By Darin Jeff Bentrim obliterates the collegiate record books and revolutionizes the quarterback position as a dual-threat force for the North Dakota State Bison. Operating the veer offense with unmatched precision, Bentrim crushed records once held by Walter Payton and cemented a winning tradition that defines NDSU to this day. From hoisting the first-ever Harlon Hill Trophy to winning multiple national championships, discover the story of one of the most dominant playmakers in Division II history.
Football Bio
June 21, 1965 – St. Paul, Minnesota – Jeff Bentrim, the North Dakota State quarterback from 1983 to 1986, was born.
According to FootballFoundation.org, Jeff set records no other quarterback has matched. He was the starting quarterback in four championship games in NCAA Division II.
He was the national scoring champ in Division II in 1984, 1985, and 1986. He scored 386 points in his career. North Dakota State was 47-5-1 in Bentrim’s four years and was 11-1 in playoff games, all of which he started.
In the regular season, Bentrim rushed for 64 touchdowns and passed for 24. Those 64 rushing TDs are a record for regular-season NCAA games, breaking the record of 63 held by Walter Payton of Jackson State.
In postseason action, he rushed for another 17 touchdowns and passed for five. In 1986, he was named an All-American and won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the best player in Division II. Jeff Bentrim’s collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1998.
Jeff Bentrim solidifies his legacy as the ultimate winner in college football history by combining physical toughness with flawless decision-making. He leaves behind an immortal resume at North Dakota State, guiding the Bison to an era of total dominance in the 1980s. By achieving unparalleled milestones—like becoming the first man to win three consecutive NCAA scoring titles—Bentrim proves that true gridiron greatness transcends division levels. Today, his enshrinement in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame guarantees his legendary status endures forever.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1998.
- Harlon Hill Trophy: Won the inaugural award in 1986 as the most valuable player in Division II.
- 3× NCAA Division II National Champion: Led North Dakota State to national titles in 1983, 1985, and 1986.
- First-Team All-American: Selected as a first-team All-America quarterback in 1986.
- 3× NCAA Division II Scoring Champion: Led the nation in scoring in 1984, 1985, and 1986.
- CFL Grey Cup Champion: Won the Grey Cup in 1989 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
- NCAA Rushing Record: Set the record for career regular-season rushing touchdowns with 64, breaking Walter Payton’s previous mark of 63.
- Bison Athletic Hall of Fame: Inducted into the North Dakota State University Hall of Fame in 2001.
- North Central Conference MVP: Named the most valuable player in the league in 1986.