Going for four
The skinny
Three-time defending FCS (formerly Division I-AA) national champion North Dakota State(14-1) faces Illinois State (13-1) for the national title Saturday in Frisco, Texas.
TV, time
ESPN2, noon
Breaking the tie
NDSU and Illinois State tied for the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title with 7-1 records. The teams did not meet during the regular season, and both lost at Northern Iowa in back-to-back weeks.
NDSU legacy
The Bison have three consecutive FCS titles, five Division II national titles and three College Division championships.
Minnesota ties
NDSU always has a strong Minnesota connection, and this year is no exception. John Crockett (Totino Grace) leads the Bison with 1,920 rushing yards, and Zach Vraa (Rosemount) is tops in receptions with 39. On defense, linebacker Carlton Littlejohn (Minneapolis North) leads in tackles with 109, and has three sacks, an interception and four fumble recoveries.
