDSU is No. 13 in NCAA I-AA attendance with an average of 13,837 fans over five home dates ... Four NDSU opponents are ranked in the Top 25, while five others are receiving votes toward the national polls.
TICKETS: For more information, contact the NDSU ticket office at 1-888-231-NDSU (6378) ... Tickets are available for purchase online at GoBison.com/tickets or at the Bison Sports Arena ticket office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
THE SERIES:
This is the 92nd meeting between the two schools in a series that began in 1903 ... North Dakota State holds a 49-37-5 lead in the all-time series ... South Dakota State won 24-21 in Brookings last season ... The Bison have lost two of the last three meetings, but have won eight of the last 11 ... All three losses have come in Brookings over that span ... North Dakota State won the last meeting in Fargo, 24-0, in 2003.THE COACHES:
North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl (Nebraska, 1979) is in his third season at the helm of the Bison with a 22-9 mark to date ... North Dakota State is 14-3 at the Fargodome over past two seasons ... 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 was a defensive back at Nebraska (1977-79).John Stiegelmeier (South Dakota State, 1979) is in his ninth season as head coach of the Jackrabbits ... Has a 53-42 record ... Stiegelmeier was named the North Central Conference Coach of the Year in 1999 after guiding the Jacks to an 8-2 season, their best record in 20 years ... Spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at SDSU (1988-96), the first three as defensive secondary coach and last six as defensive coordinator ... Also had coaching stops at Northern Iowa, Northern State (S.D.), Wisconsin and Eau Claire (Wis.) North High School.
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 director Steve Hallstrom will handle the sideline and locker room interviews ... Air time is set for 5:15 p.m. ... Bismarck (KXMR, 710 AM) and Williston (KEYZ, 660 AM) are on the Bison Radio Network.
WNAX 570 AM, Yankton, S.D. ... Veteran broadcasters Steve Imming and Jerry Oster will handle the call for the South Dakota State contest.
KNDS-LPFM 105.9, Fargo ... Sports director Jim Otis will call the play-by-play and Brad Jones will serve as the color commentator on the NDSU student radio station ... Air time is set with a pregame at 5:30 p.m. ... The free webcast is available at www.thunderradio.fm.
GoBISON.COM VIDEO WEBCAST: All Access will offer a video webcast of the South Dakota State football game Saturday, Nov. 12 ... Memberships to All Access can be purchased for $7.95 per event ... This Saturday's Webcast will begin at 5 p.m. CDT ... The live stream will be provided by NDSU athletic media relations and Fargodome video productions ... In addition to the game, the stream will include pregame footage and special features prior to the 6 p.m. kickoff. The audio provided will be that actually heard in the stadium ... The North Dakota State athletic media relations office apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the technical difficulties encountered last weekend with the UNC webcast.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE BLITZES NORTHERN COLORADO 44-0: No. 25-ranked North Dakota State University's 44-0 shutout of the University of Northern Colorado before 10,809 fans at the Fargodome on Nov. 5, featured a little bit of everything. The Bison improved to 28-1-2 all-time in the Harvest Bowl games, but more importantly pulled even at 2-2 in the Great West Football Conference.
North Dakota State (6-3, 2-2 GWFC) offense rolled up a season-high 501 yards of total offense including 284 yards and five TDs on the ground and the defense held UNC to 22 yards rushing -- the lowest since South Dakota State rushed 23 times for 11 yards against the Bison on Sept. 27, 2003. It was the widest margin of victory for NDSU in the UNC series since 1984 when the Bison won 62-14 in Fargo.
NDSU junior halfback Kyle Steffes rushed 18 times for 63 yards and a season-high three TDs. Steffes moved to No. 7 all-time on the Bison rushing charts with 2,496 career yards. He passed former quarterback Kevin Feeney (2,473 yards, 1995-98). Cinque Chapman reached 100 yards for the second time in his career, churning for 107 yards on 20 carries and a score. Chapman rushed for 105 yards in the 2004 season finale at UC Davis.
North Dakota State's running game opened the passing lanes. Harvest Bowl MVP quarterback Steve Walker completed 14 of 18 passes for 218 yards, an interception and a 57-yard scoring strike to tight end AJ Cooper. Walker also scored on a 5-yard scoring run. With three catches for 115 yards, Cooper was one of eight receivers to catch a pass against the Bears. Kole Heckendorf caught four passes for 39 yards.
Marques Johnson also made three receptions for 21 yards and moved to No. 5 all-time at NDSU in receiving yards. Johnson has 1,508 career yards and passed Eric Nelson, who finished with 1,503.
