NDSU to host Chuck South in FCS Kickoff Game

[polsongrizz]

Boy did CSU fuck that up...

[Ibanez]

What a great game. Good job Bucs!

[93henfan]

What a great game. Good job Bucs!

Did they win?

[JohnStOnge]

Too bad for CSU. When the guy put his foot into that field goal attempt when it first went up I thought he was going to get it. But it drifted left at the end.

You have to give NDSU credit. They seem to find a way to win close games like that most of the time. Almost all of the time. At the same time, it came down to whether CSU's freshman kicker made that kick or not on his second ever college try. Not really something under NDSU's control. Coin flip type of thing and the coin landed NDSU's way.

[NoDakBisman]

June 5th....kickoff is less than 3 months away!!!!

How cool this will be. ESPN. The 1st game of college football. All eyes on NDSU vs CSU.

It's almost impossible for this to be a negative for CSU. National exposure against the #1 ranked team. Only game on TV. Huge opportunity for CSU and I'm thankful to NDSU for the opportunity because really....it's almost a no-win for them. CSU is pretty good....but the name brand isn't historically known at all. Losing to CSU would be a disaster in perception. Even if CSU is ranked high.

My true blue Buccaneers Football for life side says we're winning this **** somehow. They said in the past we'd never beat Liberty or App State or Coastal or Citadel....and we did it. We'll find a way.

My rational side says NDSU is #1 and 5x defending national champions. Outside of Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, etc.....this team is easily the best opponent in school history (and yes...that includes better than Vandy, Kentucky, Miami-Ohio, Troy in my respectful opinion). So....it's a huge uphill fight.


If we can keep it within 21....I won't be "happy"....but I won't be upset either.

But...we're gonna win it!!!!

\


Hey Bucs 90, I applaud your team! They came to play and they just ran out of gas. They delivered a mighty blow to the Thundering Herd in the Thundar Dome. They looked good. You were right. This team has heart for sure.
Our Bison looked off for most of the game, but the Bucs defense kept them off their Offensive attack. They stayed on the field and kept NDSU off the field. That's what it takes. Your QB took some hits might be beat up but he gave it all he could and I thought your coaching staff out coached the Bison, Great game plan, bring the pressure on defense and it worked for 3qtrs. Some injuries hurt your defense, our stud went out as well. So it was a drag out fight, and that is what you said this team is like. You nailed it! Good for you.
Hats off to the Bucs they will be a team to be reckoned with come December!
Refs seemed to really throwing flags on NDSU which took away maybe 60 yards of big gains. Makes you wonder if they were just slowing the game down. They made some good calls, and one 40 yard penalty on our team for off the field interence? What the hell was that all about? I will have to watch and listen to the play backs on what happened but that took away a 25 yard gain and made it a net -40 yards! Ouch.

Anyways you have a good team, great opening game for fans, overtime on national TV. that's great viewership.
We will be watching all season on the Buccaneers.
We have lots of work to do from a Bison fan perspective. Our Oline play was horrible, our Tight Ends were not involved in the offense which is really not us, and our new Sophomore Punter couldn't punt the ball over 35 yards. That was best field position we have given any opposing team in 3 years. That was horiffic!!!
Well its a first game and it brings out things to work on for sure.
I hope you made the trip, and the suspense had to be worth it for you. We lost a close one last year at Montana so this year it was nice to get one, but its a great sign that your team is Legite! #6 is good.

I like your Redshirt Freshman #84 he is a player! big fella.

Take care,
Good luck Bucs in the southern league,
NoDakBisman.

[bucs90]

June 5th....kickoff is less than 3 months away!!!!

How cool this will be. ESPN. The 1st game of college football. All eyes on NDSU vs CSU.

It's almost impossible for this to be a negative for CSU. National exposure against the #1 ranked team. Only game on TV. Huge opportunity for CSU and I'm thankful to NDSU for the opportunity because really....it's almost a no-win for them. CSU is pretty good....but the name brand isn't historically known at all. Losing to CSU would be a disaster in perception. Even if CSU is ranked high.

My true blue Buccaneers Football for life side says we're winning this **** somehow. They said in the past we'd never beat Liberty or App State or Coastal or Citadel....and we did it. We'll find a way.

