By - Joshua A. Swanson

It’s been another memorable year for North Dakota State football in 2018. We, the Bison faithful, have plenty of reasons to celebrate as NDSU seeks a record seventh Football Championship Subdivision national championship this week, the most in FCS history. The Bison are currently tied with Georgia Southern, each team with six FCS titles. Heading into this Saturday's game against Eastern Washington in Frisco, Texas, NDSU has fourteen national championships in program history with previous titles coming in '65, '68, '69, '83, '85, '86, '88, '90, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15, and '17.

Highlights on this year's Road To Frisco include two wins over rival South Dakota State, Easton Stick breaking numerous school records on his way to becoming NDSU’s first Walter Payton award finalist, and a coaching change during the playoffs that saw Chris Klieman take the Kansas State job to be succeeded here by defensive coordinator Matt Entz. All these storylines collide in full force as the Bison look to put an exclamation point on an undefeated season when they face the Eagles.

Before we look ahead to the matchup with EWU, though, here’s a look at the Top 14 moments from NDSU’s last six FCS title games in Frisco.

No. 14 – Crockett's Jump Pass

While the final score may have been a lopsided 39-13 in North Dakota State’s second straight national championship win over Sam Houston State, there was still plenty of game left after Bearkats kicker Miguel Antonio nailed a 32-yard field goal to cut NDSU’s lead to 25-13 with 13:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bison responded with a signature, six-play drive covering 65 yards capped by a one-yard touchdown plunge by quarterback Brock Jensen. But it was a pass from an unlikely source that leads off our Top 14 championship moments.

NDSU faced a crucial 3rd-and-1 from the Bearkats 31-yard line. Not surprisingly, the Bison gave the ball to future NFL running back John Crockett. What surprised everyone in the stadium was that, after taking the handoff, Crockett pulled up short of the line of scrimmage, leaped in the air and floated a picturesque jump pass to tight end Kevin Vaadeland. Vaadeland went 26 yards before being tackled at SHSU's 5-yard line setting up Jensen’s third touchdown of the game.

No. 13 – Smith's Interception Caps Huge Sequence

For the first time, North Dakota State faced someone other than Sam Houston State for the FCS championship. Towson would attempt to do something no other team had done to the Bison that year, including defending Big XII champion Kansas State, beat the back-to-back champs. Early on, it looked like NDSU was in for all it could handle. That is, until the Bison launched a sequence of plays late in the second quarter that the Tigers never recovered from.

After Colten Heagle blocked a Towson field goal that led to a Ryan Smith touchdown and 14-7 lead, the Bison defense jumped aboard the big-play wagon. On their ensuing possession, Towson managed to drive to NDSU’s 45. With a 1st-and-10, and less than three minutes left in the half, the Tigers looked for their own big play. Instead, quarterback Peter Athens was picked off by C.J. Smith at NDSU’s 25-yard line. Smith, then a sophomore, weaved his way through would-be tacklers for 32 yards before being corralled at the Towson 43-yard line.

The mistake proved costly. Jensen completed two passes, including a third-down conversion to Vaadeland to put the Bison in scoring position, before delivering a 12-yard strike to Zach Vraa, giving NDSU a commanding 21-7 lead with a minute left in the first half. A back-and-forth contest turned into a blowout. “It totally swung the momentum in our favor,” said senior nose guard Ryan Drevlow, describing the sequence of plays. “I mean, there was a 10-point swing right there after we blocked the field goal, and then to get out there right away and get that interception and then get that 14-point lead was huge. It got the ball rolling our way and it sprung us.”

No. 12 - The Emanuel-Slam

Several big defensive plays at critical junctures, including a clutch fourth-down stop towards the latter part of the third quarter, was the difference in North Dakota State’s title defense against Sam Houston State in 2012. With under five minutes left in the third quarter, although the Bison led 17-10, the Bearkats were driving towards what would have been the game-tying touchdown. The NDSU defense tightened up, ultimately forcing SHSU into a 4th-and-1 from NDSU’s 35. Brian Bell, the Bearkats quarterback, rolled to his left and had future Buck Buchanan Award winner Kyle Emanuel staring down his face.

Forced to hurry his pass, Emanuel picked up Bell and drove him hard into the field at Toyota Stadium. Bell’s pass fell harmlessly incomplete and NDSU had the ball back. ESPN’s cameras showed Bell crumpled up, lying flat on his back, with a look of anguish after the Emanuel-slam. Two plays later, Jensen found Vraa for a 31-yard completion to SHSU’s 11-yard line. The drive culminated with a Sam Ojuri touchdown run that gave the Bison a two-touchdown lead that proved insurmountable for the Bearkats.

