Cole Payton’s heels no longer are cooling at North Dakota State.
The Omaha Westside graduate, after waiting his turn at quarterback behind NFL-drafted Cam Miller for four years, has the Bison in their believed rightful position atop the FCS rankings.
“I’m not sure it’s not too early to start talking about this guy being one of the best players in the country,” Bison coach Tim Polasek after a 51-13 win over South Dakota. “He’s playing at an all-time high right now as far as playmaking and capitalizing on a great situation. I think he’s doing a really nice job.”
On Saturday, the left-handed Payton led a 33-16 win at Illinois State from completing 12 of 14 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown, rushing for 79 yards and a touchdown and converting two 2-point conversions.
“The biggest challenge is his legs, I mean he’s fast,” Illinois State linebacker Tye Niekamp said. “He’s next-level fast.”
Payton frustrated the Redbirds’ defense, Niekamp said, because he found escape routes from the pocket.
“He did a good job of kicking out of some sticky moments where he had to make somebody miss in the backfield,” Polasek said. “This is the first game where he really got sped up in some of his progressions. He did a nice job and you could see he made some wonderful athletic plays today just keeping us on the field.”
The 6-foot-3 senior is 65 of 87 for 1,173 yards and nine touchdowns — zero interceptions — and has rushed for 356 yards and three touchdowns on 53 carries. He was the Missouri Valley Conference offensive player of the week for his South Dakota performance.
The same week, Millard West sophomore Jackson Williams received the MVFC special teams honor. Williams accounted for 107 all-purpose yards, including three 21-yard punt and kick returns and a 35-yard pass reception.
Victor Isele from Grand Island Northwest, Alijah Wayne from Omaha Central, Chance Symons from Scottsbluff, Mikhale Ford from Lincoln East and Thomas Roberts from Boone Central are other Nebraskans playing for the Bison.
NDSU is the defending FCS champion that has won a record nine titles. Miller is on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad after the team drafted him in the sixth round.
They are among the 106 Nebraskans — excluding those on the homestate Huskers roster — in the various levels of Division I this season. There were 102 last year.
FBS
Air Force (1-4): Henry Rickels (Jr., Bellevue West, OL); Harry Caskey (So., Ogallala, TE), have not played.
Akron (2-4): Jake Dennis (5th, Omaha Skutt/Midland/Butler CC/Colorado State, LS) has played in all six games.
Alabama-Birmingham (2-3): Patrick Foley (RSr., Omaha Creighton Prep/transfer from Arkansas, P) is averaging 41.3 yards per punt with a long of 56.
Arkansas State (2-4): Avante Dickerson (Sr., Omaha Westside/Oregon/Utah State, CB) has two interceptions and a forced fumble with 15 solo and 10 assisted tackles.
Florida State (3-2): Chase Loftin (Fr., Millard South, TE) in three games has one catch for 6 yards.
Fresno State (5-1): Keynan Cotton (Fr., Westside, WR) h/as not played
Illinois (5-1): Tanner Hollinger (RFr., Cross County, TE) has played in one game.
Iowa (3-2): Kade Pieper (So., Norfolk Catholic, OL) has played in five games, Will Hubert (Jr., Papillion-La Vista, DL) in four and Michael Burt (RFr., Creighton Prep, TE) in two.
Iowa State (5-1): Benjamin Brahmer (Jr. Pierce, TE) has team highs of 19 catches and three receiving touchdowns while gaining 186 yards. Also completed a pass for 45 yards. Beni Ngoyi (RSr., Lincoln High, WR) has been in five games, Wyatt Archer (RSr., Skutt, WR) in one.
Kansas (4-2): Ezra Vedral (RSr., Creighton Prep, LB) has one solo and three assisted tackles. Nolan Gorczyca (RSr., Omaha Roncalli/Buffalo, OL) has played in six games, DeAndre Harper (So., Omaha North/Northwest Missouri, OL) in one.
Kansas State (2-4): Simon McClannan (So., Millard South, K/P) is averaging 44.3 yards on 23 punts with a long of 65 and is the Wildcats’ kickoff specialist. Garrett Oakley (Jr., Columbus Scotus, TE) has 21 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Will Swanson (Sr., Papillion-La Vista South, TE) has three catches for 51 yards. Brayden Loftin (Jr., Council Bluffs Lewis Central, TE) has four catches for 37 yards. Andrew Johnson (So., Lincoln Christian, LS) has played in six games. Sawyer Schilke (Fr., Kearney, LB) and Darian Whitaker Jr., (Fr., Boys Town, LB) have not played.
Louisiana-Monroe (3-2): Nate Sullivan (RSr., Bellevue West/Iowa Western, TE) has two catches for 11 yards.
Miami (Florida) (5-0): CharMar Brown (RSr., Creighton Prep/North Dakota State, RB) is the Hurricanes’ No. 2 back, with 57 carries for 225 yards and four touchdowns and eight grabs for 75 yards and a TD.
Michigan (4-1): Ernest Hausmann (Sr., Columbus/NU, LB) has a team-high 31 total tackles, 16 solo, with a sack and a three QB hurries.
Minnesota (3-2): Malachi Coleman (So., Lincoln East/NU, WR) in one game has one catch for 6 yards.
Missouri State (2-3): Isaiah McMorris (RFr., Bellevue West/NU, WR) has played in one game, with 48 yards on two kickoff returns.
New Mexico (3-2): Keagan Johnson (Jr., Bellevue West/Iowa/Kansas State, WR) in four games (was hurt for the UCLA game) has a team-high 326 yards on 26 catches, with a touchdown, and one carry for 5 yards. In last Saturday’s 35-28 loss at San Jose State, he had 11 catches for 145 yards.
North Carolina Charlotte (1-4): Bronson Long (RJr., Gothenburg, P) is averaging 43.4 yards on 25 punts, with a long of 57.
North Carolina State (4-2): Sabastian Harsh (Sr., Scottsbluff/Wyoming, DE) has team highs of 2.5 sacks and six tackles for loss. Has 21 total tackles and five hurries.
Northern Illinois (1-4): Jake Appleget (RJr., Lincoln Southeast/NU, TE) has three catches for 30 yards and a TD. Jake Gassaway (RJr., Millard South, LB) in three games has three assisted tackles and two pass breakups. Joe Stein (RFr., Grand Island Northwest, TE) has played in five games, and Landon Tate (Fr., Elkhorn South, WR) in three. Casey Popish (Fr., Papillion-La Vista South, TE) and Ben Gustafson (RFr., Elkhorn South, OL) have not played.
Notre Dame (3-2): Teddy Rezac (Fr., Westside, LB) has played in five games. Anthony Rezac (So., Westside, QB) has not played.
Ohio (3-3): Ike Ackerman (Fr., Omaha Central, DE) has not played.
Oklahoma (5-0): Kaden Helms (RJr., Bellevue West, TE) in two games has one catch for 3 yards; Kade McIntyre (RSr., Fremont Bergan, TE) has not played.
Oklahoma State (1-4): Zane Flores (RFr., Gretna, QB), with four starts, is 77 of 140 for 696 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries and has one grab for 4 yards. Grant Seagren (RSr., Oakland-Craig/NU, OL) has started the past four games. Jaylen Lloyd (Jr., Omaha Westside/NU, WR) has not played. Noah Walters (RJr., Lincoln East/North Alabama) joined the team in September.
Oregon (5-0): Devon Jackson (Jr., Omaha Burke, ILB) has 14 tackles, four solo, and one hurry.
San Diego State (4-1): Teivis Tuioti (Sr., Lincoln Southeast/Nevada/Colorado State, DL) has one solo and one assisted tackle.
Stanford (2-3): Reiman Zebert (Fr., Platteview, TE) has not played.
Temple (3-2): Jay Ducker (RSr., Bellevue West/Northern Illinois/Memphis/Sam Houston State, RB) leads the Owls in rushing with 349 yards and two touchdowns on 66 carries. Also has eight catches for 28 yards.
Texas A&M (5-0): Nate Boerkircher (Gr., Aurora/NU, TE) has five catches for 44 yards, including the game-tying touchdown with 13 seconds left against Notre Dame, and two rushes for 4 yards. Micah Riley (Jr., Bellevue West/Auburn, TE) has no catches in four games.
Texas Tech (5-0): Garin Maley (Fr., Papillion-La Vista, OL), has played in one game. Ren Brown (Fr., Stanton, OL) has not played.
Vanderbilt (5-1): Dominic Rezac (Sr., Westside, RB) in two games has one catch for 35 yards.
Virginia (5-1): Daniel Kaelin (So., Bellevue West/NU, QB) in four games is 12 of 24 for 194 yards, one touchdown and one interception and has netted 4 yards on four carries.
Washington State (3-2): Caleb Francl (5th, Grand Island/South Dakota State, LB) has 10 solo and 17 assisted tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. Fernando (JR) Lecuona (RFr., Millard South/South Dakota State, DE) has played in one game. Turner Bertrand (Fr., Kearney, OL) has not played.
Wyoming (2-3): Sam Scott (Sr., Skutt, RB) is tied for the team lead in rushing with 268 yards, on 60 carries with one touchdown, and has six catches for 93 yards. Tyce Westland (Sr., Pleasanton, DE) has 12 total tackles (seven solo), two tackles for loss, one sack and two hurries. Justin Erb (Sr., Wakefield/Iowa Western, TE) has three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown, plus two tackles. Dash Bauman (RFr., Lincoln East, LB) has played in five games. Caleb Robinson (Gr., Burke, DT), Kalvin Janssen (Fr. Gretna, OL) and Henry Rehberg (Fr., Millard North, DT) has not played.