My rational side says NDSU is #1 and 5x defending national champions. Outside of Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, etc.....this team is easily the best opponent in school history (and yes...that includes better than Vandy, Kentucky, Miami-Ohio, Troy in my respectful opinion). So....it's a huge uphill fight.


If we can keep it within 21....I won't be "happy"....but I won't be upset either.

But...we're gonna win it!!!!

\


Hey Bucs 90, I applaud your team! They came to play and they just ran out of gas. They delivered a mighty blow to the Thundering Herd in the Thundar Dome. They looked good. You were right. This team has heart for sure.
Our Bison looked off for most of the game, but the Bucs defense kept them off their Offensive attack. They stayed on the field and kept NDSU off the field. That's what it takes. Your QB took some hits might be beat up but he gave it all he could and I thought your coaching staff out coached the Bison, Great game plan, bring the pressure on defense and it worked for 3qtrs. Some injuries hurt your defense, our stud went out as well. So it was a drag out fight, and that is what you said this team is like. You nailed it! Good for you.
Hats off to the Bucs they will be a team to be reckoned with come December!
Refs seemed to really throwing flags on NDSU which took away maybe 60 yards of big gains. Makes you wonder if they were just slowing the game down. They made some good calls, and one 40 yard penalty on our team for off the field interence? What the hell was that all about? I will have to watch and listen to the play backs on what happened but that took away a 25 yard gain and made it a net -40 yards! Ouch.

Anyways you have a good team, great opening game for fans, overtime on national TV. that's great viewership.
We will be watching all season on the Buccaneers.
We have lots of work to do from a Bison fan perspective. Our Oline play was horrible, our Tight Ends were not involved in the offense which is really not us, and our new Sophomore Punter couldn't punt the ball over 35 yards. That was best field position we have given any opposing team in 3 years. That was horiffic!!!
Well its a first game and it brings out things to work on for sure.
I hope you made the trip, and the suspense had to be worth it for you. We lost a close one last year at Montana so this year it was nice to get one, but its a great sign that your team is Legite! #6 is good.

I like your Redshirt Freshman #84 he is a player! big fella.

Take care,
Good luck Bucs in the southern league,
NoDakBisman.

Thanks man. Friends who went up to Fargo said the NDSU folks were really great at the tailgate and very welcoming.

This probably wasn't the best version of NDSU we saw...not sure. But I'm proud of our showing. Especially our defense.

But man does this one hurt. It hurts bad. You don't get many chances like this on national TV to knock off the #1....and so so close. I thought we were gonna run the INT back for the win. I thought the FG was gonna clear but it drifted. Damn it hurts. I'm just a fan now so it's ok to hurt a long time haha. I hope our players get over it quick because we do have a great team and we can do big things this year.

But...good luck to you guys. I see why you're 5x champion. Maybe we rematch in playoffs!

[BDKJMU]

NDSU by whatever they want to name the score to be.

Well I guess they wanted to keep us entertained..

[BDKJMU]

True it's gonna be tough. But CSU D is very strong against the run. The Citadel in 2015 was one of the best running teams in all of FCS....shredded an SEC defense. CSU completely dominated their run game.

I'm a CSU fanatic but being realistic....NDSU should win this game by 10-14 points. We are a legit top 25 team but NDSU is 5x champ for a reason.

NDSU is a **** of a lot better than 14 points better than CSU.

Here's a list of teams that have played in Fargo and lost by less than 14, or won
2015:
South Dakota won by 3 in one of the biggest FCS upsets maybe ever
UNI lost by 3

2014:
#3 Coastal Carolina lost by 7 in the quarters - second time playing in the dome...beaten the year before by 34 in the dome
#10 South Dakota State lost by 3...one of the biggest FCS rivalries there is. SDSU plays in the dome every other year. Lost 4 weeks earlier in the dome by 20
Montana lost by 22 in the dome that season

2013:
UNI lost by 1

2012:
#3 Georgia Southern lost by 3 in the semis. Their second trip to the dome in the playoffs in 2 years. Lost in the semis by 28 in Fargo year before
#5 Wofford lost by 7 in the quarters
South Dakota State lost by 3...see earlier note about SDSU...they were also a 2nd round playoff team that year
Indiana State won by 3...see note about USD upset...

Noticing a trend here? It's all MVFC teams that play there frequently or top 5 teams that have played there real recently.

