11 NDSU Bison Have Been Named To The Missouri Valley All-Conference Team

     North Dakota State led the Missouri Valley with seven first-team all-conference picks. The team has been selected by a vote of MVFC head coaches, media, and sports information directors.

     Christian Watson led the Bison with two spots on the first team as both a wide receiver and all-purpose player. Fullback Hunter Luepke, offensive tackles Cordell Volson and Cody Mauch, defensive end Brayden Thomas, and safety Michael Tutsie were also named to the first team.

     Thomas led the conference in sacks and tackles for loss per game. He also finished second in voting for the Defensive Player of the Year behind Northern Iowa’s lineman Jared Brinkman. He has now won the award for the past two seasons.

     With his two selections onto the all-conference team, Watson is now a five-time all-conference honoree. He is now only the 10th player in conference history to earn three all-conference first or second-team honors at wide receiver. Watson ranked second in the Missouri Valley with 18.97 yards per reception.

     The Bison also had four second-team selections in tight end Josh Babicz, linebackers Jackson Hankey and Jasir Cox, and return specialist Jayden Price. This is the third time NDSU has had a pair of linebackers named to an all-conference first or second team in the same season.

     NDSU had a trio of honorable mentions that included tight end Noah Gindorff, and defensive tackles Eli Mostert and Lane Tucker.

     No. 2 seeded North Dakota State will host Southern Illinois in the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship on Saturday, December 4 with kickoff at 2:30 p.m.