NDSU led the FCS in points allowed per game during their 2021 Championship run. This year, the Bison defense is loaded with veteran players, including fifth-year defensive back Destin Talbert.

The safety put up big numbers in 2021, racking up 31 tackles, five pass break ups and three interceptions, including the game winning pick in the semifinals against James Madison.

Talbert says last year's success gave him confidence and he's looking to pick up right where he left off in 2022.

The 2022 North Dakota State football season begins in just under two weeks and anticipation is high as the Bison go for a tenth national title in the last 12 years.

WDAY's Dom Izzo and Logan Campbell will preview the biggest storylines surrounding this year's team and what players could break out this season.

Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton football has won five section titles in eight seasons, but this year's senior class has goals well beyond that.

"Winning that section championship doesn't mean as much anymore," said senior Victor Sosa. "It's not as special to us."

After winning the 2021 8AAA championship, the rebels lost to Annandale in the first round of the state tournament.

For the rebels, it's no longer about meeting those expectations. It's about exceeding them.

Our Fall Camp Tour checks in on the Packers. After last year's runner up finish, high expectations remain for the West Fargo, but the path back to the Dakota Bowl does not include two of the team's biggest threats on offense.

"We have kind of a next man up mentality where we lost a lot of studs last year: Carson Hegerle, and Parker Nelson," said senior linebacker Gavin Johnson. "But we kept a few too.

Big crowds were hard to come by for Bo Beqluist growing up. He spent four years playing varsity football in New Rockford before heading to UND for college.

"Probably 100 maybe (in the stands)," said Belquist.

Now he's preparing to open his third season of college football in front of 90,000 fans in Lincoln as UND travels to Nebraska on September 3rd. That's UND's first game against a Big Ten opponent in nearly 50 years.

"It gives me chills even thinking about it, playing in the biggest stadium. It's like bigger than NFL stadiums. It's going to be just loud, it's going to be an awesome crows. It sells out nearly every year. I mean super excited, probably one of the greatest games I play in," said Belquist.

Today was the first allowable practice for Minnesota high school football and at Moorhead's first day, the Spuds are working for redemption after last year's early playoff exit.

Concordia's fall camp is also underway and the Cobbers are leaning on an experienced group of returners.

Davies 2021 football season felt like it was over almost before it could really get started.

"Our coach gave us two options there. He said hey we can either drop our heads we're out of the playoffs or we can go out and win some games," said senior lineman Isaac Kerzman."

The Eagles finished 6-3. It's that determination down the stretch last season they hope propels them into this season

There's a different energy to summer practices at Fargo North.

"Every team has their eyes set on a state championship, or making it to that game," said North head coach Adam Roland. "I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a goal of ours."

For the first time in 21 years, the Spartans are coming off a state semi-finals appearance. The goal now is to keep that momentum rolling into the new season.

On the outside, to the TV cameras, Hunter Luepke doesn't appear to be the most outgoing player on the Bison football roster.

His answers in press conferences or interview settings normally are made up a few words.

Luepke has saved his talking for the field. When asked about talking about himself and the accolades he's received as one of North Dakota State's top players, it was an obvious answer.

"Probably from the camera standpoint, it would look that way. Actually I'm not that shy of a guy, I like to hang out with the guys and have a good time." Luepke said.

It's not unusual to see Shanley make a deep playoff run, but for this year's group, their goals are beyond the semifinal round.

Fargo Shanley came closer than any other team to beating eventual 11AA champion Sheyenne, but fell to them in the state semifinals.

"Ever since we met that Monday after the state semis, these kids were focused," said head coach Troy Mattern.

This year's goal is a trip to the Dakota Bowl.