Photo by: Zachary Lucy
Polasek Coach of the Year; School-Record 17 Bison on All-MVFC Team
12/1/2025 10:02:00 AM | Football
ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State's Tim Polasek was named coach of the year and the No. 1-ranked Bison had a school-record 17 players named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference team Monday, Dec. 1 by a vote of the league's media, head coaches and communications directors.
Polasek, who has a 26-2 record in his second year as head coach, led the Bison to a 12-0 record and a second straight Missouri Valley Football Conference championship. He is the sixth Bruce Craddock MVFC Coach of the Year award winner from North Dakota State joining Craig Bohl (2011-13), Chris Klieman (2017) and Matt Entz (2021).
Three-time All-MVFC linebacker Logan Kopp finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year and was one of 10 Bison selected to the first team along with running back Barika Kpeenu, fullback Truman Werremeyer, wide receiver Bryce Lance, right guard Griffin Empey, center Trent Fraley, left tackle Beau Johnson, defensive tackle Keenan Wilson, kicker Eli Ozick and long snapper Caleb Bowers. Lance is a two-time honoree.
NDSU quarterback Cole Payton finished second on the ballot for Offensive Player of the Year and was one of seven Bison on the All-MVFC second team including tight end Carson Williams, defensive end Toby Anene, linebacker Donovan Woolen, cornerback Jailen Duffie, safety Darius Givance and return specialist Jackson Williams, who was selected for the second straight season.
Bison defensive tackle Jaxon Duttenhefer, linebacker Nathaniel Staehling and punter Aaron Bickerton were honorable mentions.
The 10 first team and 17 total all-conference selections are NDSU's most in 18 years of league membership, topping the nine first team and 15 total selections on the 2018 undefeated national championship team.
North Dakota State is scheduled to host 17th-ranked Illinois State (9-4) in the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship at noon Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets are on sale at GoBison.com/tickets.
Polasek, who has a 26-2 record in his second year as head coach, led the Bison to a 12-0 record and a second straight Missouri Valley Football Conference championship. He is the sixth Bruce Craddock MVFC Coach of the Year award winner from North Dakota State joining Craig Bohl (2011-13), Chris Klieman (2017) and Matt Entz (2021).
Three-time All-MVFC linebacker Logan Kopp finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year and was one of 10 Bison selected to the first team along with running back Barika Kpeenu, fullback Truman Werremeyer, wide receiver Bryce Lance, right guard Griffin Empey, center Trent Fraley, left tackle Beau Johnson, defensive tackle Keenan Wilson, kicker Eli Ozick and long snapper Caleb Bowers. Lance is a two-time honoree.
NDSU quarterback Cole Payton finished second on the ballot for Offensive Player of the Year and was one of seven Bison on the All-MVFC second team including tight end Carson Williams, defensive end Toby Anene, linebacker Donovan Woolen, cornerback Jailen Duffie, safety Darius Givance and return specialist Jackson Williams, who was selected for the second straight season.
Bison defensive tackle Jaxon Duttenhefer, linebacker Nathaniel Staehling and punter Aaron Bickerton were honorable mentions.
The 10 first team and 17 total all-conference selections are NDSU's most in 18 years of league membership, topping the nine first team and 15 total selections on the 2018 undefeated national championship team.
North Dakota State is scheduled to host 17th-ranked Illinois State (9-4) in the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship at noon Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets are on sale at GoBison.com/tickets.
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