# 2023 North Dakota State Bison football team

The 2023 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bison were led by fifth-year head coach Matt Entz. Following the season he was hired by USC as the team's linebackers coach. The Bison played home games at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota. The North Dakota State Bison football team drew an average home attendance of 15,121 in 2023.
The Bison finished the regular season with an overall record of 8–3 and 5–3 in MVFC play. NDSU was unseeded and played in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Bison then beat Drake in the first round, sixth-seeded Montana State in the second round in overtime, third-seeded South Dakota in the quarterfinals, before falling to second-seeded Montana in the semifinals. It was the first time that NDSU missed the championship game in a fall season since 2016, and the first time in NDSU's Division I era that they didn't win a national title for two consecutive seasons.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 2:30 pm | vs. Eastern Washington* | No. 2 | U.S. Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MN | ABC ND/ESPN+ | W 35–10 | 22,546 |
| September 9 | 2:30 pm | Maine* | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND | ABC ND/ESPN+ | W 44–7 | 15,044 |
| September 16 | 2:30 pm | Central Arkansas* | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND | ABC ND/ESPN+ | W 49–31 | 15,016 |
| September 30 | 1:00 pm | South Dakota | No. 2 | FargodomeFargo, ND | ABC ND/MidcoSN/ESPN+ | L 19–24 | 18,342 |
| October 7 | 2:00 pm | at Missouri State | No. 7 | Robert W. Plaster StadiumSpringfield, MO | ESPN+ | W 38–10 | 8,727 |
| October 14 | 1:00 pm | at No. 15 North Dakota | No. 6 | Alerus CenterGrand Forks, ND (Nickel Trophy) | ABC ND/MidcoSN/ESPN+ | L 24–49 | 13,091 |
| October 21 | 2:30 pm | Western Illinois | No. 14 | FargodomeFargo, ND | ABC ND/ESPN+ | W 52–7 | 14,255 |
| October 28 | 2:30 pm | Murray State | No. 12 | FargodomeFargo, ND | ABC ND/ESPN+ | W 38–6 | 13,876 |
| November 4 | 2:00 pm | at No. 1 South Dakota State | No. 11 | Dana J. Dykhouse StadiumBrookings, SD (Dakota Marker) | ABC ND/MidcoSN/ESPN+ | L 16–33 | 19,431 |
| November 11 | 2:30 pm | No. 11 Southern Illinois | No. 12 | FargodomeFargo, ND | ABC ND/ESPN+ | W 34–10 | 14,191 |
| November 18 | 4:00 pm | at No. 22 Northern Iowa | No. 9 | UNI-DomeCedar Falls, IA | ABC ND/ESPN+ | W 48–27 | 9,852 |
| November 25 | 2:30 pm | Drake* | No. 8 | FargodomeFargo, ND (NCAA Division I First Round) | ESPN+ | W 66–3 | 7,798 |
| December 2 | 2:00 pm | at No. 5 Montana State* | No. 8 | Bobcat StadiumBozeman, MT (NCAA Division I Second Round) | ESPN+ | W 35–34 $^{OT}$ | 17,247 |
| December 9 | 1:30 p.m. | at No. 3 South Dakota* | No. 8 | DakotaDomeVermillion, SD (NCAA Division I Quarterfinal) | ABC | W 45–17 | 9,141 |
| December 16 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 2 Montana* | No. 8 | Washington-Grizzly StadiumMissoula, MT (NCAA Division I Semifinal) | ESPN2 | L 29–31 $^{2OT}$ | 26,544 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from STATS Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### Regular season
#### Eastern Washington

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| No. 2 Bison | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
* Date: September 2, 2023
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 22,546
* Referee: Jason Berg
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | Eastern Washington | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 16 | 22 |
| Plays–yards | 67–339 | 67–513 |
| Rushes–yards | 28–72 | 39–337 |
| Passing yards | 267 | 176 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 23–39–1 | 19–28–0 |
| Time of possession | 26:13 | 30:35 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Eastern Washington | Passing | Kekoa Visperas | 23/39, 266 yds, TD, INT |
| Eastern Washington | Rushing | Michael Wortham | 5 car, 41 yds |
| Eastern Washington | Receiving | Efton Chism III | 7 rec, 74 yds |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/25, 174 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cole Payton | 6 car, 104 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Zach Mathis | 4 rec, 53 yds |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | EWU | NDSU |
| 1st | 9:23 | 8 | 80 | 3:12 | NDSU | Joe Stoffel (#84) 7-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1st | 7:02 | 3 | 72 | 0:46 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 54-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 1st | 4:55 | 7 | 75 | 2:07 | EWU | Nolan Ulm (#17) 34-yard touchdown reception from Kekoa Visperas (#0), Soren McKee (#96) kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 2nd | 10:10 | 4 | 92 | 2:10 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 70-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 21 |
| 3rd | 2:56 | 9 | 70 | 4:42 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 14-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 28 |
| 4th | 8:30 | 13 | 86 | 7:16 | NDSU | Joe Stoffel (#82) 3-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 35 |
| 4th | 4:01 | 12 | 61 | 4:23 | EWU | 36-yard field goal by Soren McKee (#96) | 10 | 35 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 10 | 35 |

