featuring an FCS program from the Missouri Valley Football Conference against an FBS member of the Big 12 Conference. The most notable recent meeting occurred during the opening week of the 2025 season, when Kansas State narrowly defeated North Dakota 38–35 in Manhattan, Kansas.
Key Statistics
| Category | North Dakota (UND) | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| School | University of North Dakota | Kansas State University |
| Nickname | Fighting Hawks | Wildcats |
| Division | NCAA Division I FCS | NCAA Division I FBS |
| Conference | Missouri Valley Football Conference | Big 12 Conference |
| Home Stadium | Alerus Center | Bill Snyder Family Stadium |
| Recent Meeting Result | Lost 35-38 | Won 38-35 |
| 2024 Offensive Yards/Game | 360.2 | 426.8 |
| 2024 Rushing Yards/Game | 186.9 | 215.5 |
| 2024 Passing Yards/Game | 173.2 | 211.4 |
| 2024 Points/Game | 30.8 | 30.8 |
| 2024 Defensive Yards Allowed/Game | 386.4 | 343.4 |
| 2024 Points Allowed/Game | 30.9 | 23.4 |
| 2024 Record | 5-7 | 9-4 |
| 2024 Bowl Appearance | No | Rate Bowl Champion |
Statistics reflect the most recently verified season data available.
Career Overview
The UND vs Kansas State matchup represents a classic FCS-versus-FBS contest. North Dakota has spent much of its Division I era competing in the FCS, while Kansas State has been one of the more consistent Power Conference programs under head coach Chris Klieman.
Kansas State enters such matchups with substantial advantages in scholarship depth, recruiting resources, and competition level. The Wildcats have regularly competed for Big 12 championships and bowl appearances, while North Dakota focuses on Missouri Valley Football Conference competition and FCS playoff qualification.
The 2025 meeting drew national attention because North Dakota pushed the nationally ranked Wildcats to the limit in a 38-35 contest, demonstrating the growing competitiveness of upper-tier FCS programs against FBS opponents.
Career Statistics
Program Comparison
| Statistic | North Dakota | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division | FCS | FBS |
| Conference | MVFC | Big 12 |
| Recent Season Record | 5-7 | 9-4 |
| Bowl Eligibility | Not Applicable (FCS) | Yes |
| Conference Championships* | Multiple historical conference titles | Multiple Big 12 titles |
| National Championships* | Historical lower-division titles | None at FBS level |
| 2024 Points Scored | 370 (approx.) | 401 |
| 2024 Points Allowed | 371 (approx.) | 304 |
*Historical totals vary depending on NCAA classification era and conference alignment.
Verified 2024 team totals show Kansas State scoring 401 points while allowing 304 points over a 13-game season.
Season-by-Season Stats
Kansas State Recent Seasons
| Season | Record | Conference Record | Bowl Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9-4 | 5-4 | Won Rate Bowl |
| 2023 | Data not fully verified for this article | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| 2022 | Big 12 Champion Season | Verified historically | Sugar Bowl Appearance |
2024 Kansas State season summary:
Kansas State 2024 Team Statistics
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 13 |
| Points | 401 |
| Total Yards | 5,549 |
| Offensive Plays | 844 |
| Yards per Play | 6.6 |
| Rushing Yards | 2,801 |
| Passing Yards | 2,748 |
| First Downs | 264 |
| Penalties | 71 |
| Penalty Yards | 594 |
North Dakota 2024 Team Statistics
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 5-7 |
| Total Offense/Game | 360.2 |
| Passing/Game | 173.2 |
| Rushing/Game | 186.9 |
| Scoring/Game | 30.8 |
| Defense Allowed/Game | 386.4 |
| Passing Defense/Game | 198.6 |
| Rushing Defense/Game | 187.8 |
| Points Allowed/Game | 30.9 |
Records
Kansas State Records and Milestones
- 2024 Rate Bowl Champion.
- Finished 9-4 during the 2024 season.
- Ranked among the nation’s best rushing offenses.
- Produced over 5,500 total offensive yards in 2024.
- Recorded 401 points scored during the season.
- Finished with a +97 scoring differential.
North Dakota Records and Milestones
- Consistent FCS playoff contender during the Division I era.
- Competes in the highly competitive Missouri Valley Football Conference.
- Averaged more than 30 points per game in 2024 despite a losing record.
Awards and Honors
Kansas State
| Award/Honor | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Rate Bowl Champion | 2024 |
| Big 12 Membership | Power Conference Program |
| National Ranking | Ranked No. 17 entering 2025 opener |
North Dakota
| Award/Honor | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Missouri Valley Membership | One of the strongest FCS conferences |
| National FCS Rankings | Ranked nationally during portions of recent seasons |
Some historical conference awards and individual honors could not be comprehensively verified from available sources and are therefore omitted.
