Kolpack and Izzo Podcast
The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY Sports Director Dom Izzo discuss the latest happening with North Dakota State athletics and FCS Football.
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A dance with the Jacks awaits for a trip to Frisco
12/20/2024
A dance with the Jacks awaits for a trip to Frisco
It's an even numbered year, which means North Dakota State and South Dakota State must play in the playoffs. It's happened in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022 and now this year. You can set your watch to it. NDSU has hosted all but one of those games, which was the national championship game in Frisco. The Jackrabbits have accomplished nearly everything in FCS football, except beating the Bison in Fargo in the postseason. SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski can break the FCS all-time wins record with a victory Saturday, taking the spot of former Bison great Easton Stick. Gronowski tied Stick's record with SDSU's win over Incarnate Word last week. NDSU enters at 12-2, with wins over Mercer and Abilene Christian to reach its 13th semifinal in the last 14 years. The Bison enter as an underdog, much like they were in the regular season matchup in October, which was a 13-9 NDSU win. It is the final game inside the Fargodome for Bison quarterback Cam Miller, who is trying to lead NDSU to its third trip to Frisco in his four years as the starting quarterback. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup and who has the inside track to win the game Saturday.
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Matching up with Mercer and a quiet start to the portal opening
12/13/2024
Matching up with Mercer and a quiet start to the portal opening
The FCS quarterfinals kick off tonight and continue tomorrow in Fargo as North Dakota State hosts Southern Conference champion Mercer for a berth in the semifinals. The Bears (11-2) advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time after beating Rhode Island 17-10 last week in the second round. They are led defensively by a team that has racked up 23 interceptions, including two separate players with seven picks. They racked up individual postseason awards for their success; Mike Jacobs in his first season was named SoCon coach of the year, running back Dwayne McGee was named offensive player of the year, Bradyen Manley took defensive player of the year and defensive end Andrew Zock was the freshman of the year. Mercer has a true freshman leading them at quarterback in Whitt Newbauer. Newbauer took over during the middle part of the season for DJ Smith. He's completed 57% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. North Dakota State enters the quarterfinals for a 15th straight year after knocking off Abilene Christian last week. The Bison will face a SoCon team in the quarters for a fourth separate time. NDSU played Wofford in 2012 and 2017, East Tennessee State in 2021 and Samford in 2022. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup and look ahead to the other games in the quarterfinal round.
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A newsy week filled with signings, a departure and a football game
12/06/2024
A newsy week filled with signings, a departure and a football game
The first week of December was a busy one for North Dakota State football. It began with the news that Cole Wisniewski was going to enter the transfer portal after rehabbing a foot injury all season long. The former All-American safety has not played a down this season for the Bison. It continued with National Signing Day as NDSU added 32 high school players for its Class of 2025, highlighted by a pair of players that will enroll early and be in Fargo in January. Standout redshirt freshman running back Marty Brown brought home the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the top freshman in FCS, the second Bison to win the award, joining Trey Lance in 2019. Finally, there is a football game to chat about, as NDSU opens the FCS Playoffs with a first-time opponent in Abilene Christian. The Wildcats (9-4); won their league the United Athletic Conference and knocked off Northern Arizona in the first round of the playoffs. They are led by standout quarterback Maverick McIvor, who missed last week's game with an injury. He is expected to play in Saturday's game against NDSU.
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A clash with the Coyotes for a Valley title and a top seed
11/22/2024
A clash with the Coyotes for a Valley title and a top seed
North Dakota State returns to Vermillion, South Dakota Saturday with a chance to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference title outright and likely clinch a top playoff seed. The Bison will face fourth ranked South Dakota, the Coyotes are having another great season, coming in with an 8-2 record and 6-1 in the league. USD's two losses came to Wisconsin and South Dakota State, the latter in overtime. USD has never won the Valley in it's decade-plus tenure in the conference, the Coyotes would grab a share of the championship if they're able to beat the Bison and put themselves into the conversation of a high seed. NDSU is relatively healthy heading into this game, with senior wide receiver RaJa Nelson returning for his fourth game of the season. Nelson will be able to use a redshirt this season and return for a sixth season of eligibilty in 2025. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY-TV's Dom Izzo preview the game and look ahead to what the win would mean for each team.