#### Maine

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Black Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| No. 2 Bison | 6 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 44 |
at Fargodome, Fargo, ND
* Date: September 9, 2023
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 15,044
* Referee: Jason Perkins
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | Maine | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 13 | 24 |
| Plays–yards | 54–223 | 71–456 |
| Rushes–yards | 25–106 | 47–264 |
| Passing yards | 117 | 192 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 18–29–3 | 17–24–0 |
| Time of possession | 24:51 | 35:09 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Maine | Passing | Derek Robertson | 18/29, 117 yds, 3 INT |
| Maine | Rushing | Tristen Kenan | 14 car, 53 yds |
| Maine | Receiving | Jamie Lamson | 6 rec, 42 yds |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 14/19, 152 yds |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cole Payton | 8 car, 102 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Zach Mathis | 4 rec, 62 yds |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MAINE | NDSU |
| 1st | 11:29 | 4 | 5 | 2:00 | NDSU | 27-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 0 | 3 |
| 1st | 4:01 | 5 | 1 | 1:51 | NDSU | 40-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 0 | 6 |
| 2nd | 4:15 | 11 | 40 | 5:09 | NDSU | 31-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 0 | 9 |
| 2nd | 0:52 | 6 | 48 | 1:37 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 2-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 16 |
| 3rd | 8:22 | 12 | 75 | 6:38 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 23 |
| 3rd | 1:18 | 5 | 30 | 2:42 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 2-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 30 |
| 4th | 12:54 | 2 | 59 | 0:52 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 61-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 37 |
| 4th | 6:06 | 12 | 89 | 6:43 | MAINE | John Gay (#46) 13-yard touchdown run, Cody Williams (#59) kick good | 7 | 37 |
| 4th | 0:22 | 9 | 59 | 5:37 | NDSU | Owen Johnson (#4) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 44 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 44 |

#### Central Arkansas

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
| No. 2 Bison | 21 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
at Fargodome, Fargo, ND
* Date: September 16, 2023
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 15,016
* Referee: CJ Jackson
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | Central Arkansas | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 18 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 58–431 | 62–481 |
| Rushes–yards | 27–221 | 40–235 |
| Passing yards | 210 | 246 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 22–31–1 | 20–22–0 |
| Time of possession | 25:25 | 34:35 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Will McElvain | 22/31, 210 yds, TD, INT |
| Central Arkansas | Rushing | ShunDerrick Powell | 18 car, 218 yds, 2 TD |
| Central Arkansas | Receiving | Myles Butler | 6 rec, 88 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/19, 200 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 13 car, 83 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 86 yds |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | UCA | NDSU |
| 1st | 12:33 | 5 | 81 | 2:22 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1st | 6:51 | | | | NDSU | Interception returned 35 yards for touchdown by Eli Mostaert (#53), Grffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 1st | 5:25 | 3 | 75 | 1:26 | UCA | ShunDerrick Powell (#27) 43-yard touchdown run, Jake Gaster (#22) kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 1st | 2:45 | 5 | 66 | 2:33 | NDSU | TK Marshall (#28) 11-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 21 |
| 2nd | 12:03 | 12 | 58 | 5:42 | UCA | 35-yard field goal by Jake Gaster (#22) | 10 | 21 |
| 2nd | 7:07 | 8 | 78 | 4:50 | NDSU | Hunter Brozio (#49) 6-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 10 | 28 |
| 2nd | 6:24 | 2 | 75 | 0:43 | UCA | ShunDerrick Powell (#27) 71-yard touchdown run, Jake Gaster kick good | 17 | 28 |
| 2nd | 1:41 | 9 | 75 | 4:43 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 26-yard touchdown run, Grffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 17 | 35 |
| 3rd | 7:46 | 9 | 49 | 5:26 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 13-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 17 | 42 |
| 4th | 13:11 | 14 | 81 | 7:47 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 8-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 17 | 49 |
| 4th | 6:53 | 14 | 75 | 6:18 | UCA | Myles Butler (#14) 4-yard touchdown reception from Will McElvain (#2), Jake Gaster (#22) kick good | 24 | 49 |
| 4th | 2:16 | 7 | 69 | 2:51 | UCA | Darius Hale (#4) 10-yard touchdown run, Jake Gaster (#22) kick good | 31 | 49 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 31 | 49 |

