In the FCS Huddle: The championship game they wanted

(SportsNetwork.com) – They didn’t face each other during the regular season, but Missouri Valley Football Conference co-champions North Dakota State and Illinois State learned a lot about each other long before they meet Saturday in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game.

“The thing that (Illinois State coach) Brock (Spack) and I would both see is we saw each other so much on crossover film,” NDSU coach Chris Klieman said Monday on an NCAA championship game conference call, “and we’d say, ‘Boy, Illinois State is really good at that position,’ or, ‘Boy, that’s a really tough play that Illinois State ran,’ or what a great defensive scheme that they would run. But you weren’t game planning for it. But we did see each other so often on film that you kind of marveled at the talent and how good that they were.

“I couldn’t be happier that we’re getting an opportunity,” Klieman added, “just like I’m sure Brock is excited about having the opportunity … to play each other, and that it’s an All-Valley final.”

“We wanted to play a Missouri Valley team,” Spack echoed. “And we didn’t play each other, we tied for the championship. This is the way to settle, I guess.”

Significant FCS history will be made for regardless of the outcome at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The championship game matches two programs from the same conference – the Missouri Valley, of course – for the first time since the FCS went to a playoff system in 1978.

Just as significant, North Dakota State could secure an unprecedented fourth straight FCS title. They beat Sam Houston State to complete the 2011 and ’12 seasons, then whipped Towson in last year’s final to join Appalachian State’s 2005-07 teams as the only two to capture a championship three-peat.

Illinois State (13-1) is a first-time finalist, and it’s the first program to reach the final after posting a losing record in the previous season – the Redbirds were 5-6 in 2013, only winning at home – since Delaware was 5-6 in 2006 and reached the ’07 title game behind quarterback Joe Flacco. The Redbirds have their own star transfer under center who transferred in from an FBS program, former Indiana signal caller Tre Roberson.

Despite Roberson’s success, and the huge season by FCS rushing leader Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State’s success has surprised everyone, including Spack, who believes this year’s team is a year ahead of schedule. He’ll gladly take it, though.

“I knew NDSU would be a very great team. Chris Klieman is a great coach and I knew he’d do a great job there,” Spack said. “I didn’t know if we were going to be good enough yet to get to that spot. But it’s proven that we’ve been fortunate to stay healthy and our team has developed over the season and gotten better. And here we are. But, absolutely, we’ve cheered for them.

“In order to be the best, you’ve got to play the best. And right now, North Dakota State is the best.”

The Bison (14-1), who won their last three national titles under former coach Craig Bohl – with Klieman serving as an assistant coach – have faced a few more injuries recently than Illinois State. They won’t have back senior linebacker Travis Beck, the most outstanding player of the 2011 championship game, because of a season-ending Achilles injury, but leading wide receiver Zach Vraa is hopeful of returning from a hamstring injury after missing two- plus playoff games and starting defensive end Mike Hardie might be the healthiest he’s been since before he tore a hamstring in the season opener.

Junior quarterback Carson Wentz is starting in the final for the first time, but NDSU has a significant amount of experience with the likes of running back John Crockett, defensive end Kyle Emanuel, linebacker Carlton Littlejohn, strong safety Colten Heagle, even a fourth-time championship game starter in free safety Christian Dudzik.

“There’s some advantages knowing what to expect as you go down there,” Klieman said, “but in the same respect, it’s still a football game. And you’ve got to be able to execute and you can’t turn the football over. I think once the ball is kicked off on Saturday, the experience factor is pretty much out – it’s now who executes the best.”

And both teams are glad they get to determine that against each other.

Categorized in: NCAA Football