2015 North Dakota State Bison football team

2015 North Dakota State Bison football
2015 North Dakota State Bison football
NCAA Division I champion; MVFC co-champion
NCAA Division I Championship, W 37–10 vs. Jacksonville State
Conference	Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATS	No. 1
FCS Coaches	No. 1
Record	13–2 (7–1 MVFC)
Head coach	Chris Klieman (2nd season);
Offensive coordinator	Tim Polasek (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	West Coast
Defensive coordinator	Matt Entz (2nd season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Fargodome
	Seasons ← 2014 2016 →

2015 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
v t e
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

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 29	2:30 pm	at No. 13 Montana*	No. 1	Washington–Grizzly Stadium Missoula, MT (FCS Kickoff)	ESPN	L 35–38	26,472 (R)^[1]
September 12	2:30 pm	Weber State*	No. 2	Fargodome Fargo, ND	NBC ND/ESPN3	W 41–14	18,801^[2]
September 19	2:30 pm	North Dakota*	No. 4	Fargodome Fargo, ND (Rivalry)	NBC ND/ESPN3	W 34–9	19,044^[3]
October 3	6:00 pm	at No. 5 South Dakota State	No. 3	Coughlin–Alumni Stadium Brookings, SD (Dakota Marker)	Midco/NBC ND/ESPN3	W 28–7	17,348 (R) ^[4]
October 10	6:00 pm	No. 10 Northern Iowa	No. 3	Fargodome Fargo, ND	NBC ND/ESPN3	W 31–28	18,954
October 17	2:30 pm	South Dakota	No. 2	Fargodome Fargo, ND	Midco/NBC ND/ESPN3	L 21–24	18,420
October 24	12:00 pm	at No. 18 Indiana State	No. 8	Memorial Stadium Terre Haute, IN	MVC TV/ESPN3	W 28–14	6,524
October 31	2:00 pm	at Southern Illinois	No. 7	Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL	NBC ND/ESPN3	W 35–29	6,508
November 7	2:30 pm	Western Illinois	No. 6	Fargodome Fargo, ND (Harvest Bowl)	NBC ND/ESPN3	W 59–7	18,251
November 14	1:00 pm	at No. 20 Youngstown State	No. 2	Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown, OH	NBC ND/ESPN3	W 27–24	11,309
November 21	2:00 pm	Missouri State	No. 2	Fargodome Fargo, ND	NBC ND/ESPN3	W 55–0	18,624
December 5	2:30 pm	No. 16 Montana*	No. 2	Fargodome Fargo, ND (FCS playoffs second round)	ESPN3	W 37–6	18,232
December 12	11:00 am	No. 15 Northern Iowa*	No. 2	Fargodome Fargo, ND (FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals)	ESPN2	W 23–13	18,041
December 18	7:00 pm	No. 12 Richmond*	No. 2	Fargodome Fargo, ND (FCS Playoffs Semifinals)	ESPN2	W 33–7	18,105
January 9, 2016	11:00 am	vs. No. 1 Jacksonville State*	No. 2	Toyota Stadium Frisco, TX (FCS National Championship Game)	ESPN2	W 37–10	21,836
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Source: [1] (R) indicates record attendance.

Coaching staff

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

2015 North Dakota State Bison Football

Quarterback

5 Michael Veldman – Freshman
7 Cole Davis – Sophomore
11 Carson Wentz – Senior
12 Easton Stick – Freshman
17 James Hendricks – Freshman *

Tailback

8 Darius Anderson – Senior (+WR)
10 Lance Dunn – 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 Bonnet – Senior (+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 – Freshman
20 Darrius Shepherd – Freshman
33 Marquise Bridges – Freshman *
80 Nate Moody – Senior
81 Isaiah Frandsen – Sophomore
82 Zach Vraa – Senior
83 Dallas Freeman – Freshman

Tight end

39 Ben Ellefson – Freshman *
49 Matt Anderson – Freshman *
85 Nate Jenson – Freshman
86 Jeff Illies – Sophomore
87 Connor Wentz – Sophomore
88 Luke Albers – Senior
89 Isaac Lashua – 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 – Freshman
65 Jack Albrecht - OG – Freshman *
66 Zack Johnson - OG – Junior
67 Brock Russell - OG – Senior
68 Zack Johnson - OT – Freshman *
70 Jack Plankers - OT – Junior
71 Luke Bacon - OT – Freshman
72 Erik Olson - OT – Sophomore
73 Zack Ziemer - OG – Sophomore
74 Tanner Volson - OG – Freshman
75 Austin Kuhnert - C – Sophomore
76 Trent Mooney - OG – Freshman *
77 Christian Triplett - C – Freshman
78 Landon Lechler - OT – Junior