#### South Dakota

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Coyotes | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| No. 2 Bison | 3 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 19 |
at Fargodome, Fargo, ND
* Date: September 30, 2023
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 18,342
* Referee: Marcel Kerr
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | South Dakota | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 15 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 38–269 | 65–348 |
| Rushes–yards | 26–101 | 40–194 |
| Passing yards | 168 | 154 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 10–12–0 | 18–25–1 |
| Time of possession | 24:28 | 35:32 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Dakota | Passing | Aidan Bouman | 10/12, 168 yds, 2 TD |
| South Dakota | Rushing | Nate Thomas | 14 car, 49 yds |
| South Dakota | Receiving | Carter Bell | 5 rec, 124 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/25, 154 yds, TD, INT |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cam Miller | 12 car, 70 yds |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Zach Mathis | 4 rec, 42 yds |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | USD | NDSU |
| 1st | 11:23 | 6 | 75 | 3:37 | USD | Carter Bell (#14) 50-yard touchdown reception from Aidan Bouman (#2), Will Leyland (#15) kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | 1:16 | 16 | 56 | 10:07 | NDSU | 37-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 7 | 3 |
| 2nd | 9:47 | 11 | 78 | 6:23 | USD | Keyondre Jones (#21) 8-yard touchdown run, Will Leyland (#15) kick good | 14 | 3 |
| 2nd | 5:30 | 2 | 46 | 1:11 | USD | Carter Bell (#14) 52-yard touchdown reception from Aidan Bouman (#2), Will Leyland (#15) kick good | 21 | 3 |
| 3rd | 7:23 | 12 | 89 | 7:31 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 7-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 21 | 10 |
| 4th | 11:10 | 16 | 80 | 9:24 | NDSU | 26-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 21 | 13 |
| 4th | 2:49 | 12 | 54 | 8:14 | USD | 37-yard field goal by Will Leyland (#15) | 24 | 13 |
| 4th | 0:36 | 12 | 75 | 2:13 | NDSU | Joe Stoffel (#82) 2-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), 2-point pass failed | 24 | 19 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 24 | 19 |

#### Missouri State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 7 Bison | 14 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 38 |
| Bears | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, MO
* Date: October 7, 2023
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Sunny; 60 °F (16 °C); Wind: NW 8 mph
* Game attendance: 8,727
* Referee: Jason Berg
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | North Dakota State | Missouri State |
| First downs | 23 | 21 |
| Plays–yards | 64–534 | 64–351 |
| Rushes–yards | 40–258 | 20–82 |
| Passing yards | 276 | 269 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 18–24–0 | 25–44–3 |
| Time of possession | 33:28 | 26:32 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 16/20, 256 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Owen Johnson | 9 car, 82 yds |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Zach Mathis | 6 rec, 160 yds, 2 TD |
| Missouri State | Passing | Jordan Pachot | 25/44, 269 yds, TD, 3 INT |
| Missouri State | Rushing | Jacardia Wright | 15 car, 65 yds |
| Missouri State | Receiving | Raylen Sharpe | 13 rec, 153 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NDSU | MOST |
| 1st | 9:31 | 9 | 73 | 5:21 | NDSU | Zach Mathis (#0) 23-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | 5:18 | 6 | 77 | 2:51 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 9-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 14 | 0 |
| 1st | 1:40 | 7 | 73 | 3:31 | MOST | Raylen Sharpe (#6) 21-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Pachot (#2), Owen Rozanc (#35) kick good | 14 | 7 |
| 2nd | 11:02 | 4 | 53 | 1:51 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 20-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 21 | 7 |
| 2nd | 0:39 | 9 | 89 | 2:10 | NDSU | Zach Mathis (#0) 33-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 28 | 7 |
| 3rd | 8:49 | 16 | 48 | 6:11 | MOST | 44-yard field goal by Owen Rozanc (#35) | 28 | 10 |
| 3rd | 2:40 | 10 | 66 | 6:03 | NDSU | 40-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 31 | 10 |
| 4th | 11:56 | 6 | 38 | 3:08 | NDSU | Jake Lippe (#19) 4-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 38 | 10 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 38 | 10 |

