From big bust to Big Ten
Four years ago, NDSU was blown out by Augustana. On Saturday, they face a Big Ten team, Minnesota.
On Sept. 28, 2002, the NDSU football team had one of the most embarrassing losses in the programs history. The Bison lost a home game to Augustana 23-6.
After that season, then head coach Bob Babich left the program and NDSU hired Craig Bohl to take over the position.
Since then, the school moved to Division I-AA and the football team has taken on a whole different level of competition.
This weekend the Bison take on the University of Minnesota in what is being called the biggest game in the school’s history.
And rightfully so. Minnesota plays in the Big Ten Conference, and the Bison are only in their third year of Division I-AA.
Even though it is a non-conference game, NDSU players have had this game on their minds for quite a while.
“ Conference games are huge, but for this game a lot of people might have a little extra incentive,” senior wide receiver Travis White said.
As North Dakota State prepares to travel to Minnesota, the level of excitement around the team has grown. Much of that buzz has to do with the success NDSU has had so far this season.
The Bison bring an impressive resume with victories over I-A Ball State and perennial I-AA powerhouse Georgia Southern.
With every win, the support for the team seems to grow.
“ With this big of a game, everyone is getting pretty excited about it,” senior offensive lineman Jake Erickson said. “It’s pretty cool to see all the people behind us.”
The Bison faithful will be out in full force on Saturday with anywhere from 10-15,000 Bison fans expected to be in the Metrodome seats.
“ We really appreciate the outpouring of our fans choosing to come to Minneapolis,” head coach Craig Bohl said. “I think that’s heartwarming.”
Along with the extra fans and added support comes more pressure as well.
“ Most of the pressure will come out as hype and like Coach Bohl always says, that initial big burst of energy is usually gone by halfway through the first quarter so we’re going to have to fall back on our fundamentals and play hard,” senior defensive tackle Justin Frick said.
Most of the hype is focused on the fact that the Bison are playing a Big Ten team, but the Bison are trying to stay focused on the task at hand, which is not just showing up, but winning the game.
“ Our guys need to recognize that it is a football game; it’s going to come down to execution and it’s going come down to being disciplined and playing hard to give us our best chance to win,” Bohl said. “It’s important our guys realize it’s not all about the hype or the fans in the stands, it’s what’s going on in between the lines.”
If the players receive that message, the undefeated Bison feel they have a chance to live up to the hype of this game.