The Bison recorded their first blocked punt since the 2003 season to open the scoring only 1:13 into the game when Barry Quickstad bolted through to stuff Ramon Mendoza's kick. The ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety.
Quickstad's block was one of many alert plays turned in by North Dakota State's defense, which held the Bears to only 172 yards of total offense to post its second shutout of the season. UNC entered the game averaging 29 points and 397 yards of total offense per game.
NDSU senior cornerback Bobby Babich came up with his team-leading third interception of the season. Linebacker Mike Maresh finished with a pair of sacks, while defensive ends Isaac LaVant, Alvin Robinson and Joe Lardinois each had one. Linebacker Joe Mays and LaVant each had a pair of quarterback hurries. Defensive backs Scott Walter, Nick Schommer and Babich also added key pass breakups.
Northern Colorado quarterback Nick Hager completed 15 of 26 passes for 150 yards and an interception. Hager had one of his passes batted back to him by Lavant in the third quarter for a Hager to Hager connection. Andy Birkel caught six passes for 87 yards, while Jahir Waterman rushed 14 times for 26 yards.
UNC's defense was led by Jake Duren with 16 tackles, while Buchanan award candidate Reed Doughty had 13 including eight solo tackles.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE ON THE ROAD: North Dakota State snapped a two-game losing streak on the road with the win over Southern Utah ... The Bison are 2-2 away from Fargo this season ... NDSU has won four of its last six road games ... The Bison ended the 2004 season with wins at Weber State and UC Davis ... NDSU is 8-6 on the road over the past three years and 15-15 since 2000 ... North Dakota State is 15-12 at outdoor venues over that span.
STEFFES HAS FIVE 100-YARD GAMES IN 2005, ELEVEN IN CAREER: Kyle Steffes rushed for 149 yards and two TDs on a career-high 35 carries vs. Southern Utah (10-29-05) ... Steffes, a 5-foot-11 1/2, 206-pound junior from Dickinson, N.D., logged his fifth 100-yard game of the season and the 11th of his career against the Thunderbirds.
Steffes is in seventh place on the NDSU career rushing charts with 2,496 yards and 27 TDs on 519 carries in 28 career games. He is chasing No. 6 Chad Stark (406-2,837, 1983-86). Steffes is tied for ninth all-time with the eleven 100-yard rushing efforts.
For the season, Steffes has carried the ball 198 times for 865 yards (4.4 avg.) and 11 touchdowns for an average of 96.1 yards per game ... Steffes is No. 28 in NCAA I-AA rushing and third in the GWFC ... NDSU and South Dakota State are listed below the Division I-AA statistic leaders by the NCAA because of reclassifying from a Division II to Division I-AA football program. Both schools are in the third of a five-year transition period. UNC and UC Davis are also listed in the same fashion.
Steffes rushed 19 times for a career-high 179 yards and one TD in the win over Weber State ... He scored on his first touch, a career long 51-yard scamper in the first quarter ... His previous high game was 176 yards rushing, against Weber State last year.
MODEL OF EFFICIENCY: North Dakota State quarterback Steve Walker is No. 2 in Great West Football Conference pass efficiency with a 132.0 rating ... Walker has completed 114 of 208 passes for 1,544 yards, 13 TDs and five interceptions this season ... He started his career with 87 straight passes without an interception with the first pick coming against Northwestern State (9-10-05) ... The school record was 99 set by Ryan Johnson in 1999.
Walker has twice matched his career-high of three touchdown passes originally set against UC Davis on Nov. 13, 2004, and in the season-opener vs. Arkansas-Monticello (9-1-05) and vs. Northwestern State (9-10-05) ... Walker's 22 completions, 42 pass attempts and 292 passing yards against UC Davis (9-24-05) were career-highs ... His previous highs were 16 completions and 29 pass attempts vs. Montana State (9-24-05), and 229 yards vs. UC Davis (11-13-04)
SPREADING THE ROCK: North Dakota State quarterbacks have completed passes to 12 different players this season with seven scoring at least one TD ... Redshirt freshman Kole Heckendorf leads the Bison with 31 receptions for 414 yards (13.4 avg.) and two TDs ... Senior tight end AJ Cooper has snared 18 passes for 349 yards (16.1 avg.) and two TDs, while senior wide receiver Marques Johnson has 20 catches for 322 yards (16.1 avg.) and two TDs ... Johnson matched his career-high with seven receptions against UC Davis (10-22-05) ... Johnson has 98 career receptions and 1,508 yards ... Johnson moved to No. 4 all-time at NDSU in pass reception ... On the career yardage list, Johnson moved past Eric Nelson (1,503/1997-00) into the No. 5 position against Northern Colorado.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE DEFENSE FORCING THE ISSUE: With 11 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries, North Dakota State's defense has forced the issue ... The result has been a plus-1.22 turnover margin, which is tied for fourth in I-AA football ... The Bison defense is No. 5 in scoring defense (13.9 ppg), No. 9 in pass defense (149.78 ypg) and total defense (273.33 ypg), No. 21 in pass efficiency defense (106.95) and No. 30 in rushing defense in NCAA I-AA ... NDSU is tops in the conference in turnover margin, scoring defense, pass defense and total defense ... Cornerback Bobby Babich has a team-high three interceptions this season ... Cornerback Scott Walter has recovered three fumbles.