#### North Dakota

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 6 Bison | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| No. 15 Fighting Hawks | 21 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 49 |
at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
* Date: October 14, 2023
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 72 °F (22 °C)
* Game attendance: 13,091
* Referee: Aaron Adams
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | North Dakota State | North Dakota |
| First downs | 17 | 18 |
| Plays–yards | 57–364 | 51–328 |
| Rushes–yards | 38–15 | 39–215 |
| Passing yards | 214 | 113 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 13–19–1 | 9–12–0 |
| Time of possession | 31:38 | 28:22 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 11/16, 175 yds, TD, INT |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cam Miller | 9 car, 48 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 96 yds |
| North Dakota | Passing | Tommy Schuster | 9/12, 113 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota | Rushing | Gaven Ziebarth | 18 car, 156 yds, 3 TD |
| North Dakota | Receiving | Bo Belquist | 2 rec, 41 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NDSU | UND |
| 1st | 14:47 | | | | UND | Kickoff returned 100 yards for touchdown by Luke Skokna (#7), CJ Elrichs (#53) kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1st | 10:00 | 9 | 75 | 4:47 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 26-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 1st | 5:28 | 8 | 73 | 4:27 | UND | Gaven Ziebarth (#28) 5-yard touchdown run, CJ Elrichs (#53) kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 1st | 1:40 | 4 | 35 | 1:40 | UND | Luke Skokna (#7) 13-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Schuster (#2), CJ Elrichs (#53) kick good | 7 | 21 |
| 2nd | 13:28 | 6 | 58 | 3:07 | NDSU | 36-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 10 | 21 |
| 2nd | 4:32 | 11 | 67 | 7:26 | NDSU | Joe Stoffel (#82) 1-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 17 | 21 |
| 2nd | 0:13 | 10 | 75 | 4:19 | UND | Luke Skokna (#7) 4-yard touchdown run, CJ Elrichs (#53) kick good | 17 | 28 |
| 3rd | 7:13 | 4 | 23 | 2:14 | UND | Gaven Ziebarth (#28) 7-yard touchdown run, CJ Elrichs (#53) kick good | 17 | 35 |
| 4th | 10:58 | 15 | 63 | 9:39 | UND | Bo Belquist (#1) 9-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Schuster (#2), CJ Elrichs (#53) kick good | 17 | 42 |
| 4th | 7:18 | 3 | 65 | 1:43 | UND | Gaven Ziebarth (#28) 59-yard touchdown run, CJ Elrichs (#53) kick good | 17 | 49 |
| 4th | 2:42 | 10 | 75 | 4:36 | NDSU | Jake Lippe (#13) 6-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 24 | 49 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 24 | 49 |

#### Western Illinois

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Leathernecks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| No. 14 Bison | 14 | 24 | 14 | 0 | 52 |
at Fargodome, Fargo, ND
* Date: October 21, 2023
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 14,255
* Referee: Gregory Gompf
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | Western Illinois | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 10 | 22 |
| Plays–yards | 52–184 | 60–625 |
| Rushes–yards | 39–113 | 44–425 |
| Passing yards | 71 | 200 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 8–13–1 | 11–16–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:41 | 32:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Western Illinois | Passing | Matt Morrissey | 8/13, 71 yds, TD, INT |
| Western Illinois | Rushing | Seth Glatz | 11 car, 64 yds |
| Western Illinois | Receiving | AJ Coons | 2 rec, 48 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 8/12, 103 yds |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | RaJa Nelson | 3 car, 103 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Joe Stoffel | 2 rec, 84 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | WIU | NDSU |
| 1st | 9:02 | 10 | 10 | 5:58 | NDSU | TK Marshall (#28) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1st | 1:51 | 7 | 65 | 4:11 | NDSU | TK Marshall (#28) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2nd | 13:12 | 4 | 20 | 1:35 | NDSU | Barika Kpeenu (#8) 5-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 2nd | 11:14 | 1 | 76 | 0:13 | NDSU | RaJa Nelson (#6) 76-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 28 |
| 2nd | 8:48 | 1 | 49 | 0:11 | NDSU | Joe Stoffel (#82) 49-yard touchdown reception from Cole Payton (#9), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 35 |
| 2nd | 0:05 | 12 | 81 | 5:14 | NDSU | 29-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 0 | 38 |
| 3rd | 10:45 | 4 | 65 | 2:13 | NDSU | TK Marshall (#28) 38-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 45 |
| 3rd | 4:36 | 6 | 75 | 3:44 | NDSU | Barika Kpeenu (#8) 24-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 52 |
| 4th | 6:26 | 2 | 48 | 0:44 | WIU | AJ Coons (#15) 43-yard touchdown reception from Matt Morrissey (#7), Owen Valek (#57) kick good | 7 | 52 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 52 |

