BISON TRADITION BISON TRADITION BISON IN THE PROS Melvin (Fritz) Hanson Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1935-1948 Clink McGeary Green Bay Packers 1950 Kevin Donnalley New England Patriots Philadelphia Stars Washington Federals 1981-1984 Walt Odegaard British Columbia Lions 1967-1968 Stacy Robinson New York Giants 1985-1990 Flint Fleming Calgary Stampeders 1989 96 Lyle Sturgeon Green Bay Packers 1937-1938 W.P. (Bud) Marquadt Herb Peschel Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1935-1941 Dick Hanson Steve Nelson New York Giants 1971-1972 New England Patriots 1974-1987 Jeff Bentrim Phil Hansen Saskatchewan Roughriders 1987-1990 Joe Toth Saskatchewan Roughriders 1995-1996 Ernie Wheeler Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1935-1942 Buffalo Bills 1991-2001 Lamar Gordon St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions 2002-current Pittsburgh Steelers Chicago Cardinals 1939-1942 Mike McTague Pat McBride Calgary Stampeders Montreal Concordes Saskatchewan Roughriders 1979-1987 Ottawa Rough Riders 1979 Doug Lloyd Tyrone Braxton Oakland Raiders Houston Oilers Green Bay Packers 1989-1991 Denver Broncos Miami Dolphins 1987-1999 Jared Peck Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons 2002-05 BISON FOOTBALL 2007 BISON IN THE PROS This listing indicates only the original team they signed with. Drafted players are indicated by their signing round in parenthesis. Year 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 2005 2005 2004 2004 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2000 1998 1995 1991 1990 1990 1988 1988 1987 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986 1984 1984 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1981 1981 1981 1980 1979 1979 1978 1978 1978 1976 1976 1976 1974 1974 1973 1973 1973 1972 1972 1972 1971 Athlete (Round) Craig Dahl Justin Frick Kyle Steffes AJ Cooper Allen Burrell Rob Hunt (5th) Isaac Snell Mike Sheppard Rod Malone Chuck Klabo Leif Murphy Lamar Gordon (3rd) Pete Campion (7th) Richard Lewis Jared Peck Andrew LeClair Ryan Johnson Jake Morris Joe Toth Todd Wash Phil Hansen (2nd) Tony Satter Doug Lloyd (6th) Darryl Illikainen Flint Fleming Jeff Bentrim Jim Dick Chad Stark (12th) Tyrone Braxton (12th) Chris Servais Scott Schutt Dana Muehlauser Stacy Robinson (2nd) Mike Carmody Mike Whetstone Paul Olson Tom Shockman Barry Sorensen Dave Piepkorn (5th) Mike Stratton Wayne Schluchter Todd Lecy Robert Blakley Kevin Donnalley (7th) Pat McBride Lane Brettingen Mike McTague (1st) Gordy Sprattler (9th) Perry Kozlowski Chuck Rodgers (11th) Tim Jeske J.P. Brescacin Bruce Reimer (9th) Jerry Dahl (12th) Steve Nelson (2nd) Sanford Qvale (16th) Mike Puestow (10th) Mike Evenson (15th) Bob Erickson (17th) Pete Lana Ralph Wirtz (8th) Hometown Team Mankato, Minn. N.Y. Giants (NFL) Yankton, S.D. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) Dickinson, N.D. N.Y. Jets (NFL) Phoenix, Ariz. Green Bay (NFL) Denver, Colo. Ottawa (CFL) Cavalier, N.D. Indianapolis (NFL) Pipestone, Minn. N.Y. Jets (NFL) Brown Deer, Wis. Tampa Bay (NFL) St. Paul, Minn. Seattle (NFL) Mayville, N.D. Cleveland (NFL) Spring Lake Park, Minn. Ottawa (CFL) Milwaukee, Wis. St. Louis (NFL) Fergus Falls, Minn. Carolina (NFL) St. Paul, Minn. Green Bay (NFL) Bloomington, Minn. Denver (NFL) Mayville, N.D. New Orleans (NFL) Wayzata, Minn. Calgary (CFL) Elk Mound, Wis. Detroit (NFL) Forest Lake, Minn. Saskatchewan (CFL) New Town, N.D. Houston (NFL) Oakes, N.D. Buffalo (NFL) Fargo, N.D. N.Y. Giants (NFL) Beaver Dam, Wis. L.A. Raiders (NFL) Duluth, Minn. Houston (NFL) Madison, Wis. Atlanta (NFL) Andover, Minn. Saskatchewan (CFL) Roseville, Minn. Saskatchewan (CFL) Brookings, S.D. N.Y. Giants (NFL) Madison, Wis. Denver (NFL) LaCrosse, Wis. N.Y. Giants (NFL) Sauk City, Wis. New England (NFL) Sandstone, Minn. Dallas (NFL) St. Paul, Minn. N.Y.Giants (NFL) Pipestone, Minn. Dallas (NFL) Minnesota City, Minn. Denver (NFL) Red Wing, Minn. Dallas (NFL) LaMoure, N.D. N.Y. Giants (NFL) Brainerd, Minn. Kansas City (NFL) Fargo, N.D. Cleveland (NFL) Stillwater, Minn. Minnesota (NFL) St. Cloud, Minn. Minnesota (NFL) Granite Falls, Minn. Dallas (NFL) St. Paul, Minn. Kansas City (NFL) Red Wing, Minn. St. Louis (NFL) Ottawa, Canada Ottawa (Canada) Minnetonka, Minn. New Orleans (NFL) Toronto, Ontario Calgary (Canada) Fargo, N.D. N.Y. Giants (NFL) Pipestone, Minn. Minnesota (NFL) Minot, N.D. Tampa Bay (NFL) Jamestown, N.D. Winnipeg (Canada) Windsor, Ontario Edmonton (Canada) Bloomington, Minn. Pittsburgh (NFL) DeGraff, Minn. San Diego (NFL) Anoka, Minn. New England (NFL) Ray, N.D. Buffalo (NFL) Okauchee, N.D. Cleveland (NFL) Minot, N.D. New Orleans (NFL) Cook, Minn. San Francisco (NFL) Fargo, N.D. Minnesota (NFL) Coon Rapids, Minn. Chicago (NFL) 2006 Great West Champions Year 1970 1970 1969 1969 1969 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1968 1967 1967 1967 1966 1965 1950 1946 1946 1941 1939 1936 1934 1934 1934 Athlete (Round) Joe Cichy Dick Hanson Tim Mjos (8th) Joe Roller Chuck Wald (14th) Ron Wick Orell Schmitz Joe Pomykacz Bruce Nelson Del Gehrett Jim Ferge Steve Conley Mike Berdis Ken Rota Dan Loose Bob Hunter Walt Odegaard Bruce Airheart Clink McGeary Cliff Rothrock Jerry Mulready Cecil Sturgeon Ernie Wheeler Lyle Sturgeon Fritz Hanson Bub Marquardt Herb Peschel Hometown Team Fargo, N.D. Philadelphia (NFL) Fargo, N.D. N.Y. Giants (NFL) Brooklyn Center, Minn. Green Bay (NFL) New England, N.D. Saskatchewan (Canada) Minot, N.D. Atlanta (NFL) Crookston, Minn. Atlanta (NFL) Williston, N.D. Arkansas (Continental) Garden City, Mich. Dallas (NFL) Columbia Heights, Minn. Green Bay (NFL) Casper, Wyo. Oakland (NFL) Schofield, Wis. Baltimore (NFL) Anaheim, Calif. Ottawa (Canada) Joliet, Ill. Miami (NFL) Minneapolis, Minn. Green Bay (NFL) New Ulm, Minn. Winnipeg (Canada) Antigo, Wis. Winnipeg (Canada) Devils Lake, N.D. Vancouver (Canada) Fargo, N.D. Buffalo (NFL) White Bear Lake, Minn. Green Bay (NFL) Fargo, N.D. Chicago (All-Am.Conf.) Chicago (All-Am. Conf.) Fargo, N.D. Philadelphia (NFL) Fargo, N.D. Pittsburgh (NFL) Carnduff, Canada Green Bay (NFL) Perham, Minn. Winnipeg (Canada) Winnipeg (Canada) Winnipeg (Canada) BISON PROFESSIONAL NOTES Twenty-three North Dakota State student-athletes have been drafted by National Football League (NFL) or Canadian Football League (CFL) teams, while 88 have signed professional contracts. Mike McTague was selected in the first round by the Calgary Stampeders of the Candian Football League. Three Bison players have been selected in the second round: 1990 Phil Hansen (Buffalo Bills), 1984 Stacy Robinson (New York Giants) and 1973 Steve Nelson (New England Patriots). The 1968 North Dakota State team, with eight players signing professional football contracts, produced more pros than any other Bison team. The 1986 senior class ranks second with seven players moving into the pro ranks. 97 ALL-AMERICANS Claudie Miller Fargo, N.D. Halfback 1926 North Dakota State's first All-American as selected by Bill Evans All-Western Honor Roll. Twice named honorable mention All-American prior to 1926, he led NDSU to its first NCC championship in 1925. Lettered four years in football, basketball, and track and was all-conference in both football and basketball. Conferred the honorary title of "Chief Sieze the Bear" by the Mandan Sioux Indian Tribe in 1926. He went on to a career in coaching and school administration in North Dakota, Minnesota, and California. #46 Roman Meyers Milford, Iowa End 1932 Standout lineman who earned Associated Press honors in 1932 (first team) and 1933 (honorable mention). Team captain in 1933 when he moved from end to tackle. Two-time all-conference selection. He went on to a career as an electric operating superintendent for Interstate Power Company in Minnesota and Iowa. #29 Fritz Hanson Perham, Minn. Halfback 1934 Associated Press All-American as an honorable mention in 1933 before making first team honors a year later, he was a two-time all-conference player and helped NDSU to a conference title in 1932. Called the "Blonde Ghost of Claudie Miller," he still holds the record for the longest punt return (98 yards vs. Oklahoma City). He played professional football in Canada where he appeared in eight Grey Cup (championship) games with Winnipeg and Calgary, earning four titles. His 300yard performance in the 1935 Grey Cup is one of the greatest performances in CFL history. One of the first great imports, he was named to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. After football, he had a career as a general agent in the insurance field. #41 Ernie Wheeler Fargo, N.D. Halfback 1938 A three-time all-conference selection, he was named to the Collier's Magazine Little All-American first team. Played in the first annual North-South All-Star game in Alabama in 1938. He also competed in basketball and track. Played professional football with the old Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals. He had a career as a school teach at Benson, Minnesota. He died in 1982. #17 Cliff Rothrock Fargo, N.D. Center 1946 Team captain and two-time all-conference selection, he was a first team Associated Press All-American selection. Served for a time on the Bison coaching staff and guided the 1956 NDSU baseball team to a second-place finish in the NCAA regional, one win shy of the College World Series in Omaha, NE. A Blue Key member, he had a career in public school administration including director of youth services in Anaheim, California. #30 Curt Quenette West Fargo, N.D. Fullback 1959 Two-time first team all-conference selection, he was named to the Williamson All-American team his senior year after being tabbed as the most valuable player in the NCC. He had a career in the Army Security Agency including two tours in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, three Air medals, and the Bronze Star. 98 #70 Walt Odegaard Devils Lake, N.D. Defensive Tackle 1966 Called the best middle guard ever produced by the North Central Conference, Odegaard was named to the first team Associated Press All-American team and was an honorable mention selection in 1965 when the Bison won the national championship. A two-time all-conference selection, he played two years in Canada with the British Columbia Lions. #50 Jim Ferge Schofield, Wis. Linebacker/Tackle 1967-68 The first two-time first team All-American in NDSU history. Named to the Kodak American Coaches Association team in 1967 and the Associated Press in 1968. Devastating tackler who was also a two-time all-conference player including the Most Valuable Defensive lineman in the NCC in 1968 as the Bison won their second national football championship. school defensive records and still holds NDSU defensive marks for career tackles (398), career defensive points (2304), and single game penetrations (7). Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1974 11 32 118 150 2 1 1 1975 9 35 112 147 0 6 2 1976 10 19 82 101 1 5 5 Career 30 86 312 398 3 12 8 #58 Lew Curry Edina, Minn. Center 1977 One of the major links in a long line of outstanding offensive centers at NDSU. Transferred from two seasons in Notre Dame's hockey program and stepped in for two seasons as a starter on the gridiron at NDSU. Honorable mention All-American as a junior when he earned all-conference and most valuable offensive lineman honors. Passed over for all-conference honors as a senior but was named to first team Kodak American Football Coaches Association and third team Associated Press honors. Moved on to become offensive line coach at NDSU in the national championship seasons of 1985 and 1986 and as an assistant coach at Montana State. #11 Wayne Schluchter #20 Paul Hatchett St. Cloud, Minn. Strong Safety 1981 Minneapolis, Minn. Halfback 1968-69 Cornerstone to the Bison running attack that spearheaded two national football championship seasons, he was named twice to the first team Associated Press All-American squad. Set school rushing and scoring records and his 1,213 yards rushing in 1968 is still a school record. Finished his career with 12 100-yard plus performances and 2,309 yards in 35 regular season games. Two-time All-NCC as well. Season G Att. Yds. Avg. TD 1967 9 46 288 6.3 4 1968 9 190 1213 6.4 17 1969 9 151 808 5.3 14 Career 27 387 2309 6.0 35 # 2 Joe Cichy Three-year starter in the defensive backfield for the Bison, two at free safety and one at strong safety. Earned both Kodak American Football Coaches Association and Associated Press first team honors as a senior. His 13 career interceptions ranks him 3rd on the all-time NDSU list. Twice named most valuable defensive back in the North Central Conference and helped the Herd to the national championship game in 1981. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1978 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 1979 10 20 39 59 5 2 3 1980 10 28 53 81 0 7 3 1981 10 13 54 67 1 8 7 Career 35 62 146 208 6 17 13 #62 Cliff Carmody Fargo, N.D. Safety 1969-70 Earned Kodak American Coaches Association first team honors in 1969 and Associated Press honors in 1970 as a safety after serving in the backup quarterback role as a sophomore. His 53 unassisted tackles in 1969 is still a school single season record. Inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. Season UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1969 53 34 87 1 14 2 1970 31 52 83 2 12 1 Career 84 86 170 3 26 3 Pipestone, Minn. Offensive Guard 1982 Three-year starter for the Bison in the offensive line, earning both all-conference and first team Associated Press honors as a senior. As a starter in the Bison offensive line, NDSU won three NCC rushing championships and never finished lower than 4th in the national rushing charts. #46Steve Garske Richfield, Minn. Inside Linebacker 1982 # 90 Jerry Dahl DeGraff, Minn. Defensive End 1974 The greatest quarterback rusher in NDSU history. He collared opposing quarterbacks a school record 31 times in 1974 and was rewarded with first team Associated Press honors. A two-time All-North Central Conference selection, he holds the career sack record at NDSU with 41 and single game mark of seven against SDSU in 1974. He currently farms in southeastern North Dakota. Season G AT UT TT FR PBU Sacks 1973 10 20 73 93 4 0 10 1974 11 41 78 119 3 14 31 Career 21 61 151 212 7 14 41 #52 Rick Budde Richfield, Minn. Linebacker 1976 The first player in NDSU history to be named to two All-American first team squads in a season when he was picked for both the Associated Press and Kodak American Football Coaches Association clubs as a senior. Co-captained the '76 Bison into the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Two-time All-NCC selection and most valuable defensive back in the NCC in 1976, he set numerous Associated Press first team selection and the most valuable defensive back in the North Central Conference as a junior when he had a spectacular season but he missed most of his senior season with an injury. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1980 10 2 6 8 0 0 1 1981 10 3 12 15 1 2 0 1982 9 25 91 116 0 1 2 1983 4 7 40 47 0 2 0 Career 33 37 149 186 1 5 3 #73 Mike Whetstone Minnesota City, Minn. Offensive Guard 1983 Three-year starter for the Bison and first team All-American selection by both the Associated Press and Kodak American Football Coaches Association his senior year. All-conference offensive tackle as a junior and guard as a senior. Devastating blocker who passed away from cancer just after the 1988 national championship game but first delivered an emotional message to that squad from his death bed (see Page 115). BISON FOOTBALL 2007 ALL-AMERICANS #64 Greg Hagfors Columbia Heights, Minn. Center 1984 Smart, crisp blocker who started for three seasons for the Herd including NCAA title games in both 1983 and 1984. Cornerstone of an offensive line that paved the way for the top rushing team in the nation in 1984. All-conference performer that year when he was named the most valuable offensive lineman. #48 Jim Dick Roseville, Minn. Inside Linebacker 1985-86 Named first team All-American as a junior by the Football News and as a senior by both the Football News and the Associated Press. Also tabbed 2nd team AP All-American in 1985. The heart-andsoul of the Bison defense that helped carry the Herd to national titles in 1983, 1985, and 1986. Started in all three of those seasons and the first two games of '84 before an ankle injury forced him out for the remainder of that campaign. Twice named the most valuable defensive back in the NCC in both '85 and '86. His 326 assisted career stops is a school record as are his 136 assisted tackles during the 1985 season. He holds the school mark for single season total tackles with his 167 stops in 1985 and is second in career tackles at 391. He went on to a short stint with the Minnesota Vikings during the strike season in 1987. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1982 11 4 15 19 0 1 0 1983 10 11 67 78 1 1 0 1984 2 4 15 19 0 0 0 1985 11 31 136 167 0 3 3 1986 10 15 93 108 2 2 2 Career 44 65 326 391 3 7 5 #72 Ted Hall Montevideo, Minn. Offensive Guard 1985 First team Football News and second team Associated Press All-American selection as a senior. Two-year starter for the Bison after transferring to NDSU from South Dakota. Two-time All-NCC and most valuable offensive lineman in the league as a senior. Started in two national title games. #1 Jeff Bentrim Andover, Minn. Quarterback 1986 The first Bison quarterback ever to be named to the first team All-American squad and the first to be picked by three different sources-The Football News, the Associated Press, and the Kodak American Football Coaches Association. Guided the Herd to four straight NCAA championship game appearances and three titles. The all-time leading rusher, total offense performer, and scorer in NDSU history when he left. He won three straight NCAA scoring crowns, the only player in history--all divisions--to accomplish that feat and he broke Walter Payton's NCAA career rushing TD record of 63 by one. All-conference and most valuable player in the NCC as a senior and the first winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy as the nation's best Division II football player. Went on to play professional football in the Canadian Football League where he helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders to the Grey Cup championship in 1989. Inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Rushing G Att. Yds. Avg. TD 1983 8 152 520 3.4 9 1984 9 157 969 6.3 14 1985 8 139 785 4.6 18 1986 10 155 651 4.2 23 Career 35 603 2945 4.9 64 Passing G Cmp. Att. 1983 8 45 81 1984 9 61 116 1985 8 48 92 1986 10 53 115 Career 35 207 404 INT Yds Pct. TD 5 810 .556 2 5 862 .526 10 5 732 .522 3 2 996 .461 9 17 3400 .512 24 #94 Paul Nielsen Fridley, Minn. Nose Guard 1986 Three-year starter for the Bison, anchoring a defense that helped the Herd to three straight title games including national championships in 1985 and 1986. First team Football News and second team Associated Press All-American as a senior. Quick and strong, his 30 penetrations (tackles for loss excluding sacks) are 3rd in career history. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU Sks Pen 1983 10 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 1984 10 24 48 72 2 8 6 7 1985 11 17 74 91 0 8 6 9 1986 10 14 63 77 1 8 5 14 Career 41 56 186 242 3 24 17 30 #57 Mike Favor Minneapolis, Minn. Center 1987-88 Four-year starter and key member of the offensive line that helped the Bison win three national championships during his stay. He was a two-time All-American, named by the Associated Press and Football News as a junior and by both the Football Gazette and the AP as a senior. Outstanding blocker who was also a two-time all-conference selection and the most valuable offensive lineman in the NCC in 1988. #60 Matt Tracy Superior, Wis. Offensive Guard 1988 Three-year starter and first team All-American by both the Football Gazette and the Associated Press as a senior. Starter on two national championship teams. Helped the Herd ground game to two seconds and a national rushing title in 1988. #58 Yorrick Byers Minneapolis, Minn. Inside Linebacker 1988 Two-year starter and first team All-American selection his senior year by both the Associated Press and the Football Gazette. Farand-away the defensive leader on the 1988 national championship team where he was an all-conference performer as well. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1985 10 0 7 7 0 0 1 1986 10 5 16 21 0 1 0 1987 10 12 97 109 0 2 1 1988 10 23 99 122 0 6 0 Career 40 40 219 259 0 9 2 #93 Paul Lenz Hutchinson, Minn. Nose Guard 1988 Two-year starter and first team All-American selection by the Football Gazette as a senior. Most valuable defensive lineman in the North Central Conference in 1988. Very strong and quick. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU Sks Pen 1985 11 0 9 9 0 1 0 0 1986 8 2 8 10 0 4 1 2 1987 9 11 42 53 1 4 4 9 1988 10 15 46 61 0 2 5 5 Career 38 28 105 133 1 11 10 16 #26 Tony Satter Fargo, N.D. Running Back/ Return Specialist 1989-90 The most explosive runner in North Dakota State history. Named to first team All-American honors by the Football Gazette both as a junior and a senior. Finished as the second leading rusher in school history with 3,212 regular season yards and tallied another 1,296 yards in 10 playoff appearances. His 21 100-yard plus games is a school mark and his total of 4,900 all-purpose yards is the best in school history. Ran for 1,907 allpurpose yards in 1989 in just 175 attempts to post an incredible 2006 Great West Champions 10.9 yards every time he touched the ball. Finished his career with an average of 9.96 ypc in all-purpose for another school mark. His 1,014 yards in 1990 was the 5th best single season rushing effort in school history at that time. Rushing G Att. Yds. Avg. TD 1987 10 88 601 6.8 2 1988 9 79 696 8.8 11 1989 10 130 901 6.9 8 1990 9 133 1014 7.6 10 Career 38 430 3212 7.5 31 KO Ret. 1987 1988 1989 1990 Career No. 3 11 24 8 46 Yds. 25 255 751 198 1229 Punt Ret. No. Yds. 1987 0 0 1988 2 48 1989 16 184 1990 4 69 Career 22 301 Avg. TD 12.5 0 23.2 1 31.3 0 24.8 1 26.7 2 Avg. TD 0.0 0 24.0 0 11.5 1 17.3 1 13.7 2 #90 Phil Hansen Oakes, N.D. Defensive Tackle 1989-90 Anchor of the Bison defense for three seasons and a two-time first team All-American. Named to the Kodak American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, and the Football Gazette first team All-American squads in 1990 after earning that tag in '89 as a junior on the Football Gazette team. Tied a school record for career QB sacks with 41 and set a school career mark with 32 pass breakups. Second round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 1991 draft and earned All-Rookie honors in the NFL. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU Sks Pen 1987 10 6 20 26 1 1 5 1 1988 10 18 37 55 0 9 8 4 1989 10 28 61 89 1 15 16 5 1990 10 28 50 86 0 7 12 8 Career 40 80 168 248 2 32 41 18 #10 Chris Simdorn Minneapolis, Minn. Quarterback 1990 Winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy in 1990 as the nation's best football player, this threeyear starter led the Bison to a pair of national football championships. Named first team All-American by both the Associated Press and the Football Gazette his senior year. The all-time leading rusher in NDSU history when he graduated and only the third quarterback in the history of college football--all divisions--to run for over 3,000 yards. The first player in NDSU history to run for over 1,000 yards in two consecutive seasons. North Central Conference's most valuable player in 1990. Rushing G Att. Yds. Avg. TD 1987 7 84 359 4.3 5 1988 9 176 1129 6.4 18 1989 8 187 1049 5.6 13 1990 9 143 776 5.4 17 Career 33 599 3313 5.5 53 Passing G Cmp. Att. INT Yds 1987 7 9 25 1 163 1988 9 34 50 3 480 1989 8 31 52 3 425 1990 9 41 73 2 821 Career 33 115 200 9 1889 Pct. TD .360 4 .680 4 .596 2 .562 9 .575 17 #7 Ken Clark Bismarck, N.D. Free Safety 1990 The first defensive back in school history to lead the team in tackles, he did it both his junior and senior years. Named first team All-American by the Football Gazette as a senior, he was an all-conference pick. Twoyear starter who was the quarterback of the Bison defense that won the 1990 national crown. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1987 10 7 16 23 0 3 1 1988 10 11 34 45 0 6 0 1989 10 29 105 134 1 0 0 1990 9 16 59 75 0 2 3 Career 39 63 214 277 1 11 4 99 ALL-AMERICANS #51 Shawn Stewart Hallock, Minn. Nose Guard 1992 Hard-nosed performer who anchored the middle of the Bison defensive line for three straight seasons. Named first team AllAmerican by the Football Gazette as a senior after he was an all-conference pick. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU Sks Pen 1989 10 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 1990 10 11 29 40 2 4 1 5 1991 9 12 44 56 0 3 2 5 1992 10 16 39 55 0 3 4 9 Career 39 39 116 155 2 10 7 19 #64 Scott Fuchs Minot, N.D. Offensive Guard 1993 First team Kodak All-American Coaches Association selection as a senior. Finished his career with 26 consecutive starts in the offensive line since moving into the lineup midway through his sophomore season. NDSU won three straight NCC rushing crowns behind his blocking. #40 T.R. McDonald New Brighton, Minn. Split End 1993 The greatest receiver in North Dakota State history and one of the top in North Central Conference annals, he was named to a pair of first team All-American squads as a senior-The Football Gazette and the CoSIDA NCAA Division II teams. As a matter of fact, he is the only receiver in NDSU history to earn first team All-American honors. Set school records (*) in all season and career receiving categories and set NCC marks for single game (4) and single season (11) TD receptions his senior year. Receiving G No. Yds. Avg. TD 1990 10 9 177 19.7 2 1991 9 23 585 24.5 5 1992 10 33 601 18.2 4 1993 10 69* 1181* 17.1 11* Career 39 134* 2524* 18.8 22* Rushing G Att. 1990 10 0 1991 9 0 1992 10 3 1993 10 7 Career 39 10 Yds. Avg. TD 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 90 30.0 1 49 7.0 2 139 13.9 3 #70 Brad Servais Coon Valley, Minn. Center 1995 First team All-American on three different squads as a senior--the American Football Coaches Association (formerly Kodak), The Football Gazette, and C.M. Frank's Small College. Finished his career as a four-year starter for the Bison, starting 45 of 47 games from 1992 to 1995. The fifth Bison center to earn this honor. #46 Sean Fredricks Jamestown, N.D. Inside Linebacker 1997 Named first team All-American by three major sources as a senior--the Associated Press, Daktronics NCAA Division II, and The Football Gazette--after being named second team All-American in 1996 as a junior by two sources. Also named all-NCC and the league's outstanding linebacker in '97. Three-year starter, he finished his career ranked third in both assisted tackles and total tackles. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1994 10 9 16 25 0 0 0 1995 11 21 69 90 0 2 0 1996 10 25 95 120 0 1 0 1997 11 29 84 128 2 5 3 Career 42 84 264 363 2 8 3 #43 Leif Murphy #80 Tim Strehlow Schofield, Wis. Wide Receiver/All-Purpose 1999 Named to the first team All-America squad as an all-purpose player as a senior by two sources--Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American team and The Football Gazette Divsion II All-American team. Outstanding wide receiver who was second in career receptions (121) and career receiving yards (2,341) and set the career record for TD catches (26). He caught at least one pass in each of his final 26 games. Averaged a school record 20.1 yards per attempt in all-purpose running as a senior and his 17.5 ypa for his career is second in school history. He holds school marks for career punt returns (58) and punt return yards (603) Receiving G No. Yds. Avg. TD 1996 10 15 331 22.1 3 1997 11 32 585 18.3 8 1998 11 37 597 16.1 6 1999 11 37 828 22.4 9 Career 43 121 2341 19.3 26 KO Ret. 1996 1997 1998 1999 Career No. 0 5 5 14 24 Yds. 0 128 83 395 606 Punt Ret. No. 1996 0 1997 25 1998 8 1999 25 Career 58 Avg. TD 0.0 0 25.6 0 16.6 0 28.2 1 25.3 1 Yds. 0 229 68 306 603 Avg. 0.0 9.2 8.5 12.2 10.4 TD 0 0 0 2 2 All-Purp. No. Yds. Avg. 1996 15 331 22.1 1997 62 942 15.2 1998 50 748 15.0 1999 76 1529 20.1 Career 203 3550 17.5 TD 3 8 6 12 29 KO Ret. 2000 2001 Career Three-year starter and first team AllAmerican selection his senior year by The Football Gazette. Named to second team All-American honors on three other units in 2000. Two-time All-North Central Conference player. Led the team in tackles in each of his last two seasons. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT 1997 11 3 4 7 0 0 0 1998 10 13 52 65 0 0 0 1999 11 25 53 78 1 2 1 2000 11 32 30 62 1 4 0 Career 43 73 139 212 2 6 1 #28 Lamar Gordon Concensus first team All-American his junior year in 2000 by the Associated Press, The Football Gazette, American Football Coaches Association, Daktronics NCAA Division II, and D2Football.com after earning second team All-American as a sophomore...One of three finalists for the Harlon Hill Award as the nation's best player in 2000...Set school records for game, season, and career rushing including 260 yards against USD, 1727 yards in 2000, and 4700 career yards...His 64 total TDs and 62 rushing TDs are both second in school history. Rushing G Att. Yds. Avg. TD 1998 11 139 698 5.0 8 1999 11 259 1495 5.8 22 2000 11 256 1727 6.7 22 2001 8 129 780 6.0 10 Career 41 783 4700 6.0 62 No. 10 15 14 5 44 Yds. 119 114 163 66 462 Avg. TD 11.9 0 7.6 0 11.6 1 13.2 1 10.5 2 #1 Richard Lewis First team All-American his senior year in 2001 by The Football Gazette after landing on that publication's third team squad as a junior in 2000...First team All-North Central Conference both seasons after transferring from the JC ranks...Scored six special teams TDs over his career including five on punt returns and threw for a TD pass as a senior in his only attempt...Set the school record for career punt return yards (757) and was second on the career charts in both punt return average (14.3) and allpurpose average (17.6). Receiving G No. Yds. Avg. TD 2000 11 9 258 28.7 1 2001 9 21 347 16.5 1 Career 20 30 605 20.2 2 Bismarck, N.D. Inside Linebacker 2000 Receiving 1998 1999 2000 2001 Career First team All-American his junior year in 2001 by three different sources--the Associated Press, The Football Gazette, and Daktronics NCAA Division II...Named second team All-American by D2Football.com... Had a dominating junior campaign that included 11 QB sacks and three penetrations...Named All-North Central Conference in 2001...Finished his career with 47 tackles for losses including 22 sacks. Season G UT AT TT FR PBU INT Sacks TFL* 1999 11 11 25 36 2 1 1 4 11 2000 10 20 20 40 0 5 0 4 11 2001 10 23 11 34 1 5 1 11 3 2002 8 14 5 19 2 4 0 3 0 Career 39 68 61 129 5 15 2 22 25 *Excluding QB sacks St. Paul, Minn. Kick Returner 2001 #58 Jared Maher Milwaukee, Wis. Running Back 2000 Spring Lake Park, Minn. Outside Linebacker 2001 No. 13 12 25 Yds. 272 301 573 Avg. TD 20.9 0 25.1 1 22.9 1 Punt Ret. No. Yds. Avg. 2000 27 428 15.9 2001 26 329 12.8 Career 53 757 14.3 TD 4 1 5 All-Purp. No. Yds. Avg. 2000 50 954 19.1 2001 60 981 16.4 Career 110 1935 17.6 TD 4 2 6 #89 Mike Wieser LaCrescent, Minn. Tight End 2003 First team All-American his senior year in 2003 by The Dopke.com College Sports Report...First team All-North Central Conference and second team All-American by two other sources (Daktronics NCAA Division II and D2Football.com...Caught 34 passes for 395 yards and four TDs including a game winning grab in the 25-24 win over Montana in 2003...In addition, he was selected as one of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by the Black Issues in Higher Education magazine in 2003 for his outstanding academic excellence, community activism, and athletic ability. Receiving G No. Yds. Avg. TD 2001 5 1 22 22.0 0 2002 10 27 265 9.8 1 2003 11 34 395 11.6 4 Career 26 62 682 11.0 5 #53 Rob Hunt Cavalier, N.D. Center 2004 First team NCAA Division I-AA All-American his senior year in 2004 by The Football Gazette...Recipient of the NCAA Division I-AA Dave Rimington Award ...Played in the 2005 Hula Bowl... 2004 Great West Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year by media...The Football Gazette All-West Region first team... All-Great West Football Conference first team by coaches and media...Completed the 2004 season with a string of 42 consecutive starts, despite wearing a cast on his snapping hand in 2003, and became the NDSU player since All-American center Mike Favor (1985-88) to start each game in their career. #88 Mike Dragosavovich Oak Lawn, Ill. Punter 2005 First team All-American as a sophomore in 2005 by The Dopke.com College Sports Report (see page 32 for full bio). 100 BISON FOOTBALL 2007 ALL-AMERICANS #78 Jake Erickson Second Team Brooklyn Park, Minn. Offensive Guard 2006 1965 1967 1969 1970 1971 1972 First team NCAA Division I FCS All-American his senior year on the 2006 Football Gazette All-America team...Worked his way into starting lineup his senior year for the league champion and 10-1 Bison...Protected quarterback Steve Walker and opened holes for 1,000-yard rusher Kyle Steffes... Named to Football Gazette’s All-Northwest Region first team and all-GWFC first team by the media. 1973 1977 1978 1983 #77 Nate Safe Cannon Falls, Minn. Offensive Guard 2006 1985 First team All-NCAA Division I FCS his junior year on the 2006 Dopke CollegeSportsReport.com squad... Earned second team All-America honors from Associated Press, The Sports Network and The Football Gazette...First team Football Gazette All-Northwest Region in 2006...Started 22 games in a row over the 2005 and 2006 seasons and played in all 33 games overall during career... Two-time All-GWFC first team selection by the coaches as a sophomore and junior...Provided protection for quarterback Steve Walker and opened holes for 1,000-yard rusher Kyle Steffes. (see full bio on page 47) 1986 1987 1988 1992 1993 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2003 2005 2006 # ## ++ +++ * ** % %% @ & $ ! 2006 Great West Champions Ken Rota# Dan Loose++ Steve Krumrei# Dan Green# Tomm Smail+++ Steve Nelson# Tomm Smail Steve Nelson# Jon Hanson Jerry Rosburg# Perry Kozlowski# Mike Stratton# Doug Hushka# Ted Hall# Jim Dick# Tom Smith# Paul Nielsen# Chad Stark* Rick Riemer* Ken Muckenhirn* Charlie Stock** Kevin Bloom**% Shawn Stewart% Kevin Bloom%** Scott Fuchs%% Brad Servias%%% Isreal Moses%%**% Sean Fredricks**%% Jake Morris** Tim Strehlow# Lamar Gordon** Chuck Klabo**@ Jared Maher#@%% Jared Peck@ Leif Murphy@ Jared Peck**%% Mike Wieser%%@ Mike Dragosavich#** Justin Frick** Nate Safe**#$ Mike Dragosavich$** Justin Frick**&! HB S DB OT LB LB LB LB OG LB FS MG CB OG LB OT MG RB OG DT OLB OG NG OG SE C SS ILB RB WR RB OT ILB TE OLB TE TE P DT OT P DT Associated Press Litery Digest American Football Coaches Association Kodak Football News Football Gazette C.M. Frank Daktronics/NCAA-II D2Football.com Dopke.com The Sports Network College Sporting News Third Team 1972 1973 1977 1980 1984 1988 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1999 2000 2001 2005 2006 Mike Evenson# Keith Krebsbach# Lew Curry# Mark Speral# Stacy Robinson# Doug Lloyd** Dave Marion** Arden Beachy% T.R. McDonald%# Scott Fuchs**%% Brad Servais%%**% Joe Toth** Doug Van Meter %%** Gunar Gossard** Evan Kooiker** Aaron Pederson** Aaron Pederson** Richard Lewis** Aaron Pederson** Tim Popowski** Justin Frick$ Honorable Mention 1924 1925 1933 1937 1946 1954 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1976 Claudie Miller## Claudie Miller## Roman Meyers# Fritz Hanson# Ernie Wheeler# Cliff Rothrock# Glenn Hill# Ron Hanson# Ardell Wiegandt# Walt Odegaard# Ken Rota# Ken Rota# Mike Ahneman# Del Gehrett# Joe Cichy# Bruce Grasamke# Bob Hyland# Tim Mjos# Marv Mortenson# Chuck Wald# Mike Bentson# Gary Leuer# Paul Bothof# Dennis Preboski# Lyle Anderson# Mike Bentson# Tomm Smail+++# Tom Varichak# Bob Erickson# Jerry Rosburg# Tim Jeske# Lew Curry# 1977 C DB C QB WR RB OT QB SE OG C OLB OG OLB OT K K KR P OT DT 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1986 1987 1988 1992 1993 1994 1995 HB HB T HB HB C E E LB DT HB HB LB S DB QB OG HB OT SE QB DE DT FB G QB LB HB OT LB DT C 1997 1998 1999 2001 2004 2005 2006 Jon Walter# OT Curt Mosher# OG Don Hutson# LB Dirk Kroeze# MG Gordy Sprattler# RB Mike McTague# WR Dirk Kroeze# DT Mark Speral# QB Mike Kasowski# RB Todd Lecy# LB Howard Holmen# OC Mark Nellermoe# QB Mike Stratton# MG Chad Stark# RB Dana Muehlhauser# DT Ken Muckenhirn# DT Paul Lenz# MG Charlie Stock# OLB Doug Lloyd# RB Len Kretchman#** SE T.R. McDonald** SE Arden Beachy** QB Scott Fuchs% OG Steve Hansen%** DT Chad Pundsack**% DE Doug Van Meter% OG Gunar Gossard% OLB Reggie Scott** RB Tim Jacobsen** CB Luke Samuel** OG Kevin Feeney** QB Ben Ahneman** ILB Trent Houmann** OT Ronnie Steffen** DT Jared Peck@ TE Lamar Gordon**@ TB Chuck Klabo** OT Tim Popowski& OT AJ Cooper** TE Craig Dahl** SS Kyle Steffes** HB 101 ALL-CONFERENCE NDSU All-Conference Selections (First Team Only) North Central Conference (1922-2003) 1922 M. Ravine Latimer, C 1923 Ben Rumpeltes,T 1925 Claudie Miller, HB 1926 Claudie Miller, HB 1929 Pete Gernen, E 1932 Merlyn Jahr, G Roman Meyers, E 1933 James Thompson, C Leonard House, G Roman Meyers, T Charles (Acey) Olson, E Bud Marquardt, E Fritz Hanson, HB 1934 Fritz Hanson, HB Herb Peschel, T 1935 Greg Sloan, E Sam Westgate, E Don Bettschen, G Neville Reiners, QB Earl Schranz, HB Bob Erickson, FB Stan Maynard, C Lyle Sturgeon, T Sam Dobervich, T 1947 Sid Cichy, T 1948 Ted Barnick, C 1949 Dom Gentile, E Clink McGeary, C 1950 John Richards, G 1951 Ben Noland, B 1952 Chuck Thurm,E Frank Esposito, QB