Dizzo's Den

The 2023 FCS college football season will be the last without Missouri Valley Football Conference games featured on linear television. The league announced a couple weeks ago a new television contract with ESPN, a six-year deal that will see the network broadcast one to two games a year on either ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU. It's a landmark deal for the conference, which has never had regular season games on linear TV.  The new deal calls for the extension of the Missouri Valley Game of the Week on ESPN Plus, a deal that has been around for the last eight years, where one game is selected for an exclusive broadcast. Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Patty Viverito and ESPN's senior director of programming Dan Margulis join the podcast to discuss the two sides of how this deal came together and what it means for local broadcasters like WDAY-TV. You can find past episodes at Apple Itunes, Spotify and Google Play.  

One of the top college football stories in 2022 was authored by former North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman at Kansas State. Klieman guided the Wildcats to a 10-3 record and a Big 12 Championship, as the Wildcats beat previously unbeaten TCU in the title game, earning a spot in the Sugar Bowl. K-State lost to Alabama that day 45-20. Klieman enters his fifth year in Manhattan with sky-high expecatations. The Wildcats were picked to finish second in the Big 12 this fall, right behind Texas. It's a year of transition in the Big 12 as the Longhorns and Oklahoma will leave after this season, but are welcoming BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston into the league. Klieman talks about the 2022 season and what to expect this coming season. He also discusses his time in Fargo and how that set up success in the Big 12. Klieman also chats about his relationship with the man that hired him in Fargo, Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl.  

Kindred senior to be Riley Sunram announced Tuesday night his commitment to play football at the University of Minnesota.  Sunram was the most highly sought after prospect for the Class of 2024, with over 20 offers including North Dakota State, Nebraska, Kansas State and Miami. Sunram visits with Dom Izzo about why he chose Minnesota and what life has been like since his first offer from the Bison came in last June. 

Former North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch made his Senior Bowl debut during practice Tuesday morning for the National team. Mauch was playing a new position as well, he was exclusively at left guard during the team drills. The Athletic's Dane Brugler projects that Mauch could be a center in the NFL. When asked about playing different positions this week, Mauch said: "I'm expecting to play all four positions (guard and tackle). I've been snapping the ball at center in case they throw me in there too." WDAY's Dom Izzo caught up with Mauch before he left for Mobile about his expectations for the week, you can listen to the podcast here.

It's hard to imagine how crazy the last 365 days have been for Cordell Volson. The former North Dakota State All-American offensive lineman left Frisco, Texas in January of 2022 after winning a fourth national championship to pursue his NFL dreams. Volson began training for the East-West Shrine Game in Minneapolis and had a great week in Las Vegas, which turned into an invite to the NFL Combine. Volson had a great week in Indianapolis and a solid Pro Day in Fargo. He ended up being selected in the fourth round by the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals, who were looking to upgrade their offensive line to protect all-world quarterback, Joe Burrow. Volson came in to training camp and wowed the coaches and found himself in the starting lineup for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He hasn't left the lineup since. He was the only regular starter on the offensive line in the Bengals 27-10 win over the Buffalo Bills that sent them to the AFC Championship Game to match up with the Kansas City Chiefs. Volson visited with WDAY's Dom Izzo about the last year and about getting a chance to play in the NFL's final four.

WDAY's Dom Izzo visits with Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor on the Wildcats facing Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. How Taylor got razzed about hiring Chris Klieman from NDSU and now four years later it's been paid off with a Big 12 championship. They also discuss what it will take to get NDSU up to the FBS level and how Power 5 football is changing. 

Christmas came early for Missouri Valley Football Commissioner Patty Viverito. The top league in the FCS got not one, but two teams into the FCS Championship Game in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State and South Dakota State will meet for the title on January 8th, televised nationally by ABC. Viverito visits about the history of adding NDSU and SDSU into the old Gateway Football Conference and the challenges that presented each school when they were admitted. She also discusses what the Bison and Jackrabbits have done for the conference and how the league has tried to keep up with the top two teams in the country. Viverito also chats about an update on Murray State University, the Racers are set to join the league in July as the conference's 12th member. The juiciest news comes on a potential change to the FCS Playoff structure, which could go to seeding the top 16 teams.  

