Week 1, NDSU vs. Florida State
With 10:08 remaining in the 4th quarter, 2017 North Dakota State University Bison placekicker Cam Pederson split the uprights on a 32-yard field goal attempt to increase NDSU's lead to 10-6 over the 2017 Florida State University Seminoles, but 07:00 later in this defensive struggle, Seminoles cornerback Tarvarus McFadden intercepted a look-in pass intended for Bison blocking back Connor Wentz and McFadden returned the pick 30 yards to put the Seminoles ahead 13-10 -- the final score of the game.
Neither team scored an offensive touchdown in this contest. NDSU's only touchdown came with 08:27 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The Bison had Florida State backed up to its own 8-yard line when Bison right defensive end Derrek Tuszka sacked Seminoles quarterback James Blackman and forced a fumble. Bison left linebacker Jabril Cox then picked up the ball and ran it 2 yards for the score.
Only the Seminoles scored during the entire 1st half of this game, with Ricky Aguayo scoring two field goals.
Blackman completed 12 of 24 passes for 129 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions for the Seminoles, while the Bison sacked Blackman 5 times, including 2 by Tuszka. Seminoles flanker Nyqwan Murray led all Florida State receivers with 3 catches for 39 yards.
For NDSU, quarterback Easton Stick completed only 8 of 29 pass attempts for 132 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception, with Bison split end R.J. Urzendowski leading all receivers in this game with 4 catches for 59 yards.
Bison running back Bruce Anderson was the player of the game with 24 carries for 136 yards. Seminoles running back Cam Akers was held to just 30 yards on 13 carries.
By comparison, on September 2, 2017, Alabama beat Florida State 24-7 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Week 2, Fresno State at NDSU
With 00:01 remaining on the game clock, 2017 Fresno State Bulldogs flanker Keesean Johnson scored a touchdown on a 5-yard pass from backup quarterback Chason Virgil, but the score came too little, too late as the Bulldogs suffered a 34-24 loss to the North Dakota State University Bison.Early in the 3rd quarter, with the Bison ahead 17-10, starting Bulldogs quarterback Marcus McMaryion left the game with an injury after completing 9 of 20 passes for 117 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. McMaryion's replacement proved to be more formidable, however, as Virgil completed 8 of 21 pass attempts for 106 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Fresno State led in net yards passing with 223 yards compared to NDSU's 134 yards passing, with Bulldogs wide receiver Jamire Jordan (#1) leading all pass-catchers with 5 receptions for 86 yards. Bison quarterback Easton Stick completed 11 of 22 pass attempts for 134 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
The Bison dominated in the ground game, however, running backs Bruce Anderson reaching 91 yards on 24 carries, Lance Dunn (#10) gaining 41 yards for 2 touchdowns on 12 carries, and Ty Brooks (#28) covering 45 yards for 2 touchdowns on 7 carries. The leading rusher for Fresno was Jordan Mims (#22) with 83 yards on 14 carries while Josh Hokit gained 46 yards on 5 carries.
The Bulldogs turned over the ball 3 times while the Bison turned it over once.
By comparison, on September 9, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat Fresno State 41-10.
Week 3, Colorado State at NDSU
When 2017 North Dakota State University Bison placekicker Cam Pederson split the uprights on a 35-yard field goal attempt to tie the game 17-17 as time expired in the first half, nobody on the 2017 Colorado State University Rams football team expected the second half would be lopsided in favor of the Bison.During the 3rd quarter of this game, Bison head coach Chris Klieman and defensive coordinator Matt Entz finally figured out how to stop the Rams while the Bison offense continued to work the scoreboard. The Bison backfield, led by halfback Bruce Anderson (#8) with 192 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries (an 8.0 yards per carry average), crushed the Rams. Running back Lance Dunn also scored a touchdown on his 10 carries for 55 yards while quarterback Easton Stick ran around the end for a touchdown.
