Bison Top Opponents in 2020: Pierre Strong, Jr.

The ramp up to the 2020 North Dakota State football season begins with a look at the top players the Bison will face this year.

South Dakota State has emerged as one of the FCS's top programs over the last ten years and consistently has produced some elite level talent. From Zach Zenner to Dallas Goedert to Christian Rozeboom, the Jacks usually litter the Missouri Valley Football Conference all-league teams. Pierre Strong, Junior is the next in this line of great players.

Strong is making his second appearance in this series after his tremendous freshman campaign in 2018. He followed that up with 1,018 yards in 2019, made all the more impressive considering Strong missed the final two games of the season with an injury. Strong was at his best in the middle part of the year where he racked up three 100 yard rushing performances in a four game stretch, including 120 yards against NDSU in October.

The 5'11, 200 pound running back has quickly established himself as one of the top running backs in the country and continues a tradition of tremendous tailbacks at SDSU. Kyle Minett, Zenner and now Strong highlight that list of backs that have stood out at the D-1 level. Strong will have his hands full in 2020, facing some talented defenses.

SDSU has an FBS game against Nebraska, they also have road trips to Fargo, Carbondale and Cedar Falls this season and Strong will not sneak up on anybody. He also may have to shoulder more of the load with the news that CJ Wilson, Strong's top backup had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Strong will be a load to bring down again in 2020 and has the potential to be one of the great running backs in Missouri Valley Football Conference history.