FCS Playoffs 2022-23: Date, Schedule for NDSU vs. SDSU Championship
Dec 18, 2022
BROOKINGS, SD - OCTOBER 29: South Dakota State Jackrabbits Running back Isaiah Davis (22) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the college football game between the Indiana State Sycamores and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on October 29th, 2022, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The No. 1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits will face the No. 3 North Dakota State Bison in a huge rivalry matchup in the 2023 FCS championship game Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas, following a 39-18 win over No. 4 Montana State on Saturday.
South Dakota State is back in the championship game for the first time since 2020 and is looking for its first title in program history.
The Bison, meanwhile, have been the most dominant team in the FCS over the last decade-plus. They clinched a berth in the FCS title game for the 10th time in the past 12 seasons with a 35-32 win over Incarnate Word on Friday.
North Dakota State is aiming to win its 10th FCS title, all of which have come since 2011.
Here's a look at the schedule for the championship game and a deeper dive into each program's playoff run.
Championship Schedule
No. 1 South Dakota State vs. No. 3 North Dakota State: Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. ET
Tale of the Tape
The rivalry between South Dakota State and North Dakota State dates all the way back to 1903. The Jackrabbits dominated play through 1963, but since then, the Bison have been in command despite three straight losses dating back to the 2021 season.
North Dakota State leads the series against South Dakota State 63-45-5.
The Jackrabbits and Bison met Oct. 15, and South Dakota won 23-21 after trailing 21-7 entering halftime. SDSU scored on all four of its second-half possessions and kept NDSU off the board after halftime to claim the win.
The Jackrabbits and Bisons have met in the FCS playoffs four times—2012 second round, 2014 second round, 2016 quarterfinals and 2018 semifinals—and North Dakota State won each matchup.
South Dakota State's Run to the Final
As the No. 1 seed, South Dakota State earned a first-round bye after going 10-1 in the regular season.
They began their run to the title game with a 42-6 win over Delaware in the second round behind a 104-yard, two-touchdown performance from running back Isaiah Davis.
The Jackrabbits then defeated No. 8 Holy Cross 42-21 in the quarterfinals behind a respectable performance from quarterback Mark Gronowski, who completed 12 of 22 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 47 yards and one score.
In Saturday's semifinal matchup against No. 4 Montana State, SDSU won 39-18 on another three-touchdown performance by Gronowski, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another score.
Gronowski and Davis have been SDSU's biggest performers this postseason, and the Jackrabbits will need both to be at their best if they want to claim the title over North Dakota State.
North Dakota State's Run to the Final
North Dakota State secured a first-round bye and the No. 3 seed after going 9-2 in the regular season.
The Bison earned a 49-26 win over Montana in the second round behind brilliant rushing performances from running backs Kobe Johnson (206 yards, two touchdowns) and TaMerik Williams (101 yards, one touchdown).
From there, NDSU defeated No. 9 Samford 27-9 in the quarterfinals behind a two-touchdown performance by Cam Miller. The quarterback completed 15 of 18 passes for 194 yards and one touchdown, in addition to rushing for 21 yards and a score.
In Friday's semifinal matchup against No. 7 Incarnate Word, North Dakota State won 35-32 thanks to a three-touchdown performance from Johnson.
The Bison offense has been somewhat one-dimensional this postseason as Miller has thrown for just 257 yards in three games. The running game has been outstanding, but the passing game needs to get going if NDSU hopes to claim another title.
North Dakota State Routs Montana State 38-10 to Claim 9th FCS Championship
Jan 8, 2022
FRISCO, TX - JANUARY 08: Cody Mauch #70 and Hunter Luepke #44 of the North Dakota State Bison celebrate a touchdown against the Montana State Bobcats during the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 8, 2022 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
The North Dakota State Bison returned to the top of FCS on Saturday with a 38-10 demolition of the Montana State Bobcats in the FCS Championship Game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
With Saturday's win, NDSU has now won nine of the past 11 FCS titles and improved its record in FCS Championship Games to a perfect 9-0.
While the Bison have boasted some top-flight talent at quarterback over the past several years, including Carson Wentz of the Indianapolis Colts and Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday's win was largely the result of a dominant running game and a suffocating defense.