No. 11 - Heagle Blocks Towson Field Goal

The first of several special teams plays makes its way onto the list at No. 11. With the sun shining on a beautiful Texas day, the Bison were attempting a perfect season and three-peat against Towson. The teams were tied 7-7 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half when the Tigers lined up for a 41-yard field goal attempt that would have given them a 10-7 lead. Enter Colten Heagle. Timing the snap perfectly, Heagle sliced through a gap on the left side of the Towson line and smothered the kick.

The ball deflected nearly 10 yards away from the holder where it was scooped up by Emanuel, who was off to the races, returning the ball all the way to Towson’s 5-yard line. The next play, Smith, going in motion from left to right in the slot position, took a handoff from Jensen and finished what the Bison special teams started. Smith’s touchdown gave NDSU a 14-7 lead, with under five minutes left in the second quarter. It was the closest the Tigers got to scoring for the rest of the day as the Bison notched the trifecta with a 35-7 win.

“I thought it was huge,” said linebacker Carlton Littlejohn about the blocked field goal that swung the game’s momentum. “We knew in the midst of this game someone would have to make a play, and for them to make those plays was just great for us, great for the whole team. It got the offense going and gave the defense more confidence.” The ensuing Towson possession, Smith intercepted Athens, which led to another Bison score and a 21-7 halftime lead.

No. 10 - A Bizarre Two-Point Conversion

It was a moment where Sam Houston State knew it just wasn’t their day. Several plays after the Emanuel-slam, NDSU scored on Ojuri’s two-yard touchdown run, putting the Bison up 23-10. On the extra-point attempt, though, the snap was botched. Adam Keller, NDSU’s kicker, picked up the ball and ran for his life in what looked like a busted play. With his back mostly facing the end zone, Keller tossed a desperation heave, grenade-style, towards the back of the end zone.

Going up like a basketball player for a rebound, Bison defensive end Mike Hardie, who also played special teams, came down with the football and the two-point conversion. “Sometimes there’s plays that happen in the game when you think, ‘You know what, this is probably going to be our day,’” said then-Bison head coach Craig Bohl. “A play that we had never planned or designed turned out to work extremely well.”

No. 9 – Return of the Wentz

The big storyline headed into 2015 national championship against Jacksonville State was who would start at quarterback for NDSU. Carson Wentz had been sidelined with a wrist injury since October. In Wentz’s absence, freshman Easton Stick led the Bison to an 8 – 0 record and three playoff wins against Montana, Northern Iowa, and Richmond. Wentz, who would be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 2 pick in that year’s NFL Draft, got the nod and showed little signs of rust. The Bismarck, ND, native completed 16-of-29 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for another 79 yards and two scores in his first action in over two months in being named the game's MVP.

“The rust people might have wanted to talk about it, that didn’t show. I was fired up all day to be out there. It was just a lot of fun,” said Wentz. Klieman knew Wentz would be ready. “I didn’t question it at all. I know what kind of competitor he is. I know what kind of player he is.” After going ahead 10 – 0, Bison linebacker Nick DeLuca made a diving interception to give NDSU the ball back at JSU’s 28. The Bison capitalized on Wentz’s memorable 11-yard touchdown where he left his feet around the 2-yard line and dove for the end zone, his entire body parallel to the ground. Wentz’s touchdown gave the Bison a 17-0 lead and the party was on. “I can’t put it into words. It’s remarkable what these guys have done. We meet every January and talk about staying hungry,” said Klieman.

No. 8 – Shepherd's Home Run Ball

It was the champs versus the challengers. Or, depending on how you look at it, vice versa. James Madison ended North Dakota State’s run of five straight national championships by beating the Bison a year earlier in the 2016 semifinals at the Fargodome. The two powerhouses met in Frisco before a rocking, standing room only crowd at Toyota Stadium. It was a defensive battle where one big play could, and ultimately did, make the difference.

