Sign in Subscribe
College sports

North Dakota State University Athletics Prepares for 2025 Football Season

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

North Dakota State University's football team is gearing up for the upcoming 2025 season, with their first game scheduled for Saturday, August 30th, against The Citadel from the Southern Conference. The game will be broadcast on ABC stations statewide in North Dakota, with Dom Izzo, Kyle Emanuel, and Sam Goetzinger handling the call. The Citadel's broadcast will be available to ESPN+ subscribers on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 season will be the 129th season-opening game for the Bison, with a 90-32-6 record in season openers.
  • North Dakota State returns 11 starters this year, including five on offense, with center Trent Fraley and guard Griffin Empey anchoring the offensive line.
  • The team returns five on defense, including cornerbacks Anthony Chideme-Alfaro and Jailen Duffie, safety Darius Givance, linebacker Logan Kopp, defensive end Toby Anene, and defensive tackle Jaxon Duttenhefer.
  • The Bison led the FCS in turnover margin last year at plus-19, with five interceptions and 14 fumbles recovered.
  • North Dakota State has three players under consideration for national player of the year awards, including wide receiver Bryce Lance for the Walter Payton Award and defensive end Toby Anene and linebacker Logan Kopp for the Buck Buchanan Award.
  • The team has five players named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team, including center Trent Fraley and wide receiver Bryce Lance on the first team.
  • The Bison return 11 starters in total, including five on offense and six on defense.
  • North Dakota State has won 18 football national championships, including three College Division national championships, five Division II playoff titles, and 10 FCS national titles.
  • The team won 14 games last season, tying for first in the league with a 7-1 record and winning their 11th conference title and 10th NCAA FCS national title.

Statistics:

  • 129th season-opening game for the Bison
  • 90-32-6 record in season openers
  • 11 starters returning this year, including five on offense and six on defense
  • 5 players under consideration for national player of the year awards
  • 5 players named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
  • 18 football national championships
  • 14 wins last season, tying for first in the league with a 7-1 record

Sources:

  • [ABC stations statewide in North Dakota]
  • [ESPN.com]
  • [ESPN app]
  • [GoBison.com]
  • [NDSU Athletics]
  • [Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team]

Read more