Bob Lauf,T Ben Noland, B 1953 Glenn Hill, E Frank Esposito, QB Bob Lauf, T 1954 Glenn Hill, E Pat Vickers, C Emil Zuger, G 1955 Glenn Hill,E 1956 John Campagna, E Roger Gebhart, G Dick Tschider, C 1957 Dick Tschider, C 1958 Curt Quenette, FB Don Remillong, G 1959 Curt Quenette, FB Don Remillong, G 1961 John Staples, HB 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 Phil Hansen--League Defensive MVP in 1989 and 1990 1936 Lyle Sturgeon, T Bob Erickson, HB 1937 Ernie Wheeler, HB Elmer Holt, G Chuck Pollack, T 1938 Ernie Wheeler, HB Elmer Holt, G Cecil Schrank,T 1939 Cecil Schrank, T Cecil Sturgeon, B 1940 Don Johnston, QB 1942 Cliff Rothrock, C Nick Soulis,E John Zaic, T Harry Treglawny, B 1946 Charles Basch, B Cliff Rothrock, C Jerry Mulready, B Nick Soulis,E Dennis Drews, B Bill Dietz, T 102 Bob Yaggie, G 1964 Bill Sturdevant, HB 1965 Lowell Lindeman, E Gary Benson, T Ken Rota, HB Rich Mische, FB Steve Irgens, DE Walt Odegaard,DT Gene Gebhards, MG Ron Hanson, DB 1966 Andy Knudson,E Lowell Lindeman, E Bob Hunter, T Bob Sciacca, G Walt Odegaard, DT Matt Vukelich, DE Mike Ahneman, LB Rudy Baranko, S 1967 Jim Ferge, MG Del Gehrett, S Mike Ahneman, LB 1978 1979 1980 1981 Bob Hunter, G John Heller, G Tim Mjos, HB Ken Rota, HB Bruce Nelson, T Bob Hyland, G Jim Ferge, DT, MVL Del Gehrett, S Paul Hatchett, HB Paul Hatchett, RB Bob Hyland, OG, MVL Bruce Grasamke, QB Tim Mjos, RB, MVB Chuck Wald, SE Al Hoffman, OG Marv Mortenson, T Gary Leuer, T Stu Helgason, LB Steve Krumrei, DB Pete Lana, SE Dan Green, T Lyle Anderson, OG Mike Bentson, QB Dennis Preboski, RB Gary Leuer, DE Paul Bothof, DT Joe Cichy, DB Mike Bentson, QB Bob Erickson, OT Tom Varichak, HB Pete Lana, SE Bob Erickson, OT Rich Henry, RB Steve Nelson, DE Tomm Smail, LB Bruce Reimer, RB Jerry Dahl, DE Pat Simmers, DT Steve Nelson, LB, MVB Keith Krebsbach, DB Jerry Dahl, DE, MVL Gregg Marmesh, DT Kim Garvey, LB Nick Cichy, DB, MVB Gregg Marmesh, DT Rick Budde, LB Rick Budde, LB, MVB Tim Jeske, DT Lew Curry, C, MVOL Curt Mosher, OG Jerry Rosburg, LB Kevin Krebsbach, DB Jerry Rosburg, LB, MVDB Jon Walter, OT, MVOL Curt Mosher,OG Mark Zelinski, MG Perry Kozlowski, FS Jim Baudry, RB Mike McTague, WR Ken Ellett, OG Gordy Sprattler, RB Dirk Kroeze, MG Perry Kozlowski, FS Mark Speral, QB Dirk Kroeze, DT Greg Gaughran, SS Mark Speral, QB Joel Bladow, OG Wayne Schluchter, FS, MVDB Howard Holmen, C, MVOL Mike Kasowski, RB Kevin Peters, RB Jim Kent, DE Todd Lecy, LB 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 Wayne Schluchter, FS, MVDB Cliff Carmody, OG Mike Whetstone, OT Mark Nellermoe, QB Dan Harris, RB Mike Stratton, MG Steve Garske, LB, MVLB Tom Shockman, SS Mike Whetstone, OG Mike Stratton, MG Chris Broome, OLB Lee Monson, ILB Doug Hushka, CB Paul Olson, OT Stacy Robinson, WR Greg Hagfors, C, MVOL Ted Hall, OG Lee Monson, ILB, MVDB Ted Hall, OG, MVOL Paul Nielsen, MG Jim Dick, ILB, MVDB Tom Van Voorhis, FS Jeff Bentrim, QB, MVOB Chad Stark, RB Tom Smith, OT Rick Riemer, OG Paul Nielsen, MG Jim Dick, ILB, MVDB Tyron Braxton, CB Mike Favor, C Charlie Stock,OLB Ken Muckenhirn, DT Jim Dick, Defensive MVP in 1985 & 1986 Lew Curry, MVP offensive lineman, 1976 Wayne Schluchter, NCC Defensive MVP in 1980 & 1981 Linebacker Rick Budde was the Defensive MVP in 1976 BISON FOOTBALL 2007 ALL-CONFERENCE 1988 Mike Favor, C, MVOL Matt Tracy, OG Len Kretchman, SE Doug Lloyd, RB Paul Lenz, MG, MVDL Charlie Stock, OLB Yorrick Byers, ILB 1989 Craig Johnson, OT Chris Simdorn, QB Tony Satter, RB Phil Hansen,DT, MVDL 1990 Chris Kilen, OG Dan Goettl, TE Chris Simdorn, QB Tony Satter, RB Phil Hansen, DT, MVDL Todd Wash, OLB Ken Clark, DB 1991 Dave Marion, OT Arden Beachy, QB Pat Pringle, CB 1992 Kevin Bloom, OG T.R. McDonald, SE Arden Beachy, QB Shawn Stewart, NG 1993 Kevin Bloom, OG T.R. McDonald, SE Steve Hansen, DT 1994 Brad Servais, C Chad Pundsack, OLB 1995 Gunar Gossard, OLB Brad Servais, C Isreal Moses, SS 1996 Evan Kooiker, OT Reggie Scott, RB Mitch Clark, OLB 1997 Luke Samuel, OG Jake Morris, TB Sean Fredricks, LB MVLB Mikel Kallenbach, FS John Torrance, P 1998 Ronnie Steffen, DT 1999 Trent Houmann, OT Tim Strehlow, WR/KR Lamar Gordon, RB Ronnie Steffen, DT Matt Swanson, CB Jared Maher, ILB Aaron Pederson, P 2000 Lamar Gordon, RB Chuck Klabo, OT Jared Peck, TE Jared Maher, ILB Richard Lewis, KR 2001 Lamar Gordon, RB Jared Peck, TE Leif Murphy, DL, MVDL Aaron Pederson, P Richard Lewis, KR 2002 Paul Keller, OG Billy Erenberg, SS 2003 John Bonicelli, P Rod Malone, RB Mike Sheppard, DB Travis Ware, DL Mike Wieser, TE Great West Football Conference (2004-current) 2004 Rob Hunt, C Nick Zilka, OL Tim Popowski, OT Kyle Steffes, HB Isaac Snell, NG Craig Dahl, SS 2005 Tim Popowski, OT Nate Safe, OT AJ Cooper, TE Kyle Steffes, HB 2006 Steve Walker, QB OPOY Nate Safe, OT Kyle Steffes, HB Justin Frick, DT Joe Mays, MLB Craig Dahl, SS Mike Dragosavich, P Lamar Gordon, NDSU’s only three-time first team allconference performer (1999, 2000, 2001) Mike Favor, MVP offensive lineman, 1988 Jon Walter, MVP offensive lineman, 1977 NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE HISTORY QUICK FACTS North Dakota State was the ONLY SCHOOL in North Central Conference HISTORY to win nine conference games in a single league season until Nebraska-Omaha accomplished that feat in 2000. The Bison accomplished that perfect 9-0 feat three times when the league went to nine games in 1983--in 1986, 1988, and 1990. Twenty-one North Dakota State players were named Most Valuable Players in the North Central Conference since the recognition was started in the late 1960s including three who have won the award twice. Defensive tackle JIM FERGE was the first in 1968. RON ERHARDT, in his seven seasons at the helm of the Bison, won six North Central Conference titles, more than any another coach in North Dakota State history. Rocky Hager, with five crowns, and Don Morton, with four, are the only other NDSU coaches to win more than two championships. North Dakota State finished FIRST OR SECOND in the North Central Conference standings 32 times over a 40 year-period. Only third place finishes in 1978, 1993, 1999, and 2001; a fourth place finish in 1998; a fifth place finish in 1996; a seventh place finish in 1975, and a ninth place finish in 2002 found the Herd out of the top two spots. Incidentally, the Bison have won 23 titles in those 40 years. North Dakota State had 15 people inducted into the North Central Conference HALL OF FAME and can also claim a 16th in Dr. Richard Koppenhaver. Koppenhaver was the athletic director at North Dakota State from 1966-68, was an assistant football coach at NDSU prior to that as well as serving as the athletic director at Minnesota State-Mankato and as NCC commissioner. 2006 Great West Champions Sean Fredricks, MVP linebacker, 1997 103 BISON TRADITION North Dakota State Puts Student First in Student-Athlete Phrase North Dakota State University has a great tradition of success on the football field but it also has an outstanding record of success in the classroom and the community. The phrase “student-athlete” used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) takes on a special meaning at North Dakota State. The student-athlete at NDSU is a student first and required to be in constant pursuit of his or her degree. Assistant coaches as well as the academic people are advisors for the student-athlete, seeing to it that his or her academic pursuits and athletic commitments fit together. Those goals and ideals are reflected in the record. North Dakota State has been one of the most successful football programs in the nation over the past four decades, winning 24 conference championships and eight national championships while compiling an .800 winning percentage. At the same time, the Bison have produced a Rhodes Scholar, 89 academic All-North Central Conference players, and 13 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans®. Eight Bison have earned the coveted Academic All-Conference award three times including linebacker Mark Zelinski (1975-76-77), quarterback Mark Speral (1978-79-80), defensive end Chris Rood (197879-80), runningback Chad Stark (1984-85-86), linebacker Sean Fredricks (1995-96-97) and strong safety Craig Dahl (2004-05-06). Linebacker Charlie Stock (1985-86-87-88) and punter Casey Bradley (1985-86-87-88) became the first four-time selections in league history. Fourteen All-American awards have been earned by Bison players on the national academic scene. Both Tomm Smail, a linebacker, and Chris Rood were two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. To be eligible for these awards, a student must carry a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for conference honors and a 3.2-plus cumulative grade-point average for national honors AND make a significant contributuion to his team on the playing field. CoSIDA Academic All-America® Selections Smail Morris Rood 1971 1972 1973 1978 1979 1982 1989 1993 1997 2004 2005 2006 Hanson Tomm Smail, LB Tomm Smail, LB Jon Hanson, OG Chris Rood, DE Chris Rood, DE Dan Borgenheimer, DT Mark Roshell, DT T.R. McDonald, SE Sean Fredricks, ILB Jake Morris, RB Jared Essler, FS Jayd Kittelson, OLB Tony Stauss, QB Kole Zimmerman, OLB Craig Dahl, SS Borgenheimer McDonald Essler Kittelson Zimmerman Dahl 104 Roshell Fredricks Stauss RHODES SCHOLAR Former North Dakota State football player JIM SCHINDLER was named a Rhodes Scholar in 1966 after concluding his football career. Academic