Ray Ruschel, a 49-year-old freshman football player for the North Dakota State College of Science, stretches during practice on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

When North Dakota State College of Science suffered a heartbreaking loss in early September — foiled at the goal line as time expired in a jolt to their national championship ambitions — it was a backup defensive lineman who stepped forward with a pep talk to lift the locker room.

This story is on us. Create a free account to keep reading.