Breaking Down NDSU’s Comeback Win Over ACU: Big Plays and Bold Adjustments
North Dakota State versus Abilene Christian University delivered an FCS thriller, showcasing why this level of football is worth tuning into every week. The Bison ultimately pulled off the win, but not before ACU pushed them to the brink, jumping out to a commanding 17-3 lead early on. A massive special teams play shifted momentum back in NDSU’s favor, proving once again that the Bison know how to rise to the occasion. Regardless of the outcome, this matchup highlighted the depth and talent across the FCS landscape. Let’s dive into some of the standout plays from this clash.
NDSU wasted no time establishing their identity, pounding the ball on the ground. But the I-formation, A-gap power days that once defined their dominance in the Fargo Dome have evolved into a more modern approach featuring zone schemes. A prime example of this came on their first drive—a perfectly executed outside zone on 1st-and-10 from ACU’s 45-yard line, showcasing their ability to adapt while still maintaining their run-first mentality.
On this play, pay close attention to the backside guard, who executes a textbook block to cut off the backside linebacker. This key block opens up the lane for a big gain, showcasing the precision of NDSU’s zone running scheme. Although this drive ultimately ended in a field goal, the Bison’s ability to move the ball early was evident. However, that rhythm wouldn’t return until late in the half as Abilene Christian’s defense settled in.
When ACU took the field for their first drive, their ability to convert in critical situations was on full display. They converted three key third- and fourth-down plays to keep the drive alive. The first came on 3rd-and-4 from their own 31-yard line. The Bison showed a mugged look, with both linebackers walked up into the A-gaps, giving the impression of a heavy blitz. However, they bailed post-snap, with the Nickel back bringing the pressure instead. The ACU quarterback recognized the man coverage to the top of the formation and delivered a well-timed throw to the slot receiver on an out route. From a schematic perspective, NDSU appeared to be running a version of Nick Saban’s Big 12 Pressures—a concept that features five-man pressure combined with match-man or zone coverage on one side and man-to-man on the other.
On their next key conversion, the Wildcats dialed up a snag variation that exploited the Bison’s Cover 2 shell. The outside receiver running the snag route did an excellent job working inside to find the open zone. This allowed Abilene Christian to take advantage of the soft spot in NDSU’s coverage, continuing to build momentum for the Wildcats.
On their crucial 4th-down conversion, ACU pulled out the perfect play call. Operating out of 11 personnel in a 2x2 formation, they aligned the tight end into the boundary and then motioned the field slot receiver. This not only confirmed man coverage but also created a condensed set to run mesh—a concept designed to attack man-to-man defenses. The Bison responded with a five-man pressure out of Cover 0, Saban’s term for man-to-man coverage with one high safety. However, the defensive back assigned to cover the motioning slot receiver was left with an impossible task, starting from safety depth and trailing across the field to cover the “mesher.” While the pressure arrived, the mesh concept worked faster. The result? A great play call by the Wildcats and a tough break for the Bison.
Later on that drive the Wildcats would score on an outside zone with an arrow screen attached. The Wildcats create a 1-on-1 matchup and they win. 7-0 Wildcats.
After forcing the Bison into a quick five-play drive, the Wildcats took over deep in their own territory on the 10-yard line. What did they dial up? Just a single play—a 90-yard touchdown off counter. The key breakdown for the Bison came from the boundary safety, who took a poor angle to the ball, allowing the Wildcats to get a 1-for-1 matchup on the play side. With that, ACU delivered, extending their lead to 14-0 and firmly putting the pressure on NDSU.
Down 11 in the Fargo Dome, it seemed inevitable that NDSU would answer back, right? Wrong. The Bison stuck to their ground game, running it three straight times before being forced to punt. At this point, ACU’s run fits were absolutely impeccable, as they completely neutralized NDSU’s zone running attack. A prime example came on this play, where the Will linebacker inserted into the weak-side B-gap while the safety buzzed down to create a perfectly layered fit. Adding to this, the front-side linebacker delivered a bonus fit, expertly executing a stack, track, and fallback technique. After their early hiccups on the opening drive, the Wildcat defense had settled in and was now playing lights out.
NDSU and ACU traded punts until the Bison got the ball back with 11:40 left in the half. Surely, this had to be the moment the comeback started for the Bison, right? Wrong again. On the very first play of the drive, the Wildcats came up with a massive interception. ACU brought a creative pressure, sending the safety and Sam linebacker while the defensive end sat for a split-second—likely reading for a QB pull or slicer. That brief hesitation gave him just enough time to elevate and snatch the interception on a poorly placed throw. While the defender couldn’t find the end zone, getting caught by the Bison quarterback, that hustle tackle proved critical. It allowed NDSU to limit the Wildcats to a field goal on the ensuing possession. Still, the Wildcats extended their lead to 17-3, leaving it looking like NDSU might get run out of their own Fargo Dome.
With ACU firmly in control and their defense playing lights out, how would the Bison respond? If you guessed a 104-yard kickoff return, you’d be spot on. This moment injected new energy into an already thrilling game. The return came courtesy of a dynamic freshman, who now boasts two 100-yard kickoff returns on the season. Just like that, the Bison found a spark and reignited the crowd in the Fargo Dome, reminding everyone why they’re one of the premier programs in FCS football.
The kickoff return proved to be the spark NDSU needed to ignite their comeback, and things escalated quickly. On ACU’s next possession, they rolled the dice with a fake punt on 4th-and-13 but came up short, turning the ball over on downs and giving NDSU a golden opportunity.
The Bison didn’t waste any time capitalizing. On 2nd-and-5, they dialed up a crafty play that simulated a zone-read look before hitting the tight end on a pass for a chunk gain. The brilliance of the play lay in the tight end’s execution—patiently selling the QB pull by subtly working toward the outside shoulder of the overhang defender before breaking upfield. It was a textbook example of disciplined route running and offensive creativity, and it kept the Bison’s momentum rolling.