THE DEFENSE STATES ITS CASE: North Dakota State's defense scored in six of nine games, including four with a TD ... NDSU senior linebacker Kole Zimmerman returned an interception 27 yards for a TD in the season opener against Arkansas-Monticello (9-1-05) ... It was the first interception return for a TD since the 2003 season when Matt Gorman raced 93 yards with a pick against Concordia-St. Paul.
Bison senior cornerback Scott Walter returned an interception 29 yards with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter during the 35-7 win at Northwestern State on Sept. 10.
NDSU senior defensive end Isaac LaVant returned a fumble 3 yards for a touchdown against Weber State (9-17-05) after Zimmerman jarred the ball loose when he sacked Wildcats quarterback Ian Pizarro ... It was the first fumble returned for a TD since Matt Gorman went seven yards with a Concordia-St. Paul bobble in 2003.
Defensive nose guard Rodney Thompson chased down Nicholls State quarterback Yale Vannoy in the end zone to record NDSU's first safety since the final game against UC Davis last season.
Defensive tackle Justin Frick scooped up a Southern Utah fumble and rumbled 17 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter on Oct. 29.
BREAK ON THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE: North Dakota State junior free safety Barry Quickstad blocked a punt that resulted in a safety against Northern Colorado (11-5-05) ... It was the third blocked kick of the season for NDSU ... It was the first blocked punt by the Bison since Mike Sheppard snuffed out an attempt for a safety against Concordia-St. Paul in the final game of the 2003 season.
North Dakota State senior cornerback Scott Walter blocked a PAT in the 20-17 loss at Montana State (9-24-05) ... It was the second blocked kick of the season.
NDSU junior strong safety Ryan Olson blocked a field goal against Arkansas-Monticello ... That was the first similiar defensive action since former Bison nose tackle and current New York Jets offensive lineman Isaac Snell recorded a blocked PAT last season.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE POSTS TWO SHUTOUTS IN 2005: North Dakota State posted its second shutout of the season with the 44-0 win over Northern Colorado on Nov. 5 at the Fargodome ... The two shutouts in a season are the most since 1997 when NDSU posted three (Texas A&M Commerce 51-0, Augustana 37-0, Morningside 35-0) ... North Dakota State defeated Weber State 41-0 on Sept. 17 before a crowd of 14,368 at the Fargodome ... Counting the opening game of the 2004 season, a 52-0 win over Valparaiso (Ind.) in the school's I-AA opener, the Bison have posted three shutouts over the last 20 games and four during head coach Craig Bohl's 31-game tenure.
DRAGOSAVICH BOOMING: North Dakota State University punter Mike Dragosavich averaged 49.2 yards per kick in the win over Southern Utah on Oct. 29 including a pair of touchbacks and one punt inside the 20 .... He earned Football Gazette Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the second time this season with the effort ... Dragosavich matched his career-high with a 63-yard effort ... He has twice been named the Great West Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week this season and three times in his career ... "Drago" was named the Football Gazette Division I-AA and GWFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 19 ... Dragosavich, a 6-foot-5, 196-pound sophomore from Oak Lawn, Ill. (Richards H.S.) punted five times for an average of 47.4 yards per kick, including a game long 57-yarder in North Dakota State's 26-13 win over Nicholls State on Oct. 1 in the Fargodome ... Dragosovich had two punts inside the 20-yard line and three touchbacks to keep the Colonels pinned deep in their territory ... This season Dragosavich has punted 42 times for an average of 45.7 yards per punt, including eight inside the opponents 20-yard line, 10 touchbacks and two fair catches ... He ranks second in the conference and third in NCAA I-AA.
