2015 North Dakota State Bison football team

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2015 North Dakota State Bison football
NCAA Division I champion
MVFC co-champion
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 1
FCS CoachesNo. 1
Record13–2 (7–1 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Polasek (2nd season)
Offensive schemeWest Coast
Defensive coordinatorMatt Entz (2nd season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumFargodome
Seasons
← 2014
2016 →
2015 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf Overall
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  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll

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.

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[edit]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 292:30 pmat No. 13 Montana*No. 1ESPNL 35–3826,472 (R)[1]
September 122:30 pmWeber State*No. 2NBC ND/ESPN3W 41–1418,801[2]
September 192:30 pmNorth Dakota*No. 4
NBC ND/ESPN3W 34–919,044[3]
October 36:00 pmat No. 5 South Dakota StateNo. 3Midco/NBC ND/ESPN3W 28–717,348 (R) [4]
October 106:00 pmNo. 10 Northern IowadaggerNo. 3
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
NBC ND/ESPN3W 31–2818,954
October 172:30 pmSouth DakotaNo. 2
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
Midco/NBC ND/ESPN3L 21–2418,420
October 2412:00 pmat No. 18 Indiana StateNo. 8MVC TV/ESPN3W 28–146,524
October 312:00 pmat Southern IllinoisNo. 7NBC ND/ESPN3W 35–296,508
November 72:30 pmWestern IllinoisNo. 6
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND (Harvest Bowl)
NBC ND/ESPN3W 59–718,251
November 141:00 pmat No. 20 Youngstown StateNo. 2NBC ND/ESPN3W 27–2411,309
November 212:00 pmMissouri StateNo. 2
  • Fargodome
  • Fargo, ND
NBC ND/ESPN3W 55–018,624
December 52:30 pmNo. 16 Montana*No. 2
ESPN3W 37–618,232
December 1211:00 amNo. 15 Northern Iowa*No. 2
ESPN2W 23–1318,041
December 187:00 pmNo. 12 Richmond*No. 2
ESPN2W 33–718,105
January 9, 201611:00 amvs. No. 1 Jacksonville State*No. 2ESPN2W 37–1021,836
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time
  • Source: [1] (R) indicates record attendance.

Coaching staff[edit]

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)

[5]

Roster[edit]

2015 North Dakota State Bison Football

Quarterback

  •  5 Michael Veldman – Freshman
  •  7 Cole Davis – Sophomore
  • 11 Carson WentzSenior
  • 12 Easton StickRedshirt Freshman
  • 17 James Hendricks – Freshman *

Tailback

  •  8 Darius Anderson – Senior (+WR)
  • 10 Lance Dunn – Redshirt Freshman
  • 22 King Frazier – Junior
  • 24 Demaris Purifoy – Freshman *
  • 25 Chase Morlock – Junior
  • 37 Garrett Malstrom – Freshman
  • 42 Bruce Anderson – Freshman *

Fullback

  • 30 Jedre Cyr – Senior
  • 34 Brock Robbins – Freshman *
  • 40 Dan Sargeant – Sophomore
  • 46 Andrew BonnetSenior (+TE)

Wide receiver

  •  4 Dimitri Williams – Freshman *
  •  9 Colter Pritchard – Sophomore
  • 13 Eric Perkins – Junior
  • 15 Daniel Polanski – Sophomore
  • 16 RJ Urzendowski – Sophomore
  • 18 Khayvon Hawkins – Redshirt Freshman
  • 20 Darrius ShepherdRedshirt Freshman
  • 33 Marquise Bridges – Freshman *
  • 80 Nate Moody – Senior
  • 81 Isaiah Frandsen – Sophomore
  • 82 Zach Vraa – Senior
  • 83 Dallas Freeman – Redshirt Freshman

Tight end

  • 39 Ben EllefsonFreshman *
  • 49 Matt Anderson – Freshman *
  • 85 Nate Jenson – Redshirt Freshman
  • 86 Jeff Illies – Sophomore
  • 87 Connor Wentz – Sophomore
  • 88 Luke Albers – Senior
  • 89 Isaac Lashua – Redshirt Freshman
 