Even though Rams quarterback Nick Stevens (#7) managed to chalk up a 134.6 quarterback rating, Bison quarterback Stick also had his best game of the season so far with a 120.9 rating, and the Bison finished ahead of the Rams 38-17.
Stevens completed 17 of 31 pass attempts for 255 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions for the Rams, with flanker Detrich Clark (#8) leading all receivers with 88 yards on 3 catches and with wide receiver Olabisi Johnson (#81) coming in second overall with 56 yards on 3 receptions. Split end Michael Gallup scored the Rams' only receiving touchdown.
For the Bison, Stick completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 159 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, with blocking back/tight end Connor Wentz (#87) pulling in 4 catches for 37 yards. Tight end Jeff Illies pulled in NDSU's only receiving touchdown.
The Bison committed the only turnover in this game, an interception by Rams right cornerback Anthony Hawkins, but the Bison running game and defensive play swung the pendulum toward NDSU.
The 2017 North Dakota State University team is now 2-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on September 16, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Colorado State University Rams 41-23.
Week 4, NDSU at Vanderbilt
Without attempting a single pass, the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison crushed the Vanderbilt University Commodores 49-0.The Bison backfield rushed for 510 yards on 67 attempts, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt, with running backs Ty Brooks rushing for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 carries (longest 68 yards), Lance Dunn reaching 148 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries (longest 60 yards), and Bruce Anderson covering 128 yards and 1 touchdown on 19 carries (longest 35 yards). Quarterback Easton Stick rushed for 1 yard and 1 touchdown on 1 carry while Victor Kizewski, low in the Bison depth chart, rushed for 37 yards and 1 touchdown on 4 carries (longest 28 yards). Second-string running back Seth Wilson covered 35 yards on 13 carries while backup quarterback Cole Davis reached 10 yards on 3 carries.
The Commodores tallied 32 net yards rushing. Vanderbilt starting quarterback Kyle Shurmur (photo) completed 12 of 22 pass attempts for 119 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions while backup quarterback Deuce Wallace completed 8 of 12 pass attempts for 103 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Shurmur lost 1 fumble while running back Khari Blasingame lost 2 fumbles.
Bison cornerback Tre Dempsey pulled down the lone interception.
NDSU is now 3-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on September 23, 2017, at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Vanderbilt Commodores 59-0.
Week 5, Ole Miss at NDSU
The 2017 North Dakota State University Bison put together 579 yards of total offense, including 442 net yards rushing, to beat the 2017 Ole Miss Rebels 41-34.Rebels quarterback Shea Patterson (#20) completed 32 of 38 passes for 332 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, with receiver A.J. Brown (#1) pulling in 9 catches for 118 yards, and Rebels running back Jordan Wilkins (#22) surpassed the century mark with 114 yards on 16 carries, but it wasn't enough to beat the Bison in a game that saw the Bison take a 17-10 lead late in the first half, and NDSU never relinquished that lead for the remainder of the game.
Bison quarterback Easton Stick completed 8 of 11 passes for 137 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, but it was the Bison backfield that shined in this contest of wills. Bison running back Bruce Anderson (#8) rushed for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries, Lance Dunn ran for 103 yards on 13 carries, and Ty Brooks tallied 90 yards and 1 touchdown on 6 carries. Brooks has the longest run of 63 yards.
NDSU is now 4-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on September 30, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat Ole Miss 66-3.
Week 6, NDSU at Texas A&M
Once again, the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison leaned on their running game to dominate the opposition. The Bison rushed for 389 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns on 57 carries to trounce the 2017 Texas A&M Aggies 42-18. NDSU led in time of possession 36 minutes to A&M's 24 minutes.The Bison held the Aggies to only 4 net yards rushing. Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (#11) completed 21 of 38 passes for 274 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions, with Christian Kirk (#3) catching 7 passes for 77 yards.
Bison quarterback Easton Stick only attempted 7 passes on the day, completing 4, including the longest pass of 40 yards to split end R.J. Urzendowski (#16).
NDSU is now 5-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on October 7, 2017, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Texas A&M Aggies 27-19.
