2023 North Dakota State Bison football team

American college football season

2023 North Dakota State Bison football

NCAA Division I Semifinal, L 29–312OT at Montana

Conference| Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATS| No. 3
FCS Coaches| No. 3
Record| 11–4 (5–3 MVFC)
Head coach|

* Matt Entz (5th season)

Offensive coordinator| Tyler Roehl (5th season)
Offensive scheme| Pro-style
Defensive coordinator| Jason Petrino (1st season)
Base defense| 3–4
Home stadium| Fargodome

Seasons

<- 2022

2024 ->

2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team |  | W |  | L |  |  |  |  | W |  | L |
No. 1 South Dakota State $^  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 15  | - | 0  |
No. 4 South Dakota ^  |  | 7  | - | 1  |  |  |  |  | 10  | - | 3  |
No. 3 North Dakota State ^  |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 11  | - | 4  |
No. 19 Youngstown State ^  |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 5  |
No. 16 North Dakota ^  |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 5  |
Northern Iowa |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 5  |
No. 12 Southern Illinois ^  |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 5  |
Illinois State |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 5  |
Missouri State |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 7  |
Murray State |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 9  |
Indiana State |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 1  | - | 10  |
Western Illinois |  | 0  | - | 8  |  |  |  |  | 0  | - | 11  |

* $ - Conference champion
* ^ - FCS playoff participant

As of February 12, 2024
Rankings from STATS Poll

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.[1] The Bison played home games at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

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 the NDSU Division I dynasty that they didn't win a national title for two seasons in a row.

## Schedule[edit]

Date| Time| Opponent| Rank| Site| TV| Result| Attendance

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|
|

September 2| 2:30 pm| vs. Eastern Washington*| No. 2|

* U.S. Bank Stadium
* Minneapolis, MN

| ABC ND/ESPN+| W 35–10| 22,546
September 9| 2:30 pm| Maine*| No. 2|

* Fargodome
* Fargo, ND

| ABC ND/ESPN+| W 44–7| 15,044
September 16| 2:30 pm| Central Arkansas*| No. 2|

* Fargodome
* Fargo, ND

| ABC ND/ESPN+| W 49–31| 15,016
September 30| 1:00 pm| South Dakota| No. 2|

* Fargodome
* Fargo, ND

| ABC ND/MidcoSN/ESPN+| L 19–24| 18,342
October 7| 2:00 pm| at Missouri State| No. 7|

* Robert W. Plaster Stadium
* Springfield, MO

| ESPN+| W 38–10| 8,727
October 14| 1:00 pm| at No. 15 North Dakota| No. 6|

* Alerus Center
* Grand Forks, ND (Nickel Trophy)

| ABC ND/MidcoSN/ESPN+| L 24–49| 13,091
October 21| 2:30 pm| Western Illinois| No. 14|

* Fargodome
* Fargo, ND

| ABC ND/ESPN+| W 52–7| 14,255
October 28| 2:30 pm| Murray State| No. 12|

* Fargodome
* Fargo, 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 Stadium
* Brookings, SD (Dakota Marker)

| ABC ND/MidcoSN/ESPN+| L 16–33| 19,431
November 11| 2:30 pm| No. 11 Southern Illinois| No. 12|

* Fargodome
* Fargo, ND

| ABC ND/ESPN+| W 34–10| 14,191
November 18| 4:00 pm| at No. 22 Northern Iowa| No. 9|

* UNI-Dome
* Cedar Falls, IA

| ABC ND/ESPN+| W 48–27| 9,852
November 25| 2:30 pm| Drake*| No. 8|

* Fargodome
* Fargo, 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 Stadium
* Bozeman, 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|

* DakotaDome
* Vermillion, 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 Stadium
* Missoula, MT (NCAA Division I Semifinal)

| ESPN2| L 29–31 2OT| 26,544

* *Non-conference game
* Homecoming
* Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
* All times are in Central time

[2][3]

## Game summaries[edit]

### Regular season[edit]

#### Eastern Washington[edit]

See also: 2023 Eastern Washington Eagles football team

Eastern Washington Eagles (0–0) vs No. 2 North Dakota State Bison (0–0)

Period | 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+
* [1]

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
Rushing | Michael Wortham | 5 car, 41 yds
Receiving | Efton Chism III | 7 rec, 74 yds
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/25, 174 yds, 2 TD
Rushing | Cole Payton | 6 car, 104 yds, TD
Receiving | Zach Mathis | 4 rec, 53 yds
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

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|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 10  | 35

#### Maine[edit]

See also: 2023 Maine Black Bears football team

Maine Black Bears (0–1) vs No. 2 North Dakota State Bison (1–0)

Period | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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|
|
|
|

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+
* [2]

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
Rushing | Tristen Kenan | 14 car, 53 yds
Receiving | Jamie Lamson | 6 rec, 42 yds
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 14/19, 152 yds
Rushing | Cole Payton | 8 car, 102 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Zach Mathis | 4 rec, 62 yds
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 7  | 44

#### Central Arkansas[edit]

See also: 2023 Central Arkansas Bears football team

Central Arkansas Bears (1–1) vs No. 2 North Dakota State Bison (2–0)

Period | 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+
* [3]

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

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|
|

Central Arkansas  | Passing | Will McElvain | 22/31, 210 yds, TD, INT
Rushing | ShunDerrick Powell | 18 car, 218 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Myles Butler | 6 rec, 88 yds, TD
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/19, 200 yds, 2 TD
Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 13 car, 83 yds, TD
Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 86 yds
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 31  | 49

#### South Dakota[edit]

See also: 2023 South Dakota Coyotes football team

South Dakota Coyotes (2–1) vs No. 2 North Dakota State Bison (3–0)

Period | 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+
* [4]

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
Rushing | Nate Thomas | 14 car, 49 yds
Receiving | Carter Bell | 5 rec, 124 yds, 2 TD
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/25, 154 yds, TD, INT
Rushing | Cam Miller | 12 car, 70 yds
Receiving | Zach Mathis | 4 rec, 42 yds
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 24  | 19

#### Missouri State[edit]

See also: 2023 Missouri State Bears football team

No. 7 North Dakota State Bison (3–1) vs. Missouri State Bears (1–3)

Period | 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+
* [5]

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
Rushing | Owen Johnson | 9 car, 82 yds
Receiving | Zach Mathis | 6 rec, 160 yds, 2 TD
Missouri State  | Passing | Jordan Pachot | 25/44, 269 yds, TD, 3 INT
Rushing | Jacardia Wright | 15 car, 65 yds
Receiving | Raylen Sharpe | 13 rec, 153 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 38  | 10

#### North Dakota[edit]

See also: 2023 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team

See also: Nickel Trophy

No. 6 North Dakota State Bison (4–1) vs. No. 15 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (3–2)

Period | 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+
* [6]

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
Rushing | Cam Miller | 9 car, 48 yds, TD
Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 96 yds
North Dakota  | Passing | Tommy Schuster | 9/12, 113 yds, 2 TD
Rushing | Gaven Ziebarth | 18 car, 156 yds, 3 TD
Receiving | Bo Belquist | 2 rec, 41 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 24  | 49

#### Western Illinois[edit]

See also: 2023 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–6) vs No. 14 North Dakota State Bison (4–2)

Period | 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+
* [7]

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
Rushing | Seth Glatz | 11 car, 64 yds
Receiving | AJ Coons | 2 rec, 48 yds, TD
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 8/12, 103 yds
Rushing | RaJa Nelson | 3 car, 103 yds, TD
Receiving | Joe Stoffel | 2 rec, 84 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 7  | 52

#### Murray State[edit]

See also: 2023 Murray State Racers football team

Murray State Racers (2–5) vs No. 12 North Dakota State Bison (5–2)

Period | 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+
* [8]

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
Rushing | Jawaun Northington | 9 car, 37 yds
Receiving | Michael Fox | 4 rec, 27 yds
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 18/24, 192 yds, 2 TD
Rushing | Cam Miller | 6 car, 55 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Zach Mathis | 8 rec, 74 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 6  | 38