Performance Trends
Kansas State Trends
| Metric | Trend |
|---|---|
| Rushing Offense | Strong upward trend |
| Defensive Efficiency | Above-average nationally |
| Scoring Output | Consistently around 30 PPG |
| Bowl Participation | Regular |
| Win Percentage | Strong over recent seasons |
Kansas State’s offense is built around a powerful running game. The Wildcats averaged 215.5 rushing yards per game and ranked among the nation’s top rushing attacks.
North Dakota Trends
| Metric | Trend |
|---|---|
| Rushing Production | Strong |
| Passing Production | Moderate |
| Defensive Consistency | Variable |
| Scoring Ability | Above-average FCS level |
North Dakota’s offense generated nearly 187 rushing yards per game and more than 30 points per contest in 2024.
Historical Context
FCS programs rarely defeat ranked FBS opponents, though the gap has narrowed over the last two decades.
Kansas State itself has experienced difficult games against programs from the Dakotas. Historically, schools from North Dakota have earned respect nationally because of strong FCS football traditions. Discussions of FCS success frequently reference North Dakota-based programs challenging FBS opponents.
Compared with modern FBS averages:
| Category | FBS Average Range | Kansas State 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Points/Game | 26-30 | 30.8 |
| Rushing/Game | 150-180 | 215.5 |
| Total Offense/Game | 375-425 | 426.8 |
Kansas State exceeded national averages in rushing production and total offense.
Head-to-Head Statistics
UND vs Kansas State All-Time Record
A complete official all-time series database between North Dakota and Kansas State could not be independently verified from available sources.
The most recently verified meeting:
| Date | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30, 2025 | Kansas State | 38-35 | Manhattan, Kansas |
Head-to-Head Team Comparison
| Category | North Dakota | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Record | 5-7 | 9-4 |
| Offense/Game | 360.2 | 426.8 |
| Rushing/Game | 186.9 | 215.5 |
| Passing/Game | 173.2 | 211.4 |
| Points/Game | 30.8 | 30.8 |
| Defense Allowed/Game | 386.4 | 343.4 |
| Points Allowed/Game | 30.9 | 23.4 |
Offensive Comparison
| Category | UND | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards/Game | 360.2 | 426.8 |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 186.9 | 215.5 |
| Passing Yards/Game | 173.2 | 211.4 |
| Scoring/Game | 30.8 | 30.8 |
Kansas State holds advantages in total offense, rushing offense, and passing offense.
Defensive Comparison
| Category | UND | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| Yards Allowed/Game | 386.4 | 343.4 |
| Passing Allowed/Game | 198.6 | 224.7 |
| Rushing Allowed/Game | 187.8 | 118.7 |
| Points Allowed/Game | 30.9 | 23.4 |
Kansas State demonstrates a major edge in run defense and scoring defense.
Recent Form
Kansas State Last Verified Season
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 9-4 |
| Bowl Result | Won Rate Bowl |
| Points Scored | 401 |
| Points Allowed | 304 |
| Big 12 Record | 5-4 |
North Dakota Last Verified Season
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 5-7 |
| Offense/Game | 360.2 |
| Scoring/Game | 30.8 |
| Defense Allowed/Game | 386.4 |
Key Recent Result
| Matchup | Result |
|---|---|
| North Dakota vs Kansas State | Kansas State 38, North Dakota 35 |
The three-point margin demonstrated that North Dakota competed effectively against a ranked Power Conference opponent.
Statistical Highlights
- Kansas State finished 9-4 in 2024.
- Kansas State scored 401 points in 13 games.
- Wildcats averaged 426.8 yards per game.
- Kansas State rushed for 215.5 yards per game.
- North Dakota averaged 30.8 points per game.
- North Dakota averaged 186.9 rushing yards per game.
- Kansas State defeated Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl.
- Kansas State narrowly defeated North Dakota 38-35 in the 2025 season opener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the most recent UND vs Kansas State game?
Kansas State defeated North Dakota 38-35 in the most recently verified meeting.
Is North Dakota an FBS team?
No. North Dakota competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
What conference does Kansas State play in?
Kansas State is a member of the Big 12 Conference.
What was Kansas State’s record in 2024?
The Wildcats finished 9-4 and won the Rate Bowl.
What was North Dakota’s record in 2024?
North Dakota finished 5-7.
Which team had the better offense statistically?
Kansas State produced 426.8 yards per game compared with North Dakota’s 360.2 yards per game.
Which team had the better defense statistically?
Kansas State allowed 343.4 yards per game and 23.4 points per game, both better than North Dakota’s defensive averages.
Sources and References
The statistics and verified information used in this article were compiled from:
- NCAA Football
- Big 12 Conference
- Kansas State Athletics
- North Dakota Athletics
- Sports-Reference College Football Database
- StatMuse College Football Statistics
- Associated Press college football reporting and game previews.
Where comprehensive historical records or all-time series statistics could not be independently verified through available official sources, those figures have been explicitly omitted rather than estimated.
About the Author