North Dakota State rushed for 380 yards and four touchdowns on 53 carries as a team against Montana State.
Three players rushed for at least 82 yards in the contest, including Hunter Luepke, who finished with 82 yards and three touchdowns. The Bison also got 106 yards out of Kobe Johnson and 98 yards from Quincy Patterson.
NDSU's defense performed at an elite level as well, holding the Bobcats to 335 total yards and a 5-of-15 conversion rate on third downs.
One key factor in Montana State's offensive struggles was the fact that true freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott suffered an apparent leg injury on the first drive of the game and had to be removed.
Mellott didn't start his first game until the FCS playoffs, but he played a big role in Montana State reaching the title game, as he rushed for 411 yards and six touchdowns in three playoff wins.
With Mellott unable to continue, junior Tucker Rovig replaced him and struggled to the tune of 156 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 13-of-28 passing.
NDSU essentially put the game out of reach in the first half by taking a 28-0 lead and rushing for 270 yards.
Of those four touchdowns, three were scored by Luepke:
The Bison get on the board first with the big TD run! 💪
With the Bison blowing the Bobcats out of the water, former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee, ESPN's Matt Miller and SiriusXM's Boston Connor all marveled at NDSU's dominance:
This North Dakota State squad is BEATING THE LIVING BREATHING HELLLLLLL aht of Montana State in the Natty right now
Rather than allowing Montana State to potentially get back in the game during the third quarter, North Dakota State kept its foot on the gas pedal.
Quarterback Cam Miller helped extend the NDSU lead to 35-0 just 2:26 into the third quarter with his first touchdown of the day on a 35-yard pass to tight end Josh Babicz:
A little misdirection sends Josh Babicz into the end zone!
Montana State did manage to get into the end zone in the fourth quarter, but it was far too late at that point, as the celebrations had already begun for the Bison.
FCS Playoffs 2021-22: Date, Schedule for Montana State vs. North Dakota Championship
Dec 18, 2021
Montana State wide receiver Nate Stewart (10) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against South Dakota State in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)
The No. 2 North Dakota State Bison will face the No. 8 Montana State Bobcats for the 2021 FCS championship on Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State is looking for its ninth national championship in 10 years, while Montana State will be aiming for just its second title in program history.
The Bobcats have not won the FCS title since 1984, when they defeated Louisiana Tech 19-6 under head coach Dave Arnold. The Bison last won the title in 2019 with a 28-20 win over James Madison under current head coach Matt Entz.
Montana State and North Dakota State have met just three times in the playoffs—2010 second round, 2014 first round and 2019 semifinal—with the Bison winning each matchup by a significant margin.
Championship Schedule
No. 2 North Dakota State vs. No. 8 Montana State: Saturday, Jan. 8 at noon ET
North Dakota State's Run to the Final
The Bison earned a first-round bye and the second overall seed after going 10-1 in the regular season. They began their championship pursuit with a 38-7 win over the Southern Illinois Salukis in the second round behind a two-touchdown performance from junior running back TaMerik Williams.
North Dakota State then steamrolled the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 27-3 in the quarterfinals with another two-score performance from Williams and a 123-passing-yard performance from sophomore quarterback Cam Miller.
In the semifinals, the Bison defeated the James Madison Dukes 20-14 with a two-touchdown performance from Miller and a 199-yard, two-touchdown day for junior fullback Hunter Luepke.
Williams, Miller and Luepke have been big performers for the Bison throughout the 2021 season. Williams has 115 carries for 718 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, in addition to two catches for 15 yards.
Meanwhile, Miller has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 1,318 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions, in addition to rushing for 176 yards and four scores. Luepke has rushed for 461 yards and five touchdowns this season, in addition to catching nine passes for 165 yards and three scores.
Montana State's Run to the Championship
The Bobcats also earned a first-round bye after going 9-2 in the regular season and began their championship run in the second round with a 26-7 win over the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks behind an incredible 181-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance from freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott.
Montana State then steamrolled the Sam Houston State Bearkats 42-19 in the quarterfinals by another impressive performance from Mellott, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more.