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The seniors say so long as the Bison go for a Valley title
11/15/2024
The seniors say so long as the Bison go for a Valley title
North Dakota State returns to the field after its bye week Saturday as they will host surprising Missouri State. The Bears enter on an eight-game winning streak after losing their first two games of the season. MSU is in its final season of FCS football after announcing this spring they are moving up to FBS and Conference USA in 2025. Ryan Beard is in his second year as head coach of the Bears, who has turned the reigns over to former Minnesota transfer Jacob Clark. Clark enters with 25 touchdown passes and over 3,000 passing yards. The Bison offense has been electric this year, averaging nearly 38 points a game. NDSU's defense will get a challenge from a high octane offense. It's set to be an emotional day with 25 seniors set to be honored before the game. It's a huge class of seniors as some sixth year and fifth year players will play their final regular season game inside the Dome. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup between the Bison and Bears.
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The plight of the Panthers and a potential All-American return
11/01/2024
The plight of the Panthers and a potential All-American return
North Dakota State and Northern Iowa will play in a football game inside the Fargodome for the first time in three years Saturday afternoon. The Panthers last trip to Fargo coincided with the last time UNI made the FCS Playoffs, 2021. The Panthers posted a 6-5 regular season record and lost in the first round to Eastern Washington. Since that game in Cheney, Washington, the Panthers have posted a 14-16 record, including six straight losses in 2024 after a 2-0 start. Inconsistent quarterback play and poor defense has plagued UNI in that stretch as they come to Fargo this weekend. Panthers head coach Mark Farley has gone with sophomore Matthew Schecklman at quarterback over the last handful of games, he threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns last week in UNI's 49-42 loss to Missouri State. The Bison enter on an eight-game win streak and are getting a couple of players back this week. Cornerback Jailen Duffie will return after missing the last two games with concussion symptoms, defensive tackle/end Will Mostaert will be back after missing last week's game with a hip injury. Wide receiver Mekhi Collins is expected to return as well after missing last week's game. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo discuss the matchup with Northern Iowa, the potential return of Cole Wisniewski to the lineup and the upcoming renovation vote on the Fargodome.
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Racing to Kentucky for a matchup with Murray State
10/24/2024
Racing to Kentucky for a matchup with Murray State
It was an emotional win for North Dakota State last week against South Dakota State and it came at a cost. The Bison lost two more defensive starters to injury in that game, linebacker Oscar Benson and safety Sam Jung. Benson will be back at sometime this year, while Jung's career is over with a torn pectoral muscle. NDSU will press on, playing it's ninth consecutive game this Saturday as they travel to Kentucky to face Murray State, the newest member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Racers are led by first-year head coach Jody Wright, a former South Carolina assistant. MSU is 1-6 on the season and 0-4 in league play. They've allowed 72, 31, 59 and 40 points in its four league games, with only two of those games being single digit contests. Former Bison quarterback Jayden Johannsen is the starting quarterback for the Racers, who transferrred to Murray after a great career at South Dakota Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota. Johannssen was a finalist for the Harlan Hill Award in 2022. MSU play athe 50-year old Roy Stewart Stadium, which had nearly 16,000 fans in it last week for Homecoming when they hosted Illinois State. This is a new location for the Bison, who will fly in to Paducah, Kentucky, about an hour north of Murray, before busing there for the game on Saturday.
