The Lance family is becoming North Dakota State royalty.
On Monday, North Dakota State won its 10th national title overall and fifth in the last eight seasons, withstanding a furious Montana State second-half rally in a 35-32 win.
At the center of the win was wide receiver Bryce Lance, the younger brother of Cowboys quarterback and former first-round pick Trey Lance, who led North Dakota State to a 16-0 record and national championship in 2019 while scoring 42 total touchdowns with no interceptions.
On Monday, Bryce gave the Bison a 21-3 lead over the Bobcats with his 17th touchdown reception of the season with 12 seconds left in the first half.
At the end of the third quarter, Bryce made a diving 39-yard catch on third down to set North Dakota State up at Montana State’s 2-yard line. The Bison scored a touchdown for a 28-18 lead two plays later.
Lance finished the FCS championship game win with nine receptions, 108 yards and a touchdown. He ended his junior season with 75 receptions, 1,054 yards and 17 touchdowns, tied for the most the Missouri Valley Conference history.
Lance also had a brilliant, one-handed touchdown catch in the semifinals against South Dakota State that gave North Dakota State its decisive 28-21 advantage.
In North Dakota State’s four playoff games, Lance had 25 receptions, 376 yards (15 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns.
His brother, Trey, was the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the 49ers after San Francisco traded three first-round picks (2021, 2022, 2023) to the Dolphins to move up and select him.
While that move ultimately didn’t work and San Francisco traded him to Dallas during the 2023 preseason for a 2024 fourth-round pick, Bryce gave NFL scouts something to consider with his fantastic postseason.
But even if the pros don’t call, at least the Lances won’t have to buy anything in Fargo ever again.
