FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The effort and energy Tim Polasek has poured into North Dakota State's football program on the climb to the FBS can be easily sourced back to his rural roots.
As a small-college quarterback on summer and winter breaks, and later to supplement a meager income as he launched a career in coaching, Polasek worked grueling jobs as a logger in the woods of central Wisconsin and on the overnight shift at a steel mill near his tiny hometown of Iola.
Appreciation for the unglamourous work as a small-college ***** istant sure comes quick with that background.
"I learned a lot there: That could be you if you don't graduate college and pursue something," said Polasek, who is 28-3 with the Bison since becoming head coach in 2024. "Seeing those tough jobs and other people having to execute that every day really always makes it an honor and a privilege to be the leader of this program."
Having handily beaten Jacksonville State and Fordham in their first two games, the Bison will face one of their biggest tests as a first-year FBS team on Saturday night: Their Mountain West Conference opener at Air Force.

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