The FCS Daily Dose is a blog-style article series featuring an assortment of news, rumblings, quick hitters, and commentary on various topics.
A new Daily Dose will be published multiple times a week.
Tim Polasek Talks NDSU QB Battle
One of many reasons for NDSU’s sustained success is its quarterback stability.
Brock Jensen, Easton Stick, and Cam Miller were multi-year starters, each starting 3.5 seasons. Bridging the gap between Jensen and Stick was Carson Wentz, a future No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick. Bridging the gap between Stick and Miller was Trey Lance, a future No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick.
It doesn’t happen often that a true quarterback battle occurs in Fargo.
Everyone knew Wentz was taking over in 2014 after Jensen graduated. Stick took over in 2016 when Wentz graduated after he started half of 2015 due to Wentz’s injury. Everyone knew Lance was the guy in 2019 after Stick’s senior season, although NDSU brought in Zeb Noland to push Lance.
The early 2020s saw some uncertainty at quarterback when Lance declared for the NFL Draft after just one full season. NDSU had two different FBS transfers compete and initially win starting jobs (Zeb Noland from Iowa State and Quincy Patterson from Virginia Tech), but Miller finished the 2021 spring and fall seasons as the starter. Miller went on to be the full-time starter in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Similar to Wentz and Lance, it appeared the obvious guy to take over once Miller graduated was Cole Payton, who was a highly-touted recruit and has been used as an elite running threat. But due to Payton’s midseason injury last year, Nathan Hayes saw some time in blowout games and impressed.
So it’ll be Payton and Hayes battling it out for NDSU’s QB1 spot heading into 2025.
Payton, a 6-foot-3 and 232-pound lefty, is a 5th-year senior and the front-runner to win the starting job. He has rushed for 1,141 career yards and 18 touchdowns, including 615 yards and 13 scores in 2023. He was, at times, NDSU’s top running threat, but he hasn’t been asked to throw much in pressure situations. Payton has completed 37/58 passes for 469 yards, five TDs, and two interceptions.
Hayes is a 6-foot-3 and 212-pound 4th-year junior. Last year, he went 12/19 for 214 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, plus 90 rushing yards and a score.
“You’re most certainly excited about Nathan, but the thing is, Cole’s going into his senior year and he’s played a lot of quarterback here,” NDSU head coach Tim Polasek said on the FCS Football Talk podcast. “We haven’t necessarily seen him on the big stage on third and eight and have to convert. But the kid’s got arm talent and he’s a capable guy.”
The new starter will have plenty to work with. NDSU returns its top two rushers (Jerry Rice Award winner CharMar Brown and Barika Kpeenu) and its top two receivers (All-American Bryce Lance and Chris Harris). The Bison do have to replace three starters on the o-line.
On paper, NDSU is the clear favorite to repeat as FCS champs with South Dakota as the top challenger. But quarterback play could change the complexion of the national title race. Only two of eight 2024 quarterfinalists return their starting QB from the playoffs — USD and Mercer. Idaho brings back Jack Wagner, who started most of the regular season, but Week 1 starter Jack Layne returned from injury to finish the year.
South Dakota State and Montana State could go from Top 3 teams to early playoff exits if their new QBs can’t deliver. Or maybe SDSU gets terrific play from likely starter Chase Mason, and NDSU gets just average QB play. That changes the MVFC and national outlook. USD’s Aidan Bouman has a chance to be the best quarterback in the FCS in 2025. If he plays like that and the other 2024 semifinalists have more inconsistent quarterback play, that changes the title odds.
We just don’t know what we’re going to get, and quarterback play can be the difference between being a playoff contender or a legit national title contender for these blueblood programs.
Heading into the 2025 season, FCS powers having new starters at quarterbacks is the most intriguing storyline, especially in Fargo where QB battles don’t happen often.
“I don’t know if we start with the idea of 1A and 1B going into spring,” Polasek said. “I mean, someone’s got to trot out there on the first play. And me personally, I don’t want to take this thing deep into fall camp, But if you had to, if it truly turns out that it’s a competition, that’s okay too. I do see a scenario where both guys play. I see a scenario where Cole has a little bit of an upper hand. We’ve seen what he can do in the run game. I’m excited to see how well he operates on the move and outside of the pocket and can he get his vision downfield and be a throwing threat. But both of those guys have been really, really sharp. I know we can’t go work with them [in the offseason] when they’re throwing the ball, but just the reports and how sharp they have been and what they’ve been working at. And we have a very organized, simple plan to figure out what they do best.”
“We’re going to do what the quarterback does well,” Polasek added. “And I’m excited to see both of those guys compete. I’m excited to see our young guys compete this spring, too. But Cole’s got unbelievable toughness, unbelievable physical gifts, and there’s some real leadership there. And I think Nathan’s getting better and better with those categories as well.”
Tennessee State Hires Reggie Barlow As Next HC
Following Eddie George’s decision to take the Bowling Green job, Tennessee State has hired Reggie Barlow as its next head coach.
Barlow was recently the head coach of the UFL’s D.C. Defenders, leading the team to a 9-1 record and a championship game appearance in 2023. Before his UFL stint, Barlow was the head coach at Virginia State for six seasons. In 2017, he led the Trojans to an unbeaten season and the CIAA championship.
Barlow is the 23rd new FCS head coach heading into the 2025 season.
Tennessee State has great momentum as a program, reaching last year’s FCS playoffs for the first time since 2013. But George’s departure has led to a big chunk of players entering the transfer portal. The Tigers went from a probable preseason Top 25 team to a squad with plenty of question marks. Barlow’s track record of success looks promising for rebuilding Tennessee State, but he may need some time.
