Best North Dakota State Bison Quarterbacks of All Time

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison football program of Missouri Valley has a rich history of successful quarterbacks. Let’s explore the best NDSU QBs of all time, considering their collegiate achievements and impact on the program.

Subjectively, the debate on the best Bison quarterback could go on and on. Below are some objective stats to help frame the conversation and help YOU decide who is the best NDSU QB.

NDSU Bison Most Passing Yards

Here are the top 10 NDSU quarterbacks based on career passing yards:

Player	Years	CMP	ATT	%	YDS	TDs	INT
Easton Stick	2015-18	598	980	61.0	8693	88	28
Brock Jensen	2010-13	703	1124	62.5	8598	72	21
Steve Walker	2004-07	534	841	63.5	7033	60	21
Cam Miller	2020-23	501	743	67.4	6470	48	15
Carson Wentz	2012-15	392	612	64.1	5115	45	14
Kevin Feeney	1995-98	304	586	51.9	4757	37	24
Ryan Johnson	1997-00	240	469	51.2	3806	31	17
Mark Speral	1977-80	225	474	47.5	3721	23	22
Graig Gorder	1998-02	287	587	48.9	3564	20	17
Nick Mertens	2006-09	268	471	56.9	3496	26	23

Looking at the numbers, you can objectively see there are a few names that consistently rise to the top of the list of North Dakota State. Looking at individual games and season statistics, players like Carson Wentz and Trey Lance standout, giving more credence to their high NFL draft pedigrees.

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Current NDSU Quarterback – Cam Miller

Cam Miller has been a standout quarterback for the Bison since 2020. Some of his notable achievements include:

• 2022 MVFC Offensive Player of the Week
• 2020-21 MVFC Newcomer of the Week
• 2022 MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award
• 2021, 2022 MVFC Honor Roll

In his junior season (2022), Miller started all 15 games, ranking third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with a 65.8 completion percentage. He completed 160 of 243 attempts with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.

NDSU Bison quarterbacks Mark Speral, Arden Beachy, Jeff Bentrim, Carson Wentz, Easton Stick & Dale Hammerschmidt! pic.twitter.com/hlQf1E7NM6

— Bison Illustrated (@bisonmag) January 9, 2016

Best NDSU Quarterbacks

Easton Stick (2015-2018)

Easton Stick is NDSU’s all-time leader in passing yards (8,693) and passing touchdowns (88). He led the Bison to three national championships (2015, 2017, and 2018) and played a crucial role in the team’s success even as a backup.

Brock Jensen (2010-2013)

Brock Jensen was the quarterback who started the NDSU dynasty. He led the Bison to their first three national championships, ending his career with a three-peat. Jensen held numerous passing records when he graduated, including the single-season record of 34 passing touchdowns in 2013.

Jeff Bentrim (1983-1986)

Jeff Bentrim is considered one of the best-known football players in NDSU history. He won the 1986 Harlon Hill Trophy as the nation’s best player in NCAA Division II football and is a member of both the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame and the NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame.

Carson Wentz (2012-2015)

Carson Wentz helped put the Bison on the national map. He completed 64.1% of his passes for 5,115 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions during his college career. Wentz was selected second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Trey Lance (2019-2020)

Trey Lance had a brief but impactful career at NDSU. In 2019, he led the Bison to the FCS national championship and was named the game’s MVP. Lance won both the Walter Payton Award and the Jerry Rice Award that season.

RELATED: FCS vs. FBS HISTORY OF FCS WINS

Mark Speral (1977-1980)

Mark Speral was one of the finest quarterbacks to ever play for North Dakota State. His career was marked by several notable achievements:

• Set a school- and league-record by scoring five touchdowns in a single game against the University of North Dakota during his freshman year.
• Ended his career holding nine school records and several NCC (North Central Conference) marks.
• Accumulated nearly 6,000 yards in combined rushing and passing, scoring 38 touchdowns and passing for another 23.
• Selected to the Associated Press All-America third team as a senior, becoming the first Bison quarterback to earn such honors.
• Named All-NCC in both his junior and senior seasons.
• Earned the title of Most Valuable Offensive Back in 1980.
• Two-time Academic All-NCC team member.
• Eight-time NCC Player of the Week.

Chris Simdorn (1986-1990)

Chris Simdorn left an indelible mark on NDSU football history:

• Won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 1990 as the nation’s best Division II football player.
• Helped lead NDSU to national championships in 1988 and 1990, and was also a member of the 1986 title team.
• First team All-American selection by the Associated Press and Kodak in 1990.
• Two-time All-North Central Conference first team member.
• Named the NCC’s Offensive MVP in 1990.
• Graduated as NDSU’s leading rusher with 3,313 yards and 53 touchdowns.
• Completed 115 of 200 passes for 1,889 yards and 17 TDs.
• One of only three quarterbacks in NCAA history (at the time) to rush for over 3,000 career yards.
• First NDSU player to rush for over 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons (1988-89).

Steve Walker (2004-2007)

Steve Walker was a key figure in NDSU’s transition to Division I football:

• Named the Great West Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2006.
• Led NDSU to a 10-1 record and 4-0 league championship in 2006.
• Selected to the All-GWFC first team by coaches and media.
• Three-time GWFC Offensive Player of the Week.
• Set NDSU single-game records with 29 completions and 451 yards against Ball State in 2006.
• Finished his career with 4,706 passing yards, putting him near the top of NDSU’s all-time list.
• Known for his poise under pressure and ability to lead comebacks.
• Played a crucial role in NDSU’s transition to Division I football, helping establish the program as a force at the higher level.