#### Murray State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Racers | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| No. 12 Bison | 21 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 38 |
at Fargodome, Fargo, ND
* Date: October 28, 2023
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 13,876
* Referee: Jason Perkins
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | Murray State | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 11 | 19 |
| Plays–yards | 55–164 | 62–377 |
| Rushes–yards | 28–56 | 34–175 |
| Passing yards | 108 | 202 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 15–27–1 | 20–28–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:28 | 31:32 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Murray State | Passing | DJ Williams | 15/26, 108 yds, INT |
| Murray State | Rushing | Jawaun Northington | 9 car, 37 yds |
| Murray State | Receiving | Michael Fox | 4 rec, 27 yds |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/24, 192 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cam Miller | 6 car, 55 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Zach Mathis | 8 rec, 74 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MUST | NDSU |
| 1st | 12:14 | 5 | 65 | 2:46 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 15-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1st | 5:35 | 10 | 77 | 5:04 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 9-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 1st | 3:11 | 4 | 29 | 2:19 | NDSU | Braylon Henderson (#1) 8-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 2nd | 6:23 | 8 | 57 | 5:13 | NDSU | Zach Mathis (#0) 15-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 28 |
| 2nd | 1:49 | 11 | 40 | 4:34 | MUST | 53-yard field goal by James London (#83) | 3 | 28 |
| 3rd | 13:07 | | | | NDSU | Punt returned 66 yards for touchdown by Jayden Price (#23), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 35 |
| 3rd | 5:49 | 13 | 63 | 7:10 | MUST | 39-yard field goal by Matt Maldonado (#37) | 6 | 35 |
| 4th | 4:05 | 4 | -2 | 1:21 | NDSU | 36-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 6 | 38 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 6 | 38 |

#### South Dakota State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 11 Bison | 6 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
| No. 1 Jackrabbits | 7 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 33 |
at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD
* Date: November 4, 2023
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Sunny; 54 °F (12 °C); Wind: S 10 MPH
* Game attendance: 19,431
* Referee: Aaron Adams
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | North Dakota State | South Dakota State |
| First downs | 19 | 17 |
| Plays–yards | 64–325 | 52–365 |
| Rushes–yards | 35–158 | 33–152 |
| Passing yards | 167 | 213 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 18–29–2 | 12–19–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:18 | 29:42 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/29, 167 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cam Miller | 17 car, 93 yds |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 47 yds |
| South Dakota State | Passing | Mark Gronowski | 12/19, 213 yds, 2 TD |
| South Dakota State | Rushing | Isaiah Davis | 17 car, 106 yds, TD |
| South Dakota State | Receiving | Jadon Janke | 5 rec, 89 yds, 2 TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NDSU | SDSU |
| 1st | 7:44 | 12 | 75 | 7:16 | NDSU | Zach Mathis (#0) 1-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick blocked | 6 | 0 |
| 1st | 0:46 | 13 | 75 | 6:58 | SDSU | Isaiah Davis (#22) 1-yard touchdown run, Hunter Dustman (#10) kick good | 6 | 7 |
| 2nd | 10:09 | 11 | 52 | 4:51 | NDSU | 27-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 9 | 7 |
| 2nd | 7:12 | 6 | 57 | 2:50 | SDSU | 31-yard field goal by Hunter Dustman (#10) | 9 | 10 |
| 2nd | 5:15 | 3 | 46 | 0:55 | SDSU | Jadon Janke (#1) 46-yard touchdown reception from Mark Gronowski (#11), Hunter Dustman kick good | 9 | 17 |
| 2nd | 1:50 | 6 | 27 | 3:14 | SDSU | 21-yard field goal by Hunter Dustman (#10) | 9 | 20 |
| 3rd | 11:26 | 6 | 75 | 3:34 | SDSU | Jadon Janke (#1) 7-yard touchdown reception from Mark Gronowski (#11), Hunter Dustman (#10) kick good | 9 | 27 |
| 4th | 11:52 | 8 | 45 | 4:22 | SDSU | 44-yard field goal by Hunter Dustman (#10) | 9 | 30 |
| 4th | 6:33 | 11 | 75 | 5:19 | NDSU | Zach Mathis (#0) 10-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Eli Ozick (#81) kick good | 16 | 30 |
| 4th | 0:56 | 4 | 6 | 1:51 | SDSU | 26-yard field goal by Hunter Dustman (#10) | 16 | 33 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 16 | 33 |