Defensive tackle

57 Bryan Carlton – Freshman *
61 Brian Schaetz – Senior
62 Bryce Messner – Sophomore
63 Aaron Steidl – Freshman
69 Blake Williams – 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 – Freshman
91 Derrek Tuszka – Freshman *
93 Jarrod Tuszka – Sophomore
94 Stanley Jones – Freshman
96 Greg Menard – Sophomore
97 Brad Ambrosius – Junior

Placekicker

36 Cam Pedersen – Freshman

Linebacker

1 Chris Board – Sophomore
14 Bo Liekhus – Junior
41 MJ Stumpf – Junior
43 Kurt Mattox – Sophomore
44 Matt Plank – Sophomore
45 Levi Jordheim – Freshman
47 Pierre Gee-Tucker – Junior
48 Dan Marlette – Freshman
49 Nick DeLuca – Junior
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 – Freshman
29 Eric Bachmeier – Freshman
31 Bryce Bennot – Freshman
31 Ty Brooks – Freshman *
32 Dakota Reid – Freshman
34 Ross Effertz – Freshman
37 Tre Fort – Freshman

Safety

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

Punter

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

Long Snappers

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

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

Recruiting class

College recruiting information (2015)
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)
Ben Ellefson #76 TE	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Aaron Mercadel #113 MLB	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Jack Darnell #190 DT	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
Bryan Carlton #145 DE	Chanhassen, MN	Minnetonka High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	246 lb (112 kg)	February 04, 2015 (Signed)
Bryan Carlton #145 DE	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
Derrek Tuszka #136 DE	Warner, SD	Warner High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	226 lb (103 kg)	February 04, 2015 (Signed)
Derrek Tuszka #136 DE	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
Matt Anderson #133 TE	Lakeland, MN	Stillwater High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	228 lb (103 kg)	February 04, 2015 (Signed)
Matt Anderson #133 TE	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
Trent Mooney #226 OT	Lamar, MO	Lamar High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	269 lb (122 kg)	February 04, 2015 (Signed)
Trent Mooney #226 OT	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Robbie Grimsley #221 ATH (S)	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Connor Hubbs #201 DT	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Braden Sikes #230 ATH (S)	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Dimitri Williams #232 ATH (WR)	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
James Hendricks #243 ATH (QB)	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Marquise Bridges #327 WR	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
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)
Zack Johnson #324 OT	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
Ty Brooks CB	Fargo, ND	Fargo South High School	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	161 lb (73 kg)	February 04, 2015 (Signed)
Ty Brooks CB	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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)
Jaxon Brown S	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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)
Demaris Purifoy RB	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A
Brock Robbins FB	Cavalier, ND	Cavalier High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	February 04, 2015 (Signed)
Brock Robbins FB	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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)
Cole Karcz TE -> DE	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A
Bruce Anderson RB	Ruskin, FL	Newsome High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	202 lb (92 kg)	February 04, 2015 (Signed)
Bruce Anderson RB	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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)
Jake Brinkman OLB	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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)
Dominic Davis ATH (CB)	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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)
Jack Albrecht OG	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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

At Montana

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

Weber State

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

North Dakota

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

At South Dakota State

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

Northern Iowa

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

South Dakota

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

At Indiana State

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

At Southern Illinois

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

Western Illinois

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

At Youngstown State

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

Missouri State

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

FCS playoffs

Second round – Montana

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

Quarterfinals–Northern Iowa

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

Semifinals–Richmond

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

Championship–Jacksonville State

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

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
т = Tied with team above or below ( ) = First-place votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Final
STATS FCS	1 (144)	2 (22)	4 (23)	3 (17)	3 (16)	3 (20)	2 (27)	8	7	6	2	2	2 (2)	1 (150)
Coaches	1 (24)	2–T (6)	2	2 (4)	2 (4)	2 (6)	2 (5)	8	6	5–T	3	3	3 (5)	1 (24)