North Dakota State FCS Football 2025 Playoff Capsule

 
North Dakota State Bison
 
Missouri Valley
 
2025 Record: 12-0, 8-0
Coach: Tim Polasek
 
Big Wins: 9/27 South Dakota (51-13), 10/4 at Illinois State (33-16)
Bad Losses: None
 
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Barika Kpeenu, RB, 950 yards
Passing: Cole Payton, QB, 2,618 yards
Receiving: Bryce Lance, WR, 1,001 yards
Tackles: Donovan Woolen, LB, 76
Sacks: Toby Anene, DE, 6.0
Interceptions: 3 tied with 2
 
2025 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 221.5 (7th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 235.2 (33, 3)
Total Offense: 456.7 (10, 2)
Scoring Offense: 40.4 (8, 1)
Rushing Defense: 99.5 (7, 2)
Pass Defense: 138.9 (2, 1)
Total Defense: 238.4 (1, 1)
Scoring Defense: 12.1 (1, 1)
Turnover Margin: 1.18 (3, 1)
Sacks: 2.73 (17, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.45 (25, 6)
 
Recent Playoff Appearances:
 
2024Second RoundDefeated Abilene Christian
2024QuarterfinalsDefeated Mercer
2024SemifinalsDefeated South Dakota State
2024ChampionshipDefeated Montana State
2023First RoundDefeated Drake
2023Second RoundDefeated Montana State
2023QuarterfinalsDefeated South Dakota
2023SemifinalsLost to Montana
2022Second RoundDefeated Montana
2022QuarterfinalsDefeated Samford
2022SemifinalsDefeated Incarnate Word
2022ChampionshipLost to South Dakota State
2021Second RoundDefeated Southern Illinois
2021QuarterfinalsDefeated East Tennessee State
2021SemifinalsDefeated James Madison
2021ChampionshipDefeated Montana State
2020First RoundDefeated Eastern Washington
2020QuarterfinalsLost to James Madison
2019Second RoundDefeated Nicholls State
2019QuarterfinalsDefeated Illinois State
2019SemifinalsDefeated Montana State
2019ChampionshipDefeated James Madison
2018Second RoundDefeated Montana State
2018QuarterfinalsDefeated Colgate
2018SemifinalsDefeated South Dakota State
2018ChampionshipDefeated Eastern Washington
2017Second RoundDefeated San Diego
2017QuarterfinalsDefeated Wofford
2017SemifinalsDefeated Sam Houston State
2017ChampionshipDefeated James Madison
2016Second RoundDefeated San Diego
2016QuarterfinalsDefeated South Dakota State
2016SemifinalsLost to James Madison
2015Second RoundDefeated Montana
2015QuarterfinalsDefeated Northern Iowa
2015SemifinalsDefeated Richmond
2015ChampionshipDefeated Jacksonville State
2014Second RoundDefeated South Dakota State
2014QuarterfinalsDefeated Coastal Carolina
2014SemifinalsDefeated Sam Houston State
2014ChampionshipDefeated Illinois State
2013Second RoundDefeated Furman
2013QuarterfinalsDefeated Coastal Carolina
2013SemifinalsDefeated New Hampshire
2013ChampionshipDefeated Towson
2012Second RoundDefeated South Dakota State
2012QuarterfinalsDefeated Wofford
2012SemifinalsDefeated Georgia Southern
2012ChampionshipDefeated Sam Houston State
2011Second RoundDefeated James Madison
2011QuarterfinalsDefeated Lehigh
2011SemifinalsDefeated Georgia Southern
2011ChampionshipDefeated Sam Houston State
2010First RoundDefeated Robert Morris
2010Second RoundDefeated Montana State
2010QuarterfinalsLost to Eastern Washington
 
 
*all team stats through 11/16