Fullbacks are people, too!
Long football’s most underappreciated position, the North Dakota State Bison showed the love to the big boys Saturday by unleashing a four-fullback set in its game against the Youngstown State Penguins.
The lead fullback on the play, senior Hunter Luepke, joined his fullback brethren on the gridiron on a fourth-and-one red zone chance for the Bison. The play call called for Luepke to get the handoff, and his fellow fullbacks and offensive linemen to bulldoze the way forward.
The football gods smiled on North Dakota State’s respect for the fullback, granting Luepke a clear lane to scamper in for a touchdown.
This may look like your typical TD run until you realize North Dakota State had FOUR fullbacks in the game on this play.
It’s beautiful.
(🎥: @NDSUfootball) pic.twitter.com/IKcCh8KEUH
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 1, 2022
The score got the Bison up on the Penguins 14-0 to close out the first quarter.
North Dakota State instantly shouted out the four-fullback touchdown play. Even the Bison’s merch shows great respect for the fullbacks on the team.
It's not just a tweet. It's a lifestyle.https://t.co/gv5NGCmJpY pic.twitter.com/5BWbQwTmyL
— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) October 1, 2022
A Walter Payton Award candidate, Luepke has already had a phenomenal start to the season at fullback for the Bison. He’s rushed for 333 yards and six touchdowns and hauled in an additional 87 yards and two scores in the air through four games. Saturday’s fullback-friendly touchdown only adds to his possible candidacy for the top award in FCS for an offensive player.
The 3-1 Bison will try to hold on to their lead over the Penguins heading into the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game.
A win puts them at 4-1, and adds further proof to the power of the fullback.