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Dakota Marker Goes Primetime and all about turnovers
10/18/2024
Dakota Marker Goes Primetime and all about turnovers
North Dakota State and South Dakota State will meet for the Dakota Marker for the 21st time Saturday night at the Fargodome. This will mark the first night regular season game in Fargo since the 2016 season opener, when NDSU beat Charleston Southern in overtime. SDSU comes into this game with a 5-1 record, having won five straight after a season opening loss to Oklahoma State, that snapped a 29-game win streak. The Jackrabbits haven't lost a game to an FCS team since December of 2021, in the FCS semifinals at Montana State. They are trying to win in Fargo for a third straight time, something that hasn't happened since FDR was president. North Dakota State has a six-game win streak after losing its season opener at Colorado. The Bison are a beat up unit on defense, losing three starters last week at Southern Illinois. Preseason all-conference selection Dylan Hendricks is out and will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, while middle linebacker Nick Kubitz is questionable after he suffered a concussion last week. The Jackrabbits have won five straight in this series, forcing ten turnovers against the Bison, while NDSU hasn't forced any turnovers from SDSU.
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The Salukis try to save their season hosting the Bison
10/11/2024
The Salukis try to save their season hosting the Bison
North Dakota State hits the second half of the 2024 season this Saturday as the Bison will head to Southern Illinois to take on a struggling Salukis team. SIU, which has made the playoffs three of the last four seasons, has had a run of injuries that's tough to fathom. Nick Hill will start a true freshman at quarterback this weekend in Jake Curry after his top three quarterbacks all suffered season ending injuries. Curry was inserted into the game last week against Illinois State, throwing two interceptions in the 45-10 loss to the Redbirds. SIU has lost three straight games, with the defense being the biggest issue. North Dakota State heads to Carbondale on a five-game win streak, including two dominant wins to open Valley play. The Bison have won three straight in this series, including a 21-18 win at Saluki Stadium in November 2022. Quarterback Cam Miller is expected to play after suffering an ankle injury late in the third quarter last week against North Dakota. Miller has started 44 straight games for the Bison after being inserted into the lineup nearly three full years ago.
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North Dakota Game Preview and is a trophy game on the horizon?
10/04/2024
North Dakota Game Preview and is a trophy game on the horizon?
The eyes of North Dakota will be fixed on the Fargodome Saturday afternoon as North Dakota State will host the University of North Dakota in a large Missouri Valley Football Conference game. The Bison come in ranked second, while the Fighting Hawks come in seventh. This is the second time in the last four years the two teams are ranked in the top ten, UND and NDSU were ranked second and fourth in the spring season of 2021. Each team has high-flying offenses so far in 2024, NDSU has the eighth ranked offense in FCS, with UND coming in at tenth. Both teams are averaging 39 points per game. Fighting Hawks running back Gaven Ziebarth has ran for 249 yards and four touchdowns, he scored three times against NDSU last October. UND senior wide receiver Bo Belquist has found the endzone three times in four career games against the Bison, racking up 12 total receptions. NDSU quarterback Cam Miller is on a different level in 2024, completing 78 percent of his passes, going 216 straight passes without an interception. His last pick came against South Dakota State last November, a span of 11 games.
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Preview of the Bison home opener against Tennessee State
09/04/2024
Preview of the Bison home opener against Tennessee State
North Dakota State returns home Saturday to welcome in Ohio Valley Conference member Tennessee State for a first-time meeting between the schools. This is the beginning of a home and home series, with the Bison returning to Nashville and Nissan Stadium next season, which is the home of the Tennessee Titans. That game will be played on Sept. 6. The Tigers are coached by former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, who was hired in 2021. George is a hero in Nashville after starring for many years with the Titans, leading them to their only Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV. The guys discuss NDSU's issues after the season opening loss to Colorado and where the back end of the defense goes from here. They also discuss Cam Miller's strong start and what to look for in this game Saturday. They also chat about the changes to how the game will look for fans. There are some significiant changes to the Gameday atmosphere, including a new team walk that will take the Bison player right through the west-side tailgate lot.
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The wide open Summit men's tournament and can the Bison women break through?
