By The Numbers: NDSU & Sam Houston

North Dakota State is set to play in their first road postseason contest since December 11, 2010.

That’s 3,795 days since the Bison played at Eastern Washington in the 2010 Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals, losing to the Eagles 38-31 in overtime.

On Sunday, NDSU (7-2 overall) plays at Sam Houston (7-0 overall) in Huntsville, Texas for a quarterfinal contest against the Bearkats.

The Bison have been nearly unbeatable in the FCS playoffs with a 37-2 record. Sam Houston has been on the losing side in four postseason meetings. Twice in Frisco, Texas at the national championship in 2011 and 2012 and twice in the FCS semifinals in 2014 and 2017 at the Fargodome.

Sam Houston defensive back Jaylen Thomas is one of four players who played in the 2017 semifinal game at the Fargodome. Thomas says he’s excited to play NDSU at Elliot T. Bowers Stadium.

“My freshman year we traveled up there, but right now, you know I’m just happy that we get them, boys, down here to Texas, it’s going to be a great game Sunday,” said Thomas.

LAST TIME IN HUNTSVILLE

Sam Houston beat NDSU in their only meeting in Huntsville 48-45 in 2009.

Bearkats quarterback Blake Joseph passed for 482 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Bison running back Pat Paschall rushed for 176 yards and 1 touchdown.

STAT LEADERS

Passing

SH – Eric Schmid has completed 60.7% of his passes for 2,154 yards, 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

NDSU – Zeb Noland has completed 51% of his passes for 721 yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

Cam Miller has completed 56% of his passes for 273 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

Rushing

SH – Ramon Jefferson has rushed for 570 yards, 5 touchdowns and is averaging 7 yards per rush. 

NDSU – Dominic Gonnella has rushed for 449 yards, 2 touchdowns and is averaging 5.5 yards per rush.

Receiving

SH – Jequez Ezzard has 21 receptions for 614 yards and 6 touchdowns. 

NDSU – Christian Watson has 17 receptions for 402 yards and 1 touchdown.

Defense

SH – Trevor Williams leads the team with 60 tackles.

Markel Perry leads the team with 6.5 sacks.

Tristin McCollum, Jahari Kay, Isaiah Downes, Jaylen Thomas and Jaylen Phillips all have 1 interception. 

NDSU – James Kaczor leads the team with 70 tackles.

Eli Mostaert and Spencer Waege lead the team with 4.5 sacks each.

Dom Jones leads the team with 3 interceptions.

Special Teams

SH – Matt McRobert is averaging 42.4 yards per punt and has placed 10 of 24 punts inside the twenty-yard line.

Seth Morgan has made 9 of 11 field goals with a season-long 44-yarder against Lamar. 

NDSU – Garret Wegner is averaging 45.8 yards per punt and has placed 18 of 41 punts inside the twenty-yard line.

Jake Reinholz has made 5 of 6 field goals with a season-long 42-yarder at Northern Iowa.

GAME TIME 

Kickoff set for 2 p.m. on Sunday from Huntsville, Texas.

Television: ESPN