All-Conference 1974 Mark Askew, DB Kevin Krebsbach, DB 1975 Mark Zelinski, LB Mark Askew, DB 1976 Mark Zelinski, DL 1977 Jon Walter, OT Mark Zelinski, DL Jerry Rosburg, LB 1978 Mark Speral, QB Chris Rood, DE Don Hutson, LB 1979 Scott VandeVoort, OT Steve Sponberg, WR Mark Speral, QB Ron Grabowski, LB Gregg Gaughran, DB 1980 Joe Bladow, OG Steve Sponberg, WR Mark Speral, QB Chris Rood, DE 1981 Wayne Schluchter, DB 1982 Cliff Carmody, OG Dan Borgenheimer,DT Doug Hushka, CB 1983 Doug Hushka, CB 1984 Phil Duginski, OG Chad Stark, RB Jon Dunbar, OLB Jeff Willer, DB 1985 Chad Stark, RB Charlie Stock, OLB Tom Van Voorhis, FS Casey Bradley, P 1986 Chad Stark, RB Jeff Bentrim, QB Scott Schutt, OLB Charlie Stock, OLB Paul Nielsen, MG Chris Servais, DB Todd DeBates, FS Casey Bradley, P 1987 Charlie Stock, OLB Casey Bradley, P Troy Stockstad, DB 1988 Doug Lloyd, RB Dan Paulson, RB Mark Roshell, OLB Charlie Stock, OLB Casey Bradley, P 1989 Craig Johnson, OT Dan Goettl, TE; Marty Sieh, RB Troy Stockstad, WR 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2003 Mark Roshell, DL 2004 Bobby Babich, CB Phil Hansen, DL Craig Dahl, SS Dan Goettl, TE Jared Essler, FS Marty Sieh, RB Johnny Frank, FB Phil Hansen, DL Kyle Ihry, SS Ken Clark, DB Jayd Kittelson, LB Rob Greenwood, LB Tim Popowski, OT T.R. McDonald, WR Tony Stauss, QB Arden Beachy, QB Scott Walter, CB Mat Steinberg, ILB Kole Zimmerman, LB T.R. McDonald, WR 2005 Bobby Babich, CB Kyle Carlson, RB Craig Dahl, SS Bruce Yaggie, NG Tim Popowski, OT Joe Toth, OLB Scott Walter, CB Rob Hyland, QB Kole Zimmerman, LB Kyle Carlson, WR Derek Arndt, TE Dennis Scheel, DT Andy DelaBarre, TE Joe Toth, OLB Brett Itterman, LB Brad Servais, C Hugh Medal, C Aaron Siegfried, DT Ryan Olson, DB Sean Fredricks, ILB Adam Palczewski, NG Jerome Cheatham, CB 2006 Craig Dahl, SS Sean Fredricks, ILB Kole Heckendorf, WR Jerome Cheatham, CB Ryan Olson, DB Brian Boll, DL Kyle Belmont, SS Sean Fredricks, ILB Sam Boraas, FS Mikel Kallenbach, FS Jeff Curtis, LS Sam Markell, OG Jared Hines, TE Jake Morris, RB Brett Itterman, OLB Brian Boll, DL Ryan Parsons, QB Kevin Feeney, QB Barry Quickstad, FS Chris Simmers, C Chad Simmers, ILB Ryan Simmers, FB Jared Essler, FS Bison Academic All-Conference Breakdown FOUR-TIME SELECTIONS Charlie Stock (1985-86-87-88) Casey Bradley (1985-86-87-88) THREE-TIME SELECTIONS Mark Zelinski (1975-76-77) Mark Speral (1978-79-80) Chris Rood (1978-79-80) Chad Stark (1984-85-86) Sean Fredricks (1995-96-97) Craig Dahl (2004-05-06) BISON FOOTBALL 2007 BISON TRADITION G.V. (Viv) McKay Harry (Red) Blakely Roman Meyers Ben P. Rumpeltes Cy Arnold Robert Saunders Claudie Miller Melvin (Fritz) Hanson Robert Weir Ernie Wheeler Cliff (Bony) Rothrock 1975 Lawrence F. (Larry) Ole Sand Walter G. (Dolly) Tanberg Schoenfelder Marv Bachmeier Gregory H. Sloan Eugene (Fitz) John (Jerry) Fitzgerald Mulready (honorary) Oddvar Helgesen C.C. (Casey) Art Bunker Finnegan Glenn Hill Jr. (honorary) 1972 1976 1973 Russ Anderson Sam Westgate H. Arnold (Swede) Johnson Delbert Moore Herb Peschel Ron McLeod Dave Torson Bruce Airheart 1979 1985 Tim Mjos Ross Fortier Ron Schliemann Jim Ferge Stafford (Cod) Ordahl 1980 Del Gehrett Marv Mortenson Mike Kuppich 1986 Joe Blakeslee Gladys Bockwaldt Lauf Terry Hanson Gerry Suman Ron Erhardt (honorary) 1981 Bob Hyland Joe Cichy Chuck Wald Bruce Grasamke Carl Rovig Jerry Dahl Steve Saladino Lee Petersen Chuck Bentson (honorary) Ken Blazei Brad Rheingans Phil Reimnitz Joe Roller 1988 1995 Steve Nelson Dick Marsden Nick Cichy Rick Budde Bob Lowe (honorary) 1990 Dr. L.D. Loftsgard (honorary) Mike McTague Dr. Denis Isrow (honorary) Gene Gebhards Dan Loose Collette Folstad 1991 Dr. Robert Grant Donnie Lauf Dr. LaVern Freeh Ed Graber (honorary) 1992 1974 George (Baldy) Hays Robert C. Lauf W.P. (Bud) Marquardt Johnny Mach Manny Marget (honorary) 1977 Pete Gergen Walt Odegaard Ardell Wiegandt Harry R. Bridgeford W.L. (Wendy) Schollander Dr. C.S. Putnam (honorary) Roy C. Pedersen (honorary) 1978 Lowell Linderman Brian MacLaren Ken Rota Byron Jackson (honorary) 1982 1994 1987 Darrell Mudra (honorary) Mike Ahneman Mike Whetstone Benny Noland Dennis Drews Gilmour Dobie (honorary) Carolyn Schmidt Lynn Forde Lew Curry Pete Lana Carl “Buck” Nystrom (honorary) Ron Waggoner Paul “Red” Brostrom Ed Kolpack (honorary) Joe McCormick Mary Goebel 1989 Sid Cichy Frank Esposito Curt Quenette Dr. H.R. Albrecht (honorary) Alex J. (Sliv) Nemzek Earl (Skip) Bute Leo G. May Cy Lonsbrough Charles (Acey) Olson Neville M. Reiners Lyle Sturgeon 1993 Boyd Christenson (honorary) Rich Mische Matt Vukelich Randy Lussenden Roger Grooters (honorary) Tomm Smail Tom Assel Dom Gentile Autumn Ross Del Johnson (honorary) 1996 Dr. Ade Sponberg (honorary) Mark Gibbons Mark Reimnitz Mike Bollmann Mark Speral Becky Clairmont 1997 Bob Roy Mark Emerson Keith Krebsbach Bernie Graner Norm Vennerstrom Kathy KappelMeagher Lori Knetter-Robbins 1998 Curt Bacon Perry Kozlowski Dr. Paul Shogren Dick Tschider Donna Palivec Laura JacobsonKlingsporn Ravine “Gorilla” Latimer 1999 2002 2000 2003 2001 2004 Don Morton (honorary) Gene Gamache Stacy Robinson Gary Leuer Mike Langlais Patti Rolf Deb BergersonStambaugh Rocky Hager (honorary) George Thole Jeff Askew Lance Berwald Kim Brekke-Heisler Peggy ZimmermanStibbe John Dahl Gretchen HammondEhnes Dr. Fred Walsh (honorary) Mike Driscoll Nancy DietmanHolovnia Wayne Schluchter Jeff Bentrim Erv Inniger (honorary) Earle Solomonson (honorary) Chad Stark Brian Bachmeier Greg Hagfors Dr. Doug Hushka Tom Leutz Janice Woods Trisha Reichl-Cyr John Morgan Janet Cobbs Mulholland Lisa Stamp Thomas Yorrick “Snuffy” Byers Tyrone Braxton Mike Favor 2005 Dale Beling (honorary) John Bodine Phil Hansen Brady Lipp Shelley (Oistad) Rice Amy (Quist) Raymond 2006 Edie Boyer Cliff Carmody Doug Hanson Sam Kucenic Doug Lloyd Dana Patsie (Retten) Bev Weiman (Owen) Mike Stratton Lora Jean (Schloss) Bodin Paul W. Nielsen Pat (Smykowski) Jacobson Kristi Kremer Clarkowski Joe Regnier Bill Demaray Ralph Wirtz Dr. E.P. Wenz (honorary) 1983 Bob Backlund Mike Slack Steve Krumrei Pat Driscoll 1984 Cliff Nygard Warren Arman Dick Hanson Mike Bentson 2006 Great West Champions 105 BISON TRADITION Four Bison Enshrined College Football Hall of Fame Dobie Division II Hall of Fame The Division II Football Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1999 with former Bison quarterback JEFF BENTRIM (left) inducted in the charter class with Walter Payton and Johnny Bailey. The Hall of Fame is located in Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, the site of the NCAA national championship game. In 2004, former NFL standout and two-time All-America defensive end PHIL HANSEN (1987-90) was inducted into the hall. NCAA Division II Cichy Bentrim F Mudra our former North Dakota State personalities have been inducted into the National Football Founda tion's College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, IN. They are coach GILMOUR DOBIE, inducted in 1951 after a career at NDSU, Washington, Navy, Cornell and Boston College; two-time All-America defensive back (1969 & 1970) JOE CICHY, a 1997 inductee; 1986 Harlon Hill Trophy-winning quarterback JEFF BENTRIM, inducted in 1998; and coach DARRELL MUDRA, inducted in 2000 after a career at Adams State, NDSU, Florida State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois and Northern Iowa. F our former North Dakota State athletes were named to the NCAA Division II Football Team of the Quarter Century selected in 1997 by a nationwide panel as part of the celebration of the 25th Division II Football Championship game. Any player who competed as a Division II player between 1973 and 1996 was eligible. North Dakota State, North Alabama and Texas A&M-Kingsville led the team with four selections each. Named from NDSU were quarterback JEFF BENTRIM, who started in four straight title games from 1983 to 1986, two-time All-America center MIKE FAVOR (198588), former NFL star and two-time All-America defensive tackle PHIL HANSEN (1987-90), and two-time AllAmerica linebacker JIM DICK (1982-86). Favor 106 Football Team of the Quarter Century Hansen BISON Dick FOOTBALL 2007 BISON TRADITION Rimington Award PHIL HANSEN (shown here during his NFL playing days with the Buffalo Bills) is the only Bison to have played in three postseason bowl games. North Dakota State’s Rob Hunt was the 2004 NCAA I-AA recipient of the Dave Rimington Award, which annually honors the outstanding outstanding centers throughout the ranks of college football. The Cavalier, N.D., native played in the 2005 Hula Bowl Maui All-Star Game. He started all 42 games during his career. Hunt was the 2004 Great West Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft. Dennis Drews Trophy 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 Dennis Drews T he North Dakota State “Most Valuable Player” award is named after 1946 allconference halfback Dennis Drews. Drews was the captain of both the 1947 and 1948 Bison teams and served as an assistant coach for the Bison freshman team. He served in the Armed Forces in both World War II and the Korean War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Korean Service Medal. He was awarded the Air Medal for Meritorious Service in the Korean War in March 1953. He was killed in a training flight in an F84F Thunderstreak at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine, in July 1954. Dennis Drews Trophy Winners 1954 Pat Vickers C 1955 Glenn K. Hill End 