North Dakota State returns to Frisco, Texas for the seventh time this January as the Bison will go for history, attempting to become the first FCS program to win seven national championships. Over the next ten days, we’ll look back at the ten biggest moments NDSU has had in its previous six title game appearances.
NUMBER THREE, 2015 FCS Championship Game: In a game that had everything, it also featured a true freshman stepping to the forefront. RJ Urzendowski had already become a household name to Bison fans earlier in that playoff run, with a tremendous over the shoulder catch in the final minute to help NDSU beat SDSU in the second round.
The Bison found themselves trailing again in the 4th quarter, after Tre Roberson scored on a 58 yard run to give Illinois State a 27-23 lead. NDSU got the ball back with a 1:35 remaining and put themselves in a hole after a false start penalty. The Bison began at the 17 yard line and went to work. Carson Wentz threw a perfect pass to Urzendowski over the middle that went for 32 yards and the Bison were instantly in business. On the next play, Wentz found Urzendowski in the flat, and he made another play with his legs, going for 13 yards to the Redbird 38.
After two incompletions, Illinois State brought the house on Wentz on 3rd and 10. Wentz, under pressure, threw a perfect pass to Urzendowski, who made a leaping catch at the five yard line, a play that went for 33 yards. Urzendowski had single handedly brought the Bison to the brink of scoring the go ahead touchdown. He caught three passes on the drive, totaling 78 yards and for those plays, he instantly became a part of Bison history.