Offensive lineman

  • 53 Max Haskins - OL – Freshman
  • 54 Jeremy Kelly - OG – Senior
  • 58 Andrew Trzebiatowski - OT – Freshman
  • 59 Joe Haeg - OT – Senior
  • 60 Max Polson - C – Sophomore
  • 64 Colin Conner - OT – Redshirt Freshman
  • 65 Jack Albrecht - OG – Freshman *
  • 66 Zack Johnson - OG – Redshirt Junior
  • 67 Brock Russell - OG – Senior
  • 68 Zack Johnson - OT – Freshman *
  • 70 Jack Plankers - OT – Junior
  • 71 Luke Bacon - OT – Redshirt Freshman
  • 72 Erik Olson - OT – Sophomore
  • 73 Zack Ziemer - OG – Sophomore
  • 74 Tanner Volson - OG – Redshirt Freshman
  • 75 Austin Kuhnert - C – Sophomore
  • 76 Trent Mooney - OG – Freshman *
  • 77 Christian Triplett - C – Redshirt Freshman
  • 78 Landon Lechler - OT – Junior

Defensive tackle

  • 57 Bryan Carlton – Freshman *
  • 61 Brian Schaetz – Senior
  • 62 Bryce Messner – Sophomore
  • 63 Aaron Steidl – Redshirt Freshman
  • 69 Blake Williams – Redshirt Freshman
  • 90 Grant Morgan – Sophomore
  • 92 Jack Darnell – Freshman *
  • 95 Connor Hubbs – Freshman *
  • 98 Austin Farnlof – Junior
  • 99 Nate Tanguay – Sophomore

Defensive end

  • 53 Cole Karcz – Freshman *
  • 56 Caleb Butler – Redshirt Freshman
  • 91 Derrek TuszkaFreshman *
  • 93 Jarrod Tuszka – Sophomore
  • 94 Stanley Jones – Redshirt Freshman
  • 96 Greg Menard – Sophomore
  • 97 Brad Ambrosius – Junior

Placekicker

  • 36 Cam Pedersen – Freshman
 

Linebacker

  •  1 Chris BoardSophomore
  • 14 Bo Liekhus – Junior
  • 41 MJ Stumpf – Junior
  • 43 Kurt Mattox – Sophomore
  • 44 Matt Plank – Sophomore
  • 45 Levi Jordheim – Redshirt Freshman
  • 47 Pierre Gee-Tucker – Junior
  • 48 Dan Marlette – Redshirt Freshman
  • 49 Nick DeLucaJunior
  • 50 Gray Gochenour – Freshman
  • 52 Jake Brinkman – Freshman *
  • 55 Aaron Mercadel – Freshman *

Cornerback

  •  2 Quinten McCoy – Junior
  •  5 Jordan Champion – Senior
  •  6 CJ Smith – Senior
  • 19 Dom Davis – Freshman *
  • 21 Jalen Allison – Redshirt Freshman
  • 29 Eric Bachmeier – Redshirt Freshman
  • 31 Bryce Bennot – Redshirt Freshman
  • 31 Ty Brooks – Freshman *
  • 32 Dakota Reid – Redshirt Freshman
  • 34 Ross Effertz – Freshman
  • 37 Tre Fort – Freshman

Safety

  •  3 Tre Dempsey - FS – Sophomore
  •  8 Braden Sikes - SS – Freshman *
  • 23 Jaylaan Wimbush - SS – Redshirt Freshman
  • 26 Keenan Hodenfield - FS – Sophomore
  • 27 Isaac Cenescar - SS – Redshirt Freshman
  • 28 Andrew Smith - FS – Junior
  • 35 Robbie Grimsley - SS – Freshman *
  • 38 Jaxon Brown - SS – Freshman *

Punter

  •  9 Ian Gallagher – Redshirt Freshman
  • 19 Ben LeCompte – Senior (+K)

Long Snappers

  • 51 James Fisher – Sophomore
  • 95 Peder Olson – Redshirt Freshman (+LB)

  • * : 2015 NDSU Bison Football Commits (02/04/2015)

