North Dakota State just made their FBS debut by absolutely stomping Jacksonville State 33-7 in the Fargodome on Saturday. The Bison looked right at home, hitting JSU with their trademark precision offense and tough defense, eventually wearing them down in the second half. This is the same formula that snagged them 10 FCS championships, so no surprise there.
The Numbers Are Pure Insanity
Listen, the stat CBS Sports Network dropped is truly wild. NDSU, since 2010, owns the best winning percentage, a ridiculous .886, across *both* FBS and FCS college football. Think about that for a second. The Bison went 194-25 in that 16-year run, winning all 10 of their FCS titles and even reaching another title game in 2022. Alabama, who basically owned the FBS in the 2010s with Nick Saban, sits at an .869 mark (193-29 record with five national titles). After the Tide, you’ve got Ohio State at .863, and then Georgia and Clemson tied at .794. Here’s the kicker: NDSU already had a 6-2 record against FBS teams in that span. Now, after Saturday, they’re 7-2 against FBS teams and 1-0 for the season. This puts them in the absolute upper echelon for winning percentages, even against the big boys.
Fargodome Dominance Stays Unbroken
JSU wasn’t some pushover squad either, rolling into Fargo with three straight nine-win seasons. But NDSU just dismantled them like they do to most teams in a home opener. The Bison have now won 28 consecutive home openers at the dome since 2004, which was their first year as a Division I program. Only Charleston Southern in 2016 even made it a nail-biter, with NDSU squeaking out a 24-17 overtime win. JSU’s Caden Creel actually rushed for a game-tying touchdown, 7-7, in the first quarter, and it looked like we might have a dogfight. But NDSU pulled ahead 10-7 on a field goal and never let that lead go. JSU tried to tie it later, but their fourth-down gamble instead of a field goal totally backfired. Bison quarterback Nathan Hayes then marched them down for a touchdown, making it 17-7, and they just kept rolling. The NDSU defense shut down Creel, and the Fargodome crowd noise, a nightmare for past visiting teams, totally messed with the Gamecocks.
NDSU’s dominance in the FCS had actually led to fans getting a bit too comfortable, only really packing the dome for South Dakota State, big playoff games, or the annual trip to Frisco for the title. But NDSU athletics hoped this FBS and Mountain West Conference move would light a fire under the fanbase, and Saturday proved them right. Over 18,000 fans showed up for a nationally broadcast game. The Bison host five more games this season, and you know the Herd is looking to keep this momentum going. Get ready, FBS, because NDSU is here to play.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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