2015 North Dakota State Bison football team
American college football season
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The 2015 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Chris Klieman. The team, which played its 23rd season in the Fargodome, entered the season as the four-time defending national champions. The Bison have been members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) since the 2008 season.
| 2015 North Dakota State Bison football | |
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NCAA Division I champion MVFC co-champion | |
NCAA Division I Championship, W 37–10 vs. Jacksonville State | |
| Conference | Missouri Valley Football Conference |
| Ranking | |
| STATS | No. 1 |
| FCS Coaches | No. 1 |
| Record | 13–2 (7–1 MVFC) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Tim Polasek (2nd season) |
| Offensive scheme | West Coast |
| Defensive coordinator | Matt Entz (2nd season) |
| Base defense | 3–4 |
| Home stadium | Fargodome |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 North Dakota State +^ | 7 | – | 1 | 13 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 Illinois State +^ | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8 Northern Iowa ^ | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 15 South Dakota State ^ | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Illinois ^ | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana State | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youngstown State | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Dakota | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Illinois | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri State | 0 | – | 8 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Bison went 13–2 on the season, won their fifth straight MVFC title, and their fifth consecutive NCAA Division I Football Championship, becoming the first-ever NCAA football team to win five straight championships at any level. Yale won six straight college football national championships from 1879 to 1884, before the NCAA was formed.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 29 | 2:30 pm | at No. 13 Montana* | No. 1 | ESPN | L 35–38 | 26,472 (R)[1] | |
| September 12 | 2:30 pm | Weber State* | No. 2 | NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 41–14 | 18,801[2] | |
| September 19 | 2:30 pm | North Dakota* | No. 4 |
| NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 34–9 | 19,044[3] |
| October 3 | 6:00 pm | at No. 5 South Dakota State | No. 3 | Midco/NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 28–7 | 17,348 (R) [4] | |
| October 10 | 6:00 pm | No. 10 Northern Iowa | No. 3 |
| NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 31–28 | 18,954 |
| October 17 | 2:30 pm | South Dakota | No. 2 |
| Midco/NBC ND/ESPN3 | L 21–24 | 18,420 |
| October 24 | 12:00 pm | at No. 18 Indiana State | No. 8 | MVC TV/ESPN3 | W 28–14 | 6,524 | |
| October 31 | 2:00 pm | at Southern Illinois | No. 7 | NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 35–29 | 6,508 | |
| November 7 | 2:30 pm | Western Illinois | No. 6 |
| NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 59–7 | 18,251 |
| November 14 | 1:00 pm | at No. 20 Youngstown State | No. 2 | NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 27–24 | 11,309 | |
| November 21 | 2:00 pm | Missouri State | No. 2 |
| NBC ND/ESPN3 | W 55–0 | 18,624 |
| December 5 | 2:30 pm | No. 16 Montana* | No. 2 |
| ESPN3 | W 37–6 | 18,232 |
| December 12 | 11:00 am | No. 15 Northern Iowa* | No. 2 |
| ESPN2 | W 23–13 | 18,041 |
| December 18 | 7:00 pm | No. 12 Richmond* | No. 2 |
| ESPN2 | W 33–7 | 18,105 |
| January 9, 2016 | 11:00 am | vs. No. 1 Jacksonville State* | No. 2 | ESPN2 | W 37–10 | 21,836 | |
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Coaching staff
| Name | Position | Year at North Dakota State | Alma mater (Year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Klieman | Head coach | 5th | Northern Iowa (1990) |
| Matt Entz | Defensive coordinator Linebackers | 2nd | Wayne State (NE) (1995) |
| Tim Polasek | Offensive coordinator Running backs | 9th | Concordia (WI) (2002) |
| Atif Austin | Special teams coordinator Wide receiver coach | 2nd | Iowa State (2003) |
| Jamar Cain | Defensive ends coach | 2nd | New Mexico State (2002) |
| Nick Goeser | Defensive tackles coach | 6th | Wisconsin–Eau Claire (2003) |
| Randy Hedberg | Quarterbacks coach | 2nd | Minot State (1977) |
| Joe Klanderman | Defensive backs coach | 2nd | Minnesota State Mankato (2001) |
| Tyler Roehl | Tight ends Fullbacks | 2nd | North Dakota State (2009) |
| Brian Gordon | Director of football operations Equipment services | 2nd | South Florida (2002) |
| Jake Otten | Video coordinator | 2nd | Cal Poly (2013) |
Roster
| 2015 North Dakota State Bison Football | ||||||||||
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Quarterback
Tailback
Fullback
Wide receiver
Tight end
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Offensive lineman
Defensive tackle
Defensive end
Placekicker
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Linebacker
Cornerback
Safety
Punter
Long Snappers
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Recruiting class
| College recruiting information (2015) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
| Ben Ellefson #76 TE |
Hawley, MN | Hawley Secondary | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:  | ||||||
| Aaron Mercadel #113 MLB |
Oakland, CA | Saint Mary's College High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 196 lb (89 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:  | ||||||
| Jack Darnell #190 DT |
Champlin, MN | Champlin Park High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 277 lb (126 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Bryan Carlton #145 DE |
Chanhassen, MN | Minnetonka High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 246 lb (112 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Derrek Tuszka #136 DE |