#### South Dakota State[edit]

See also: 2023 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team

See also: Dakota Marker

No. 11 North Dakota State Bison (6–2) vs. No. 1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (8–0)

Period | 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+
* [9]

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
Rushing | Cam Miller | 17 car, 93 yds
Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 47 yds
South Dakota State  | Passing | Mark Gronowski | 12/19, 213 yds, 2 TD
Rushing | Isaiah Davis | 17 car, 106 yds, TD
Receiving | Jadon Janke | 5 rec, 89 yds, 2 TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 16  | 33

#### Southern Illinois[edit]

See also: 2023 Southern Illinois Salukis football team

No. 11 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–3) vs No. 12 North Dakota State Bison (6–3)

Period | 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+
* [10]

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
Rushing | Ro Elliott | 10 car, 25 yds, TD
Receiving | Izaiah Hartrup | 5 rec, 71 yds
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 15/19, 232 yds
Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 8 car, 51 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | RaJa Nelson | 4 rec, 81 yds
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 10  | 34

#### Northern Iowa[edit]

See also: 2023 Northern Iowa Panthers football team

No. 9 North Dakota State Bison (7–3) vs. No. 22 Northern Iowa Panthers (6–4)

Period | 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+
* [11]

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
Rushing | Cole Payton | 4 car, 79 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | RaJa Nelson | 6 rec, 113 yds, TD
Northern Iowa  | Passing | Theo Day | 24/38, 342 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT
Rushing | Tyjahree Edwards | 12 car, 67 yds, TD
Receiving | Sam Schnee | 8 rec, 164 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 48  | 27

### NCAA Division I playoffs[edit]

See also: 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season § Postseason

#### Drake (first round)[edit]

See also: 2023 Drake Bulldogs football team

No. 8 North Dakota State Bison (8–3) vs. Drake Bulldogs (8–3)

Period | 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
* [12]

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
Rushing | Dorian Boyland | 9 car, 67 yds
Receiving | Trey Radocha | 4 rec, 41 yds
North Dakota State  | Passing | Cam Miller | 10/11, 206 yds, 2 TD
Rushing | Cole Payton | 13 car, 104 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Eli Green | 3 rec, 91 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 3  | 66

#### Montana State (second round)[edit]

See also: 2023 Montana State Bobcats football team

No. 8 North Dakota State Bison (9–3) vs. No. 5 (6) Montana State Bobcats (8–3)

Period | 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
* [13]

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
Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 11 car, 162 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Eli Green | 4 rec, 63 yds
Montana State  | Passing | Tommy Mellott | 13/17, 204 yds, 2 TD, INT
Rushing | Tommy Mellott | 18 car, 151 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Ty McCullouch | 4 rec, 92 yds TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 35  | 34

#### South Dakota (quarterfinal)[edit]

See also: 2023 South Dakota Coyotes football team

No. 8 North Dakota State Bison (10–3) vs. No. 3 (3) South Dakota Coyotes (10–2)

Period | 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
* [14]

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
Rushing | Cole Payton | 6 car, 65 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Eli Green | 5 rec, 116 yds
South Dakota  | Passing | Aidan Bouman | 13/22, 199 yds, TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Travis Theis | 6 car, 32 yds
Receiving | Javion Phelps | 3 rec, 81 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 45  | 17

#### Montana (semifinal)[edit]

See also: 2023 Montana Grizzlies football team

No. 8 North Dakota State Bison (11–3) vs. No. 2 (2) Montana Grizzlies (12–1)

Period | 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
* [15]

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
Rushing | TaMerik Williams | 11 car, 52 yds
Receiving | Eli Green | 5 rec, 98 yds, TD
Montana  | Passing | Clifton McDowell | 16/30, 160 yds, TD
Rushing | Eli Gillman | 12 car, 49 yds, 2 TD
Receiving | Junior Bergen | 6 rec, 59 yds, TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | 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. | 29  | 31