#### Southern Illinois

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 11 Salukis | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| No. 12 Bison | 7 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 34 |
at Fargodome, Fargo, ND
* Date: November 11, 2023
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 14,191
* Referee: Marcel Kerr
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | Southern Illinois | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 12 | 21 |
| Plays–yards | 55–206 | 64–449 |
| Rushes–yards | 26–55 | 45–217 |
| Passing yards | 151 | 232 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 16–29–1 | 15–19–0 |
| Time of possession | 21:44 | 38:16 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southern Illinois | Passing | Nic Baker | 12/17, 114 yds |
| Southern Illinois | Rushing | Ro Elliott | 10 car, 25 yds, TD |
| Southern Illinois | Receiving | Izaiah Hartrup | 5 rec, 71 yds |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 15/19, 232 yds |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 8 car, 51 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | RaJa Nelson | 4 rec, 81 yds |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | SIU | NDSU |
| 1st | 10:36 | 7 | 75 | 4:24 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 8-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1st | 5:34 | 11 | 65 | 4:56 | SIU | Ro Elliott (#1) 4-yard touchdown run, Jake Baumgarte (#91) kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | 14:57 | 11 | 76 | 5:26 | NDSU | 25-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 7 | 10 |
| 2nd | 2:27 | 7 | 42 | 4:41 | NDSU | 44-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 7 | 13 |
| 2nd | 0:19 | 6 | 30 | 0:50 | SIU | 32-yard field goal by Jake Baumgarte (#91) | 10 | 13 |
| 3rd | 8:47 | 8 | 70 | 4:34 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 34-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 10 | 20 |
| 4th | 13:03 | 7 | 59 | 3:32 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 10 | 27 |
| 4th | 8:40 | 5 | 31 | 2:44 | NDSU | TK Marshall (#28) 2-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 10 | 34 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 10 | 34 |

#### Northern Iowa

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 9 Bison | 14 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 48 |
| No. 22 Panthers | 3 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA
* Date: November 18, 2023
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 9,852
* Referee: Rick Warne
* TV: ESPN+
| Statistics | North Dakota State | Northern Iowa |
| First downs | 18 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 58–399 | 67–407 |
| Rushes–yards | 36–161 | 29–65 |
| Passing yards | 238 | 342 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 17–22–0 | 24–38–4 |
| Time of possession | 30:33 | 28:15 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 17/22, 238 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cole Payton | 4 car, 79 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | RaJa Nelson | 6 rec, 113 yds, TD |
| Northern Iowa | Passing | Theo Day | 24/38, 342 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT |
| Northern Iowa | Rushing | Tyjahree Edwards | 12 car, 67 yds, TD |
| Northern Iowa | Receiving | Sam Schnee | 8 rec, 164 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NDSU | UNI |
| 1st | 11:30 | 7 | 68 | 3:23 | NDSU | Eli Green (#13) 36-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | 7:05 | 12 | 62 | 4:19 | UNI | 26-yard field goal by Matthew Cook (#97) | 7 | 3 |
| 1st | 1:12 | 10 | 75 | 5:53 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 14 | 3 |
| 2nd | 13:51 | 4 | 30 | 1:03 | NDSU | RaJa Nelson (#3) 15-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 21 | 3 |
| 2nd | 11:28 | 5 | 84 | 2:17 | UNI | Tyjahree Edwards (#2) 40-yard touchdown run, Matthew Cook (#97) kick good | 21 | 10 |
| 2nd | 7:11 | 4 | 1 | 0:40 | NDSU | 34-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 24 | 10 |
| 2nd | 0:13 | 13 | 32 | 6:15 | NDSU | 37-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 27 | 10 |
| 3rd | 9:30 | 10 | 61 | 5:26 | UNI | 30-yard field goal by Matthew Cook (#97) | 27 | 13 |
| 3rd | 5:48 | 1 | 65 | 0:11 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 65-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 34 | 13 |
| 3rd | 0:56 | 10 | 75 | 4:52 | UNI | Sam Schnee (#23) 11-yard touchdown reception from Theo Day (#12), Matthew Cook (#97) kick good | 34 | 20 |
| 4th | 12:47 | 7 | 75 | 3:09 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 23-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 41 | 20 |
| 4th | 11:59 | | | | NDSU | Interception returned 75 yards for touchdown by Cole Wisniewski (#31), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 48 | 20 |
| 4th | 9:11 | 9 | 65 | 2:48 | UNI | Amauri Pesek-Hickson (#5) 15-yard touchdown reception from Theo Day (#12), Matthew Cook (#97) kick good | 48 | 27 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 48 | 27 |

