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NDSU football news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
North Dakota State beat Jacksonville State 33-7 in its FBS debut.
The Bison now top Mountain West power rankings with a 12.6% playoff chance.
Background
North Dakota State, a powerhouse with 18 national championships, moved up to the FBS this season as a member of the Mountain West. Their debut victory over Jacksonville State was emphatic, leading to their rise in power rankings and attention as a potential playoff contender.
How it unfolded
- Aug 29, 2026NDSU defeated Jacksonville State 33-7 in their first FBS game, with QB Nathan Hayes throwing two touchdowns and the defense holding Jax State to 170 yards.
- Aug 31, 2026Four NDSU players earned Mountain West Player of the Week honors for their performances in the win.
- Sep 2, 2026NDSU was ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West power rankings, with ESPN giving them a 12.6% chance to make the College Football Playoff.
- Sep 5, 2026NDSU hosts Fordham at the Fargodome for their second game, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Who’s saying what
- Coach
- Coach Tim Polasek said the win was 'step No. 1' and that the move up could be 'explosive' for Fargo and the university.
- Analysts
- ESPN's Bill Connelly gave NDSU a 12.6% chance of making the College Football Playoffs, the highest among Mountain West teams.