As North Dakota State approaches the final regular season home game of the season, we acknowledge the 14 senior Bison who will play their last regular season game inside the Fargodome. With an overall record from the past four years of 52-4, this squad has seen the same amount of losses as they have championships.
- Although we know them for their success on the field, these student-athletes work just as hard in the classroom. Carson Wentz, Zach Vraa, Chase Morlock and Greg Menard were selected to the Academic All-District team in recognition of their outstanding grades. With a 4.0 GPA in health and physical education, Wentz sets a positive example in football and in his school work. While also competing in each game as well as daily practices, Vraa keeps a 3.56 GPA, Morlock a 3.80 GPA and Menard a 3.90 GPA.
- With this season’s success, punter Ben LeCompte has put up impressive numbers, including 213 career punts, 9,499 punting yards and a punting average of 44.60 (which puts him at third on the NCAA FCS career punting leader board). Taking over his sophomore year in 2013, LeCompte was named to the MVFC Honor Roll (also receiving this honor last year as a junior). Among other honors, LeCompte was also named the 2014 College Football Performance.com FCS Punter of the Year.
- Finding success throughout his entire career, Joe Haeg will be greatly missed by the Bison next year. After starting in 29 of 30 games his freshman and sophomore year at right tackle, Haeg made the switch to left tackle without missing a beat. He started in every game of his junior season and received an All-America first team selection. On Nov. 4, Haeg was the first lineman to be added to the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year watch list since 2010. This season, Haeg has also received Offensive Lineman of the Week by the Missouri Valley Football Conference twice.
- Prior to a broken wrist against University of South Dakota, senior quarterback Wentz started out the season strong, beginning the season with 16 touchdown passes before sustaining the injury. Wentz also successfully broke the school record for 143 passing attempts without an interception before being picked off in the game against University of Northern Iowa. Along with endless touchdown passes and hundreds upon hundreds of yards, Wentz has been a key player who will be greatly missed next year.
- In his sixth year with the Herd, Vraa has had a record breaking final season. With at least one pass caught in 50 of 53 career games, it’s no wonder Vraa is in all the record books. Leading the NDSU career receiving yards board with 2,853 yards and NDSU’s career receiving touchdown board with 26, Vraa has been a key player this season, as well as in seasons past. Vraa also leads NDSU career receptions with 185 and is looking to continue breaking records in both the regular and postseason.