The Bobcats continued rolling in the semifinals with a 31-17 win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits behind Mellott, who again passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another two.
Mellott only recently took over as Montana State's starting quarterback after Matthew McKay entered the transfer portal just before the playoffs began. He has been nothing short of incredible, throwing for 500 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 410 yards and six scores in three games.
Other big performers for the Bobcats include junior running back Isaiah Ifanse, who has rushed for 1,539 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, and senior wide receiver Lance McCutcheon, who has caught 53 passes for 1,015 yards and seven scores this year.
FCS Playoffs 2021: Dates, Schedule, Teams, Bracket and More
Nov 28, 2021
HARRISONBURG, VA - May 02: A view of the NCAA FCS logo on the sidelines during the second half of the NCAA Division I FCS Football Championship Quarterfinal game between the James Madison Dukes and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bridgeforth Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Saturday marked the first day of the FCS playoffs, with eight games across the country setting things up for a second round next weekend that will bring the top eight teams in the rankings into the fold.
Defending champion Sam Houston State is the No. 1 overall seed in this year's tournament. The Bearkats finished the regular season 10-0 and have won 21 straight games overall dating back to November 2019.
No. 2 North Dakota State (10-1) will be seeking its ninth national title since 2011. The Bison lost to Sam Houston State in the quarterfinals of last year's playoffs, ending their quest for a fourth consecutive title.
Looking ahead to the second round of the playoffs, here's a recap of Saturday's first-round results and the upcoming schedule.
Holy Cross (10-2) vs. No. 5 Villanova (9-2), Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. ET
Eastern Washington (10-2) vs. No. 6 Montana (9-2), Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET
Kennesaw State (11-1) vs. No. 7 East Tennessee State (10-1), Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. ET
Southeastern Louisiana (9-3) vs. No. 3 James Madison (10-1), Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. ET
Incarnate Word (10-2) vs. No. 1 Sam Houston State (10-0), Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. ET
Southern Illinois (8-4) vs. No. 2 North Dakota State (10-1), Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Tennessee-Martin (10-2) vs. No. 8 Montana State (9-2), Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. ET
South Dakota State (9-3) vs. No. 4 Sacramento State (9-2), Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. ET
Preview
Sam Houston State and North Dakota State could be on a collision course to the title game, but the path to that point is going include several major obstacles.
ESPN's Bill Connelly has No. 3 James Madison with the second favorite to reach the championship game thanks in part to ranking in the top 20 in both offense and defense:
The Dukes fell by a single point to Villanova in October and responded by winning their last six games by an average of 38-13. Before they head off to the Sun Belt, can they win their second national title in six years? In terms of high-level offense and defense, they might be the most balanced team in the country.
The Bison are a favorite to reach the title game, according to Connelly, but they haven't been a juggernaut all year. They only beat North Dakota by six points and Missouri State by seven points. Their lone defeat was against South Dakota State on Nov. 6.
It's certainly hard to bet against North Dakota State given its success this season and its reputation. The program has won eight of the past 10 national titles.
Since Cam Miller took over as the Bison's starting quarterback on Oct. 30 against Indiana State, the offense has scored at least 44 points in three of four games. Opponents have scored a total of 70 points during that span.
Sam Houston State has really only been tested twice this season. in back-to-back games against Central Arkansas (45-35) and Stephen F. Austin (21-20).
In six games since that close call against Stephen F. Austin in Week 2, the Bearkats have beaten their opponents by an average of 29.3 points per contest.
Saturday's game against Incarnate Word is the first time Sam Houston State has played an opponent ranked in the FCS Top 25 since the opener against Central Arkansas.
If there's a potential spoiler in the field, No. 5 Villanova has a ceiling on offense that can cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses. Rayjoun Pringle averaged 20.2 yards per reception and caught seven touchdown passes during the regular season.
Jaaron Hayek led the Wildcats with 37 receptions and eight touchdowns in 11 games. Quarterback Daniel Smith and running backs Jalen Jackson and Justin Covington combined for 1,484 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
Villanova has two losses this season, with one coming against Penn State, 38-17, at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 25. Its other defeat came against William & Mary, 31-18, on Oct. 30.
