Rain. It was absolutely pouring in Charleston. If you were looking for a high-flying aerial circus to kick off the 2025 college football season, the ND State vs Citadel score might look like a clinical blowout on paper, but the atmosphere at Johnson Hagood Stadium was anything but predictable.
North Dakota State walked into South Carolina as the heavy favorites, ranked No. 1 in the FCS. They left with a 38-0 victory. But honestly, the first quarter had Bison fans sweating—and not just because of the humidity.
The Scoreboard Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
For the first 15 minutes, the game was a stalemate. 0-0. The Citadel's defense, led by Cale Williams and his 12 tackles, played with a level of discipline that briefly made people wonder if an upset was brewing. The rain turned the field into a slip-and-slide, which is exactly the kind of "equalizer" a military academy hopes for when a juggernaut comes to town.
NDSU's first two drives were clunky. They had procedural penalties. They had drops. It looked like the rust was real.
Then, the second quarter happened.
Eli Ozick knocked through a 31-yard field goal to break the ice, and the floodgates opened. It wasn't just the rain anymore; it was a physical mismatch. By the time the halftime whistle blew, the ND State vs Citadel score sat at 17-0, and the Bulldogs were gasping for air.
Key Performance Metrics from the Matchup
The statistical disparity in this game was jarring once the Bison found their footing. NDSU finished the day with 519 total yards. The Citadel? Just 126.
- Cole Payton (NDSU QB): 10-of-16 passing for 192 yards and 1 TD, plus 101 yards on the ground.
- Barika Kpeenu (NDSU RB): Two crucial rushing touchdowns that effectively ended the Bulldogs' hopes.
- Total First Downs: NDSU 25, The Citadel 8.
- Turnover Margin: NDSU +1 (Logan Kopp’s fumble recovery was a momentum killer).
Why the ND State vs Citadel Score Matters for the Season
You've gotta look at the "how" here. The Citadel runs a triple-option offense. It’s supposed to be annoying. It’s supposed to chew up clock and keep the other team’s stars on the sideline. But the Bison defensive unit, coordinated by Grant Olson, was impenetrable.
The Bulldogs didn't even cross into NDSU territory until late in the third quarter. That’s insane.
North Dakota State’s ability to shut down a niche offense like the triple-option shows a level of defensive preparation that usually leads to Frisco, Texas in January. For The Citadel, a 38-0 loss is a tough pill, but James Platte’s punting was a bright spot—he was flipping the field all day with a 45.3-yard average, keeping the Bison from starting every drive in the red zone.
Breaking Down the Scoring Sequence
The Bison scored on six consecutive possessions starting in the second quarter.
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- 31-yard FG by Ozick.
- 2-yard TD run by Barika Kpeenu.
- 34-yard TD pass from Cole Payton to RaJa Nelson (absolute dime in the rain).
- 1-yard TD run by Kpeenu.
- 1-yard TD run by DJ Scott.
- 15-yard TD pass from Nathan Hayes to Isiah St. Romain to cap it off.
Final Reflections on the Performance
It’s easy to dismiss a shutout as a "cupcake" game, but the Bison hadn't kept a clean sheet since 2021. Doing it on the road, in a different time zone, against a team that prides itself on being "tough to out-physical" is a statement.
Cole Payton looked like a dual-threat nightmare. He hurdled a defender in the third quarter like it was a practice drill. That kind of athleticism is why NDSU remains at the top of the food chain. The Citadel showed heart early on, but zero penalties can't save you when you're being outgained by nearly 400 yards.
If you’re tracking the Bison this year, this game was the blueprint: dominant line play, a quarterback who can break your back with his legs, and a defense that simply refuses to bend.
Actionable Insights for Following FCS Football:
- Watch the Turnover Margin: NDSU led the nation in 2024 with a plus-19 margin; their ability to force fumbles (like the one Logan Kopp recovered) remains their greatest weapon.
- Monitor QB Health: Cole Payton’s rushing volume is high (11 carries). For the Bison to reach the playoffs, keeping him upright is more important than any individual score.
- Evaluate Defensive Efficiency: Keep an eye on yards allowed per play. NDSU held The Citadel to 2.7 yards per play—that is championship-level efficiency.