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James Madison, NDSU have strong title pedigrees
FRISCO, Texas (STATS) - Former James Madison linebacker Gage Steele summed up the feeling of the Dukes' FCS championship last January.
"This," Steele said, "is going to be a moment that we talk about for the rest of our lives."
This year's FCS finalists, James Madison (14-0) and North Dakota State (13-1), know the feeling well. They have combined for the last six national titles heading into their highly anticipated title game at Toyota Stadium.
James Madison is seeking to win back-to-back titles under coach Mike Houston and join four other programs to have at least three FCS titles. The list includes NDSU, which won a record five in a row from 2011-15, the first three under Craig Bohl and the last two under Chris Klieman. A sixth Bison title would tie Georgia Southern for the most in FCS history.
Following is a quick look back at how the two programs won their previous titles. Each championship game was played in Frisco except for James Madison's first title, won in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE
2011 Season
North Dakota State 17, Sam Houston State 6 (Jan. 7, 2012) - The Bison used big plays on special teams and defense to set up two second-half touchdowns. D.J. McNorton scored on a 39-yard screen pass shortly after a fake punt and quarterback Brock Jensen added a 1-yard TD run after linebacker Travis Beck's 63-yard interception return. The Bison (14-1) limited the FCS' highest-scoring offense to two field goals in the second quarter.
2012 Season
North Dakota State 39, Sam Houston State 13 (Jan. 5, 2013) - The Bison (14-1) outscored Sam Houston State 29-3 in the second half to break open a game that was tied 10-10 at halftime. Jensen finished with three rushing touchdowns and the Bison defense picked off four passes, including cornerback Marcus Williams' two interceptions.
2013 Season
North Dakota State 35, Towson 7 (Jan. 4, 2014) - In Bohl's final game as NDSU's coach, five different Bison players scored touchdowns, with Jensen both throwing and running for a score. In Jensen's FCS quarterback-record 48th and final win, the Bison (15-0) became the first undefeated FCS champion since Marshall in 1996.
2014 Season
North Dakota State 29, Illinois State 27 (Jan. 10, 2015) - Junior quarterback Carson Wentz's 5-yard touchdown run with 37 seconds left lifted the Bison (15-1), who had fallen behind 27-23 on Illinois State quarterback Tre Roberson's 58-yard scoring run with 1:38 to go. The all-Missouri Valley matchup was the first in the championship game between two teams from the same FCS conference.
2015 Season
North Dakota State 37, Jacksonville State 10 (Jan. 9, 2016) - After missing eight games with a broken wrist, Wentz returned to rush for two touchdowns and throw for another in capping his NDSU career with a second straight Most Outstanding Player award in the title game. In winning their fifth straight national title, the Bison (13-2) held Jacksonville State to 202 offensive yards - 327 below its average.
JAMES MADISON
2004 Season
James Madison 31, Montana 21 (Dec. 17, 2004) - The Dukes' plan was to pass the ball, but their rushing was so strong, they stuck with it in a 314-yard ground assault, including 257 in the second half. Sophomore Maurice Fenner led the way with 164 yards and two touchdowns, including a 1-yard score to put coach Mickey Matthews' Dukes (13-2) ahead for good 24-21 with 3:25 left in the third quarter. Ahead 31-21, they ran out the final 6 minutes, 14 seconds of the clock.
2016 Season
James Madison 28, Youngstown State 14 (Jan. 7, 2017) - Junior quarterback Bryan Schor threw for two touchdowns and senior tailback Khalid Abdullah rushed for 101 yards and two scores as JMU dominated the game, which gave Houston the national title in his first season as coach. The Dukes (14-1) didn't lose to an FCS opponent as they set the school record for wins in a season.
