North Dakota State Football: Bison ready to roll through FCS again

Offense

Only three teams were more efficient passing the football in 2017 than North Dakota State. Showing remarkable balance, the Bison were also better than all but three teams in terms of rushing yards per game.

That level of success was predicated on strong offensive line play. The starting five gave up just 1.5 sacks and 4.3 tackles for loss per game. By mitigating negative-yardage plays, the offensive line was critical in North Dakota State’s run to the national title. If the Bison are going to make it two in a row and seven out of eight, it will be because the line once again steps up big.

North Dakota State is in great shape heading into the 2018 season in terms of its offensive talent on the ground. Three different players scored a dozen rushing touchdowns in 2017. All three of those players return. Senior running backs Bruce Anderson and Lance Dunn will terrorize opposing front sevens all season long.

Focusing on Easton Stick

The third member of that trio of prolific rushers is quarterback Easton Stick. Stick finished with 663 yards on the ground as a junior. He averages around six yards per carry and has racked up 24 rushing touchdowns in three years with the Bison.

The North Dakota State quarterback is beginning to get NFL Draft buzz after finishing with better advanced numbers than Carson Wentz posted as a junior. He won’t post otherworldly passing numbers, but Stick is an efficient and dynamic quarterback who threatens opponents with his arm and his legs.

A full-time starter each of the past few seasons, Stick also played a fair amount as a freshman. He was the quarterback when the title streak ended, but Stick also helped start a new streak. As he enters his final season of eligibility, Stick will be looking for a second straight national title to end his college career.