Spencer graduate helps claim national title
For the Hub City Times
FRISCO, TX – Spencer graduate Hunter Luepke helped lead the North Dakota State (NDSU) football team to the program’s ninth national championship in the last 11 seasons as the Bison rolled over No. 8 seed Montana State, 38-10, in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game on Jan. 8, at Toyota Stadium.
It is the 17th national championship for the Bison football program. NDSU, which is now 9-0 in FCS national championship game appearances, finished the season 14-1 overall.
Voted the game’s Most Outstanding Player, he matched his career high in touchdowns with three rushing scores in the opening half to lead the way for the Bison.
Luepke began the scoring with an eight-yard rush at 6:48 in the first quarter to give the Bison an early lead. On the first play of the second quarter, Luepke rushed in untouched from 11 yards to double the Bison lead.
The fullback tied a career-high with three rushing touchdowns, one shy of the FCS championship game record of four rushing TDs by Furman’s John Bagwell in 1985 vs. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State’s Kevin Richardson in 2006 against UMass.
The 2018 graduate of Spencer High School was a four-year starter and two-year captain for Spencer/Columbus Catholic under coach, Jason Gorst. He played running back, linebacker, defensive end, and returned kicks. He was a three-time all-conference first team running back.
Luepke is currently a junior at NDSU, majoring in finance. He is the son of Jon & Maria Luepke and Jenn Luepke.