North Dakota State (12-1) scored 36 unanswered points as they ran away from South Dakota State, 36-10, avenging their lone loss of the season, and advancing in the FCS Playoffs.

The Bison fell behind early in the first quarter, 10-0 before they were sparked by a Lance Dunn 49-yard touchdown run that ignited the offense and they didn't stop. In the second quarter, Easton Stick finished off a 20-play, 82-yard drive that 12:09 off the clock, with a 3-yard touchdown run and the Bison headed to halftime up, 14-10. From there on, they never looked back.

Early in the third quarter, after Stick threw an interception that was down at the SDSU 1-yard line, the Bison capitalized with a safety just two plays later to make it 16-10. Two field goals from Cam Pederson (35, 45) made it a 22-10 lead at the end of three quarters.

NDSU would pour it on in the fourth quarter. Stick added another score on a 14-yard touchdown scramble that capped off a 90-yard drive. The next possession, Darrius Shepherd took a swing pass from Stick and scampered down the field 67 yards to the end zone to finish off the scoring.

The Bison defense held the Jackrabbits (9-4) to just 192 yards of total offense. SDSU quarterback Taryn Christion went 13 of 17 for 155 yards and an interception. The Jackrabbits' running game never got going as NDSU's defense held them to just 37 yards rushing.

Easton Stick finished 12 of 21 for 188 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also added 83 rushing yards on 13 carries. King Frazier had 15 carries for 101 yards, and Lance Dunn ran 13 times for 91 yards. The Bison racked up 302 yards on the ground for the game. Darrius Shepherd finished with 105 yards receiving on 4 catches.

NDSU advances to the semifinals next weekend, and will take on 4th seeded James Madison, who were 65-7 winners over Sam Houston St.

Source: ESPN

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