03/08/2024
The wide open Summit men's tournament and can the Bison women break through?
The road to the NCAA Basketball Tournament once again runs through Sioux Falls. For the first time in a handful of years, the Summit League men's tournament is wide open. After back to back years where a team was unbeaten in the regular season, South Dakota State won the league this year losing four times. North Dakota State enters with its lowest seed in six years, the Bison are seeded fifth after losing their final two games of the regular season. NDSU will face St. Thomas Sunday at 6 p.m. The Bison split the season series with the Tommies, including a 64-50 win in Fargo on February 22. North Dakota comes to Sioux Falls with the highest seed the Fighting Hawks have ever earned as a member of the Summit League. UND finished third and will take on Omaha Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. Paul Sather's team swept the season series from the Mavericks. The women's side sees SDSU return as the top seed after a second consecutive unbeaten season. Aaron Johnston's team has been beset by injuries, but yet the Jacks finished 16-0 in league play. Jory Collins team comes to Sioux Falls as the second seed for the second straight year. It was a disappointment last year as the Bison lost in the opening round to seventh-seeded Kansas City in the opening round. This year's Bison are led by all-Summit first-team member Elle Evans, who was also selected to the defensive team. NDSU has earned the most wins in the Division I era and seems primed for a run to Tuesday's championship. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo offer their thoughts on the tournament and what to expect over the next few days.
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NDSU splits with SDSU as Summit League enters second half, football staff fills out
02/03/2024
NDSU splits with SDSU as Summit League enters second half, football staff fills out
The second half of the Summit League basketball season has arrived and things couldn't be more different on the men's and women's side. The men's race is a complete free-for-all, with the conference leaders each with three losses, South Dakota State and North Dakota. That's after North Dakota State went to Brookings and beat the Jacks 74-73, the fifth separate overtime game that the Bison have played this season. It was a much needed win for NDSU, which now sits just a half game out of third place and with a win Saturday at UND, can launch themselves right into the conversation of a Summit title. Meanwhile, the NDSU women came up short to SDSU Thursday night, falling 65-58 to the Jacks, losing for a 20th straight time in the series. This game was different than the previous 19, as NDSU tied the game with 1:45 to. SDSU finished on a 8-1 run to close it out. The Bison sit in third place in the league standings with a huge game looming in Grand Forks Saturday to remain in the top half of the conference race. On the football front, new head coach Tim Polasek has filled out his staff with the hiring of Jake Landry as offensive coordinator. Landry joins Will Johnson and Devin Klieman as the new pieces of the NDSU coaching staff heading into the 2024 season.
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Bison football adds two coaches and Tyler Roehl departs for Tennessee State
01/26/2024
Bison football adds two coaches and Tyler Roehl departs for Tennessee State
Tim Polasek's first coaching staff is starting to come into shape. This week Polasek announced the hirings of Devin Klieman, the son of former NDSU head coach Chris Klieman as the safeties coach and Will Johnson as the new cornerbacks coach. Each have been graduate assistants at their previous stops and will be making their position coaching debuts in the 2024 season. Polasek has another hire to make with longtime assistant and former standout player Tyler Roehl leaving to take the associate head coach and offensive coordinator job at Tennessee State. Roehl leaves Fargo after not being selected as the new Bison head coach that went to Polasek. Roehl's NDSU career began in 2004 as a player, then returned on Craig Bohl's staff in 2011. He was hired full-time by Klieman in 2014 to coach the fullbacks and tight ends and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo discuss the departure of Roehl and who could potentially replace him. They also talk about where each of the NDSU basketball teams sit at as the halfway mark of the Summit League season approaches. The Bison women sit at 5-1 in league play, while the men are at 2-4.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Tyler Roehl's decision to return and what's next for Bison basketball
01/11/2024
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Tyler Roehl's decision to return and what's next for Bison basketball