ESPN's Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions Dan Margulis joins Dom Izzo to discuss the moving of the 2023 FCS Championship Game to a Sunday and ABC. North Dakota State will face South Dakota State in the FCS title game on January 8th, a game that will be televised on WDAY-TV at 1pm central time.  Margulis goes in to the decision making process of why the game was moved and going straight up against the final week of the NFL regular season.

Dom Izzo re-launches his Dizzo's Den podcast, which will be a combination of local sports and the other interests he has, ranging from nerd movies to outrageous food opinions. Today's show is sports heavy with West Fargo Sheyenne senior defensive end Karter Menz about his commitment to play football at the University of Minnesota. Also featured in the show is the North Dakota High School Activites Association Executive Director Matt Fetsch, who visits about the separation of the state hockey tournaments and is there any talk of extending the spring sports season.

No, 4-ranked North Dakota State scored 28 points in the game's first 18 minutes and cruised to a 52-24 victory against No. 16-ranked South Dakota on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. “Our kids came ready to play," Bison head coach Matt Entz said. "I'm really excited with where we're at right now.” The Bison (10-1, 7-1 MVFC) clinched an outright MVFC title with the victory and close their regular-season with back-to-back victories heading in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs. NDSU quarterback Cam Miller completed 19 of 23 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown as the Bison gained 522 yards on 70 plays against the Coyotes. NDSU rushed for 303 yards on 47 attempts.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Bison Media Zone podcast. Available on all podcast streaming platforms. South Dakota State running back Pierre Strong Jr. rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns and also threw a touchdown pass. His performance sparked the Jackrabbits to a 27-19 victory against North Dakota State on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Dana J, Dykhouse Stadium. The Bison (8-1, 5-1 MVFC) remained in first place in the Missouri Valley despite the loss. SDSU (7-2, 4-2) has won two consecutive Dakota Marker trophy games. NDSU has two games remaining in the regular season. SDSU built a 27-7 lead in the third quarter and the Bison weren't able to recover, even though NDSU limited the Jackrabbits to 79 yards in the second half.

The top rivalry in the FCS returns this Saturday with plenty at stake. North Dakota State travels to South Dakota State as the Jacks look for a second straight win in the series. SDSU beat NDSU 27-17 back in April, as the Jackrabbits won the Missouri Valley Football Conference and played in the FCS Championship Game for the first time, falling to Sam Houston. The Bison head to Brookings with an 8-0 record for the sixth time since 2013. Ironically, SDSU handed the Bison their first loss in 2017 in Brookings, 33-21. NDSU proceeded to win 39 straight games, an FCS record after that loss. SDSU enters with a 6-2 record, with both losses at home, to Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa. The Jackrabbits are hoping to get standout running back Isaiah Davis back, he has missed a majority of the season with an upper body injury.

No. 2-ranked North Dakota State scored 30 points in the opening half and cruised to a 44-2 victory against Indiana State on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. The Bison (8-0, 5-0 MVFC) remained unbeaten this season. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Bison Media Zone podcast available in all podcast stores.

North Dakota State returns to the field this Saturday and will face an opponent they haven't seen since 2017. Indiana State returns to the schedule after rotating off in 2018 and 2019, the Sycamores opted out of the 2020 season. Jeff Kolpack and Dom Izzo discuss the potential change at quarterback and everything else surrounding Bison football.

