The 2017 FCS Playoffs are here and we've got game-by-game wrap ups.
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
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San Diego 3North Dakota State 38 |
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Next up: North Dakota State vs. Wofford (10-2) Date/Time: TBA, TV: ESPN3 COMPARE: NDSU vs. Wofford |
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THE STANDOUTS
Easton Stick, QB — NDSU: 9 of 16, 171 yards, 3 TD; 8 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
Nick DeLuca, LB — NDSU: 2 sacks, 1 INT
Bruce Anderson, RB — NDSU: 14 carries, 112 yards
Jonathan Petersen, DE — USD: 3 sacks, 1 FF
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THE TURNING POINT
North Dakota State came out of the halftime break leading 17-0. They immediately went on an 8-play, 65-yard scoring drive capped by a 23-yard touchdown run from Ty Brooks to extend the lead to 24-0. The game was never really in doubt, but the Bison came out of the half blazing and clearly weren't going to slip up.
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THE SKINNY
For the second straight season the Toreros proved they were worthy of their appearance in the FCS playoffs, but for the second straight season the bracket dictated that San Diego would make a trip to the Fargodome. And for the second straight season, the Bison advanced.
The Bison dominated every aspect of the game — total yards were 472-174 in NDSU's favor, the Bison had 20 first downs to USD's 10, and NDSU held San Diego to just one third down conversion on 14 attempts.
Easton Stick was stellar, controlling the game with his arm and legs, and the NDSU defense kept the Toreros out of the end zone, only allowing a 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
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Don't overlook
In the loss, San Diego defensive end Jonathan Petersen became the all-time FCS leader in total sacks after notching three sacks (including a strip sack) to bring his career total to 44.
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PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK
NDSU will take on a Wofford team that rolled past Furman 28-10 on Saturday. Wofford is 10-2 on the season with its only losses coming against Samford and FBS South Carolina.
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THE PREDICTION
The Bison are rolling, and while Wofford's triple option is tricky, NDSU excels in the trenches and it boasts a stable full of linebacker talent. The Bison will survive and advance.
Score prediction: NDSU 38, Wofford 17[divider]
