When North Dakota State nearly beat Deion Sanders, Colorado it got Tennessee State football’s attention

Eddie George didn’t have to say much to his Tennessee State football team when it came to pointing out the challenge that awaits Saturday when the Tigers (1-0) visit North Dakota State (0-1) at the Fargodome (2:30 p.m., CST., ESPN+).

North Dakota State opened the season in a national spotlight when the Bison gave Deion Sanders and Colorado a scare in one of the first Thursday night college football games of the season. North Dakota State eventually let a halftime lead slip away in the 31-26 loss but showed why it has been an FCS power for many years.

Tennessee State watched Colorado-North Dakota State on ESPN

The No. 2 Bison, who have won 17 national championships including nine since 2011, certainly got TSU’s attention.

“Everybody watched that game,” TSU quarterback Draylen Ellis said. “I think a lot of people wanted to see North Dakota State upset Colorado and they almost did.”

The Colorado-North Dakota State game drew an average of 4.8 million viewers making it ESPN’s most-watched Thursday season-opener since 2017 (Ohio State vs. Indiana). The game peaked with 5.6 million viewers, according to ESPN.

Watching the game gave Ellis a preview of what to expect Saturday when TSU attempts to open the season 2-0 for the first time since 2018.

“They are very physical; they swarm to the ball,” Ellis said. “Their defense plays together as one. Everyone on the defense does their job. It means we just have to go in and not try to force too many plays. Just let the plays come to us. We’re going to have to play a perfect game.”

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TSU’s Draylen Ellis presents different challenges than Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders

Ellis played the best game of his career last Saturday leading the Tigers to a 41-21 win over Mississippi Valley State. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns.

Ellis’ performance got the attention of North Dakota State coach Tim Polasek, who said facing Ellis won’t be anything like facing Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who completed 26 of 34 passes for 445 yards and three touchdowns against the Bison.

“It’s much different,” Polasek said. “Colorado dropped back and threw like I thought they would. Drop back and pass, like the old days. Hitch and throw. This guy (Ellis) is all RPO (run/pass option). It’s all screens. Even on third downs they’re not afraid to throw screens to keep it one (step), two (step) ball out type of stuff. That’s where he’s really effective and accurate. This kid is accurate, capable and has a good arm. I respect him.”

The key for North Dakota State’s defense, Polasak said, will be to keep TSU in third-and-long situations where shorter pass completions will make it difficult for the Tigers to pick up first downs.

How did North Dakota State get on TSU’s schedule?

George, in his fourth year at TSU, has never backed down from difficult games. Last year the Tigers opened at Notre Dame and the year before at Eastern Washington, which was ranked No. 12 in the FCS at the time.

In George’s first season TSU opened against Grambling before playing Jackson State, which at the time was coached by Deion Sanders and quarterbacked by Shedeur Sanders.

So seeing a national FCS power like North Dakota State on the schedule probably didn’t surprise Tigers fans. North Dakota State will play TSU at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.

“A couple of years ago their AD (Matt Larsen) called and said, ‘Hey, do you want to get on our schedule for a home-and-home?’” George said. “I said, ‘Hey, let’s do it. Absolutely. Why not?’ We’ll take on any team anywhere.”

Is North Dakota State’s Cam Miller the best player TSU has faced under Eddie George?

Four-year starting quarterback Cam Miller’s 7-yard touchdown run gave North Dakota State a 17-14 lead in the second quarter against Colorado. Miller added a 20-yard touchdown run in the second half. He also completed 18 of 22 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown.

Miller, a Walter Payton (FCS best offensive player) finalist in 2023, has led North Dakota State to a 31-10 record as a starter. He has passed for 6,747 career yards and 49 touchdowns while rushing for 1,727 yards and 38 touchdowns.

“He’s the best player we have probably seen in my tenure here,” George said. “Cam is a remarkable leader. He can run, he can throw. He has a great deal of experience. He just makes the right plays at the right time. They’re always in the playoffs or competing for a national championship because of that position.”

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.