Teams stepping into the FargoDome for the first time since 2010? Well...
NDSU 35 Morgan St. (MD) 9
NDSU 43 Robert Morris (PA) 17 Division I-AA 1st Round Playoff Game
NDSU 42 Lafayette (PA) 6
NDSU 56 Saint Francis (PA) 3
NDSU 26 James Madison (VA) 14 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game
NDSU 24 Lehigh (PA) 0 Division I-AA Quarterfinal Playoff Game
NDSU 35 Georgia Southern 7 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game
NDSU 52 Robert Morris (PA) 0
NDSU 66 Prairie View A&M (TX) 7
NDSU 56 Ferris St. (MI) 10
NDSU 51 Delaware St. 0
NDSU 38 Furman (SC) 7 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game
NDSU 48 Coastal Carolina (SC) 14 Division I-AA Quarterfinal Playoff Game
NDSU 52 New Hampshire 14 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game
NDSU 58 Incarnate Word (TX) 0 Gale City Bank Field
NDSU 22 Montana 10 Fargo Dome
NDSU 35 Sam Houston St. (TX) 3 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game - Keep in mind SHSU played NDSU in 2011 and 2012
NDSU 41 Weber St. (UT) 14
NDSU 34 North Dakota 9 First time in a D1 game
NDSU 37 Montana 6 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game - second time playing NDSU that year and 2nd trip to Fargo in 2 years
NDSU 37 Montana 6 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game


That's MOVs of 26, 26, 36, 53, 12, 24, 28, 52, 59, 46, 51, 31, 34, 38, 58, 12, 32, 27, 25, 31, 31...yep...won more games by 55+ than by less than 25. NDSU hasn't lost a home OOC game since 2002...hadn't even started their D1 transition.

They lost Wentz. Yep. Easton Stick played more than Wentz last year....had better numbers too. Oh, that defense returns 8 starters.

Walking into the FargoDome for the FCS Kickoff event on ESPN, on another banner raising day, with that lack of size? Holy **** it'll get ugly quick.

CSU has no idea what it's in for.

The only team to consistently play NDSU close is UNI. UNI is one of about 2 or 3 teams in the country that can match NDSU's size/strength. I believe UNI is the only team to beat NSDSU more than twice since they moved D1 - UNI is at 4

[CID1990]

NDSU shit the bed and the only thing that saved them was CSU's kicker isnt all that great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Grizalltheway]

NDSU is a **** of a lot better than 14 points better than CSU.

Here's a list of teams that have played in Fargo and lost by less than 14, or won
2015:
South Dakota won by 3 in one of the biggest FCS upsets maybe ever
UNI lost by 3

2014:
#3 Coastal Carolina lost by 7 in the quarters - second time playing in the dome...beaten the year before by 34 in the dome
#10 South Dakota State lost by 3...one of the biggest FCS rivalries there is. SDSU plays in the dome every other year. Lost 4 weeks earlier in the dome by 20
Montana lost by 22 in the dome that season

2013:
UNI lost by 1

2012:
#3 Georgia Southern lost by 3 in the semis. Their second trip to the dome in the playoffs in 2 years. Lost in the semis by 28 in Fargo year before
#5 Wofford lost by 7 in the quarters
South Dakota State lost by 3...see earlier note about SDSU...they were also a 2nd round playoff team that year
Indiana State won by 3...see note about USD upset...

Noticing a trend here? It's all MVFC teams that play there frequently or top 5 teams that have played there real recently.

Teams stepping into the FargoDome for the first time since 2010? Well...
NDSU 35 Morgan St. (MD) 9
NDSU 43 Robert Morris (PA) 17 Division I-AA 1st Round Playoff Game
NDSU 42 Lafayette (PA) 6
NDSU 56 Saint Francis (PA) 3
NDSU 26 James Madison (VA) 14 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game
NDSU 24 Lehigh (PA) 0 Division I-AA Quarterfinal Playoff Game
NDSU 35 Georgia Southern 7 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game
NDSU 52 Robert Morris (PA) 0
NDSU 66 Prairie View A&M (TX) 7
NDSU 56 Ferris St. (MI) 10
NDSU 51 Delaware St. 0
NDSU 38 Furman (SC) 7 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game
NDSU 48 Coastal Carolina (SC) 14 Division I-AA Quarterfinal Playoff Game
NDSU 52 New Hampshire 14 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game
NDSU 58 Incarnate Word (TX) 0 Gale City Bank Field
NDSU 22 Montana 10 Fargo Dome
NDSU 35 Sam Houston St. (TX) 3 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game - Keep in mind SHSU played NDSU in 2011 and 2012
NDSU 41 Weber St. (UT) 14
NDSU 34 North Dakota 9 First time in a D1 game
NDSU 37 Montana 6 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game - second time playing NDSU that year and 2nd trip to Fargo in 2 years
NDSU 37 Montana 6 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game