Nearing halftime, the Bison led 7 – 3, but faced a 3rd-and-17 from midfield, with four minutes and change left in the half. Enter one of the best receivers in program history, Darrius Shepherd. In a career of big receptions, this may have been his biggest to date. Stick uncorked a home run ball down the left sideline as Shepherd split the corner and safety, hauling in the ball at JMU’s 16-yard line. Shepherd sprinted in from there for a 50-yard touchdown and 14-3 lead. “It's hard to put into words, but this culture is amazing, the fans, the coaches, the players ... it's so special," said Shepherd. “It's so amazing to be a part of this program. It's the best thing I've been a part of.” The Bison beat the Dukes 17 – 13 for their sixth national championship in seven years.

No. 7 – Thorton Preserves the Dakota Dynasty

In one of the best FCS championship games ever played, the Bison faced Missouri Valley Football Conference foe Illinois State. The teams did not play during the regular season, and tied for the MVFC title with identical 7-1 conference marks. The game was billed as a contest to determine the “one true champion” of the MVFC. It lived up to the hype. The fourth quarter saw several late lead changes before a Carson Wentz touchdown run gave the Bison a 29-27 lead with 37 seconds left standing between NDSU and their fourth straight national championship.

The 12th national championship in school history was very much undecided as Redbirds quarterback Tre Roberson had, only moments earlier, rushed untouched through the Bison defense for a 58-yard touchdown and 27-23 lead. Starting at the ISU 27, Roberson led the Redbirds to their own 44-yard line with 13 seconds left on the clock. The NDSU defense wasn’t about to let Roberson beat them twice. Dropping back to pass from the left hash mark, Roberson looked towards midfield for his tight end, Joe Farmer. Roberson threw a dart. Somehow, Esley Thorton was able to pry the ball away from Farmer for an interception that sealed the four-peat. Thorton began his career at NDSU as a quarterback before moving to linebacker prior to his junior season.

“With our guys, you never saw any doubt in their mind,” said first-year Bison head coach Chris Klieman. Klieman served as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator on the previous three national title teams. “You never saw panic in their eyes. We’ve obviously been in this situation before, even in the playoffs, and our guys just know that, hey, it’s our time. When you have the success that we’ve had over the past four years now, guys just know how to win, and when you know how to win, you just always feel you have that chance if you can get that last possession.”

No. 6 – Urzendowski sets up game winner with three big catches

Only seconds before Esley Thorton’s interception, it looked like NDSU’s quest for a fourth straight national championships was in serious jeopardy. The Bison had no room for error after Roberson’s 58-yard run put Illinois State ahead 27-23 with 1:38 left in an epic title matchup. Outside of Travis Beck, no freshman has shined brighter on the championship stage than wide receiver R.J. Urzendowski. The Bison started the game-winning drive backed up at their own 17-yard line, needing 83 yards and a touchdown.

No problem. On the first play, Urzendowski found separation from his defender streaking across the middle of the field and Wentz tattooed him in stride with a bullet good for 32 yards to the NDSU 49. Suddenly, the Bison were back in business. The very next play, Wentz again went to Urzendowski for another first down, this time a 13-yard pickup to Illinois State’s 38-yard line. After two incomplete passes, NDSU faced a must have 3rd-and-10.

The Redbirds brought a safety blitz, leaving Urzendowski with man coverage. John Crockett picked up a key block and Wentz had just enough time to find Urzendowski down the left sideline on a vertical route for a huge 33-yard gain to the ISU 5. “We’ve got a lot of weapons, but obviously when they were blitzing us, we had RJ in slot and we thought we had a really good matchup,” Klieman said. Wentz, the NFL quarterback prospect, trusted the freshman to make a play. “Carson threw it up there, and RJ made some plays.”

While the Bison needed a final five yards to finish their drive, Urzendowski’s three catches for 78 yards put NDSU in position for what would come next.

No. 5 – The Epic Stand

It came down to one big defensive stand for the 2017 national championship. The Bison had a chance to extend their 17-13 lead to a full touchdown with a field goal in the closing minutes of their heavyweight bout against James Madison. Instead, the Dukes blocked the field goal try and gained the momentum. Several plays after that big special teams play, facing a 4th-and-9 from their own 47-yard line, the Dukes tried a fake punt. It worked as Harry O’Kelly ran for 24 yards to the NDSU 29.

The Bison defensive stiffened with the game in the balance. Two big stops by the future Baltimore Raven, Chris Board, and an incomplete pass on a Derrek Tuszka hurry set up a 4th-and-11 from NDSU’s 25. With Jabril Cox barreling down on him, Dukes quarterback Brian Schor threw a desperation heave high into the air towards the goal line as everyone in the stadium held its collective breath as a championship hung in the balance. A host of players jumped into the air, but it was Tre Dempsey that got a hand on the ball and knocked it down. The defensive stand preserved the Bison lead, but it would take a few more plays from the NDSU offense to clinch the championship.

No. 4 – The Best Minus-27 Yard Run In NDSU History

After the epic defensive stand against James Madison, the Bison took over with 58 seconds between them and another championship. The Dukes burned their final two time outs and the stage was set. With only four seconds left in the game, on a fourth down from his own 34-yard line, Easton Stick lined up under center. Taking the snap, Stick sprinted backwards until seeing the clock hit 0:00, then started the celebration by sliding down to the turf and launching the ball in celebration towards the heavens.

“He and I went back and forth on what to do with that four seconds," said Klieman of the game’s final play and Stick. "He just said 'Coach, don't worry, there will be no time left on the clock. Trust me: There will be no time left on the clock.’” Stick was right. There wasn’t any time left on the clock and NDSU was champions once again.

No. 3 – The Fake Punt

Arguably, no other play changed the momentum of a national championship like the fake punt early in the third quarter of NDSU’s first FCS title game against Sam Houston State. The Bison trailed 6-3 at halftime in a defensive struggle. Heading into the opening drive of the second half, the Bison had not picked up a first down in their previous four possessions. Taking the ball to start the half, it was more of the same, as NDSU couldn't move the ball, looking at another three-and-out. With a fourth down at their own 34-yard line, NDSU called for the fake and executed it to perfection.

Former running back turned punter Matt Voigtlander took the snap and took off sprinting through a wide-open lane on the left side of the line for 27 yards to the SHSU 39. “It was a momentum changer,” said Bearkats head coach Willie Fritz. “We’re not a team that’s used to playing from behind.” Fritz was referencing the next play after the fake punt where D.J. McNorton took a Brock Jensen screen pass 39 yards to pay dirt for NDSU’s first touchdown in an FCS title game, giving the Bison a 10-6 lead.

No. 2 - Beck's Interception

Before Esley Thorton’s interception, there was another memorable interception that propelled NDSU to a national championship. Travis Beck emerged onto the scene in 2011 and would ultimately become one of the greatest ever to play linebacker for NDSU. A native son of North Dakota, Beck cemented his place in Bison football history with nine minutes and change left in NDSU’s first FCS title game against Sam Houston State. The Bison clung to a razor-thin 10-6 lead as the Bearkats marched into NDSU territory. On a 3rd-and-13 from NDSU’s 48, Bell dropped back to pass. Beck slipped back into coverage and picked off Bell’s pass at NDSU’s 36 and sprinted down the right sideline.

With the stadium in a frenzy and a caravan of players trying to catch him, Beck launched himself towards the end zone pylon, but was ruled out of bounds one yard short of the end zone. The next play, Jensen’s quarterback sneak gave NDSU the decisive touchdown as the Bison would go on to win their first FCS championship 17-6. “It hit me right in the chest,” said Beck. “I said, ‘I better catch this one.’ I did what I could, but I couldn’t get in. Luckily, the offense finished it off.” Beck was named the game’s MVP for one of the biggest plays in school history.

No. 1 – Touchdown Wentz!

Among the Bison faithful, there was little doubt who would get the ball with NDSU needing five yards for the game-winning score against Illinois State. Starting at their own 17-yard line, trailing 27-23 and needing 83 yards, like they had done so many times before, the Bison started a drive that would go down as one of the most iconic in school history, right up there with " The Drive " against Kansas State. The Wentz to Urzendowski combination connected for the first 78 of the 83 yards NDSU needed through the air. The ground game and Wentz would bring the Bison home.

“When we lined up in the formation, upstairs, Tim (Polasek, the team’s offensive coordinator) says, ‘Guys, it’s a touchdown. We got the look we want. It’s a touchdown,’” explained Klieman of Wentz’s game-winner. Wentz found daylight, slashing through the left side of the NDSU line, evading Redbird defenders, before tumbling into the end zone, sending Toyota Stadium into pandemonium. "I think we just saw on that drive what the heart of a champion looks like," said ESPN announcer Kelly Stouffer.

I hope you've enjoyed these Top Frisco Moments. Let us know what you think, and what plays you remember from six unforgettable trips to the FCS Championship. Be sure to listen to The Fan and KFGO's all day coverage Friday January 4 from Frisco at Wild Pitch Sports Bar and Grill . For more great Bison content, check out the Bison Illustrated Podcas where we preview NDSU's game against EWU.