Week 7, Arkansas at NDSU
With running backs Bruce Anderson rushing for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns, Seth Wilson (#22) reaching 152 yards and 1 touchdown, Lance Dunn gaining 101 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Ty Brooks gaining 72 yards on the ground, the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison backfield is beginning to look like the reincarnation of Notre Dame's Four Horsemen as they trample their opponents, this time with a 49-14 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Dunn had a long run of 68 yards while Anderson and Dunn had long rushes of 50 and 49 yards respectively. Bison quarterback Easton Stick attempted only 2 passes, completing 1.NDSU contained the Arkansas running game to 42 net yards while forcing the Razorbacks to pass. Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen (#8) completed 14 of 29 pass attempts for 171 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception--far short of what was required. Allen completed passes to 8 different receivers, with Jonathan Nance leading all receivers with 3 catches for 38 yards and 1 touchdown.
Bison utility defensive player James Hendricks and cornerback Jaylaan Wimbush each snagged an interception in this contest.
NDSU is now 6-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on October 14, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 41-9.
Week 8, Tennessee at NDSU
Nobody volunteers for a drubbing, but that's exactly what happened as the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison pummeled the Tennessee Volunteers 51-20 in a game that saw the Bison rush for 585 net yards, with Bruce Anderson gaining 194 (2 TDs), Ty Brooks 172 yards (2 TDs), and Lance Dunn 124 yards (2 TDs) across the Volunteers defensive line. NDSU quarterback Easton Stick completed 3 of 5 passes for 67 yards, including a 45-yard late-game touchdown pass to split end R.J. Urzendowski.The Volunteers were held to 46 yards rushing, while quarterback Jarrett Guarantano complete 16 of 37 pass attempts for 164 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. The leading receiver for Tennessee was running back John Kelly (#11) with 5 catches for 52 yards. Kelly also rushed for 52 yards on 14 carries.
Bison cornerback Jalen Allison (#21) snagged 2 interceptions.
NDSU is now 7-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on October 21, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Tennessee Volunteers 45-7.
Week 9, LSU at NDSU
The 2017 Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers failed to score until 08:12 remaining in the game when they were already down 31-0 to the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison. Tigers running back Derrius Guice (#5) scored that touchdown on a 27-yard run, which amounted to nearly half his total yards in the game. The Bison held Guice to 63 total yards on 19 carries, while forcing Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (#16) to pass, but Etling only completed 4 of 15 pass attempts for 83 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions. The single LSU passing touchdown was caught by Russell Gage (#83) on a 65-yard bomb with 04:05 remaining in the contest. NDSU finished on top 31-13.Once again, the Bison leaned on the running game to beat their opponent, with Bruce Anderson (#8) covering 107 yards on 24 carries and Lance Dunn reaching 70 yards on 13 carries. Quarterback Easton Stick was forced into passing situations, however, and Stick completed 9 of 15 pass attempts for 91 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
NDSU is now 8-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on November 4, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the LSU Tigers 24-10.
Week 10, NDSU at Mississippi State
With 04:22 remaining on the game clock, the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison found themselves down 19-14 to the 2017 Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Advanced scouting had paid off for the Bulldogs, as they forced the Bison to pass more often, but NDSU quarterback Easton Stick (#12) refused to be ignored, and with the game on the line, Stick marched the Bison 72 yards downfield and then scored the winning touchdown himself on a 9-yard run. The Bison finished the game on top 22-19.Mississippi State held the Bison to 207 yards rushing while allowing Stick to complete 16 of 25 pass attempts for 207 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Running back Bruce Anderson was held below the century mark with 21 carries for 93 yards while Lance Dunn reached 68 yards on 9 runs. The offensive stars for this game were the Bison receivers, with flanker Darrius Shepherd (#20) catching 7 passes for 78 yards and split end R.J. Urzendowski pulling in 5 catches for 84 yards.
