You can count many strengths with Montana State and North Dakota State, but as the FCS championship game draws closer, we look at key numbers to know with each finalist.
To say the numbers have added up just right for Montana State and North Dakota State this season is an understatement.
They’ve advanced to a highly anticipated FCS championship game matchup on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas. Top-seeded Montana State (15-0) is seeking to cap a perfect season, while No. 2 seed NDSU (13-2) will try to push its record nine FCS national titles into double figures.
The finalists built similarly, yet different in ways, we look at five key numbers to know with both prior to the FCS championship game.
Montana State Bobcats
41.3
No opponent has kept the Bobcats below 30 points while they’ve posted an FCS-leading points-per-game average. Three players have scored at least 14 touchdowns, running backs Scottre Humphrey and Adam Jones (15 each) and quarterback Tommy Mellott (14).
52
Taco Dowler’s 60-yard touchdown against UC Davis has been the highlight while he’s totaled the most punt returns in an FCS season since Montana’s Joe Douglass also had 52 in 1996. Dowler continually poses a special teams threat, averaging 12.5 yards per return.
96.8
The Bobcats lead the FCS in red zone efficiency, scoring on 61 of 63 trips inside an opponent’s 20-yard line – a nearly 97% success rate. It breaks down to 52 touchdowns and nine field goals.
180.1
Mellott holds the FCS’ top pass efficiency rate, fueled by his 29 touchdown passes against only two interceptions. Notably, NDSU’s Cam Miller is second nationally with a 179.2 passer rating.
6.6/207/301
It’s all related, so let’s bunch the impressive ground stats, including No. 1 FCS rankings in yards per carry (6.6) and rushing first downs (207), and the second-best rushing yards per game (301).
North Dakota State Bison
5
The Bison have defeated Montana State in their five all-time FCS playoff meetings – all since 2010. Included was a 38-10 win in the 2021 FCS championship game, when, like this season, Miller and Mellott were the starting quarterbacks.
6/19
Ball security in the FCS is best at NDSU this season as its half-dozen turnovers mark the low and its +19 turnover margin the high. It includes only one lost fumble in 15 games.
16
Following a trio in the semifinal round, redshirt junior wide receiver Bryce Lance leads the FCS in touchdown receptions. The breakout campaign comes after he entered the season with only one career reception.
26
NDSU’s average yards per kickoff return is the sixth-highest in the FCS. Jackson Willams and TK Marshall each has a 100-yard TD return.
57.9
The Bison defense, bolstered up front by Eli Mostaert, has denied well in the red zone, with their opponents limited to a low TD rate – producing six points on just 22 on the 38 trips.
Top photos courtesy Montana State Athletics and North Dakota State Athletics.
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