South Dakota State University delivered the first punch on Saturday in the FCS quarterfinals against North Dakota State University.
SDSU scored on their first two possessions to jump out to a 10-0 lead over NDSU with 4:33 left in the first quarter in the Fargodome.
That’s when NDSU would start to slug their way back into the game.
On the ensuing possession, Lance Dunn broke free for a 49-yard rushing touchdown before the end of the first quarter.
Then, Stick would cap off a 20 play, 82-yard drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown on NDSU’s next offensive possession. The Bison chewed up 12 minutes and 9 seconds on the drive and would never relinquish the lead from that point.
The Bison would go on to win 36-10 over the Jackrabbits.
NDSU would finish with 302 rushing yards and held the football for 40 minutes and 55 seconds in the game.
King Frazier paced the Bison with 102 yards rushing on 15 attempts and 1 touchdown.
After passing for over 300 yards in the first game, Taryn Christion was limited to just 155 yards through the air. Christion finished 13-17, with 1 interception and 0 touchdown’s.
The Jackrabbits finish the season 9-4 overall.
NDSU (12-1 overall) will host James Madison (12-1 overall) in the FCS semifinals on Friday at 6 p.m.
Notes:
- Darrius Shepherd’s 67-yard touchdown reception was a career long.
- Dallas Goedert and Jake Wieneke finished with a combined 11 receptions for 130 yards.
- SDSU rushed the football 22 times for 37 yards.
Scoring plays:
Brady Mengarelli rushes a 5-yard touchdown with 11:16 left in the first quarter. Chase Vinatieri with the PAT. SDSU 7 NDSU 0
Vinatieri drills a 34-yard field goal with 4:33 left in the first quarter. SDSU 10 NDSU 0
Lance Dunn rushes for a 49-yard rushing touchdown with 1:29 left in the first quarter. Cam Pedersen with the PAT. SDSU 10 NDSU 7
Easton Stick rushes for a 3-yard touchdown with 1:48 left in the second quarter. Pedersen with the PAT. NDSU 14 SDSU 10
Grant Morgan tackles Mengarelli in the end zone for the safety for NDSU with 9:13 left in the third quarter. NDSU 16 SDSU 10
Pederson connects on a 35-yard field goal with 5:27 left in the third quarter. NDSU 19 SDSU 10
Pederson makes a 45-yard field goal with 1:29 left in the third quarter. NDSU 22 SDSU 10
Stick rushes for a 15-yard touchdown with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter. Pederson with the PAT. NDSU 29 SDSU 10.
Stick throws to Darrius Shepherd for a 67-yard touchdown reception with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter. Pedersen with the PAT. NDSU 36 SDSU 10