That's MOVs of 26, 26, 36, 53, 12, 24, 28, 52, 59, 46, 51, 31, 34, 38, 58, 12, 32, 27, 25, 31, 31...yep...won more games by 55+ than by less than 25. NDSU hasn't lost a home OOC game since 2002...hadn't even started their D1 transition.

They lost Wentz. Yep. Easton Stick played more than Wentz last year....had better numbers too. Oh, that defense returns 8 starters.

Walking into the FargoDome for the FCS Kickoff event on ESPN, on another banner raising day, with that lack of size? Holy **** it'll get ugly quick.

CSU has no idea what it's in for.

The only team to consistently play NDSU close is UNI. UNI is one of about 2 or 3 teams in the country that can match NDSU's size/strength. I believe UNI is the only team to beat NSDSU more than twice since they moved D1 - UNI is at 4

Yep, and now he's over on AGS squawking about how CSU would have one by 2 or more TDs if they had a halfway competent QB...

[bucs90]

The short summary....

CSU defense is legit top 10 caliber. CSU has always had solid D even in bad years.
NDSU front 7 is best in FCS and it's not even close IMO.
Week 1 offenses are always sloppy. Both teams showed that.
I think NDSU played probably at around 80% their best potential. We played around 90% our best. They're still better than us by 10-14 points, we just showed up on D last night big time.
Fargo is intense. But not impossible IF you have a great defense. Don't see how anyone wins there without a great D.

We weren't overwhelmed. As I said....historically CSU plays better on road and in bigger environments. Our home environment sucks so being in those places fuels us. We crave it.

If we played NDSU 10 times I think they win 7, probably 8 of them. We win 2 or maybe 3. They're the Kings of FCS and for good reason.

[kalm]

The short summary....

CSU defense is legit top 10 caliber. CSU has always had solid D even in bad years.
NDSU front 7 is best in FCS and it's not even close IMO.
Week 1 offenses are always sloppy. Both teams showed that.
I think NDSU played probably at around 80% their best potential. We played around 90% our best. They're still better than us by 10-14 points, we just showed up on D last night big time.
Fargo is intense. But not impossible IF you have a great defense. Don't see how anyone wins there without a great D.

We weren't overwhelmed. As I said....historically CSU plays better on road and in bigger environments. Our home environment sucks so being in those places fuels us. We crave it.

If we played NDSU 10 times I think they win 7, probably 8 of them. We win 2 or maybe 3. They're the Kings of FCS and for good reason.

Given your losses on defense to graduation (3 db's, 2 lb's, 1 dl?) I thought you guys were ranked too high but I'm not so sure now. That's a sign that Chadwell is recruiting and developing players effectively and that everyone is buying into the system.

You're line backing corps was very impressive and fast. Good young WR and solid running backs too. I think the biggest concerns are depth and QB play. Copeland showed some great poise given the situation but throws it like a...well...like an option quarterback and he didn't show any real elusiveness or threat to run for a big gain. Of course, NDSU will make practically anyone look that way.

Congrats on the performance.

[JohnStOnge]

NDSU **** the bed and the only thing that saved them was CSU's kicker isnt all that great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Let's see what the guy does in the future. He did nail a long field goal on his first ever college attempt. I think that a 50 yard field goal is probably around a 50:50 proposition for a good kicker. He didn't miss it by much.

But to me that's what it came down to. I don't think CSU got worn down. They lost containment during the first play of overtime and that was huge. But I didn't see any evidence during the body of the game that their defense was wearing down so that NDSU's running game started taking over or anything. It just came down to CSU being in position to try a long field goal. If they make it they win and I think that going into that play, as I said, it was basically like flipping a coin. Heads CSU wins tails NDSU wins. It came up tails.

Great job by CSU to go into that environment and play well enough to have the game come down to whether they make a long field goal or not on the last play of regulation. But at the same time it's got to be horribly disappointing for the players.