THE RETURN OF AMAZIN' SHAMEN: North Dakota State speedy sophomore Shamen Washington has burst back on the scene ... He is averaging 99.1 yards per game of all-purpose running and has scored four TDs including the 63-yard punt return for a touchdown against Northwestern State (9-10-05) ... Washington's punt return for a touchdown was the first for North Dakota State since Richard Lewis ran one back 40 yards vs. Nebraska-Omaha on Nov. 3, 2001 ... Washington also raced 69 yards with a punt for a TD vs. Weber State (9-17-05) ... Washington is No. 12 in punt returns (14.64 ypr) and No. 27 in kickoff returns (24.12 ypr) in the NCAA I-AA stats ...He broke off a 56-yard punt return against Southern Utah (10-29-05)
NDSU LINEBACKER KOLE ZIMMERMAN ONE OF 184 SEMIFINALISTS FOR 2005 DRADDY TROPHY, "ACADEMIC HEISMAN": Selected as the best of the brightest from the college gridiron, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced North Dakota State linebacker Kole Zimmerman was one of the 184 semi-finalists for the 2005 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and the candidates for the NFF 2005 National Scholar-Athlete Awards.
Known in many circles as the "Academic" Heisman, the Draddy Trophy continues to be one of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semi-finalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who founded the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship.
POPOWSKI NAMED TO AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM®: North Dakota State University offensive tackle Tim Popowski (Brookings, S.D.) was one of 22 student-athletes selected to the 2005 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team®. Popowski is the second NDSU student-athlete to receive the honor joining former teammate Jared Essler, who was named to the 2004 AFCA Good Works Team®.
The two 11-man teams, a Division I-A team and a combined team from Divisions I-AA, II, III and the NAIA, 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.
In addition to the AFCA honor, Popowski was also one of 25 student-athletes to be interviewed for NCAA Football "Good Works" features being offered to television stations around the country by Host Communications. The program was open to all varsity football players at any NCAA institution.
POLL WATCHING: After a week's absence, North Dakota State moved back into the ESPN/USA Today I-AA Coaches Top 25 poll released Nov. 7 ... The Bison are ranked No. 20 ... NDSU was ranked as high as No. 8 on Sept. 19, the highest ranking the Bison football team has achieved since moving to NCAA I-AA ... The next ESPN/USA Today I-AA Coaches Top 25 will be released on Nov. 14 ... North Dakota State was No. 22 in The Sports Network I-AA Top 25 poll released Nov. 7 ... The next Sports Network I-AA Top 25 poll will be released Nov. 14 ... South Dakota State received votes toward the TSN Top 25.
NDSU 2005 CAPTAINS:
North Dakota State University head football coach Craig Bohl announced the captains for the 2005 season. On offense, sophomore quarterback Steve Walker (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township H.S.) and senior tackle Tim Popowski (Brookings, S.D./Brookings H.S.) were voted by teammates. On defense, senior linebacker Kole Zimmerman (Windom, Minn./Windom H.S.), senior defensive end Alvin Robinson (Sumrall, Miss./Sumrall H.S./Pear River C.C.) and junior strong safety Craig Dahl (Mankato, Minn./Mankato H.S.) were selected.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 third year as a radio commentator for Bison broadcasts on WDAY-AM, will host the show.
2004 REWIND: North Dakota State finished the 2004 season with an 8-3 record under the direction of head coach Craig Bohl. It was NDSU's first year of Division I-AA football. The Bison finished 23rd in The Sports Network's Top 25 poll, 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25, 20th in the AGS (Any Given Saturday.com) Final Poll, 17th in the GPI (Gridiron Power Index) Final Poll and 15th in the Football Gazette's Top 40.
GREAT WEST FOOTBALL CONFERENCE:
North Dakota State is in its second season in the 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 offensive tackle Tim Popowski, halfback Kyle Steffes and strong safety Craig Dahl named to a Preseason All-Great West Football Conference first team selected by GWFC correspondent Chris Kelly. Linebacker Joe Mays was listed as the Super Sophomore.
The Bison were well represented on the I-AA.org preseason magazine conference watch list including offensive tackle Tim Popowski and halfback Kyle Steffes on the first team offense; defensive end Alvin Robinson and strong safety Craig Dahl on the first team defense; halfback/return specialist Shamen Washington on the first team special teams; offensive guard Justin Buckwalter, quarterback Steve Walker and halfback Cinque Chapman on the second team offense; cornerback Bobby Babich and linebacker Mike Maresh on the second team defense, and punter Mike Dragosavich on the second team special teams. NDSU was picked to win the GWFC title by the I-AA.org writers, while Steffes and Popowski were named the top performers at their respective positions.