NDSU capped their drive with a field goal, trimming the deficit to just four points. On ACU’s ensuing possession, the Bison defense finally began to awaken.
The Wildcats returned to G/T Counter, but this time the Bison were ready. They play counter well, forcing the ball to bounce wide toward the sideline. A standout on the play was the 3-technique defensive tackle, who fired off the ball and drove the play-side tackle deep into the backfield. This disruption forced the pullers to “run the hump” just to reach their assignments, derailing the timing of the play entirely. It’s a great example of what happens when a defensive line locks in on your snap count—dominance up front can happen. Another punt for the Wildcats, and now the Bison were primed to take the lead heading into halftime.
With 2:46 left in the half, NDSU was off to the races again with a nice post shot 1st & 10. NDSU does a great job motioning to stacks then attacking ACU’s quarters coverage with slot post.
Later with 49 seconds in the half does a nice job completing a 10 yard pass on 3rd and 11, then converting the 4th down Duo.
With 26 seconds left in the half, NDSU capped their comeback with a touchdown on 2nd-and-goal to seize the lead heading into halftime. To the trips side, the Bison ran a pair of stop routes, complemented by a dig in the back of the end zone—hitting the dig for the score. ACU appeared to be in a variation of goal-line coverage, with man assignments and underneath droppers. However, the corner on the backside dig got out-leveraged, likely expecting help that never materialized. Regardless of the breakdown, the Bison completed an incredible first-half turnaround after initially looking like they were in danger of being blown out.
After taking the lead before halftime, the Bison never looked back, eventually securing a 51-31 victory. However, the second half still featured some brilliantly schemed plays worth highlighting.
On their opening drive of the half, ACU showcased creativity with a unique variation of outside zone into the boundary. They began by sending the running back in push motion, only to bring him back across the quarterback’s face to execute the outside zone. This subtle misdirection added an extra layer, making it a great example of how to manipulate defense’s fits within a familiar concept.
Later in the same drive, catastrophe struck for the Wildcats. Lined up in an empty set, ACU faced yet another “Big 12” pressure from NDSU. This time, the Bison sent the weak-side linebacker off the edge, and his timing was flawless. The perfectly executed blitz resulted in a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery—all by the same weak-side linebacker. It was a momentum-shifting play that further cemented NDSU’s control of the game.
The turnover set up another Bison touchdown, this time on a straightforward quarterback sneak. On their next possession, NDSU continued to exploit mismatches with a well-designed play out of 13 personnel. They brought the receiver in jet motion, stacking motion and personnel tightly into the boundary before running verticals with the running back on a rail route. The combination overwhelmed ACU’s defense, leaving the rail route uncovered for an easy touchdown. It was a perfect example of how NDSU uses motion and alignment to create confusion and capitalize on defensive breakdowns.
Later in the third quarter, ACU found another creative way to run outside zone into the boundary. This time, they started in a compressed bunch set, motioning the outside receiver across the field to shift the defensive alignment before running outside zone with the tight end slicing across the formation. The play broke for a big gain, setting the Wildcats up with excellent field position and a chance to claw back into the game. On the same drive, ACU capped it off with a split-zone run for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 10 and keeping the Wildcats within striking distance.
NDSU wasted no time responding. On the following drive, they struck with a deep post for another touchdown. Once again, they exploited quarters coverage by isolating the cornerback on a post route while using an out route to occupy the safety. The result was another explosive play and a commanding 41-24 lead for the Bison.
When the Wildcats got the ball back, they returned to outside zone, adding a wrinkle with escort motion on the slice block. NDSU attempted a late shift on the defensive line—whether by design or miscommunication—but it disrupted their defensive fit. The defensive tackle and linebacker both failed to properly fit, creating a gap that ACU hit for another big gain.
This isn’t much schematically here besides an unreal throw and catch, so we figured we put this in the article. Wow.
ACU would later score on outside zone by the goal line cutting the lead back down to 10 again.
The Wildcats got the ball back down 10 with 6:47 remaining, and it was time for the Bison defense to step up. On the first play of the drive, ACU returned to outside zone, but this time the NDSU interior linebacker made a standout play. Reading the flow, he hit the run-through and back doored his way into a tackle for loss. Although ACU recovered and converted a first down on the next play, this moment highlighted the linebacker’s instinct and execution in a critical situation.
Later on that drive with 5:44 remaining the NDSU would come up with another big turnover. The Bison defensive line collapses on ACU’s quarterback causing a tipped pass with is intercepted by the Bison. NDSU would score a few plays later.
Down 17 with little hope remaining, the Wildcats took the field for one last push. Unfortunately for ACU, disaster struck again, sealing the upset bid’s fate against the Bison. This time, it was pure bad luck. The quarterback targeted the running back on a “Texas” route, but the ball tipped off the running back’s hands and right into the weak-side linebacker’s arms. The linebacker returned the interception for a touchdown.
It was a night to remember for this defender, who finished the game with an incredible stat line: multiple tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown. His performance epitomized NDSU’s defensive dominance in the second half and put an exclamation point on the Bison’s victory.
Conclusion
This game served as another prime example of the high level of football played in the FCS and, more importantly, the coaching talent at this level. ACU’s staff came in with a strong game plan, consistently finding success on third down and creatively scheming their run game to challenge the Bison defense. However, NDSU proved why they remain a powerhouse, making key adjustments to stifle ACU’s offense and forcing three game-changing turnovers. In the end, the Bison’s resilience and ability to adapt secured yet another signature victory in the Fargo Dome.
For a condensed version of the entire game please visit our secondary YouTube page or scroll down!