Fordham at North Dakota State

The decisive matchup should form between North Dakota State’s ground game and Fordham’s defensive front and linebackers. DJ Scott, still on the Bison’s roster, produced 502 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 2025; that is established production, even if his 2026 workload is not. Fordham lists Krystian Pothel, Drew Minich, Joshua Kabaka and Mathani Paul-Swinson among its front and linebacker options. If that group prevents clean early-down gains, the Rams can force an unsettled quarterback room to answer. Reis Kessel, who had 15 catches for 335 yards in 2025, gives the secondary another proven production marker to account for without assuming a starting role.

North Dakota State’s cleanest route to control is to win first down, protect whichever quarterback takes the snaps and use Scott and the offensive line to keep Fordham from creating negative plays. Sustained drives would also reduce the number of possessions in which quarterback uncertainty can swing the game. Fordham’s route is the reverse: compress the field with sound special teams, get off the field on third down and create extra possessions through turnovers or disruptive plays. Offensively, the Rams need their chosen quarterback protected well enough to avoid obvious passing situations and must make North Dakota State’s secondary tackle in space. One or two explosive gains could change the pressure of the night without requiring Fordham to trade long drives.