FRISCO, Texas (AP) -- Championship games were once routine at North Dakota State. The Bison are in a higher division now, and figuring it might be time to dominate again.
But first things first: North Dakota State makes its debut in the Football Championship Subdivision title game today against Sam Houston State (14-0). The game starts at noon and will be televised on ESPN2.
The Bearkats also are first-time finalists but lacking a trophy case like the one the Bison filled in the 1980s.
If North Dakota State (13-1) wins before an expected sellout crowd of 20,000-plus at FC Dallas Stadium it will have its first title since 1990.
The Bison won five Division II titles over 10 seasons. They jumped to FCS in 2004 and made their playoff debut in the higher division last year.
