Bison riding high at 3-0 heading into the bye week

1 hour ago

Aaron Walling,

FARGO (KVRR) – The North Dakota State Bison are heading into the bye week at 3-0 playing at a dominant level in all three phases of the game. The Bison now get two weeks to prepare for South Dakota to kick-off the conference slate.

“As we look at 2025 as a whole, we’re playing really good defense. We were able, I was able, to watch all three games again, collectively, outside of specifics on opponents, it’s just clear that we’re paying playing together,” said NDSU Head Coach Tim Polasek. “We’re playing extremely fast and physical. I think we’ve established some, some true depth at some spots. And I think there’s some depth to still come.”

Checking in on the offense, it starts with senior quarterback, Cole Payton. Payton has been unreal so far in 2025 completing 71% of his passes for 706 yards and six touchdowns. Recently he threw for 348 yards against Southeast Missouri State, which is the third most in program history in a game.

NDSU SINGLE GAME PASSING YARDS:

Steve Walker: 451 yards (@ Ball State, Sept. 23, 2006)
Graig Gorder: 416 yards (@ Nebraska-Omaha, Nov. 9, 2002)
Cole Payton: 348 yards (vs. SEMO, Sept. 13, 2025)
Steve Walker: 342 yards (@ Cal Poly, Nov. 10, 2007)
Ryan Johnson: 341 yards (@ Northern Colorado, Nov. 6, 1999)

NDSU has the 4th highest scoring offense on the FCS level at 46 points per game and have one of the best offenses in the nation.

NDSU OFFENSIVE RANKINGS FCS:

Total Offense: 504.7 ypg (4th)
Scoring: 46.0 ppg (4th)
Rushing: 220.3 ypg (10th)
Passing: 284.3 ypg (8th)
Completion Percentage: 69.1% (12th)

“Really start to see what our identity is, who we can be,” said NDSU Offensive Coordinator Larson. “We’re still have a lot of room to go, long way to go right, a lot of room to continue to grow and develop. And I’m excited for that part of it. I know our coaching staff is excited for that part of it to an opportunity here this week to really dive into some issues that I think have held us back, continue to build upon some things that we’re really excited about. What we’re doing well right now, what we can continue to improve on.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bison have been dominant. They have held opposing offenses to only 5.67 points per game. As the Code Green Defense is also top three in rushing yards allowed (79.3 ypg) and the top team in passing defense at 78.7 yards per game.

“Right now, we’re hitting all of our season goals, all of our benchmarks” said NDSU Defensive Coordinator Grant Olson. “As far as takeaways or giving up explosive plays, points per game, tackling red zone defense, our goals that we laid out for the season, we’ve hit all of those right now, not necessarily every single game, but overall for the entire season. So really pleased where we’re at there.”

NDSU DEFENSIVE RANKINGS FCS:

Total Defense: 158.0 ypg (1st)
Scoring: 5.67 ppg (1st)
Passing: 78.7 ypg (1st)
Rushing: 79.3 ypg (3rd)
3rd Down Conversion: 22.5% (3rd)
Sacks: 10.0 (2nd)

North Dakota State will have a break this week and the return to action on Sept. 27 at 1:00 p.m. against South Dakota to kick-off the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule.