The Jackrabbits have moved on to the FCS semi-finals once again and now have the opportunity to slay the final dragon. This senior class has defeated every other negative/superstition/bugaboo around the program but has yet to win a playoff game in Fargo (they haven’t had the opportunity until now). If there is any group to do it, this is it and this is the time! The Bison are playing well as are the Jackrabbits. In the fist matchup, which NDSU won 13-9 in an incredibly physical matchup, even by Dakota Marker standards. This semi-final game promises to be an all-timer and will be must watch TV.
Offense
The NDSU offense is still really balanced and Cam Miller has continued to play really well. They have a big and experienced offensive line. Two really reliable running backs, and more talent at the wide receiver position than they have ever had. They are scoring a whopping 39.1 ppg via rushing for 196 and passing for 229 yards per game. It’s just terrific balance! On 3rd down, they convert on 53%of their chances and in the redzone they score 93% of the time (64/69) with 81% of those scores being touchdowns (52/64). The offensive line is good and has still surrendered just 18 sacks on the season. They take good care of the all with just 1 lost fumble and only 5 interceptions (although 3 have come in the past two games). In typical NDSU fashion they control the ball for 33:33 per game.
The NDSU offense is led by #7 Cam Miller (6-1, 212) who played a really sharp game in the first matchup going 20 for 27 for 163 yards and 2 TDs. He added another 24 on the ground. On the season he is completing 73% of his passes for 2,873 yards and 28 TDs to just 4 INT. As always, Miller is a threat on the ground and he has rushed for 531 gross yards and 9 TDs. He just looks in total command of the offense. In the first matchup he looked highly motivated to finally defeat the Jacks and bury that narrative. It’ll be interesting to see how he comes out on Saturday morning. Backup dual threat QB, Cole Payton injured his shoulder in the first matchup and is done for the season. #12 Nathan Hayes (6-3, 206) has looked more than capable in limited duty since then and I believe he will push Payton for the starting job next year.
The running back room has really clarified itself since the first matchup. #25 CharMar Brown (5-11, 214) has become the lead back and #8 Barika Kpeenu (5-10, 209) is a really nice complimentary piece because they have really different running styles. Brown, the Jerry Rice Award recipient, has rushed for 1,081 yards (5.0 ypc) and 14 TDs. He has only caught 5 balls on the season. Kpeenu has has 125 attempts for 693 yards (5.5 ypc) and also 7 TDs. He has 13 receptions for 111 yards and 1 TD. Senior, #28 TK Marshall (6-0, 208) probably hasn’t had the year he wanted and has just 45 carries for 170 yards (3.8 ypc) and 1 TD. He is a talented pass catcher and has 11 receptions for 177 yards and 1 TD. The Jacks will need to limit this groups impact on the game in order to win. If NDSU can successfully and efficiently run the ball, it will be a long game.
The wide receiver room is maybe the most improved group over the past 12 months for NDSU. Zach Mathis and Eli Green were good players but I believe they have some guys now with elite traits who have really grown this season into complete wide receivers. #5 Bryce Lance (6-3, 204) leads the group with 60 receptions for 839 yards and 13 TDs. He was contained in the first matchup and had just 1 reception for 9 yards. This will be a big challenge for the Jacks corners. NDSU used a strategic redshirt with #3 Raja Nelson (5-9, 189) in 2024 and he will have another year of eligibility. In the first matchup, he cooked the Jacks on NDSU’s final possession with 4 receptions for 48 yards and 2 TDs. On the season he has 19 receptions for 197 yards and 3 TDs in just 6 games. We have not seen as many of the Raja gadget plays this season as he has just 3 carries but I would anticipate NDSU to empty the bag in this one and utilize him on reverse and end around type plays. #1 Braylon Henderson (5-9, 175) has tremendous speed and has enjoyed a healthy senior season where he has caught 28 passes for 323 yards and 2 TDs. #19 Chris Harris (6-3, 204) is an experienced player who has also enjoyed his best season collecting 28 passes for 375 yards and 2 TDs. #15 Mekhi Collins (6-4, 214) has had a nice season and has caught 16 passes for 303 yards and 3 TDs. He had a big game against Mercer last week and caught 4 passes for 119 yards. The final guy in this mix is #81 Jackson Williams (5-11, 177). He is a true freshman and he has been sensational in the special teams return game. IF NDSU finds themselves needing a spark, I wouldn’t be surprised if they get something cooked up for him. He has just 8 receptions for 128 yards on the season. I’m just keeping an eye on him because he’s a bit of a game breaker.
NDSU still has really talented tight ends. #82 Joe Stoffel (6-4, 245) is one of the best in the MVFC and he has 25 receptions for 287 yards (11.5 ypc) and 4 TDs. He is gifted as a receiver and is elite as a blocker. #46 Truman Werremeyer (6-2, 246) plays fullback for NDSU but is a capable wide reciever and an excellent blocker. He has 8 receptions for 60 yards. #88 Carson Williams (6-4, 246) plays plenty as the second TE and is good run blocker. #33 Logan Hofstedt (6-1, 238) is also still around as a reserve fullback and gets some run when NDSU goes with a heavy personnel grouping.
The offensive line for NDSU still has plenty of talent but does have a big injury at right guard. The group only surrendered 18 sacks on the season but four did come last week against an aggressive Mercer defense. From left to right they will start
- #74 Grey Zabel (6-6, 305, SR)
- #62 Griffin Empey (6-3, 295, RFr)
- #63 Trent Fraley (6-1, 299, SO)
- #76 Hunter Poncius (6-8, 318, SR)
- #73 Mason Miller (6-7, 305, SR)
Miller and Zabel have started a ton of games over their careers for NDSU. Empey and Fraley are in their first year as starters and have really performed well. Poncius will be making just his second career start in place of the injured Jake Rock. He has been a tackle for much of his time in Fargo and until last week, his claim to fame was the big blocked kick in last years playoffs.
Defense
The Bison are still utilizing the 4-3 defense that has been their staple for years and years. Teams are scoring just 17.5 ppg against this defense and it is tricky to move the ball on the ground (118.6 ypg) and through the air (196.5 ypg). NDSU has recovered 13 fumbles, has 11 interceptions, and a whopping 33 sacks. They have at times had tackling issues in 2024 but I’m guessing they will have that resolved on Saturday. Opponents convert 41% of the time on 3rd down and just 72% of the time in the redzone with 76% of those scores resulting in TDs.
The defense is led by All-American #53 Eli Mostaert (6-3, 289) who has a whopping 53 tackles from his interior position. He also has 11.5 TFL, 6 sacks, and 4 QBH. He can be a game wrecker and SDSU can’t let that happen. Next to him is #50 Kody Huisman (6-4, 283) who has 282 tackles and 5 TFL on the season. He has a .5 sack and 1 QBH. #58 Keenan Wilson (6-1, 284) is Mostaert’s backup now and he has 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks. #91 Will Mostaert has 15 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 sacks while #64 Jaxon Duttenhefer (6-2, 285) has 12 tackles and 2 sacks. This interior group is deep and experienced!
The defensive ends are the explosive #93 Toby Anene (6-4, 252) and the experienced #56 Loshiaka Roques (6-3, 236). Anene has developed nicely after stepping into the starting lineup after Dylan Hendricks was lost for the season in the seventh game. Anene has 33 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 PBU, and 6 QBH. He’s a disrupter! Roques is playing the best ball of his career and he has 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 5 more QBH. Behind them is the experienced #55 Kole Menz (6-2, 237) who has 14 tackles on the year. Will Mostaert has played more at end this season too with some of the depth and injury issues.