It was a newsy week despite the fact that the FCS season officially came to a close last Sunday in Frisco, Texas. South Dakota State won the national championship with a 23-3 win over Montana, a second straight title for the Jacks. Less than two days later, Montana's quarterback was in the transfer portal and SDSU's offensive coordinator was on the way to Northwestern. NDSU's offensive coordinator is returning to Fargo. Tyler Roehl was officially promoted earlier this week to associate head coach. Roehl was one of the two finalists for the job that eventually went to Tim Polasek. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo discuss the decision by Roehl and what it means for the 2024 Bison. They also chat about UND offensive coordinator Danny Freund leaving to take the co-offensive coordinator job at SDSU and what's ahead for the Fighting Hawks. The Summit League basketball season resumes this weekend with the Bison basketball teams in different spots. The men have lost five straight games as they head on the road this weekend to take on Kansas City and Omaha. Boden Skunberg is back with the team after being benched against Montana last week for a failure of team and culture standards. The women are coming off an exciting home win over Northern Arizona and look to keep their conference record perfect, facing two teams that the Bison are favored to beat.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: The latest on Boden Skunberg and Tim Polasek picks up his first win
01/05/2024
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: The latest on Boden Skunberg and Tim Polasek picks up his first win
The first podcast of 2024 is here, with plenty of news to discuss. North Dakota State's men's basketball team opened the new year with a loss to Montana in the Big Sky - Summit League Challenge 96-86. The Bison played without their leading scorer and lone senior, Boden Skunberg, who was benched by head coach David Richman for not meeting the team's culture expectations. The Bison have lost four straight games and sit at 7-8 as they head to face Eastern Washington in the back end of the Challenge in Cheney. Richman said there's a possibility that Skunberg could return at some point this season. Also, the NDSU football team picked up a couple of wins over the last week with the news that Cole Wisniewski and Grey Zabel will return for the 2024 season. Each announced late last week that they will be back, turning down sizable NIL offers to transfer. Jeff Kolpack and Dom Izzo discuss the news in hoops and football and where things go with both teams as the new year is here.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: The Bison march to Missoula for a trip to Frisco at stake
12/15/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: The Bison march to Missoula for a trip to Frisco at stake
North Dakota State's football season has reached the semifinal round for the 12th time in the last 13 years. The Bison (11-3) who were left for dead by the hosts of this podcast after a 49-24 loss to the University of North Dakota on October 14, are still playing football. They have a chance to make Frisco for the 11th time in the last 13 years Saturday afternoon in Missoula, Montana against the second seeded Grizzlies. The game seems like an afterthought to some, as the school is in the midst of a head coaching search. Matt Entz announced on Sunday he was leaving NDSU for a job at USC to become the assistant defensive coach and linebackers coach for the Trojans. As the show was recorded on Thursday afternoon, no coach had been named yet for the Bison. Athletic director Matt Larsen said he wanted to move quickly to find the next head coach, with National Signing Day looming on Wednesday. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo discuss the search for the next head coach and discuss the matchup as the Bison and Griz meet in the playoffs for the third time, and for the first time the game is at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Memories of Craig Bohl and the Bison-Coyotes meet again in the playoffs
12/08/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Memories of Craig Bohl and the Bison-Coyotes meet again in the playoffs
Nearly 38 years to the day of one of the biggest games in Bison football history, North Dakota State and the University of South Dakota are set to face each other again in the playoffs. December 7, 1985 is a day that will go down in infamy for USD. The Coyotes had the Bison in the Dakota Dome, after beating NDSU 38-14 earlier in the season. The Bison had the last laugh, thanks to one of the most improbable plays, named "The Pitch", as Jeff Bentrim pitched the ball as he falling to James Molstre. Molstre ran 63-yards down the sidelines for a touchdown and NDSU never looked back. They forced three turnovers in a 16-7 on the way to a second national title in three years. The two teams would play again in the 1986 Division II title game, a Bison rout. Now, 37 years later, the two schools meet again in the playoffs, this time for a spot in the FCS semifinals. South Dakota has had a dream year, winning 10 games for the first time in the Division I level. That included a 24-19 win in Fargo back in September. Now the Bison are in their building, with a chance to beat them twice in the same year for the first time. NDSU (10-3) is playing its best football. The Bison have won four straight games, and have a chance to write a wrong in their minds. NDSU fell behind 21-3 at halftime to the Coyotes in September and could never recover from that slow start. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo break down the game and also reminiscence about their memories of covering former Bison head coach Craig Bohl. Bohl announced on Tuesday that he is retiring from coaching after ten years at Wyoming and the previous ten years at NDSU. They share some of their fondest memories covering Bohl.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Back to Bozeman for the Bison