Warner, SD | Warner High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 226 lb (103 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Matt Anderson #133 TE |
Lakeland, MN | Stillwater High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 228 lb (103 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Trent Mooney #226 OT |
Lamar, MO | Lamar High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 269 lb (122 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Robbie Grimsley #221 ATH (S) |
Hutchinson, MN | Hutchinson High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Connor Hubbs #201 DT |
White Bear Lake, MN | White Bear Lake High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 283 lb (128 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Braden Sikes #230 ATH (S) |
Excelsior, MN | Minnetonka High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Dimitri Williams #232 ATH (WR) |
Lakeville, MN | Rosemount High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| James Hendricks #243 ATH (QB) |
Laporte, MN | Bemidji High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Marquise Bridges #327 WR |
Brooklyn Park, MN | DeLaSalle High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Zack Johnson #324 OT |
Blaine, MN | Spring Lake Park High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 276 lb (125 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: 247Sports: | ||||||
| Ty Brooks CB |
Fargo, ND | Fargo South High School | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 161 lb (73 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Jaxon Brown S |
Eau Claire, WI | Regis High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Demaris Purifoy RB |
Wauwatosa, WI | Wauwatosa West High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Brock Robbins FB |
Cavalier, ND | Cavalier High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Cole Karcz TE -> DE |
Germantown, MN | Germantown High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 233 lb (106 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Bruce Anderson RB |
Ruskin, FL | Newsome High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 202 lb (92 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Jake Brinkman OLB |
North Liberty, IA | Regina High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Dominic Davis ATH (CB) |
Belleville, IL | Belleville West High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Jack Albrecht OG |
Rolling Meadows, IL | Fremd High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 276 lb (125 kg) | February 04, 2015 (Signed) | |
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: Scout: - 247Sports: #131 ESPN: - | ||||||
Sources:
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Game summaries
At Montana
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Bison | 7 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 35 |
| #13 Grizzlies | 10 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
Weber State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcats | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| #2 Bison | 7 | 21 | 3 | 10 | 41 |
North Dakota
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| #4 Bison | 3 | 21 | 10 | 0 | 34 |
At South Dakota State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Bison | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| #5 Jackrabbits | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Northern Iowa
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #10 Panthers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| #3 Bison | 3 | 7 | 0 | 21 | 31 |
South Dakota
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyotes | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| #2 Bison | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
At Indiana State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #8 Bison | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
| #18 Sycamores | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
At Southern Illinois
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 Bison | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
| Salukis | 3 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 29 |
Western Illinois
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leathernecks | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| #6 Bison | 17 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 59 |
At Youngstown State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #2 Bison | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 27 |
| #20 Penguins | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
Missouri State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| #2 Bison | 14 | 27 | 14 | 0 | 55 |
FCS playoffs
Second round – Montana
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #16 Grizzlies | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| #2 Bison | 7 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 37 |
Quarterfinals–Northern Iowa
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #15 Panthers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| #2 Bison | 7 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 23 |
Semifinals–Richmond
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #12 Spiders | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| #2 Bison | 13 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 33 |
Championship–Jacksonville State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #2 Bison | 3 | 21 | 3 | 10 | 37 |
| #1 Gamecocks | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Ranking movements
2016 NFL draftees
| Player | Round | Pick | Position | NFL Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Wentz | 1 | 2 | Quarterback | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Joe Haeg | 5 | 155 | Guard | Indianapolis Colts |