1956 Roger Gebhart G 1957 Dick Tschider C 1958 Curt Quenette FB 1959 Curt Quenette FB 1960 John Stalpes HB 1961 Bob Yaggie G 1962 Dan Thesing FB 1963 Joe Anderson End 1964 Bill Sturdevant HB 1965 Ardell Wiegandt LB 1966 Matt Vukelich End 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Ken Rota Jim Ferge Paul Hatchett Tim Mjos Dennis Preboski Mike Bentson Rich Henry Steve Nelson Steve Nelson Jerry Dahl Rick Budde Rick Budde Jerry Rosburg Mike McTague Mark Speral Mark Speral Mike Kasowski Mark Nellermoe Mike Whetstone Jeff Bentrim Jeff Bentrim Jeff Bentrim Mike Favor Mike Favor Charlie Stock Chris Simdorn Chris Simdorn Dave Marion Arden Beachy T.R. McDonald Brad Servais Joe Toth Brad Servais Gunar Gossard Kevin Feeney Jake Morris Sean Fredricks Kevin Feeney Tim Strehlow Lamar Gordon Leif Murphy Billy Erenberg Tony Stauss Rob Hunt Kyle Steffes Steve Walker 2006 Great West Champions HB DT HB HB FB QB FB LB/DE LB DE LB LB LB Flanker QB QB RB QB OG QB QB QB C C LB QB QB OT QB SE C LB C OLB QB RB ILB QB WR RB OLB SS QB C HB QB ALL-STAR GAME PLAYERS East -West Shrine (January in San Francisco) 1936–Lyle Sturgeon, T 1987–Chad Stark, FB 1991–Phil Hansen, DT North-South (Blue-Grey) (December in Montgomery, Ala.) 1938–Ernie Wheeler, HB 1990–Phil Hansen, DT Coaches All-American (Lubbock, Texas) 1974–Steve Nelson, LB Senior Bowl (January in Mobile, Ala) 1985–Stacy Robinson, WR 2002–Lamar Gordon, RB All-American Classic (January in Florida) 1991–Phil Hansen, DT Snow/Cactus Bowl (January at Fargodome before moving to Kingsville, Texas, in 2001) 1994–T.R. McDonald, SE Steve Hansen, DT 1995–Joe Toth, OLB Chad Pundsack, DE 1996–Brad Servais, C Tim Jacobsen, CB 1997–Mitch Clark, OLB Kris Kortuem, DT 1998–Sean Fredricks, ILB Jake Morris, RB 1999–Luke Samuel, OG Ben Ahneman, ILB 2000–Tim Strehlow, WR Aaron Skyberg, DB Ronnie Steffen, DT Courtney Samuel, DB 2001–Matt Swanson, CB John Semchenko, C 2002–Jared Peck, TE Pete Campion, OT 2003–Leif Murphy, DE 2004–Mike Sheppard, SS Rod Malone, RB Hula Bowl (January in Hawaii) 2005–Rob Hunt, C IntaJuice North-South All-Star Classic (December in Houston, Texas) 2006–Craig Dahl, SS 107 BISON TRADITION Team Captains Year 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 108 Name Unknown Unknown Unknown Ben Meinecke Thomas H. Manns James McGuigan T.F. Manns T.F. Manns Byron Wilde Charles Rose Unknown Charles Oshwald Fred Birch Pete Tierney Leo Nemzek Bert Haskins Palmer Foss Cliff Schroeder Edgar Olson Grover Edwards Ralph Coulkins Steve (Dick) Bjornson Steve (Dick) Bjornson Bill Nemzek Paul J. Peterson S. Lynn Huey M. Ravine Latimer Louis Duerner Ben Rumpeltes Wallace Thompson Wallace Thompson Claudie Miller Cy Peschel George Hays Stafford (Cod) Ordahl Leo May Cy Lonsbrough Walter Schoenfelder Roman Meyers Charles (Acey) Olson Sam Dobervich Bob Erickson Forrest Stevens Emil May Ray Hawkins Ernie Wheeler Harry Johnson Cecil Scrank Don Johnston Brucke Fulks Harry Treglawny Don Hofmeister Cliff Rothrock Dennis Drews Paul Moores Dennis Drews LaVern Freeh Neil Gustafson Game captains Game captains Unknown Charles Thum Glenn Hill Paul Werner Pat Vickers Emil Zueger Position HB T FB Back Back HB HB G E QB FB C HB T G G QB T T T G T T QB T C C HB Back End C HB HB T T End T HB End HB End HB T T QB G T QB C HB T HB G FB Year 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 End End T FB G 1981 Name Unknown Roger Gebhart Jerry Kingrey Curt Quenette Ross Fortier Cur Quenette Tom Egan Robert Kovich Dave Gentzkow John Stalpes Ron Erdmann Joe Anderson Jim Driscoll Tom Holmgren Bill Sturdevant Ardell Wiegandt Gene Gebhards Lowell Linderman Ardell Wiegandt Mike Hasbargen Lowell Linderman Walt Odegaard Matt Vukelich Mike Ahneman Terry Hanson John Heller Jim Ferge Jack Hagen Stu Helgason Robert Hyland Joe Cichy Dennis Preboski Lyle Anderson Mike Bentson Tom Marman Tomm Smail Bob Erickson Steve Nelson Steve McMillan Bruce Reimer Nick Cichy Mark Askew Doug Johnson Dave Roby Dale Nordick Rick Budde Kevin Krebsbach Jon Walter Lew Curry Jerry Rosburg Clem Clooten Ken Ellett Mike McTague Don Hutson Perry Kozlowski Lane Brettingen Scott VandeVoort Russ Shroyer Gregg Gaughran Mark Speral Steve Sponberg Joel Bladow Jim Kent Mike Kasowski Wayne Schluchter Position G HB FB QB FB C T FB HB QB E E T HB LB/OG MG SE LB/OG FB SE DT DE LB QB G DE FB LB G SS FB G QB DT LB OT LB FB RB SS FS OG HB OT LB CB OT C LB DE OG Flanker LB FS TE OT LB SS QB Flanker OG LB RB FS Year 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Name Mark Nellermoe Dan Borgenheimer Tom Shockman Steve Krause Dave Piepkorn Lee Monson Greg Hagfors Tom Van Voorhis Ted Hall Jim Dick Jeff Bentrim Ken Muckenhirn Kerry Meske Mike Favor Charlie Stock Craig Johnson Todd Zabel Phil Hansen Ken Clark Dan Goettl Dave Marion Todd Wash Mark Hansen Mat Steinberg Arden Beachy Steve Hansen Bruce Yaggie Chris Jones Kevin Holm Brad Servais Gunar Gossard Kelly Artz Eric Heismeyer Greg Coleman Scott Swanson Mikel Kallenbach Sean Fredricks Jerome Cheatham Position QB DT SS DT OG LB C FS OG LB QB DT TE C LB OG CB DT FS TE OT OLB RB ILB QB DT NG ILB TE C OLB SE TE ILB WR FS ILB CB Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Name Ben Ahneman Kevin Feeney Tim Strehlow Eric Nelson Ronnie Steffen Aaron Skyberg Eric Nelson Ryan Johnson Jared Maher Luke Shafer Josh Hauble Lamar Gordon Wade Kittelson Travis Sturdevant Game captains Tony Stauss Rob Hunt Mike Sheppard Josh Mock Tony Stauss Jared Essler Rob Hunt Matt Gorman Craig Dahl Tim Popowski Alvin Robinson Steve Walker Kole Zimmerman Craig Dahl Justin Frick Steve Walker Kyle Steffes North Dakota State captains Kyle Steffes (23), Justin Frick (82), Craig Dahl (20) and Steve Walker (right) come out prior to the 2006 Minnesota game at the Metrodome. BISON FOOTBALL 2007 Position ILB QB WR WR DT SS WR QB ILB FS OG TB ILB FS QB C OLB LB QB FS C CB SS OT DE QB LB SS DT QB HB BISON TRADITION BISON PRIDE E ditor’s note: This message, delivered to the North Dakota State football team just before the 1988 national championship win over Portland State, is former Bison All-American Mike Whetstone’s legacy to the program he loved so much. He was an inspiration for the ’88 Bison. Whetstone died of cancer three days following the victory. This message was recorded prior to the semifinal game with Sacramento State and now hangs with his picture on a plaque in the Bison team room at Dacotah Field. “Sometimes the amazing thing is I don't know what Bison Pride is myself, anyone who has been a Bison or will be a Bison will some day relate to what I’m saying. “To me Bison Pride is not necessarily running around, being rah, rah, and jumping up and down. It’s more of a feeling you have knowing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. “The amazing thing that I have found in the last six months since discovering cancer is that people who have rallied around me the most are the Bison players and Bison alumni. I had former players come down to Rochester to visit me in the hospital--they traveled 300 miles just to visit me. I had friends from high school who were just 20 miles away, and they didn’t visit me. They just called on the phone. “I guess to me that is what Bison Pride is all about, everybody looking out for each other. The strength of the Herd is in the Bison and the strength of the Bison is in the Herd. Bison Pride is knowing that everybody is looking out for everyone else. “I want every Bison that’s ever been involved in the program to know I love them. Kick some butt this weekend. We can’t let those California people think they're better than us. Go out there and get ’em guys.” Mike Whetstone, 1988 “No one person is Bison Pride. It takes 48 tough bastards if you're in the playoffs and it takes 75 tough bastards during the regular season. It takes the players and coaches working together for a common good. “Deep down, Bison Pride is the love we have for each other. I have noticed over the years that my true friends, my true life, everything evolves around Bison players and Bison people. I have friends outside of football, but for the most part, everything comes back to football, Bison football. 2006 Great West Champions RETIRED NUMBER O nly one number (79) has ever been retired in North Dakota State football history. It belonged to defensive tackle Paul Allen Bothof who played for the Bison from 1968 through 1970. A two-year starter and an allconference selection in 1970, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound giant was called the “best-looking football player in this game” by a pro scout at the 1969 Camellia Bowl at the end of his junior season. But Bothof’s career came to a tragic end on Sunday, October 25, 1970, two weeks before the end of the regular season, as he was the victim of an accidental shooting while hunting. No player has ever worn that jersey number for the Bison since. 