BISMARCK, N.D. – As the North Dakota State University Bison football team prepares to take on the Eastern Washington University Eagles in the FCS championship game on Saturday, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee have raised the stakes with a friendly wager.
“Washington and North Dakota are both agricultural juggernauts, but only one of these football powerhouses can harvest the FCS national championship trophy, and Bison Nation won’t be denied,” Burgum said. “Good luck to the Eagles, whose narrow victory over the Bison in the 2010 FCS quarterfinals still stings – though six national championships since then has certainly eased the pain. Go Bison!”
If the Eagles win, Burgum pledged to send North Dakota treats such as Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, Homestead Honey and North American Bison steaks to Olympia’s Thurston County Food Bank.
Inslee wagered three items for a possible Bison win: a box of Washington’s famous apples from Hansen Fruit and Fuji Apple, Lavender Dry Sparkling Soda from the Seattle based Dry Soda Company, and an assortment of candy from Liberty Orchards – which is home to the famous Aplets and Cotlets. These items would go to North Dakota’s Great Plains Food Bank.
“Washington has the best apples, hops, shellfish and wine,” Inslee said. “While Bison are majestic creatures, nothing swoops like an Eagle. Red and white just fight, fight, fight, and Eagles will win the victory!”