For the Bulldogs, quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (#7) completed only 15 of 40 pass attempts while rushing for 65 yards on 6 carries. Bulldogs running back Aeris Williams (#22) was held to 53 yards on 18 carries. Receiver Deddrick Thomas caught 6 passes for 71 yards.
Mississippi State won the turnover differential 4 to 0 but it wasn't enough against the boys from North Dakota.
NDSU is now 9-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on November 11, 2017, at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs 31-24.
Week 11, Mercer at NDSU
With 484 total net yards rushing, the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison crushed the 2017 Mercer University Bears 55-7.The Bison backfield enjoyed multiple long runs against the Bears, with Lance Dunn crushing an 81-yard run, Bruce Anderson scampering for a 75-yard run, and Ty Brooks slipping past the line for a 58-yard run on the day.
The leading passer for the Bison was backup quarterback Cole Davis who entered the game when the Bison had the game well in hand. Davis completed 6 of 10 pass attempts for 101 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. The leading Bison receiver was backup tight end Nate Jenson (#85) with 5 catches for 100 yards.
The Bears split quarterbacking duties between Tanner Brumby (#14) and Kaelan Riley (#1) and together they completed 17 of 44 pass attempts for 162 yards, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions. The Bears were held to 29 net yards rushing.
NDSU is now 10-1 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on November 18, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Mercer University Bears 56-0.
Week 12, NDSU at Auburn
The 2017 Auburn Tigers shut down the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison running game, reducing the Bison backfield to 153 yards rushing with 3 lost fumbles while forcing Bison quarterback Easton Stick to pass, which resulted in 3 interceptions for the NDSU field general. The Tigers walked away victorious 41-9.To avoid the sack, Stick carried the ball 13 times for 72 yards while completing 12 of 38 pass attempts for 197 yards and 1 touchdown.
Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, meanwhile, completed 14 of 16 pass attempts for 247 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, with Tigers receiver Will Hastings leading all receivers with 3 catches for 81 yards and 1 touchdown. Nate Craig-Meyers and Ryan Davis also caught balls for touchdowns.
Tigers running back Kerryon Johnson (#21) carried the rock 25 times for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Bison linebacker Nick DeLuca (#49) tallied 3 sacks on the day.
NDSU is now 10-2 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule.
By comparison, on November 25, 2017, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, the Auburn Tigers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 26-14.
Week 13, NDSU vs. Clemson
The 2017 North Dakota State University Bison stayed within striking distance of the 2017 Clemson Tigers until, with 01:37 remaining in the game, Clemson placekicker Alex Spence split the uprights on a 20-yard field goal to move the Tigers ahead of the Bison 17-7. Thirty-seven seconds later, after an NDSU turnover on downs, Spence split a 33-yard field goal and the Tigers finished on top 20-7.The Bison defense held Clemson running back Tavien Feaster to 13 yards on 13 carries and Travis Etienne to 18 yards on 6 carries, but Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (#2) completed 20 of 35 pass attempts for 246 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception to lead Clemson to victory, with Hunter Renfrow (#13) leading all receivers with 7 catches for 109 yards.
The Tigers held the Bison backfield to 42 net yards rushing and forced NDSU quarterback Easton Stick to take to the air. Stick completed 27 of 43 pass attempts for 247 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions, with Bison flanker Darrius Shepherd (#20) catching the only touchdown pass on a play that resulted in losing him for the game due to injury. Stick was sacked 6 times.
NDSU is now 10-3 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule (including the playoffs).
By comparison, on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana for the Sugar Bowl, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Clemson Tigers 24-6.
Week 14, NDSU vs. Georgia
With 07:12 remaining in the first half and with the scored tied 7-7, 2017 North Dakota State University Bison quarterback Easton Stick drove his men 52 yards to the 2017 Georgia Bulldogs 14-yard line, but on a short pass intended for Bison flanker R.J. Urzendowski, Bulldogs left cornerback Aaron Davis intercepted the pass and returned the ball 98 yards for a touchdown to put the Bulldogs up 14-7 with 1:07 remaining in the half. On NDSU's closing possession of the 2nd quarter, Bison placekicker Cam Pederson missed a 44-yard field goal as the half expired.In the 3rd quarter, the Bison rebounded early, with Pederson making a 25-yard field goal attempt and with Stick hitting Urzendowski on a 12-yard touchdown pass to bring the Bison back to a 17-14 lead.
