The North Dakota State Bison took care of business during Homecoming week and beat an overmatched Missouri State team, 38-11

Easton Stick was efficient, going 15 of 21 for 220 passing yards and 2 touchdowns while Bruce Anderson and Lance Dunn combined for 197 yards rushing on just 21 carries and 3 touchdowns between the two of them.

The Missouri State Bears tried to play keep away for much of the first half as they had the ball for more than 20 minutes and managed to stay in the game as the Bison held a 17-5 lead at the half.

The scoring got started when Stick led an 8 play, 90 yard drive that ended with a 32-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Illies to go up 7-0 after the Bison’s opening possession to start the game. After a Bears punt, NDSU used the Anderson and Dunn show on a 4 play, 81 yard drive. Anderson started it with a 35-yard run, followed by a 26-yard pass reception. Dunn ended the drive two plays later when he scored on an 18-yard run to make it 14-0.

Missouri St. moved the ball well on their next possession before being turned away on downs by the Bison defense at the 2-yard line. On the next play, Dunn was tackled in the end zone for a safety making it 14-2. The Bears were looking to strike again after the free kick gave them the ball back, but Tre Dempsey intercepted Peyton Huslig at the NDSU 10-yard line. It was the first of 3 interceptions on the day forced by the Bison defense. From there, the teams would exchange field goals before the half.

The Bison started to pull away in the third quarter. After a James Hendricks interception, Lance Dunn turned the corner and ran in a touchdown from 44-yards out. Dunn finished with 91 yards on 10 carries and the 2 touchdowns.

NDSU would pour it on in the fourth quarter. Robbie Grimsley’s interception gave the Bison a short field before Stick hit R.J. Urzendowski on 26-yard touchdown score to make it 31-5. The next Bison possession, Bruce Anderson scored on. 46-yard touchdown run to make it 38-5. He finished with 106 yards rushing on 11 carries and the touchdown.

The Bison defense allowed just 234 total yards on the afternoon to go along with their 3 interceptions.

NDSU (4-0, 1-0) will play at Indiana St. at noon next Saturday.

 

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