PREP FOOTBALL: Marshall’s Lance looks to continue football career at North Dakota State
MARSHALL – The North Dakota State University football team has become one of the more prominent Division I FCS programs in recent memory. Since 2011, the Bison have amassed a record of 83-7, with five NCAA Division I Championships.
Marshall Tiger quarterback Trey Lance will get a chance to add to that rich history starting in 2018. Lance, one of the top recruits in the state of Minnesota, announced his decision to attend NDSU via Twitter on Tuesday evening.
“For me, some of the important things were the coaching staff, feeling at home, diversity, and I really wanted a school that cared about their athletic programs,” Lance said. “NDSU had all of the things I was looking for and more. I just fell in love with the program.”
Lance has been playing football for as long as he can remember. The opportunity to play at a program like NDSU is a dream come true for the Tiger signal caller.
“Having this opportunity is a dream come true,” Lance said. “It’s a true blessing, and I can’t wait to get there and I’m so excited to be a part of the Bison Family. I’ve loved football for the longest time, it’s just something I’m very passionate about.”
The Bison have won five championships since 2011. That winning tradition was a big draw for Lance during his official visit to Fargo.
“When I was there it didn’t feel like a sales pitch; they were honest and it really felt like they cared about me in and off the field. Obviously winning a National Championship is a dream of mine.”
In the 2016 NFL Draft, the NDSU Bison had two players get drafted, quarterback Carson Wentz and offensive lineman Joe Haeg. Lance said that the former Bison quarterback is a player that he tries to model his game after.
“There are a lot of quarterbacks that I have tried to take pieces of their game and applied it to mine, but there isn’t one specific one,” Lance said. “Obviously Carson Wentz and Easton Stick are great role models for me with the successes they’ve had.”
With the decision to attend NDSU, Lance and longtime teammate Reece Winkelman will now be rivals at the collegiate level. Winkelman will be attending South Dakota State University, where he’ll be playing defensive end for the Jackrabbits.
“The trash talk has definitely already started,” Lance said. “It’s gonna be a fun opportunity.”
Lance is excited to start writing the next chapter of his life in Fargo. Before that chapter starts, the senior is focused on putting the finishing touches on the chapter he’s currently writing.
“I have one goal this year and that’s to win a state championship,” Lance said. “I’m just doing everything I can to have the best year we can as a team.”
The city of Fargo is a sea of Green and Gold and Lance is excited to be apart of that environment. However, Lance said he wouldn’t have been able to have this opportunity if it weren’t for the people that helped him along the way in Marshall.
“I’m gonna miss it all,” Lance said. “I love Marshall. I’ll miss my family and friends. I’ll miss the community, and my coaches here. It’s a great place.”