The linebacker corp is led by WILL linebacker #43 Logan Kopp (6-1, 220). He is one of the best in the business and he leads the team with 59 total tackles, 6 FL, 3 sacks, 3 INT, 6 PBUs and 1 forced fumble. It is terrific production and playmaking! In the middle is #36 Nick Kubitz (6-3, 229) who seems to have cemented his place in the lineup after a time share early in the season. He has 41 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, and 2 QBH. On the other side of Kubitz is #14 Enock Sibomana (5-11, 206). He has 44 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBUs and 2 forced fumbles. He has really come in to his own this season and earned his starting spot. The depth at linebacker for NDSU is wild as #0 Marcus Gulley (6-3, 227), #47 Luke Weerts (6-1, 221, and #11 Oscar Benson (6-1, 215) would start at most places around the FCS. Gulley is third on the team with 49 tackles and also has 4 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 3 PBUs and 2 forced fumbles. Weerts has battled through injuries this season but still has 26 tackles and a forced fumble. Benson played the game of his life in the first matchup with the Jackrabbits and he has 37 tackles on the season and had 8 tackles in the first matchup alone.
The cornerbacks for NDSU have been tested this season. #10 Marcus Sheppard (5-10, 189) is a steadying presence for the group and he has 22 tackles, 1 INT, and 3 PBU. Opposite his is the ultra talented #17 Jailen Duffie (5-11, 169). Duffie has 23 tackles and 3 PBUs this season. He is learning on the job doing a good job. #24 Anthony Chideme-Alfaro is an Ivy League transfer and has done well in his first year in the MVFC. He has 26 stops and 1 INT. #18 Jaquise Alexander (5-10, 175) is also a very talented second year player and he has 12 total tackles and an INT.
At safety, NDSU does not have who they intended to have in this game. Cole Wisniewski announced he was transferring to Texas Tech last week after spending the year rehabbing in Fargo. He was one of the best safeties in the FCS and the Bison coaching staff was hopeful he would return for the playoff run. Sam Jung also will not play in this matchup after being lost for the season in the first matchup. In their place, #29 Darius Givance (6-3, 209), #4 Jaylin Crumby (5-11, 194), and #27 Ryan Jones (6-3, 205) have emerged. This trio is young but it has been baptism by fire this season. Givance leads the group with 37 total tackles, 2 INT, and 2 PBU. Crumby has 17 total tackles, and 3 PBUs while Jones has 29 total tackles and 3 PBUs of his own. Jung was having a terrific season so his loss has really been felt as well.
Special Teams
The NDSU special teams are always solid. They usually don’t hurt themselves in this phase of the game. #41 Kaedin Steindorf is still booming punts for NDSU and he has a 44 yard average including a long of 71 yards. He has just 4 touchbacks and has landed 9 inside the 20 and boomed 7 50+ yards. He has had 2 blocked this season. Opponents don’t have much of an opportunity for a return as there have only been 5 attempts for a 4.4 yard average. #39 Griffin Crosa is still the place kicker and he has gone 12 of 14 on his attempts with a long of 45 yards. His two misses have come from 40+ yards. #38 Eli Ozack handles the long field goals and has gone 2 of 4 from 50+ with a long of 54 yards. On his kickoffs, Ozick has a 61 yard average with nearly 66% of his kicks resulting in touchbacks. Opponents have a 21 yard return average on 22 attempts with a long of 53.
In the return game, freshman wide receiver Jackson Williams is a weapon. He has 16 returns for a 32.7 yard average with 1- 100 yard TD. Likewise, TK Marshall has 9 returns for a 28.2 yard average including 1- 100 yard touchdown. This is a dangerous duo! In the punt return game, Williams has 12 returns for an 11.3 yard average including 1- 67 yard TD. The Jackrabbit coverage units must continue their strong play on Saturday.
Predictions
The Jackrabbits seem to really be hitting their stride on both sides of the ball as the offense is certainly much more balanced since the first matchup. Likewise, the Jacks having Tucker Large back in the lineup is a HUGE plus. Each team will have plenty of motivation with a trip to Frisco at stake. I think the Jacks at this point in the season are a better team and have greater depth. NDSU is battled tested but something just seems off with them right now. I’m not 100% sure what it is but I don’t believe they are playing their best ball right now. The Fargo Dome should be rocking on Saturday morning and I anticipate a really strong contingent of Jackrabbit fans to be in attendance.
Jackrabbits 24- Bison 13
Go Jacks!
Matt