No. 1 North Dakota St.'s 39-Game FCS Winning Streak Snapped by Southern Illinois
Feb 27, 2021
North Dakota State head football coach Chris Klieman leads the Bison onto the field for an of an NCAA college football game against Incarnate Word Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State's FCS-record 39-game winning streak came to a screeching halt Saturday against Southern Illinois.
The longest winning streak in FCS history comes to an end at 39 games with a whimper, as SIU dismantles #1 NDSU, 38-14. https://t.co/M4kB5ZW8Gp
The Salukis upset the No. 1-ranked Bison 38-14 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, ending the most dominant run in the history of FCS football.
Southern Illinois' defense held NDSU to just 268 yards in the game and forced two turnovers, while the Salukis imposed their will on the ground with 170 rushing yards in the win.
Romeir Elliott and Javon Williams Jr. combined for 129 of those yards on the ground and each rushed for two touchdowns.
PerReddit CFB, North Dakota State's 39-game winning streak goes down as the third-longest in Division I college football history. The only programs with longer winning streaks are Oklahoma, which won 47 in a row from 1953 to 1957, and Washington, which won 40 straight from 1908 to 1914.
Bryan Fischer of Athlon Sports noted that Alabama now has the longest active winning streak in college football at 14, and he listed the rest of the top five as well:
North Dakota State and Southern Illinois now both sit at 2-1 for the spring campaign.
The Bison went undefeated in each of their past two seasons, going 15-0 in 2018 and 16-0 in 2019. They also won six in a row to close out the 2017 season after a 33-21 to rival South Dakota State, which was their last defeat prior to Saturday.
North Dakota State entered this season having won three consecutive FCS national titles and eight of the past nine.
A big reason for their success in recent years has been quarterback play, as current Indianapolis Colts and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz led the way from 2012 to 2015 and likely 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance was the starter in 2019.
The Bison did not play an official game during the 2020 fall college football season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they since lost Lance to the draft.
Zeb Noland started at quarterback Saturday, and he went just 13-of-24 for 159 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
With their record winning streak now a thing of the past, the Bison will look to get back on track next Saturday against the winless Missouri State Bears.
Trey Lance Leaving North Dakota State to Focus on Training for 2021 NFL Draft
Oct 6, 2020
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) winds up to throw during the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game against James Madison, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Former North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance declared for the 2021 NFL draft Tuesday, per Yahoo Sports'Pete Thamel.
Lance made his decision after North Dakota State announced in August it would not play football in the fall and would attempt to hold the season in the spring.
"It's a little bit mind-boggling for me," he told Thamel. "It's been a heck of a ride for the last year. I've learned a ton, I've grown a ton as a person and a football player. I honestly have to give all the credit to the guys around me, to the strength staff and coaching staff and guys I've played with."
Lance added that it "was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life, without a doubt."
The Missouri Valley Football Conferencepostponedits season to the spring amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bison did end up playing one game, beating Central Arkansas 39-28 on Saturday. Lance finished 15-of-30 for 149 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Lance was already considered one of the top players in the 2021 NFL draft class. He was rated No. 4 overall by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller in his initial big board. The Minnesota native joins Clemson's Trevor Lawrence as the top quarterbacks available.
Even with just one full season playing at the college level, Lance was incredible as a redshirt freshman in 2019 while leading the Bison to an FCS championship.
The 6'4" quarterback finished last year with 2,786 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions in 16 games. He also added 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
In the FCS Championship Game, Lance took over with 160 rushing yards to lead his team to a win over James Madison.
While some will question the numbers versus weaker competition, the quarterback has impressed scouts with both his physical and mental abilities on the field.
Daniel Jeremiahof NFL Network compared Lance to Andrew Luck as a prospect, noting both had good athleticism and impressive maturity.
"More than anything else, these are two guys who exude confidence on the field," Jeremiah wrote. "They are fearless, but they avoid being reckless. That's a very delicate balance."
Considering he was just a freshman last year, there is still room for the talented player to grow.
