North Dakota State University’s football squad stepped onto the practice field in late July for its first fall camp as a full‑time member of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The session marked a milestone in the program’s transition from the Football Championship Subdivision, bringing with it new opponents, travel schedules and heightened expectations.
A New Chapter for the Bison
Head coach Tim Polasek praised the energy in the locker room, noting that the players have embraced the challenge of moving up a division while staying grounded in the process.
Among the standouts were quarterback Nathan Hayes, who emphasized the importance of staying true to the team’s fundamentals, and defensive standout Nyeoti Punni, whose athleticism has drawn early praise.
Veteran leaders such as Thomas Roberts, D.J. Scott and Keith Williams are also shaping the culture, while newcomers like Gabriel Cunningham and Colten Gunderson are fighting for early playing time.
The Bison will open the season on August 29 at the Fargodome against Jacksonville State, a matchup that will test the new roster against a program making its own leap to the FBS.
With a blend of size, speed and experience, the team hopes to translate its offseason work into wins as it navigates a schedule that includes contests in Nebraska’s Albion and Minnesota’s Twin Cities.