James Madison & North Dakota State face off in FCS National Championship

Photo by Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 5, 2018) In less than 24 hours, Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas will become the center of the college football world as No. 1 James Madison Dukes (14-0, 8-0 CAA) will  face off against No. 2 North Dakota State Bisons (13-1, 7-1 MUFC) in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and will be nationally televised on ESPN2. It will also be streamed on ESPN3 and the ESPN app.  The game marks the third meeting between JMU and NDSU, will all three games coming in the FCS playoffs. North Dakota State won the initial meeting in the 2011 FCS Second Round, by the score of 26-14. James Madison took the second game in the 2016 FCS Semifinals; 27-17. Both of the games were played in Fargo, North Dakota. 

Photo by Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved

Photo by Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved

The Dukes are making their 14th FCS appearances and are looking to repeat as the NCAA Division I national champion. They won in 2016 in Frisco in addition to taking the title in 2004 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Bison won their 13th football national championship in 2015. They claimed three College Division national championships via polls in 1965, 1968, and 1969. The Bison also took five Division II titles, through the playoff format, in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1990. In addition, they were the first team in college football history to win five straight national championships with FCS titles in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.