Recruiting class[edit]

US college sports recruiting information for 2015 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college 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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
Bryan Carlton
#145 DE
Chanhassen, MN Minnetonka High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 246 lb (112 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
Derrek Tuszka
#136 DE
Warner, SD Warner High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 226 lb (103 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
Matt Anderson
#133 TE
Lakeland, MN Stillwater High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 228 lb (103 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
Trent Mooney
#226 OT
Lamar, MO Lamar High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 269 lb (122 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:2/5 stars
Ty Brooks
CB
Fargo, ND Fargo South High School 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 161 lb (73 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Jaxon Brown
S
Eau Claire, WI Regis High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 189 lb (86 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Demaris Purifoy
RB
Wauwatosa, WI Wauwatosa West High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 188 lb (85 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Brock Robbins
FB
Cavalier, ND Cavalier High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 230 lb (100 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Cole Karcz
TE -> DE
Germantown, MN Germantown High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 233 lb (106 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Bruce Anderson
RB
Ruskin, FL Newsome High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 202 lb (92 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Jake Brinkman
OLB
North Liberty, IA Regina High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
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) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Jack Albrecht
OG
Rolling Meadows, IL Fremd High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 276 lb (125 kg) February 04, 2015 (Signed) 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: -   247Sports: #131  ESPN: -
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 1, 2016.

Game summaries[edit]

At Montana[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#1 Bison 7 21 0 7 35
#13 Grizzlies 10 11 7 10 38

Weber State[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
Wildcats 7 0 0 7 14
#2 Bison 7 21 3 10 41

North Dakota[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
North Dakota 3 0 6 0 9
#4 Bison 3 21 10 0 34

At South Dakota State[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#3 Bison 7 14 7 0 28
#5 Jackrabbits 0 0 7 0 7

Northern Iowa[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Panthers 7 7 0 14 28
#3 Bison 3 7 0 21 31

South Dakota[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
Coyotes 0 14 0 10 24
#2 Bison 14 7 0 0 21

At Indiana State[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#8 Bison 7 7 14 0 28
#18 Sycamores 0 7 7 0 14

At Southern Illinois[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#7 Bison 7 7 7 14 35
Salukis 3 7 9 10 29

Western Illinois[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
Leathernecks 0 0 7 0 7
#6 Bison 17 21 7 14 59

At Youngstown State[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#2 Bison 0 3 7 17 27
#20 Penguins 7 7 10 0 24

Missouri State[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
Bears 0 0 0 0 0
#2 Bison 14 27 14 0 55

FCS playoffs[edit]

Second round – Montana[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#16 Grizzlies 0 0 6 0 6
#2 Bison 7 14 10 6 37

Quarterfinals–Northern Iowa[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#15 Panthers 7 3 0 3 13
#2 Bison 7 0 7 9 23

Semifinals–Richmond[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#12 Spiders 0 0 7 0 7
#2 Bison 13 13 0 7 33

Championship–Jacksonville State[edit]

1 2 3 4 Total
#2 Bison 3 21 3 10 37
#1 Gamecocks 0 0 10 0 10

Ranking movements[edit]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
т = Tied with team above or below ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
STATS FCS1 (144)2 (22)4 (23)3 (17)3 (16)3 (20)2 (27)876222 (2)1 (150)
Coaches1 (24)2–T (6)22 (4)2 (4)2 (6)2 (5)865–T333 (5)1 (24)

2016 NFL draftees[edit]

Player Round Pick Position NFL Club
Carson Wentz 1 2 Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles
Joe Haeg 5 155 Guard Indianapolis Colts

[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "North Dakota State–Montana Game Summary". ESPN. August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  2. ^ "North Dakota State–Weber State Game Summary". ESPN. September 12, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  3. ^ Schnepf, Kevin (September 19, 2015). "For at Least One Day, NDSU-UND Game Was the Biggest Thing in the State Again". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  4. ^ "North Dakota State–South Dakota State Game Summary". ESPN. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  5. ^ "2014 Football Coaching Staff". North Dakota State Athletics. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  6. ^ "2012 NFL Draft". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2016.