### NCAA Division I playoffs
#### Drake (first round)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 8 Bison | 14 | 21 | 10 | 21 | 66 |
at Fargodome, Fargo, ND
* Date: November 25, 2023
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 7,798
* Referee: Brad Carrell
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Noah Reed, Charles Arbuckle
| Statistics | Drake | North Dakota State |
| First downs | 12 | 27 |
| Plays–yards | 56–177 | 64–547 |
| Rushes–yards | 31–61 | 51–318 |
| Passing yards | 116 | 229 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 14–25–2 | 12–13–0 |
| Time of possession | 26:24 | 33:36 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Drake | Passing | Luke Bailey | 13/24, 111 yds, 2 INT |
| Drake | Rushing | Dorian Boyland | 9 car, 67 yds |
| Drake | Receiving | Trey Radocha | 4 rec, 41 yds |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 10/11, 206 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cole Payton | 13 car, 104 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Eli Green | 3 rec, 91 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | DRAKE | NDSU |
| 1st | 12:34 | 6 | 37 | 2:18 | DRAKE | 30-yard field goal by Shane Dunning (#89) | 3 | 0 |
| 1st | 10:10 | 5 | 65 | 2:24 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 20-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 7 |
| 1st | 3:40 | 5 | 25 | 2:19 | NDSU | RaJa Nelson (#3) 5-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 14 |
| 2nd | 14:08 | 4 | 77 | 1:58 | NDSU | RaJa Nelson (#3) 40-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 21 |
| 2nd | 4:10 | 12 | 90 | 7:11 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 4-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 28 |
| 2nd | 0:17 | 4 | 80 | 0:34 | NDSU | Eli Green (#13) 34-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 35 |
| 3rd | 9:57 | 8 | 26 | 4:11 | NDSU | 31-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 3 | 38 |
| 3rd | 4:30 | 7 | 48 | 4:14 | NDSU | Barika Kpeenu (#8) 14-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 45 |
| 4th | 9:54 | 9 | 63 | 5:45 | NDSU | Barika Kpeenu (#8) 1-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 52 |
| 4th | 5:00 | 6 | 64 | 3:12 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 36-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 59 |
| 4th | 3:32 | | | | NDSU | Fumble recovery returned 5 yards for touchdown by Kelton McCaslin (#92), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 3 | 66 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 3 | 66 |

#### Montana State (second round)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| No. 8 Bison | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| No. 5 (6) Bobcats | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 34 |
at Bobcat Stadium, Bozeman, MT
* Date: December 2, 2023
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Sunny; 36 °F (2 °C); Wind: W 15 mph
* Game attendance: 17,247
* Referee: Bruce Austin
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Noah Reed, Charles Arbuckle
| Statistics | North Dakota State | Montana State |
| First downs | 18 | 21 |
| Plays–yards | 57–374 | 59–509 |
| Rushes–yards | 43–296 | 40–279 |
| Passing yards | 78 | 230 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 6–14–0 | 14–19–1 |
| Time of possession | 29:43 | 30:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 5/13, 66 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 11 car, 162 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 63 yds |
| Montana State | Passing | Tommy Mellott | 13/17, 204 yds, 2 TD, INT |
| Montana State | Rushing | Tommy Mellott | 18 car, 151 yds, 2 TD |
| Montana State | Receiving | Ty McCullouch | 4 rec, 92 yds TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NDSU | MTST |
| 1st | 1:57 | 3 | 63 | 1:11 | MTST | Ty McCullouch (#6) 34-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Mellott (#4), Casey Kautzman (#38) kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2nd | 8:52 | 5 | 39 | 2:56 | NDSU | Zach Mathis (#0) 3-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | 4:07 | 5 | 93 | 2:58 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 44-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 14 | 7 |
| 2nd | 1:05 | 6 | 71 | 3:02 | MTST | Tommy Mellott (#4) 6-yard touchdown run, Casey Kautzman (#38) kick good | 14 | 14 |
| 3rd | 14:50 | 1 | 75 | 0:10 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 75-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 21 | 14 |
| 3rd | 13:56 | 2 | 86 | 0:48 | MTST | Tommy Mellott (#4) 76-yard touchdown run, Casey Kautzman (#38) kick good | 21 | 21 |
| 3rd | 8:08 | 8 | 69 | 4:11 | MTST | Clevan Thomas Jr. (#2) 9-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Mellott (#4), Casey Kautzman (#38) kick good | 21 | 21 |
| 4th | 2:33 | 9 | 89 | 4:48 | NDSU | TK Marshall (#28) 29-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 28 | 28 |
| OT | | 5 | 25 | | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 3-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 35 | 28 |
| OT | | 1 | 25 | | MTST | Scottre Humphrey (#22) 25-yard touchdown run, Casey Kautzman (#38) kick blocked | 35 | 34 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 35 | 34 |