How many feet do you think that field goal missed by? I haven't looked at a replay but watching it live it looked really close to me.

[BDKJMU]

The short summary....

CSU defense is legit top 10 caliber. CSU has always had solid D even in bad years.
NDSU front 7 is best in FCS and it's not even close IMO.
Week 1 offenses are always sloppy. Both teams showed that.
I think NDSU played probably at around 80% their best potential. We played around 90% our best. They're still better than us by 10-14 points, we just showed up on D last night big time.
Fargo is intense. But not impossible IF you have a great defense. Don't see how anyone wins there without a great D.

We weren't overwhelmed. As I said....historically CSU plays better on road and in bigger environments. Our home environment sucks so being in those places fuels us. We crave it.

If we played NDSU 10 times I think they win 7, probably 8 of them. We win 2 or maybe 3. They're the Kings of FCS and for good reason.

Given your losses on defense to graduation (3 db's, 2 lb's, 1 dl?) I thought you guys were ranked too high but I'm not so sure now. That's a sign that Chadwell is recruiting and developing players effectively and that everyone is buying into the system.

You're line backing corps was very impressive and fast. Good young WR and solid running backs too. I think the biggest concerns are depth and QB play. Copeland showed some great poise given the situation but throws it like a...well...like an option quarterback and he didn't show any real elusiveness or threat to run for a big gain. Of course, NDSU will make practically anyone look that way.

Congrats on the performance.

According to the Big South media guide, they returned 12 starters (not including special teams): 5 offense, 7 defense. They listed the 4 starters lost off of defense: 1 DL, 2 lbs, 1 db.

They did better on both sides of the ball than I expected (I was figuring NDSU would win by around 3 TDs (the spread was 19.5 on one link I saw).

Their schedule is kind of jacked up. Next:
-Div II
-then 3 straight road games: @ Florida St, bye, @ Monmouth, @ CSU,
-Another Div II
-Another bye
-4 of last 5 Big South at home
http://www.espn.com/college-football/te ... buccaneers

[BDKJMU]

GD double post.....

[CID1990]

NDSU **** the bed and the only thing that saved them was CSU's kicker isnt all that great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Let's see what the guy does in the future. He did nail a long field goal on his first ever college attempt. I think that a 50 yard field goal is probably around a 50:50 proposition for a good kicker. He didn't miss it by much.

But to me that's what it came down to. I don't think CSU got worn down. They lost containment during the first play of overtime and that was huge. But I didn't see any evidence during the body of the game that their defense was wearing down so that NDSU's running game started taking over or anything. It just came down to CSU being in position to try a long field goal. If they make it they win and I think that going into that play, as I said, it was basically like flipping a coin. Heads CSU wins tails NDSU wins. It came up tails.

Great job by CSU to go into that environment and play well enough to have the game come down to whether they make a long field goal or not on the last play of regulation. But at the same time it's got to be horribly disappointing for the players.

How many feet do you think that field goal missed by? I haven't looked at a replay but watching it live it looked really close to me.

That's just it. NDSU in no way dominated this game, and if not for a FG missed by a hair there would have been no OT and we'd all be over on AGS with popcorn watching the epic meltdown.

This game came down to anybody's win. Just too bad it was a kicker's foot that decided it because after that arrogant INT on NDSU's last drive they deserved to lose.

[kalm]

Let's see what the guy does in the future. He did nail a long field goal on his first ever college attempt. I think that a 50 yard field goal is probably around a 50:50 proposition for a good kicker. He didn't miss it by much.

But to me that's what it came down to. I don't think CSU got worn down. They lost containment during the first play of overtime and that was huge. But I didn't see any evidence during the body of the game that their defense was wearing down so that NDSU's running game started taking over or anything. It just came down to CSU being in position to try a long field goal. If they make it they win and I think that going into that play, as I said, it was basically like flipping a coin. Heads CSU wins tails NDSU wins. It came up tails.

Great job by CSU to go into that environment and play well enough to have the game come down to whether they make a long field goal or not on the last play of regulation. But at the same time it's got to be horribly disappointing for the players.

How many feet do you think that field goal missed by? I haven't looked at a replay but watching it live it looked really close to me.

That's just it. NDSU in no way dominated this game.