NDSU kept the Georgia offense in check, but the Bulldogs defense had other ideas: With just over 12 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, Davis snagged his second interception of the day off NDSU when Stick threw a short pass intended for flanker Darrius Shepherd, and Georgia found themselves in possession of the ball on the Bison 16-yard line. When the Bulldogs reached NDSU's 3-yard line, however, the Bison executed a five-play goal-line stand and Georgia settled for a field goal to tie the game 17-17.
Both teams moved the ball during the 4th quarter, but as time expired, the score remained tied sending the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, the Bison held the ball first, and both teams scored on a field goal attempt. The score remained tied 20-20.
In the second overtime, the Bulldogs took first possession but had to settle for a field goal. When the Bison took possession, Stick called Shepherd's number (#16) on first down and connected on a 25-yard touchdown pass to end the game. NDSU beat Georgia 26-23.
The Bison played a balanced game with 241 net yards rushing and 213 net yards passing while holding the Bulldogs to 99 net yards rushing and 121 net yards passing.
For NDSU, Stick completed 20 of 43 pass attempts for 213 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, with Shepherd leading all receivers with 8 catches for 83 yards. In the ground game, halfback Bruce Anderson rushed 24 times for 147 yards with Ty Brooks gaining 52 yards on 11 carries in relief.
For Georgia, quarterback Jake Fromm completed 11 of 22 pass attempts for 121 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions, with Javon Wims leading all Bulldogs receivers with 4 catches for 57 yards. Halfback Nick Chubb (#27) gained 78 yards on 24 carries while Sony Michel gained only 5 yards on 2 carries.
NDSU is now 11-3 playing Alabama's 2017 schedule (including the playoffs). The Bison will play the Crimson Tide to close out the schedule.
By comparison, on January 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, for the College Football Playoffs National Championship, the Alabama Crimson Tide beat the Georgia Bulldogs 26-23 in overtime.
NDSU to play Alabama for NCAA football crown
Now that the 2017 North Dakota State University Bison have finished "replaying" Alabama's 2017 schedule, including Alabama's playoff and championship games, NDSU will now face Alabama in Strat-O-Matic College Football for 2017 overall NCAA football champion bragging rights.
NDSU vs. Alabama
The Bison held back the Crimson Tide until, with 11:40 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Alabama scored the first points of the game on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts to flanker Calvin Ridley.The Bison responded with a 12-play, 73-yard drive, but on 2nd and Goal at the Alabama 7-yard line, Tide free safety Ronnie Harrison (#15) picked off a pass intended for Bison flanker Darrius Shepherd in the end zone. Three plays later, Hurts connected again with Ridley, this time on a 78-yard pass, to put Alabama ahead 14-0.
NDSU opened the second half by stopping the Tide and then capping off a drive with a 43-yard field goal by Bison placekicker Cam Pederson, but Alabama immediately followed with a 68-yard touchdown run by Bo Scarbrough to bring the score to 21-3.
During the remaining 24 minutes of the game, the Bison fought off the Tide but only managed to score once on a 44-yard field goal attempt by Pederson. Alabama won the game 21-6.
The Bison held the Tide backfield in check with halfback Damien Harris gaining only 47 yards on 16 carries. Scarbrough gained 79 yards on 8 carries (68 long). In the passing game for Alabama, Hurts completed 8 of 16 pass attempts for 139 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, with Ridley leading all receivers with 6 catches for 117 yards (78 long).
For NDSU, quarterback Easton Stick completed 23 of 41 pass attempts for 192 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Halfback Bruce Anderson was held to 58 yards on 24 carries (38 long).
Harrison snagged 2 interceptions on the day for the Tide.