The question for NFL teams is whether he has done enough to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft or close to it.
A limited amount of game tape against mostly inferior competition and what is in effect a whole year off could create too many question marks for teams trying to invest in a franchise quarterback. It puts more pressure on the predraft workouts for one of the most intriguing prospects in years.
Trey Lance Draws Andrew Luck Comparison from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah
Jul 15, 2020
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game against James Madison, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
North Dakota State's Trey Lance is one of the quarterbacks to watch during the 2020 college football season (assuming there is one amid the COVID-19 pandemic).
And despite playing for a smaller school, Lance is already garnering big comparisons. The NFL Network's draft guru, Daniel Jeremiah, sees a lot of Andrew Luck in Lance's game:
"I know Luck is a little bit bigger, but they are similar athletes and they both played with a maturity beyond their age at the collegiate level. I remember watching Luck run over defenders. I also remember being so impressed with his ability to execute on key plays in every game. I see the same things when I study Lance. More than anything else, these are two guys who exude confidence on the field. They are fearless, but they avoid being reckless. That's a very delicate balance. Luck was on his way to a Hall of Fame career before shocking the football world and retiring a year ago. I don't have quite the same grade on Lance, but he could get there with continued growth and development."
Lance has good size for the position (6'3", 224 lbs) and had an excellent 2019 season, throwing for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions while completing 66.9 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 scores.
Those are massive numbers on their own. But don't ignore that North Dakota State has also become something of a burgeoning quarterback factory in recent years. Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Carson Wentz is an NDSU alum. So is Los Angeles Chargers' fifth-round pick Easton Stick.
The QB1 of the 2021 draft is expected to be a battle between Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. However, @MoveTheSticks and I believe another QB (Trey Lance) should be included in the conversation. We had a lively discussion on the MTS podcast today.. pic.twitter.com/mEHnCGtmDe
Trey Lance has certainly caught the eyes of the NFL scouting community as a dynamic player with outstanding skills. It doesn’t take long to see his talent and potential as a future QB1 in the next level... He’s a good one https://t.co/lFSGV3EOzl
Comparing him to Luck is major praise. Before shocking the world by retiring before the age of 30, Luck was a four-time Pro Bowler who had thrown for 4,593 yards, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2018, completing 67.3 percent of his passes.
If Lance ends up being anything close to Luck, he'll have had a successful career and made an organization very happy. For now, of course, he has to prove his superb 2019 season wasn't a fluke.
North Dakota State Beats James Madison 28-20 for 3rd Straight FCS Championship
Jan 11, 2020
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) runs the ball as James Madison safety D'Angelo Amos (24) pursues during the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
The top-seeded North Dakota State Bison defeated the No. 2 James Madison Dukes 28-20on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to win the 2019-20 FCS National Championship Game.
With the win, NDSU completed its second consecutive undefeated campaign and continued its dominance over the FCS by winning its eighth national title in the past nine seasons. Meanwhile, James Madison lost to North Dakota State in the National Championship Game for the second time in three years.
One day after NDSU quarterback Trey Lance became the first freshman to win the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy—the Walter Payton Award—he led the Bison to victory thanks largely to his legs.
North Dakota State rushed for 281yards as a team in the win, and it held the Dukes to 365total yards.
The Bison defense made the pivotal play of the game as well with safety James Hendricks intercepting James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci at the goal line in the closing seconds to secure the win.
Trey Lance, QB, NDSU: 6-of-10 for 72 YDS; 30 CAR for 166 YDS and 1 TD
Adam Cofield, RB, NDSU: 7 CAR for 24 YDS and 1 TD
Phoenix Sproles, WR, NDSU: 1 CAR for 38 YDS and 1 TD; 1 REC for 13 YDS
Ben DiNucci, QB, JMU: 22-of-33 for 204 YDS, 2 TD and 1 INT
Percy Agyei-Obese, RB, JMU: 18 CAR for 73 YDS
Riley Stapleton, WR, JMU: 10 REC for 100 YDS and 2 TD
Lance Dazzles on National Stage as Bison Win 8th National Title
Despite NDSU's dominance for nearly a decade, James Madison entered Saturday's game as a slight favorite, and it was expected to be a tightly contested affair.