12/01/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Back to Bozeman for the Bison
North Dakota State's 2023 playoff run will take it outside of Fargo for the first time during a fall season since 2010 Saturday, when they face Montana State. Ironically enough, the last time the Bison had to go on the road for the postseason in a "normal" season was in Bozeman, a 42-17 win over the Bobcats. It was a monumental win for the program, that sent the Bison on to the FCS quarterfinals and an eventual loss to the national champs that year, Eastern Washington. The 2023 crew will come to Bobcat Stadium eager to keep its hot play going, where the Bison have scored 38, 48 and 66 points in the last three games. Montana State enters off a bye week, earned for being selected as the six seed. MSU though, lost two of its final four games, including a 37-7 rout to Montana in the Brawl of the Wild. With the game as the backdrop; it's also a wildly busy week on the college football front. The head coaching carousel has been busy spinning and the transfer portal has been active all around the Missouri Valley. There's speculation that several Bison players may be targeted by bigger schools to potentially transfer whenever the NDSU season ends. The guys discuss who may be targeted and what, if anything, NDSU can do about it. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup and also discuss the other playoff games as the field will be trimmed to eight teams by the end of the day Saturday.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: A Throwback Thanksgiving weekend football game
11/24/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: A Throwback Thanksgiving weekend football game
The FCS Playoffs kick off tomorrow in eight cities across the country and for the first time in 13 years, Fargo is one of them. North Dakota State will face Drake in the opening round Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. The Bison (8-3) will face the Bulldogs (8-3) for the second time in the last 15 months. Drake came to Fargo for the 2022 season opener, a 56-14 NDSU win. Todd Stepsis is in his fifth season as head coach, who's team has seen the top of the Missouri Valley this season, losing 55-7 and 70-7 to North Dakota and South Dakota State respectively. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup between the teams and what the other FCS playoff matchups look like.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: A showdown in Cedar Falls awaits NDSU this weekend
11/17/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: A showdown in Cedar Falls awaits NDSU this weekend
The road ends in Cedar Falls, Iowa for the 2023 regular season of North Dakota State football. For the first time since the 2019 season, NDSU ends the regular season on the road and in unfamiliar spot, needing a win to solidify its playoff standing. The Bison picked up a huge 34-10 victory last week against Southern Illinois to reach the 7-win plateau, but another win this week could potentially earn them a playoff seed and with it, a much needed week off. Northern Iowa was thinking playoff seed at this time last week and then lost a clunker at Missouri State 35-16, in a game that wasn't as close as the score suggests. UNI now enters with a 6-4 record, needing a win to extend its season to the playoffs, a place they haven't been since losing in the first round in 2021 to Eastern Washington. The Bison haven't lost to the Panthers since 2014, a 23-3 game that saw UNI end a then-record 33-game win streak for NDSU. Fans stormed the UNI-Dome field. After that, the Bison have posted wins in Cedar Falls in 2016, 2018 and in the weird spring season of 2021. The Panthers are led by sixth year quarterback Theo Day, who took over as the starter in 2021 and was sacked five times in Fargo in the last game these two teams played, a 34-20 Bison win. WDAY's Dom Izzo and The Forum's Jeff Kolpack preview the matchup and break down all the potential playoff scenarios surrounding NDSU heading into Selection Sunday.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: A must-win football game arrives in Fargo for the regular season finale
11/10/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: A must-win football game arrives in Fargo for the regular season finale