## Roster[edit]

2023 North Dakota State Bison football team roster

Players  | Coaches
Offense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

WR | `0` | Zach Mathis |  Sr
WR | `1` | Braylon Henderson |  Sr
WR | `2` | Kellen Entz |  Fr
WR | `3` | Raja Nelson | Sr
RB | `4` | Owen Johnson |  So
WR | `5` | Bryce Lance |  So
WR | `6` | Tyler Terhark |  Jr
QB | `7` | Cam Miller | Sr
RB | `8` | Barika Kpeenu |  So
QB | `9` | Cole Payton |  So
QB | `10` | Trey Drake | Fr
QB | `12` | Nathan Hayes |  Fr
WR | `13` | Eli Green |  So
WR | `15` | Mekhi Collins |  Fr
QB | `16` | Peter Anderson |  So
WR | `17` | Carson Hegerle |  Fr
WR | `19` | Jake Lippe |  Sr
RB | `22` | TaMerik Williams |  Sr
RB | `25` | CharMar Brown | Fr
RB | `28` | TK Marshall | Sr
FB | `30` | Josiah Azure | Fr
RB | `32` | Kelly Watson | Fr
FB | `33` | Logan Hofstedt |  Sr
RB | `34` | Jonathan Harvey |  Fr
TE | `40` | Kaden Zenzen |  Fr
TE | `43` | Collin Knorr | Fr
TE | `44` | Luke Kokat |  Fr
RB | `45` | Brady Wavrunek | Fr
FB | `46` | Truman Werremeyer |  So
TE | `47` | Dylan Klancher | Fr
FB | `49` | Hunter Brozio |  Sr
OL | `54` | AJ Heins | Fr
G | `59` | Hayden Johnston |  Jr
OL | `60` | Isaac Zatechka |  So
OL | `61` | Austin Schultz | Fr
OL | `62` | Griffin Empey | Fr
G | `63` | Jake Kubas |  Sr
OL | `65` | Bryce Friday |  Jr
OL | `66` | Jack Liwienski | Fr
OL | `67` | Kaden Chadwick |  Fr
OL | `68` | Nate Schneckloth | Fr
OL | `69` | Devin Lockerby |  Fr
OL | `70` | Beau Johnson | Fr
C | `72` | Jalen Sundell |  Sr
OT | `73` | Mason Miller | Sr
G | `74` | Grey Zabel | Sr
OT | `75` | Trevor Fiecko |  So
OT | `76` | Hunter Poncius |  Sr
C | `77` | Brandon Westberg |  Sr
OT | `78` | Jake Rock |  Sr
WR | `80` | John Gores |  Fr
WR | `81` | Carter Kriewaldt | Fr
TE | `82` | Joe Stoffel | Sr
WR | `83` | Giancarlo Volpentesta |  Sr
WR | `84` | Chris Harris |  So
TE | `85` | Jacob Streit |  Sr
WR | `86` | Cedric Wall |  Fr
TE | `87` | Nate Forystek |  Fr
TE | `88` | Carson Williams |  So
TE | `89` | Finn Diggins |  So
Defense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

