FARGO, N.D. -- Easton Stick threw for 188 yards and a score and added 83 yards rushing and two touchdowns and North Dakota State controlled the clock for nearly 41 minutes in its 36-10 victory over South Dakota State in the FCS quarterfinals on Saturday.
The Bison have won 22 consecutive postseason games.
Stick's first touchdown, a 3-yard run, capped a 20-play, 82 -yard drive that consumed 12 minutes, nine seconds and gave North Dakota State (12-1) a 14-10 lead with 1:48 left in the first half.
"Where it helps us is keeping that offense they have on the sideline," North Dakota State Coach Chris Klieman said. "It gives our defense time to make an adjustment and gives our offense a ton of momentum."
"That's huge. We talk about staying on the field," Stick said. "Guys executed and made some big plays on that drive."
A 5-yard touchdown run by Brady Mengarelli and a 34-yard field goal by Chase Vinatieri gave the Jackrabbits (9-4) a 10-0 lead with 4:33 left in the first quarter. Lance Dunn's 49-yard scoring run about three minutes later was the first of 36 unanswered points for the Bison.
The Bison had 302 yards rushing and 490 total yards. King Frazier had 15 carries for 101 yards and Lance Dunn added 91 yards rushing and a touchdown.
In other games Saturday in the FCS quarterfinals, Gage Gubrud finished 21 for 32 for 287 yards and three touchdowns, all three in the first half, to lead No. 2 Eastern Washington (12-1) past Richmond 38-0. Cooper Kupp had six receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. Richmond (10-4) fumbled four times in the first half to put Eastern Washington, which has won 11 consecutive, up 21-0 at halftime. ... Trevor McCaster scored on a 2-yard run, Youngstown State (11-3) made two defensive stands in overtime and the Penguins defeated Wofford 30-23 in double overtime. Wofford (10-4) turned the ball over on downs on the first overtime possession, failing twice to gain 1 yard from the 2-yard line. The Penguins then missed a 37-yard field goal before McCaster capped their second possession. On the Terriers final possession, the Youngstown defense stuffed two running players before two pass attempts that weren't close to being completed.
DIVISION II
NW Missouri St. advances
MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Cameron Wilcox rushed for two touchdowns, Jonathan Baker threw for 139 yards and a score and top-seeded and defending champion Northwest Missouri State defeated Ferris State (Michigan) 35-20 on Saturday to reach the NCAA Division II title game.
As Ferris State's team left the field, hundreds of Northwest Missouri State fans rushed the field to join the players in tearing down the goalposts.
The Bearcats will defend their title against No. 3 North Alabama (11-1) at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Dec. 17.
Saturday's game was Northwest Missouri State's closest this season. Prior to Saturday's contest, the Bearcats had won every game by at least 21 points.
Leading 28-20, Northwest Missouri State (14-0) running back Phil Jackson darted into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown run to virtually seal the outcome with just under five minutes remaining.
In another game Saturday involving Division II semifinal teams, Jacob Tucker passed for a touchdown and rushed for another as North Alabama beat Shepherd 23-13. Tucker, a Harlon Hill finalist, went 12 for 27 for 178 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 113 yards. North Alabama (11-1) advanced to the Division II national championship in Kansas City on Dec. 17. Shepherd (13-1), which made its third trip to the semifinals, seemed to gain some momentum on defense as they kept North Alabama out of the end zone during the entire second half Saturday.
Sports on 12/11/2016