Saturday's North Dakota State game at the Fargodome may have the most at-stake during the regular season since the Bison championship dynasty began in 2011. That final regular season home game in 2011, NDSU was matched up with Youngstown State and had a chance to clinch its first Missouri Valley Football Conference title. The Bison raced out to a 21-10 second quarter lead, only to see the Penguins rally and win the game 27-24, denying NDSU a chance to clinch the conference at home. NDSU had to wait a week and win the league in Macomb, Illinois the following week. The Bison don't want to put off a win this week as they welcome in Southern Illinois for a monumental football game. Each team enters with a 6-3 record and 3-3 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The winner will get to the elusive 7-win plateau and likely cinch up a playoff berth. If the Bison were to lose, they would have to win a road game at Northern Iowa next week to be considered for the 24-team playoff. SIU has had an up and down season much like the Bison. SIU started 3-0, which included an FBS win over Northern Illinois, and a road win against Southeast Missouri State. They have a bumpy road in conference play, which included a 31-3 blasting by Youngstown State and home losses to South Dakota State and South Dakota. The Salukis were held to just 17 combined points in losses to SDSU and USD. Nick Hill's team has never won in Fargo, losing all six games, including a 38-7 playoff defeat in the second round in 2021. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the game and the implications surrounding it. They also discuss Senior Day and the players that could potentially return next season.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Dakota Marker 2023 preview
11/03/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Dakota Marker 2023 preview
The focus of the FCS world centers on Brookings, South Dakota this weekend as top ranked South Dakota State welcomes in rival North Dakota State for the 20th renewal of the Dakota Marker Game. This game may be unlike any other in the history of this series; with the Jackrabbits as prohibitive favorites over the Bison. SDSU has won four straight over NDSU, a fifth straight win will match a streak that hasn't happened since 1910-1917. NDSU enters with a 6-2 record after back to back wins over Western Illinois and Murray State. They'll enter this game without backup defensive tackle Will Mostaert, who tore his Achilles tendon in the game last week against the Racers. The Jackrabbits come in on a 22-game win streak, after dusting rival South Dakota 37-3 on the road last Saturday. SDSU hasn't lost at home since October of 2021, a streak of 16 straight wins. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo discuss everything about the matchup, they also reflect on the passing of Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Knight, who died on Wednesday. Knight coached against North Dakota State when he was at Texas Tech in November of 2006.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Murray State Game Preview
10/27/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Murray State Game Preview
North Dakota State wraps up the month of October with a first-time opponent, as Missouri Valley conference newbie Murray State comes to the Fargodome this weekend. Murray State was a founding member of the Ohio Valley Conference and left in July as the school wanted to join the Missouri Valley Conference to enhance its basketball profile. The football team was added to the MVFC in April 2022, becoming the 12th school in the league. The Racers are led by 59-year-old head coach Dean Hood, who's trying to end a 22-year playoff drought for MSU. Murray State last made the postseason in 2001. North Dakota State enters off a 52-7 win over Western Illinois to improve the Bison to a mark of 5-2. They may be shorthanded again this week as tight end Joe Stoffel will likely miss the game with a banged up shoulder. Stoffel fell hard on his right shoulder as he scored a touchdown against Western Illinois and left the game. Head coach Matt Entz says a rotation of Carson Williams, Hunter Brozio and Finn Diggins could likely replace Stoffel in the game this weekend. The Bison are still searching for a 100-yard rusher out of the running back room, which has yet to happen this season. Barika Kpeenu rushed for 95 yards last week against the Leathernecks. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup between Murray State and NDSU and look ahead to the final four weeks of the season as the playoff picture starts to come into focus.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Where NDSU goes from here as Western Illinois comes to town
10/20/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Where NDSU goes from here as Western Illinois comes to town
