The Bismarck Roughriders enjoyed incredibly successful regular seasons in the NIFL. Unfortunately, the Roughriders were unable to go deep in the playoffs. In 2002, Bismarck finished the regular season with only three losses. Bismarck played Billings four times and won three of the games. However, when the two teams met in the semifinals, after a 69-40 drubbing of Omaha, the Roughriders would fall to the Outlaws, 59-56. In 2003, the Roughriders lost only four games and would clinch their second playoff berth in a row. After defeating the Omaha Beef 39-38 in Nebraska, Omaha returned the favor with a convincing 72-49 victory in the playoffs. The Bismarck Roughriders folded after the 2003 season.