# 2017 North Dakota State Bison football team

The 2017 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach Chris Klieman. The team played their 25th season in the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota as members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Bison finished the season 14–1, 7–1 in MVFC play to win the MVFC championship for the seventh consecutive year. As a result, the Bison received the conference's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs as the No. 2 seed. In the playoffs, they defeated San Diego, Wofford, and Sam Houston State to advance to the National Championship game. There they defeated James Madison 17–13 to win the school's sixth National Championship in seven years. The September 30 game against Missouri State was the 700th victory since the team's founding in 1894.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 2:30 p.m. | Mississippi Valley State* | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 72–7 | 18,502 |
| September 9 | 3:00 p.m. | at No. 7 Eastern Washington* | No. 2 | Roos FieldCheney, WA | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 40–13 | 10,231 |
| September 23 | 2:30 p.m. | Robert Morris* | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND (Trees Bowl) | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 56–0 | 18,308 |
| September 30 | 1:00 p.m. | Missouri State | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 38–11 | 18,892 |
| October 7 | 12:00 p.m. | at Indiana State | No. 2 | Memorial StadiumTerre Haute, IN | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 52–0 | 4,743 |
| October 14 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 8 Youngstown State | No. 2 | Stambaugh StadiumYoungstown, OH | ESPN3 | W 27–24 $^{OT}$ | 16,408 |
| October 21 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 10 Western Illinois | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 24–12 | 18,630 |
| October 28 | 2:30 p.m. | Northern Iowa | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 30–14 | 18,687 |
| November 4 | 2:00 p.m. | at No. 8 South Dakota State | No. 2 | Dana J. Dykhouse StadiumBrookings, SD (Dakota Marker) | NBC ND ESPN3 | L 21–33 | 18,130 |
| November 11 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 10 South Dakota | No. 5 | FargodomeFargo, ND (Harvest Bowl) | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 49–14 | 18,623 |
| November 18 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 21 Illinois State | No. 4 | Hancock StadiumNormal, IL | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 20–7 | 7,664 |
| December 2 | 2:30 p.m. | San Diego* | No. 4 | FargodomeFargo, ND (FCS Playoffs Second Round) | NBC ND ESPN3 | W 38–3 | 18,067 |
| December 9 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 8 Wofford* | No. 4 | FargodomeFargo, ND (FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals) | ESPN2 | W 42–10 | 17,008 |
| December 15 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 5 Sam Houston State* | No. 4 | FargodomeFargo, ND (FCS Playoffs Semifinals) | ESPN2 | W 55–13 | 18,279 |
| January 6 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 1 James Madison* | No. 4 | Toyota StadiumFrisco, TX (FCS National Championship) | ESPN2 | W 17–13 | 19,090 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from STATS Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Roster
### Recruiting class

College recruiting information (2017) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Holden Hotchkiss QB-Pro | Lakeland, Florida | Lakeland High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / July 6, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Noah Sanders QB-Pro | Lakeville, Minnesota | Apple Valley High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Walk-On / January 4, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Seth Wilson TB | Holmen, Wisconsin | Holmen High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / November 14, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Christian Watson WR | Tampa, Florida | Plant High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / July 27, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Brant Bohmert WR | Fargo, North Dakota | Northern Cass High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Walk-On / December 26, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Andy Voyen WR | Stillwater, Minnesota | Mahtomedi Senior High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Walk-On / January 26, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Costner Ching FB / TE | Castlewood, South Dakota | Castlewood High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Walk-On / January 11, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Austin Avery TE / FB | Yorkville, Illinois | Yorkville High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / January 29, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Josh Babicz TE | Barrington, Illinois | Barrington High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 228 lb (103 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / August 8, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Noah Gindorff TE | Crosby, Minnesota | Crosby-ironton Secondary High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / July 26, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Cody Mauch TE | Hankinson, North Dakota | Hankinson High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 221 lb (100 kg) | Walk-On / January 13, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Nash Jensen OT | Maple Grove, Minnesota | Osseo Senior High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 350 lb (160 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / June 25, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Zach Willis OG | West Fargo, North Dakota | West Fargo High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / July 4, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Logan McCormick DE | Appleton, Wisconsin | Kimberly High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / June 27, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Tanner Sundt DE | Farmington, Minnesota | Farmington Senior High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 237 lb (108 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / June 22, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Spencer Waege DE | South Shore, South Dakota | Watertown High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 232 lb (105 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / June 6, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Lane Tucker DT | Gillette, Wyoming | Campbell County High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / July 14, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Max Bautch OLB | Ham Lake, Minnesota | Blaine Senior High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Walk-On / December 21, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jack Begley OLB | Omaha, Nebraska | Millard North High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / July 29, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Dawson Weber CB | Elk Grove, California | Pleasant Grove High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / January 15, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Josh Hayes S | Lakeland, Florida | Lake Gibson High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / January 15, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Michael Tutsie S | Indianapolis, Indiana | Warren Central High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | February 1, 2017 (Signed) / January 30, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Mason Hofstedt ATH OLB / TB | Cannon Falls, Minnesota | Cannon Falls High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Walk-On / January 5, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Carson Yaggie ATH CB / QB | Breckenridge, Minnesota | Breckenridge High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | Walk-On / January 12, 2017 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jake Reinholz K | Fargo, North Dakota | Shanley High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Walk-On / December 2, 2016 (Committed) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Desmond Cain WR | Delray Beach, Florida | University of Illinois | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2017 (Transfer) |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: #- 247Sports: #138 ESPN: #- |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 28, 2017. |||||||

## Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Year at North Dakota State | Alma mater (Year) |
| Chris Klieman | Head coach | 7th | Northern Iowa (1990) |
| Matt Entz | Defensive coordinator Linebackers | 4th | Wayne State (NE) (1995) |
| Courtney Messingham | Offensive coordinator Running backs | 1st | Northern Iowa (1990) |
| Atif Austin | Special teams coordinator Wide receiver coach | 4th | Iowa State (2003) |
| Conor Riley | Running game coordinator Offensive line coach | 5th | Nebraska–Omaha (2002) |
| Nick Goeser | Defensive tackles coach | 8th | Wisconsin–Eau Claire (2003) |
| Randy Hedberg | Quarterbacks coach | 4th | Minot State (1977) |
| Joe Klanderman | Defensive backs coach | 4th | Minnesota State Mankato (2001) |
| Tyler Roehl | Tight ends Fullbacks | 4th | North Dakota State (2009) |
| Bryan Shepherd | Cornerbacks coach | 2nd | North Dakota State (2013) |
| LeDominique Williams | Defensive ends coach | 1st | University of Charleston (2009) |
| Jake Otten | Video coordinator | 4th | Cal Poly (2013) |

## Game summaries

Polls are based on the FCS STATS Poll

### Mississippi Valley State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Delta Devils | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| No. 2 Bison | 30 | 14 | 21 | 7 | 72 |
Box Score.

### At Eastern Washington

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 2 Bison | 9 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 40 |
| No. 7 Eagles | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
Box Score.

### Robert Morris

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colonials | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 2 Bison | 35 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 56 |
Box Score.

### Missouri State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 11 |
| No. 2 Bison | 14 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
Box Score.

### At Indiana State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 2 Bison | 7 | 17 | 21 | 7 | 52 |
| Sycamores | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Box Score.

### At Youngstown State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| No. 2 Bison | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| No. 8 Penguins | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
Box Score.

### Western Illinois

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 10 Leathernecks | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| No. 2 Bison | 3 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
Box Score.

### Northern Iowa

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| No. 2 Bison | 0 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 30 |
Box Score.

### At South Dakota State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 2 Bison | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| No. 10 Jackrabbits | 3 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 33 |
Box Score.

### South Dakota

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 10 Coyotes | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| No. 5 Bison | 14 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 49 |
Box Score.

### At Illinois State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Bison | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 20 |
| No. 21 Redbirds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Box Score.

## FCS Playoffs
### San Diego–Second Round

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Toreros | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| No. 4 Bison | 14 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 38 |
Box Score.

### Wofford–Quarterfinals

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 8 Terriers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| No. 4 Bison | 14 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 42 |
Box Score.

### Sam Houston State–Semifinals

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 5 Bearkats | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| No. 4 Bison | 21 | 20 | 14 | 0 | 55 |
Box Score.

### James Madison–Championship

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Bison | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| No. 1 Dukes | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
Box Score.

## Ranking movements

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking ( ) = First-place votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Final |
| STATS FCS | 2 (19) | 2 (8) | 2 (10) | 2 (5) | 2 (5) | 2 (8) | 2 (8) | 2 (7) | 2 (9) | 2 (6) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Coaches | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 (1) | 2 (1) | 2 (1) | 2 (1) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 |