MonDak Football Show – Week 1 Recap

Welcome back to the MonDak Football Show, where we mash up a little analysis, a dash of fan banter, and—let’s be honest—a few coffee‑stained notes from the broadcast booth. Week 1 of the 2026 college football season just wrapped, and there’s a lot to chew over, especially for those of us living in the Upper Midwest.

First up, the Bison. North Dakota State opened its historic first season as an FBS program with a 33‑7 thumping of Jacksonville State, then followed that up with a 38‑0 shutout of Fordham on Saturday. Nathan Hayes was smooth as ever, hitting 18‑of‑22 for 210 yards and two touchdowns. DJ Scott added two rushing scores, and the defense let the Rams gain a measly 135 total yards. If you’re looking for a sign that the Bison can still dominate at the next level, this is it—though a few skeptics are already muttering about the upcoming Air Force clash.

Speaking of skeptics, the Coyotes had a very different Week 1 story. South Dakota hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Greeley to take on Northern Colorado. The game was a classic early‑season “find out who’s serious” affair, with the Coyotes fighting for every yard while the Rams leaned on a solid ground game. In the end, South Dakota fell short, but the experience of playing in a hostile environment will likely pay dividends later on. The win‑or‑lose column isn’t everything; it’s the growing pains that matter.

What else caught our eye? The Mountain West’s defensive line grabbed PFN’s top Week 1 grade after a ferocious shutout of Georgia Tech. Meanwhile, in the FCS realm, three Group of 6 teams were humbled by FBS upsets, each pocketing a cool million dollars in “giant‑killer” payouts—a reminder that money can still follow the underdog.

We also saw a few standout individual moments. Northwestern’s transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles debuted with 273 yards and a late‑game touchdown against South Dakota State, showing that the Wildcats are willing to gamble on experience. And let’s not forget Marion Moore’s 37‑yard pick‑6 that helped the Bison turn a 24‑0 lead into an unassailable margin early in the second half.

Now, before we wrap, a quick note on how you can catch the action moving forward. The MonDak Football Show will be live on Yahoo Sports every Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, streaming on the Yahoo app and through the network’s podcast feed. We’ll break down the stats, interview coaches, and—if you’re lucky—throw in a surprise call‑in from a local fan.

That’s it for Week 1. Whether you’re cheering for the Bison, the Coyotes, or just love a good underdog story, we’ll be back next week with more insights, more jokes, and maybe even a few more coffee spills.