That is primarily because the Bison and Dukes boasted two of the best defenses in FCS this season, per ESPN Stats & Info:
The FCS National Championship Game takes place on Saturday (Noon ET, ABC) as North Dakota State - winners of an FCS record 36 straight games - goes for a 3rd straight title when they face James Madison.
The defensive excellence wasn't on full display in the early going, as JMU bled 7:33 off the clock on its first drive, which lasted 17 plays and 86 yards, and concluded with a five-yard touchdown pass from DiNucci to Riley Stapleton:
The Dukes drive their way into the end zone first!!
James Madison made a big-time statement on that drive, which meant the Bison needed to answer in impressive fashion.
They did precisely that, as Lance orchestrated a 70-yard drive in less than four minutes. After Lance set the Bison up on the 1-yard line with a 13-yard run, Adam Cofield punched it in from one yard out to tie the game:
North Dakota State struck again on its next drive after forcing James Madison to punt, and it didn't take the Bison long to assume the lead.
After a pass interference call and a 14-yard run by Lance set the Bison up in JMU territory, NDSU used some razzle dazzle, as wide receiver Phoenix Sproles scored on a 38-yard reverse that saw him fake the pitch:
Phoenix Sproles rushes for 38 yards and it's another touchdown for the Bison!!#FCSChampionship Q2 | (2) JAMES MADISON 7 | (1) NORTH DAKOTA ST. 14 pic.twitter.com/tSphLYL9k9
James Madison did manage to answer with a field goal to cut the deficit to four, but it was the Bison who entered halftime with momentum on their side.
The Dukes thought they executed a huge third-down stop late in the half, but NDSU outsmarted James Madison again with a fake field goal that saw Hendricks rush for a 20-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 11:
While the total yardage numbers were comparable in the first half and the numbers didn't indicate that North Dakota State should have a two-score lead, first-year head coach Matt Entz's willingness to call some trick plays were the difference.
Lance's ability to do damage with his legs also played a big role in NDSU's early success, including this run, which saw him plow through the entire JMU defense and give his team a ton of energy:
That seemingly began to change in the third quarter, as James Madison held North Dakota State scoreless and kicked a field goal to pull to within eight points.
Just when it looked like the Dukes were trending in the right direction, though, Lance made another highlight-reel play on a 44-yard touchdown run in the opening second of the fourth quarter to give NDSU a 15-point advantage:
It would have been easy for James Madison to pack it in against a top-flight defense at that point, but the Dukes continued to fight. They cut the lead back down to eight on another five-yard touchdown pass from DiNucci to Stapleton with 6:55 remaining.
The key play on that drive was conversion by DiNucci on a 4th-and-6 that saw him lower his head and bowl over a defender on a six-yard run:
North Dakota State had a chance to essentially put the game away on the ensuing drive, but the Dukes stopped the Bison on a 4th-and-2 and took control of the ball at their own 37 with 2:40 remaining.
JMU got the ball all the way down to the NDSU 3-yard line, but DiNucci was intercepted by Hendricks, who scored a rushing touchdown earlier in the game, which sealed the win for the Bison.
Lance wasn't asked to do much through the air, but he carries the NDSU offense with his legs and finished the season with no interceptions in 16 games, while the Bison defense came through in the clutch as well.
Donald Trump Serves McDonalds, Chick-fil-A to NDSU Football Team at White House
Mar 4, 2019
President Donald Trump once again has served fast food to a championship college football team.
The North Dakota State football team was invited to the White House Monday to celebrate its FCS championship—its seventh in the last eight years—and the players were treated to a mix of McDonald's and Chick-fil-A food:
Fast food spread at the White House for North Dakota State University Football Team. Big Macs and Chick-Fil-A. pic.twitter.com/B3iTtSHbW2
— Laura Figueroa Hernandez (@Laura_Figueroa) March 4, 2019
Easton Stick presented the #45 jersey to President Trump in the State Dining Room followed by a quick lunch. Next stop, the Oval Office! #NDSUinDCpic.twitter.com/qdFVODhEej