The second half of the 2023 FCS college football season begins Saturday for North Dakota State and in essence, the Bison season really begins this weekend. NDSU after being flattened by North Dakota last Saturday, returns home to host winless Western Illinois at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. This game centers more around how the Bison play and who plays for NDSU this weekend than anything that the Leathernecks do. WIU is leaving the Missouri Valley Football Conference after this season for the Ohio Valley Conference, a move that became official in May. The Leathernecks have not won a football game in nearly two full years, entering on 19-game losing streak. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo discuss the issues surrounding this year's Bison football team and where things go from here. They also discuss what potentially may happen over the final five games of the season.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: North Dakota Game Preview
10/13/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: North Dakota Game Preview
The state's biggest rivalry takes center stage Saturday in Grand Forks as just for the second time in the Division I era, North Dakota State travels to Grand Forks and the Alerus Center to face North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks enter with a mark of 3-2, with losses to Boise State and South Dakota. UND hasn't defeated NDSU in the D-1 era, with its last win coming in 2003. Bison quarterback Cam Miller will make his first start in the Alerus Center, Miller got in one play in the game in 2021 after starting quarterback Quincy Patterson had his helmet knocked off. UND quarterback Tommy Schuster will make his fourth start against the Bison, looking for his first win against the Bison. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup as a sellout crowd will await the Bison in Grand Forks Saturday afternoon.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Missouri State Game Preview
10/05/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Missouri State Game Preview
North Dakota State will play its first true road game of the 2023 season Saturday when they make the trip to Springfield, Missouri and a matchup with the Missouri State Bears. NDSU enters off a deflating 24-19 loss to South Dakota on homecoming, the Bison's first loss to the Coyotes since 2015. They have a more impressive win streak against MSU, who hasn't beaten NDSU since November of 2010, a 3-0 win in Springfield. The Bears are led by first-year head coach Ryan Beard, who succeeded Bobby Petrino. Petrino left last off-season to take the offensive coordinator role at Texas A&M. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup, take a closer look at what's going at Missouri State and try to diagnose what's up with the Bison thru the first four games of the 2023 season.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: South Dakota Game Preview
09/28/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: South Dakota Game Preview
North Dakota State returns to the football field this weekend as they open Missouri Valley Confernece play with South Dakota. It's also Homecoming Weekend as the Bison will honor the 1983 National Championship team, along with Tim Strehlow and Jared Essler. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo preview the matchup with the 2-1 Coyotes and how the Bison have improved their offense thru the first three games of the season.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: NDSU enters bye week at 3-0
09/22/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: NDSU enters bye week at 3-0
North Dakota State enters its bye week at 3-0 after beating Central Arkansas 49-31 last Saturday at the Fargodome. The Bison defense has forced seven turnovers, while the offense hasn't committed one thru the first three games. NDSU prepares for Missouri Valley Conference play relatively healthy, with linebacker Nick Kubitz suffering a sprained ankle as the biggest injury NDSU has had thru the first three games. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo recap the first three games and look ahead to Valley play in this week's podcast.
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Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Central Arkansas Game Preview
09/14/2023
Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: Central Arkansas Game Preview
North Dakota State wraps up non-conference play Saturday at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome as they host Central Arkansas out of the United Athletic Conference. UCA enters with a record of 1-1, losing to Oklahoma State in its season opener, before beating Texas College, an NAIA school, 70-2 last week. This is the second all-time meeting between the schools, the two teams met in October 2020 in Fargo. That was Trey Lance's final game as a Bison, rallying NDSU in the fourth quarter to a 39-28 win. There was less than 500 people in attendance as the game was held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Forum's Jeff Kolpack and WDAY's Dom Izzo discuss the matchup and why Central Arkansas poses a real challenge to a 19-year non-conference home win streak that the Bison currently have.
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