The Bizon outgained the Buc's 424 to 263. Some untimely penalties and two turnovers also kept it close.

[Mvemjsunpx]

That's just it. NDSU in no way dominated this game.

The Bizon outgained the Buc's 424 to 263. Some untimely penalties and two turnovers also kept it close.

And punting. The Bison were lousy in that department last night. CSU really seemed to control field position.

[bucs90]

The short summary....

CSU defense is legit top 10 caliber. CSU has always had solid D even in bad years.
NDSU front 7 is best in FCS and it's not even close IMO.
Week 1 offenses are always sloppy. Both teams showed that.
I think NDSU played probably at around 80% their best potential. We played around 90% our best. They're still better than us by 10-14 points, we just showed up on D last night big time.
Fargo is intense. But not impossible IF you have a great defense. Don't see how anyone wins there without a great D.

We weren't overwhelmed. As I said....historically CSU plays better on road and in bigger environments. Our home environment sucks so being in those places fuels us. We crave it.

If we played NDSU 10 times I think they win 7, probably 8 of them. We win 2 or maybe 3. They're the Kings of FCS and for good reason.

Given your losses on defense to graduation (3 db's, 2 lb's, 1 dl?) I thought you guys were ranked too high but I'm not so sure now. That's a sign that Chadwell is recruiting and developing players effectively and that everyone is buying into the system.

You're line backing corps was very impressive and fast. Good young WR and solid running backs too. I think the biggest concerns are depth and QB play. Copeland showed some great poise given the situation but throws it like a...well...like an option quarterback and he didn't show any real elusiveness or threat to run for a big gain. Of course, NDSU will make practically anyone look that way.

Congrats on the performance.

Copeland will be fine. Fact is NDSU has an incredible front 7. Their plan was the same as when we used to play Wofford and when we play Citadel (option teams). Hit the QB every single play. Hit him hard. Forget the pitch man. Hit the QB. And it worked. NDSU was absolutely smashing him early and it showed. He was a little shaky all game. Not dirty either. Just the price you pay as an option team. It threw our entire rhythm off.

Also had trouble pass blocking. That didn't help. 100% credit to the NDSU D line.

[kalm]

Given your losses on defense to graduation (3 db's, 2 lb's, 1 dl?) I thought you guys were ranked too high but I'm not so sure now. That's a sign that Chadwell is recruiting and developing players effectively and that everyone is buying into the system.

You're line backing corps was very impressive and fast. Good young WR and solid running backs too. I think the biggest concerns are depth and QB play. Copeland showed some great poise given the situation but throws it like a...well...like an option quarterback and he didn't show any real elusiveness or threat to run for a big gain. Of course, NDSU will make practically anyone look that way.

Congrats on the performance.

Copeland will be fine. Fact is NDSU has an incredible front 7. Their plan was the same as when we used to play Wofford and when we play Citadel (option teams). Hit the QB every single play. Hit him hard. Forget the pitch man. Hit the QB. And it worked. NDSU was absolutely smashing him early and it showed. He was a little shaky all game. Not dirty either. Just the price you pay as an option team. It threw our entire rhythm off.

Also had trouble pass blocking. That didn't help. 100% credit to the NDSU D line.

Agree with these last two posts.

NDSU tends to make most QB's look out of sorts.

[Thumper 76]

This guy reminds me of JBB or lakesbison

Good point. He's been buzzing around the EWU board lately too.

He hasn't posted since I brought that up. Are we sure it wasn't JBB in disguise?

[AZGrizFan]

NDSU is a **** of a lot better than 14 points better than CSU.

Here's a list of teams that have played in Fargo and lost by less than 14, or won
2015:
South Dakota won by 3 in one of the biggest FCS upsets maybe ever
UNI lost by 3

2014:
#3 Coastal Carolina lost by 7 in the quarters - second time playing in the dome...beaten the year before by 34 in the dome
#10 South Dakota State lost by 3...one of the biggest FCS rivalries there is. SDSU plays in the dome every other year. Lost 4 weeks earlier in the dome by 20
Montana lost by 22 in the dome that season

2013:
UNI lost by 1

2012:
#3 Georgia Southern lost by 3 in the semis. Their second trip to the dome in the playoffs in 2 years. Lost in the semis by 28 in Fargo year before
#5 Wofford lost by 7 in the quarters
South Dakota State lost by 3...see earlier note about SDSU...they were also a 2nd round playoff team that year
Indiana State won by 3...see note about USD upset...

