North Dakota State begins its 129th season of football Saturday in a first-time location, as the Bison open defense of their national championship in Charleston, South Carolina facing The Citadel.

The Bison return 11 starters this season, six on offense and five on defense. They will have a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2020, as Cole Payton takes over for all-time great Cam Miller. Payton has thrown just a total of 58 passes in his four seasons with the Bison, scoring 18 rushing touchdowns.

NDSU has three new starters on the offensive line, including new left and right tackles.

Defensively will see nearly an entirely new look, with three new starters on the line, two at linebacker and one at cornerback. Nathaniel Staehling steps in to the middle linebacker spot, a po

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