109 BISON TRADITION NICKEL TROPHY T he Nickel Trophy, resting 2,500 times larger than a regular fivecent piece and weighing 75 pounds, was inaugurated in 1938 and is presented to the winner of the formerly annual North Dakota vs. North Dakota State football contest. Two inches thick and 22 inches in diameter, it is an exact replica of the once-minted U.S. coin. It has been the object of many intercampus raids, recoveries, and more thefts. The late Robert Kunkel, a UND alumnus and Chicago advertising executive, was the originator of the trophy. Blue Key, honorary service fraternity on each campus, awards the Nickel Trophy. The NCC Trophy CONFERENCE TRADITIONS N orth Dakota State's tradition in the North Central Conference is steeped and cherished. The Bison program is the winningest in the history of the NCC with 17 outright championships and 26 total league football titles. That includes seven straight crowns from 1964 to 1970 and six straight titles from 1981 to 1986. North Dakota State became a charter member of the NCC in 1921 and captured its first league title in 1925. BOWL HISTORY T he Bison are the most successful bowl and playoff team in the history of the NCAA on a Division II level. North Dakota State is 35-13 in postseason play (regional bowls or playoff games). The chart is 30-12 in 17 NCAA playoff years (appearances in 1976-77-81-82-83-84-85-86-88-8990-91-92-94-95-97-2000). Prior to the playoffs, NDSU appeared in six regional bowl games from 1964 to 1970, going 5-1. The Bison had never lost an opening round NCAA playoff game until 1991 and are now 25-8 in the last 33 playoff games including national crowns in 1983-85-86-88-90. SLAP THE BISON O ne of the time-honored traditions in NDSU football history is the picture of the snorting Bison that sits above the team room door at Dacotah Field (pictured at far right) and now also at the Fargodome. It is tradition that each Bison football player pat or slap that Bison on the way out of the team room prior to taking the field on game day. That emblem has become such a tradition that it now travels everywhere with the Bison. Begun in the 1960s by then-trainer Denis Isrow, its appearance coincides with the .800 winning percentage the Bison have established since 1964. Former Bison player Pete Lana designed the original snorting Bison logo and that underwent a revision in 1998. 110 The aluminum alloy "slug" has been won 30 times by the Bison and 35 times by UND including last year's 28-21 Sioux overtime win in Grand Forks. NDSU had possession of the trophy for 12 consecutive seasons until UND's victory in 1993. (NDSU's NCAA playoff win in 1995 over UND does not count.) NCAA Champions 1965 1985 1968 1986 1969 1988 1983 1990 HARLON HILL TROPHY N orth Dakota State quarterbacks and the Harlon Hill Trophy have a great deal in common. Jeff Bentrim was the first winner of the trophy in 1986 to honor the nation's best NCAA Division II player and Chris Simdorn added his name to the list in 1990. The award is named after former North Alabama and Chicago Bears player Harlon Hill. North Alabama and the community of Florence, Alabama are sponsoring the award in conjunction with the NCAA national championship game that Bentrim is played there every December. Bentrim quarterbacked the Bison in four national championship games (three victories), set an NCAA career record for rushing touchdowns (64), and led the nation in scoring for three consecutive years--the only player Simdorn in any division ever to accomplish that feat. Simdorn quarterbacked the Herd to two national titles, including a stunning display in the 51-11 title win in 1990 over Indiana (PA) when he ran for two TDs and passed for three more. NDSU running back Lamar Gordon was a finalist for the Hill Award in 2000, finishing third in the final balloting. NCAA TITLES N orth Dakota State has claimed eight national championships over the years. The Bison earned the first three crowns via the wire service polls in 1965, 1968 and 1969. Four came in the 1980s and another to begin the 1990s as the Bison took national crowns through the playoff system (began in 1973) in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1990. BISON FOOTBALL 2007 BISON TRADITION Trophy Center of Attention For Land-Grant Rivals NDSU, SDSU to Meet Again This Season For a Piece of the Rock HANKINSON, N.D.--A new era in the rivalry between NDSU and South Dakota State University was unveiled April 21, 2004, with the announcement of a new traveling trophy. The “Dakota Marker” trophy will be presented to the winner of the Bison-Jackrabbit football game. Both schools gain NCAA Division I status this year. North Dakota State and South Dakota State, both members of the Great West Football Conference, square off again this season at 1 p.m. Nov. 17 in Brookings. NDSU posted a 41-28 victory over SDSU before a school record crowd of 19,053 at the Fargodome during the 2006 season. The Jackrabbits edged the Bison 24-21 in the final minute of the 2004 game at Couglin-Alumni Stadium, while NDSU defeated SDSU 41-17 in 2005 in Fargo. Supported by the NDSU Blue Key chapter and the SDSU Student Association, the trophy will be a replica of quartzite monuments placed along the board of the two states in the 1890s. NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman was one of several people who attended a news conference held at the border to announce the new trophy. “Both of these institutions have long histories in the land-grant tradition of excellence in the classroom, excellence in service and excellence in research,” Chapman said. “We also have a long tradition of excellence in the athletic arena. This is going to be fun moving to the next level.” Adam Jones, president of the NDSU Blue Key chapter noted that the first football game between the institutions was held in 1903 and there have been 89 games held. He said moving to Division I was a good idea. “This progressive move will elevate these institutions of higher learning from their present outstanding regional recognition to nationally recognized land grant universities and top class athletic programs,” Jones said. NDSU student body president Dan Mostad said, “This will be a game that our students and SDSU students will look forward to every fall. I foresee this being the game that will captivate the attention of both of these great states.” Bison athletic director Gene Taylor said, “My compliments to our students, from both NDSU and SDSU, for taking the initiative for this new trophy. I believe the Dakota Marker will only enhance what is North Dakota State and South Dakota State players, along with other football fans and school officials, walk to the site of a news conference near the state border where the Dakota Marker football traveling trophy was announced. 2006 Great West Champions already a very competitive rivalry between two quality football programs.” The trophy will be a model of the original border monuments that were 7 feet long and 10 inches square. The markers were placed at half-mile intervals along the border, with “S.D” on the south side and “N.D” on the north side. “Today is indeed a historic day for two great and storied institutions,” said Amanda Mattingly, president of the SDSU Student Association. “The students at SDSU look forward to a long, competitive and friendly rivalry that will capture the essence of the future and the past.” SDSU President Peggy Miller said the states share a common heritage as part of the Dakota Territory, which was established in 1861. She also praised the students’ efforts to develop the trophy. “You are doing something new. You are taking the first step. You’re being the pioneers that your ancestors were,” Miller said. “Bravo to you and everyone involved. This will be the rivalry of the (Dakota) territory.” 111 BISON TRADITION Bison Heritage . . . . . Why The Bison? N orth Dakota State University's athletic teams have progressed from the "Farmers" in the 1890s, to the "Aggies" in the early 1900s, to the "Bison," North Dakota State's current athletic symbol. It was developed by head football coach Stan Borleske in 1919 because he and members of the football team didn't like being known as the Aggies. Borleske wanted a strong and fierce mascot. The Bison was a logical choice. The great animals once roamed the North Dakota prairie in vast numbers, and over the years Bison athletic teams added an additional name, the "Thundering Herd." Congressional Medal of Honor Awarded to Bison Gridder BERYL H. NEWMAN played end for the North Dakota State football team from 1933 through 1936. He was a member of the United States Army in World War II and participated in the invasion of Italy. That was where this Bison made a niche for himself in the history of the United States, becoming one of the rare recipients of the nation's highest award, The Congressional Medal of Honor, for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Here is a partial text of that commendation . . . . . The White House Washington, DC The Herd Now this is the law of the prairie As old and as true as the sky And the Bison that keep it will prosper And the Bison that break it will die As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk This law is the final word: For the strength of the Herd is the Bison And the strength of the Bison is the Herd. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TAKES PLEASURE IN AWARDING THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR TO: FIRST LIEUTENANT BERYL R. NEWMAN, COMPANY "F", 133RD INFANTRY, UNITED STATES ARMY FOR SERVICE AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING: FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY NEAR CISTERNA, ITALY, ON 26 MAY 1945 ... ... ... LIEUTENANT NEWMAN, SINGLE-HANDED, SILENCED THREE ENEMY MACHINE GUNS, WOUNDED TWO GERMANS, KILLED TWO MORE AND TOOK ELEVEN PRISONERS. THIS DEMONSTRATION OF SHEER COURAGE, BRAVERY AND WILLINGNESS TO CLOSE WITH THE ENEMY IN THE FACE OF SUCH HEAVY ODDS REFLECTS THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT 112 BISON FOOTBALL 2007