DB | `10` | Marcus Sheppard | Sr
LB | `11` | Oscar Benson |  Jr
DB | `13` | Najee Nelson | Fr
LB | `14` | Enock Sibomana |  So
DB | `17` | Jailen Duffie | Fr
CB | `18` | Jaquise Alexander |  Fr
DB | `19` | Reese Sheldon | Fr
LB | `20` | Julian Wlodarczyk |  Sr
CB | `21` | Reggie King |  So
S | `22` | Hudson Artz |  Fr
CB | `23` | Jayden Price |  Sr
CB | `24` | Jenaro Ocama |  Sr
LB | `26` | Marcus Gulley | Jr
S | `27` | Ryan Jones |  So
DB | `28` | Noah Taylor | Fr
DB | `29` | Darius Givance |  Fr
CB | `30` | Chase Nixon | Jr
LB | `31` | Cole Wisniewski | Sr
S | `32` | Ty Satter |  Jr
DB | `33` | Termaine Turner | Fr
CB | `34` | Kegan Huber |  Fr
S | `35` | Sam Jung | Sr
LB | `36` | Nick Kubitz |  Sr
DB | `37` | Isaac Hyland |  Fr
CB | `38` | Alex Oechsner |  So
LB | `39` | Cade Powers |  Sr
LB | `41` | Josh Hendricks | Fr
LB | `42` | Jaiden Pickett | Fr
LB | `43` | Logan Kopp |  So
LB | `44` | Brit Senftner |  Fr
DB | `45` | Jaylin Crumby | Fr
LB | `46` | Oliver Lucht | Fr
LB | `47` | Luke Weerts |  Sr
DT | `50` | Kody Huisman |  So
LB | `51` | Austin Altepeter |  Fr
LB | `52` | Nathaniel Staehling |  Fr
DT | `53` | Eli Mostaert |  Sr
DE | `54` | Jake Kava |  Sr
DE | `55` | Kole Menz |  So
DE | `56` | Loshiaka Roques |  Jr
DE | `57` | Allante Burley |  Fr
DT | `58` | Javier Derritt |  Sr
LB | `59` | Dylan Taves | Sr
DE | `63` | Brennan Palmer | Fr
DT | `64` | Jaxon Duttenhefer |  So
DT | `71` | Keenan Wilson | Fr
DE | `72` | Victor Isele | Fr
DE | `90` | Matt Weerts |  So
DT | `91` | Will Mostaert |  Sr
DE | `92` | Kelton McCaslin |  Fr
DE | `93` | Toby Anene |  Fr
DT | `94` | Logan Larson |  Fr
DE | `95` | Dylan Hendricks |  Sr
DE | `96` | Abraham Myers | Fr
DE | `97` | Gannon Williams |  Fr
DT | `98` | Josh Magin |  Fr
DE | `99` | Hunter Zenzen |  Jr
Special teams | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

K | `35` | Eli Ozick | Fr
K | `37` | Drew Klein |  Fr
K | `39` | Griffin Crosa |  Sr
P | `41` | Kaedin Steindorf |  Jr
LS | `48` | Caleb Bowers |  Fr

Head coach

* Matt Entz (head coach)

Coordinators/assistant coaches

* Randy Hedberg (Associate HC / passing game coordinator / quarterbacks)
* Tyler Roehl (offensive coordinator / tight ends / fullbacks)
* Jason Petrino (defensive coordinator / safeties)
* Grant Olson (special teams coordinator / linebackers)
* Joe Beshorner (running backs)
* Steve Crutchley (wide receivers)
* Nick Goeser (defensive line)
* Dan Larson (offensive line)
* Jeff Phelps (defensive tackles)
* Tucker Meyer (outside linebackers)
* Lewis Walker (cornerbacks)
* Seth Hestness (offensive line assistant)
* Bobby Mornhinweg (offensive analyst)

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (S) Suspended
* (I) Ineligible

* Injured
* Redshirt

* * *

Roster
Last update: August 3, 2023

## Rankings[edit]

Further information: 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes| 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

## References[edit]

1. ^ "USC adds North Dakota State's Matt Entz to coach linebackers". espn.com. ESPN. December 10, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
2. ^ "2023 North Dakota State Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
3. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". gobison.com. North Dakota State Bison. Retrieved July 21, 2023.

* v
* t
* e

North Dakota State Bison football

Venues|

* Dacotah Field (1910–1992)
* Fargodome (1993–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* North Dakota: Nickel Trophy
* South Dakota State: Dakota Marker

Culture & lore|

* Thundar
* "On Bison"
* Gold Star Marching Band

People|

* Head coaches
* NFL draftees

Seasons|

* 1894
* 1895
* 1896
* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
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* 1905
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* 1943–1944
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National championship seasons in bold

* v
* t
* e

2023 NCAA Division I FCS playoff participants

* Albany
* Austin Peay
* Chattanooga
* Delaware
* Drake
* Duquesne
* Furman
* Gardner–Webb
* Idaho
* Lafayette
* Mercer
* Montana
* Montana State
* Nicholls
* North Carolina Central
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* Richmond
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* South Dakota State
* Southern Illinois
* Villanova
* Youngstown State

Champion – South Dakota State
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Conf]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses