There's been a lot of great quotes over the years from opposing coaches during North Dakota State's FCS playoff runs. Whether it's about the team, the program or the Fargodome, the postgame press conferences certainly brag on the Bison and probably inflate the egos of the fan base.
Coaches have spoken that glowingly about NDSU after suffering postseason losses.
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Georgia Southern's Jeff Monken and Coastal Carolina's Joe Moglia called the Fargodome the loudest stadium they've ever coached in.
Richmond's Danny Rocco said this was one of the best football teams he's seen in quite some time.
A Northern Iowa player said he'd win himself a couple national titles too if he had a team room like the one he walked into for the postgame presser.
But probably the most telling quote was after the national title game of the 2015 season from Jacksonville State head coach John Grass.
"I've said it before, their guys, when the playoffs start, you look at them on film and they're a different team. They know how to win games."
It's an accurate description for a team that's won six of the last seven national championships. The Bison play their best football in the playoffs.
And they need to.
The target on their back grows every season. They know if they get knocked off in the playoffs, it's going to be national news. Even head coach Chris Klieman admits his program isn't judged on what it does in the regular season, but in the postseason.
The Bison are a focused bunch come playoff time and don't mess around. These are the point totals in their first three games dating back to 2011.
- 2nd round: 239-64
- Quarterfinals: 226-86
- Semifinals: 250-91
"We always have good focus," NDSU head coach Chris Klieman said at his Monday press conference. "You don't win as many games as we have without great focus. But it's amped up a level. The older guys holding the younger guys even more accountable to the cause and to the process. It's exciting because it's survive and advance."
It's hard to catch the Bison on a bad day in December. They are 26-1 in the playoffs since 2011. And in the one semifinal loss to James Madison in 2016, NDSU didn't play poorly. It just got beat by a better football team.
At 11-0, NDSU has been the unanimous No. 1 team in the FCS all season while others have shown vulnerabilities. It will likely take an off day for the Bison to be denied another national title.
An off day usually means a lack of focus. And with 24 seniors and 18 juniors, that probably won't be an issue.
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