#### South Dakota (quarterfinal)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 8 Bison | 21 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 45 |
| No. 3 (3) Coyotes | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD
* Date: December 9, 2023
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 9,141
* Referee: Gary Leeper
* TV announcers (ABC): Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones, Lauren Sisler
| Statistics | North Dakota State | South Dakota |
| First downs | 22 | 16 |
| Plays–yards | 60–416 | 52–298 |
| Rushes–yards | 45–206 | 20–52 |
| Passing yards | 210 | 246 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 13–15–0 | 18–32–3 |
| Time of possession | 36:08 | 23:52 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 13/15, 210 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | Cole Payton | 6 car, 65 yds, 2 TD |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Eli Green | 5 rec, 116 yds |
| South Dakota | Passing | Aidan Bouman | 13/22, 199 yds, TD, 2 INT |
| South Dakota | Rushing | Travis Theis | 6 car, 32 yds |
| South Dakota | Receiving | Javion Phelps | 3 rec, 81 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NDSU | USD |
| 1st | 8:30 | 10 | 75 | 6:30 | NDSU | Cam Miller (#7) 9-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | 5:32 | 8 | 60 | 2:58 | USD | 32-yard field goal by Will Leyland (#15) | 7 | 3 |
| 1st | 1:57 | 7 | 76 | 3:30 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 43-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 14 | 3 |
| 1st | 0:05 | | | | NDSU | Punt returned 82 yards for touchdown by Jayden Price (#23), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 21 | 3 |
| 2nd | 6:59 | 9 | 81 | 5:27 | NDSU | Joe Stoffel (#82) 4-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 28 | 3 |
| 2nd | 0:23 | 7 | 54 | 3:35 | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 17-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 35 | 3 |
| 3rd | 10:07 | 9 | 75 | 4:53 | USD | Javion Phelps (#8) 16-yard touchdown reception from Aidan Bouman (#2), Will Leyland (#15) kick good | 35 | 10 |
| 3rd | 0:50 | 53 | 15 | 9:17 | NDSU | 40-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 38 | 10 |
| 4th | 9:12 | 7 | 45 | 4:40 | NDSU | TaMerik Williams (#22) 19-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 45 | 10 |
| 4th | 2:58 | 14 | 74 | 6:09 | USD | Charles Pierre Jr. (#3) 5-yard touchdown run, Will Leyland (#15) kick good | 45 | 17 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 45 | 17 |

#### Montana (semifinal)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
| No. 8 Bison | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 29 |
| No. 2 (2) Grizzlies | 0 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 31 |
at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT
* Date: December 16, 2023
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. (CT)
* Game weather: Cloudy; 36 °F (2 °C); No Wind
* Game attendance: 26,544
* Referee: Brian Holland
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo, Tyoka Jackson, Dawn Davenport
| Statistics | North Dakota State | Montana |
| First downs | 19 | 20 |
| Plays–yards | 63–332 | 69–284 |
| Rushes–yards | 40–175 | 39–124 |
| Passing yards | 157 | 160 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 9–23–0 | 16–30–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:26 | 31:34 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 9/22, 157 yds, TD |
| North Dakota State | Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 11 car, 52 yds |
| North Dakota State | Receiving | Eli Green | 5 rec, 98 yds, TD |
| Montana | Passing | Clifton McDowell | 16/30, 160 yds, TD |
| Montana | Rushing | Eli Gillman | 12 car, 49 yds, 2 TD |
| Montana | Receiving | Junior Bergen | 6 rec, 59 yds, TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NDSU | MONT |
| 1st | 11:43 | 7 | 63 | 3:17 | NDSU | 30-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 3 | 0 |
| 2nd | 11:55 | 16 | 87 | 7:53 | MONT | Eli Gillman (#10) 3-yard touchdown run, Nico Ramos (#83) kick good | 3 | 7 |
| 2nd | 2:55 | 8 | 44 | 5:05 | MONT | 46-yard field goal by Grant Glasgow (#97) | 3 | 10 |
| 2nd | 0:00 | 13 | 58 | 2:55 | NDSU | 35-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 6 | 10 |
| 3rd | 5:09 | 9 | 36 | 4:33 | NDSU | 38-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39) | 9 | 10 |
| 4th | 11:22 | | | | MONT | Punt returned 47 yards for touchdown by Junior Bergen (#5), Nico Ramos (#83) kick missed wide left | 9 | 16 |
| 4th | 0:51 | 9 | 81 | 4:15 | NDSU | Eli Green (#13) 9-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 16 | 16 |
| OT | | 1 | 25 | | NDSU | Cole Payton (#9) 25-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good | 23 | 16 |
| OT | | 2 | 25 | | MONT | Junior Bergen (#5) 22-yard touchdown reception from Clifton McDowell (#17), Nico Ramos (#83) kick good | 23 | 23 |
| 2OT | | 3 | 25 | | MONT | Eli Gillman (#10) 13-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass complete | 23 | 31 |
| 2OT | | 3 | 25 | | NDSU | TK Marshall (#28) 2-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass intercepted | 29 | 31 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 29 | 31 |

## Rankings

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 | 2 | 2 (1) | 2 (3) | 2 (3) | 2 (2) | 7 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 3 |
| Coaches | 2 (1) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 3 |