Bison Football--the 1970's

[56BISON73]

The D-II playoff system began in 1973.

The following are the playoff games the Bison played in the 70s:

1976 Quarterfinal NDSU 10 Eastern Kentucky 3 (Richmond KY)
1976 Semifinal Montana State 10 NDSU 7 (Fargo ND) attendance 6,100
1977 Quarterfinal NDSU 20 Northern Michigan 6 (Fargo ND) attendance 2,200
1977 Semifinal Jacksonville State 31 NDSU 7 (Anniston AL)

In 73 we were told the reason we didnt make the playoffs was they couldnt have two teams from the same region. So USD got the nod because they beat us on a last second pass in the ez. Cant remember where we were ranked during the year but we finished 16th after the playoffs were over.

[NDSU_grad]

The D-II playoff system began in 1973.

The following are the playoff games the Bison played in the 70s:

1976 Quarterfinal NDSU 10 Eastern Kentucky 3 (Richmond KY)
1976 Semifinal Montana State 10 NDSU 7 (Fargo ND) attendance 6,100
1977 Quarterfinal NDSU 20 Northern Michigan 6 (Fargo ND) attendance 2,2001977 Semifinal Jacksonville State 31 NDSU 7 (Anniston AL)

Wow. And there were people upset about the 17000 or whatever we had against James Madison.

[roadwarrior]

Wow. And there were people upset about the 17000 or whatever we had against James Madison.

I am pretty sure the temperature was below zero at game time, and that didnt include the NW wind chill.

[NDSU_grad]

I am pretty sure the temperature was below zero at game time, and that didnt include the NW wind chill.

You'll have to bring up that attendance number whenever somebody complains about playing football inside.

[Wacker_in_the_Hall]

Wow. And there were people upset about the 17000 or whatever we had against James Madison.

The 1976 Montana State game was callled the Grantland Rice Bowl...became the "Grantland Ice Bowl" I went to nearly every game at Dacotah Field from 1976 and I dont think there was ever a day as windy and cold as that one. As for the 1977 game against Steve Mariucci (yes that Steve Mariucci) it was another cold day, we had just had a major blizzard, and all the students were on Thanksgiving break. Norther Michigan whined about the playing conditions all week and after the game.

Steve Mariucci had finished 8th in Heisman voting in 1976.....

[Hammerhead]

From the Bison football media guide in regards to the 1977 game:
"High mounds of snow around the field and a 7 degree temperature at kickoff did little to chill the Bison as they jumped to a 7-0 halftime lead on a 3-yard run by Gordy Sprattler after a Don Hutson fumble recovery on the NMU 31-yard line"

It was only about 10° warmer for last year's playoff game in Bozeman although they had a couple of days to plow most of the roads after several inches of snow fell.

[K.T.C.O. 54 -76]

Say I stumbled on this blog while searching some other things . I played Oline in 76 for Coach Neis and I just had to tell you that he was the best , and it was a treat to see his picture . I only knew him for 5 or 6 months during that season but I have always held him in a very honered place in my live. I got to see the Herd crush the Gophs this yr. which made watchin the Championship game against SHS all the more enjoyable . GO HERD kTCO

[bloodmakesthegrassgrow]

In 73 we were told the reason we didnt make the playoffs was they couldnt have two teams from the same region. So USD got the nod because they beat us on a last second pass in the ez. Cant remember where we were ranked during the year but we finished 16th after the playoffs were over.

I was at this game. It was the east EZ and I was on that end, so it happened right in front of my Dad and myself. USD was on about the 10 yard line (maybe even less) and the pass was thrown down and to the left (north). Both the Bison defender and the Coyote receiver dove flat out and it just missed the fingertips of the Bison defender. The receiver caught it about an inch or two off the ground. I still have a vivid picture of the scene in my mind. Bison had led all the way. Ugh. I didn't remember USD having that good of a record that they could have gone to a bowl game that year.

[BlueBisonRock]

I was at this game. It was the east EZ and I was on that end, so it happened right in front of my Dad and myself. USD was on about the 10 yard line (maybe even less) and the pass was thrown down and to the left (north). Both the Bison defender and the Coyote receiver dove flat out and it just missed the fingertips of the Bison defender. The receiver caught it about an inch or two off the ground. I still have a vivid picture of the scene in my mind. Bison had led all the way. Ugh. I didn't remember USD having that good of a record that they could have gone to a bowl game that year.

Bad but accurate memory. I was on the opposite 40 (student section) when this play happened. Dakotah Field went from rowdy to silent in a heartbeat. I remember sitting there wondering just what had happened. Got up after a while and drank a few beers to tame the memory.

[bloodmakesthegrassgrow]

Bad but accurate memory. I was on the opposite 40 (student section) when this play happened. Dakotah Field went from rowdy to silent in a heartbeat. I remember sitting there wondering just what had happened. Got up after a while and drank a few beers to tame the memory.

I know, I still get sick to my stomach remembering it; like the time expired FG loss to Troy State. I had taped the Troy State Championship game on my Beta machine. After that happened, I just erased it.