GREAT WEST FOOTBALL CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS: North Dakota State was picked by I-AA.org and The Sports Network to win the 2005 Great West Football Conference title ... Street & Smith's College Preview and the conference media members had the Bison at No. 2, while the league coaches had NDSU at No. 3.
STEFFES, WALKER ON THE RADAR: Halfback Kyle Steffes and quarterback Steve Walker have received some preseason notice. Steffes was named the Great West Football Conference's top offensive player in 2005 Street & Smith's College Football Preview. He was also listed at No. 12 in I-AA running backs to watch this season by The Sports Network:
12. Kyle Steffes, North Dakota State (Jr., 5-11 1/2, 206)
--After a good freshman season, Steffes broke through as a potential emerging star in 2004. The junior from Dickinson, North Dakota averaged 5.4 yards per carry while running for 1,055 yards and 13 touchdowns in the Bison's first year at the I-AA level. Steffes ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns as the Bison scored an impressive 24-14 win at Nicholls State on Oct. 2. Steffes went for a career-high 176 yards and two scores to lead the Bison to a victory at Weber State, and teams with emerging quarterback Steve Walker to form a solid duo for a Bison team that should reside in the top 25 in 2005.Walker was listed "Five (Quarterbacks) Ready for a Breakthrough:" Five quarterbacks who started only parts of 2004 that showed the potential to make a major name for themselves in 2005:
2. Steve Walker, North Dakota State (So., 6-0 1/2, 207)--Walker took over the starting spot for the last three games and played superb in leading NDSU to wins against Northwestern St., UC Davis and Weber State. Walker completed 78 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions while playing parts of 10 games.
FOOTBALL 101 COMPLETES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON: Bison Athletics is offered a great opportunity for all to learn more about the game of football ... Head coach Craig Bohl taught "Football 101" for those fans who want to learn more about the game ... The goal was for ladies and fun-loving fans to gather in a social setting and learn more about football than the traditional male fan ... Four sessions were held in the Fargodome locker room area on Wednesday nights in September ... Sessions included classroom chalk talks, on field demonstrations, offense, defense, kicking game and football rules ... All "Football 101" proceeds went toward the fight against ovarian cancer.
WHITE, BIZAL OUT FOR SEASON: North Dakota State University wide receiver Travis White suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice Aug. 22. Linebacker Tony Bizal suffered a season-ending knee injury against Montana State. White and Bizal plan to return for the 2006 season.
White, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior from Cedar, Minn., had 119 receptions for 1,336 yards and 11 touchdowns in 29 career games. He is No. 3 all-time at NDSU in receptions. A second-team All-Great West Football Conference performer last season, White caught 57 catches for 776 yards and nine touchdowns. White caught a career-high 10 passes for 127 yards against Northern Colorado last season. He had caught at least one pass in 14 straight games dating back to Nov. 1, 2003 vs. South Dakota.
Bizal, a 6-3, 216-pound junior from Blaine, Minn., had six tackles this season on special teams and as a reserve linebacker.
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 163 of the last 211 conference games (163-46-2, .777)
-Won 225 of the last 290 games (225-63-2, .780)
-Won 199 of the last 253 regular-season games (199-52-2, .790) played including a streak of 22 straight wins before losing to Nebraska- Omaha in October 1983.
-Won 206 of the last 227 home games (206-19-2, .912) 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.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE TO PLAY AT MINNESOTA ON OCT. 20, 2007:
North Dakota State University Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced NDSU and the University of Minnesota have agreed to play Oct. 20, 2007, in Minneapolis.North Dakota State has played 11 games against Big Ten teams during its history and has posted an 0-11 record. The Bison have played the University of Minnesota four times, losing 13-7 in 1931, 52-12 in 1934, 26-6 in 1935, and 69-7 in 1937.
"I think it's another step for our football program that separates us as a Division I institution. Anytime you play a quality opponent on the gridiron, it really starts to elevate how you are perceived. We're certainly excited about it," said NDSU head football coach Craig Bohl.
The last Big Ten opponent on an NDSU football schedule was the University of Iowa. The Bison lost to the Hawkeyes 39-0 in 1946 and 59-0 in 1947. North Dakota State has also played Michigan State (0-2, (1916 & 1930), Wisconsin (0-2, 1928 & 1931) and Northwestern (0-1, 1936).