The Bison (7-0, 4-0 MVFC) scored two touchdown in the game's final 14 minutes to overcome a seven-point deficit. NDSU backup quarterback Cam Miller entered the game late in the third quarter and completed 7 of 9 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns to lead the charge. Bison receiver Christian Watson had four catches for 106 yards, including the game-winning TD catch with a little less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

Dom Izzo and Jeff Kolpack game preview. The North Dakota State Bison (6-0, 3-0 MVFC) bring a six-game winning streak into a matchup with the Missouri State Bears (4-2, 3-1 MVFC) on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Bison Media Zone podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 

No. 3-ranked North Dakota State limited Illinois State to less than 100 yards Saturday afternoon to power to a 20-0 victory against the Redbirds in Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Hancock Stadium before 12,416 fans. The Bison defense limited Illinois State to 99 yards on 50 plays and also finished with five sacks. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Bison Media Zone Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Brought to you by Forum Communications Co.   

Jeff Kolpack and Dom Izzo break down the matchup and look ahead to Saturday's game. North Dakota State returns to the road this weekend as the Bison take on Illinois State Saturday in Normal, Illinois. If you enjoyed this episode, follow Bison Media Zone wherever you listen to podcasts. 

It may be a bye week for the North Dakota State football team, but there's no stopping the news surrounding college football realignment. Chris Vannini from The Athletic reported Thursday afternoon that people at the Mountain West Conference have brought NDSU's name as a possible candidate for membership if the league needs to expand if current members leave for a different league. This is the first time in this news cycle that a national outlet has mentioned NDSU as a potential FBS candidate.

NDSU announced Friday that Virginia Tech transfer Quincy Patterson will be the starting quarterback for the Bison in their season opener next Saturday against Albany. Patterson beat out sophomore Cam Miller and freshman Cole Payton for the job. WDAY Sports Director Dom Izzo and the Forum's Mike McFeely discussed the decision and the impact it could have going forward.

The college sports world was rocked last week with the news that Texas and Oklahoma were looking to leave the Big 12 for the SEC. That invitation became official on Thursday, when the Southeastern Conference officially invited both schools for the 2025 season. Dom Izzo and Mike McFeely discuss the reaction from North Dakota State fans about a possibility of an FBS move and the pitfalls that could come with it. They also chat about the potential of the FCS Playoffs expanding and why that should be less appealing for NDSU fans. You can listen to the podcast here or at Apple Itunes, Spotify or Google Play.

The college football world was shook with the news Wednesday that Texas and Oklahoma were looking to leave the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference. While that news may seem many miles away for NDSU fans, it could indirectly affect the Bison down the road. Forum columnist Mike McFeely joins Dom to discuss what this could mean for NDSU and James Madison if other schools decide to bolt their leagues. You can listen to the episode here or download at Apple Itunes or Google Play.

The spring football season in the Football Championship Subdivision is supposed to begin in under a month. We still don't know how many teams are going to compete in it. Friday, national powers Montana and Montana State pulled out of the spring season. They were joined by Portland State, Indiana State and Dayton as well this week that decided to opt out. Hero Sports writer Sam Herder joins the Den to discuss the dwindling chances of an FCS postseason and who could be next to opt out. They also discuss the major realignment in the FCS as it appears there will be two new conferences sponsoring football in the fall of 2021, the Atlantic Sun and the Western Athletic Conferences.

In the hours following the NBA players boycott of playoff games, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and the WNBA followed suit with games being postponed. Dom Izzo visits about what's next for sports. He's joined by Oak Grove football coach Melvin Whitney to discuss the challenges he's faced being a Black man in a predominantly white sports world.

WDAY Sports Director Dom Izzo is joined by 2017 North Dakota Sportscaster of the Year Brad Anderson to discuss the potential for North Dakota High School football playoff games to be played on turf fields. They also dive into Brad's job as NDSCS football play by play broadcaster and what's ahead for the Wildcats this season.

Former Ada-Borup standout football player Mason Miller joins Dizzo's Den to discuss his high school football career and his decision to commit to North Dakota State football. Miller is one of the local standouts as part of the Class of 2020.

Former North Dakota State defensive end and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyle Emanuel joins the Den to discuss his retirement from the National Football League. Forum sportswriter Jeff Kolpack joins the podcast as well.