Noticing a trend here? It's all MVFC teams that play there frequently or top 5 teams that have played there real recently.

Teams stepping into the FargoDome for the first time since 2010? Well...
NDSU 35 Morgan St. (MD) 9
NDSU 43 Robert Morris (PA) 17 Division I-AA 1st Round Playoff Game
NDSU 42 Lafayette (PA) 6
NDSU 56 Saint Francis (PA) 3
NDSU 26 James Madison (VA) 14 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game
NDSU 24 Lehigh (PA) 0 Division I-AA Quarterfinal Playoff Game
NDSU 35 Georgia Southern 7 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game
NDSU 52 Robert Morris (PA) 0
NDSU 66 Prairie View A&M (TX) 7
NDSU 56 Ferris St. (MI) 10
NDSU 51 Delaware St. 0
NDSU 38 Furman (SC) 7 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game
NDSU 48 Coastal Carolina (SC) 14 Division I-AA Quarterfinal Playoff Game
NDSU 52 New Hampshire 14 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game
NDSU 58 Incarnate Word (TX) 0 Gale City Bank Field
NDSU 22 Montana 10 Fargo Dome
NDSU 35 Sam Houston St. (TX) 3 Division I-AA Semifinal Playoff Game - Keep in mind SHSU played NDSU in 2011 and 2012
NDSU 41 Weber St. (UT) 14
NDSU 34 North Dakota 9 First time in a D1 game
NDSU 37 Montana 6 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game - second time playing NDSU that year and 2nd trip to Fargo in 2 years
NDSU 37 Montana 6 Division I-AA 2nd Round Playoff Game


That's MOVs of 26, 26, 36, 53, 12, 24, 28, 52, 59, 46, 51, 31, 34, 38, 58, 12, 32, 27, 25, 31, 31...yep...won more games by 55+ than by less than 25. NDSU hasn't lost a home OOC game since 2002...hadn't even started their D1 transition.

They lost Wentz. Yep. Easton Stick played more than Wentz last year....had better numbers too. Oh, that defense returns 8 starters.

Walking into the FargoDome for the FCS Kickoff event on ESPN, on another banner raising day, with that lack of size? Holy **** it'll get ugly quick.

CSU has no idea what it's in for.

The only team to consistently play NDSU close is UNI. UNI is one of about 2 or 3 teams in the country that can match NDSU's size/strength. I believe UNI is the only team to beat NSDSU more than twice since they moved D1 - UNI is at 4

Montana didn't lose by 22 in 2014. They GAVE UP 22 and lost by 12.

[Gil Dobie]

Kudos to Chuck South, legit MVFC type team. Chuck South defense had their hands on their hips several times during the game, but were able to stop the Bison defense and get a rest. CSU coach confirmed in an interview that his players were getting worn down in the 3rd and 4th. Coach also found the weakness in the Bison pass defense going after inexperienced #23 Wimbush. He got 1 interference call, and the taller receivers were able to go over him for the catch. Hope that is corrected by the time they play EWU. Stats make it look like NDSU should have won by 20, but the Bucs kept the time of possession close. Fun game to be at, first OT in Fargodome history for the Bison.

[Gil Dobie]

And I was under the impression that only Northern Iowa or Jesus coaching a team of mini Ditkas could hang with the Bison.

Lalz. The myth of Bizon Invincibility.

South Dakota and Montana did beat them last season.

[bucs90]

Kudos to Chuck South, legit MVFC type team. Chuck South defense had their hands on their hips several times during the game, but were able to stop the Bison defense and get a rest. CSU coach confirmed in an interview that his players were getting worn down in the 3rd and 4th. Coach also found the weakness in the Bison pass defense going after inexperienced #23 Wimbush. He got 1 interference call, and the taller receivers were able to go over him for the catch. Hope that is corrected by the time they play EWU. Stats make it look like NDSU should have won by 20, but the Bucs kept the time of possession close. Fun game to be at, first OT in Fargodome history for the Bison.

CSUs defense had a great strategy to stop the run. Have the DL chop down under the OL and create a pile. That negates the size difference. Then rely on athletic LBs and DBs to swarm and make the tackle. It's risky and and susceptible to play action passing. But it worked pretty well.