FCS
Lindenwood (3-3): Nate Glantz (RSr., Bellevue West/Iowa State/McNeese State) has rushed for 206 yards and a team-high five touchdowns and is 99 of 170 for 1,344 yards and eight touchdowns against four picks. Tony Failla (RJr., Millard West/Southeast Missouri, OL) has played in six games and started the past five. Mason Jones (RSr., Omaha Burke/NU, DB) has two solo tackles in three games, with one start. Caleb Jacobmeier (RSr., Bellevue West/Iowa Western, LB) has a tackle for loss and two total tackles in five games. Connor Cook (Fr., Omaha North, OL); and Jamison Kemp (RSr., Omaha Central, DT) have not played.
Mercer (4-1): Caden Camese (RJr., Bellevue West, DL) has six total tackles, two solo and 2.0 for losses, in three games.
Merrimack (3-3): Will Granger (So., Millard North/Kansas State, LB) in two games has one assisted tackle.
North Dakota (3-2): Lance Rucker (Jr., Millard South, LB) has 11 solo and 11 assisted tackles, with 7.0 for losses and four sacks, and a blocked kick; Trace Thaden (Jr., Millard West, OL) has started five games. Tyler Thaden (RFr., Millard West, OL) has played in one game. Pierre Allen (Fr., Lincoln Southeast, LB) has not played.
North Dakota State (5-0): Cole Payton (Sr., Westside, QB); is 65 of 87 for 1,173 yards and nine touchdowns – zero interceptions – and has rushed for 356 yards and three touchdowns on 53 carries. Jackson Williams (So., Millard West, WR) has nine punt returns for 122 yards, five kickoff returns for 69 yards, six catches for 134 yards and scored on a 9-yard run. Victor Isele (So., Grand Island Northwest, DE) has five solo and one assisted tackle, with two sacks and a hurry. Alijah Wayne (Fr., Omaha Central, DT) has four solo and one assisted tackle, with one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss. Chance Symons (Jr., Scottsbluff/Northwest Missouri/Arizona State, DE) has played in four games, Mikhale Ford (Fr., Lincoln East, DB) in two. Thomas Roberts (Fr., Boone Central, DE) has not played.
Northern Iowa (2-3): Blake Anderson (RSr., Skutt, OL) has started five games. Aidan Miller (RFr., Millard South, DL) has two assisted tackles, one for a loss. Brogan Ling (RSr., Lincoln Southwest, LB) has not played.
St. Thomas (2-3): Ty Nielsen (So., Elkhorn South, DB) in three games has two assisted tackles. Dylan Kingston (So., Elkhorn South, DB) has not played.
South Dakota (3-3): Beau Ryan (RFr. Westside, LB) has one assisted tackle in four games. Caden Frey (RFr., Red Cloud, TE) has played in four games. Jacob Arop (RFr., Bellevue West, OL) and Ford Hamilton (RSr., Creighton Prep, K/P) have played in one game. JT Brands (RFr., Oakland-Craig, DL) and Mack Owens (RJr., Aurora, LB) have not played.
South Dakota State (5-0): Alex Bullock (Gr., Creighton Prep/NU, WR) leads the Jackrabbits in receiving with 29 catches and 329 yards. He’s scored twice. Koby Bretz (Sr., Westside/NU, DB) has 12 total tackles, eight solo, and four pass breakups. Kytan Fyfe (Jr., Grand Island, LB) in five games has 10 total tackles, seven solo, with an assisted tackle for loss and a breakup. Joe Roll (So., Gretna, WR) has played in one game. Joe Kolega (Fr., Omaha Skutt, WR) has not played.
Tennessee State (1-4): Abdul Muhammad (So., Omaha Central, DB) has not played.
Wofford (0-5): Benny Radicia (5th, Westside/Iowa Western, LB) has not played.
FCS non-scholarship
Drake (2-2): Parker Borer (So., Boone Central, RB) has not played.
Fordham (1-5): James Conway (Gr., Millard West, LB) again leads the Rams’ defense with 35 solo tackles, 51 assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and a pass breakup.
Harvard (3-0): Jack Kirkwood, (Sr., Creighton Prep, LB), with one start, has nine total tackles, three solo, with an assisted tackle for loss and a blocked kick.
Pennsylvania (2-1): Cole Erickson (Fr., Lincoln Southwest, DL) has not played.
Princeton (2-1): Rocco Marcelino (So., Creighton Prep, DL) has two solo and two assisted tackles, one tackle for loss, and two hurries.
Valparaiso (1-4): Ace McKinnis (RSr., Grand Island/Tarleton State, LB) has one tackle in four games. Jackson Crawford (Fr., Lincoln Southwest, TE) has not played.
stu.pospisil@owh.com, twitter.com/stuOWH
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Stu Pospisil
Reporter – High school sports
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