North Dakota State and Sam Houston State hit the Fargodome Friday night FCS Playoffs Semifinals with a spot in the FCS Championship on the line. That spot was wrapped up pretty early as after SHSU scored first to make it a 3-0 game, NDSU responded in thunderous fashion, scoring 41 first-half points to go into the break up 41-3 before rolling to a 55-13 win.
[divider]COMPARE: Easton Stick vs. Jeremiah Briscoe | NDSU vs. SHSU[divider]
Here's how the game unfolded (highlights via @NCAA_FCS):
[divider]
Sam Houston State drove nearly the length of the field to open the game but the NDSU defense stiffened in the red zone, forcing a field goal attempt and the Bearkats took a 3-0 lead. SHSU needed a fourth-down conversion along the way, and Jeremiah Briscoe found Coree Compton for 12 yards on fourth-and 5 for a big conversion.
A gutsy call on 4th down leads to a field goal for the Bearkats
SHSU 3, NDSU 0 – 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/M105Zr4CaZ— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
NDSU answered with a 10-play, 75 yard drive of their own and scored on a 6-yard run from Easton Stick as the Bison took a 7-3 lead.
TOUCHDOWN BISON!!!
NDSU 7, SHSU 3 – 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/rZ9L6xy7SW— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
The Bison struck on defense next, as Marquise Bridges stepped in front of a Briscoe slant and nabbed an interception. Bruce Anderson needed just one play on the next NDSU drive and took a handoff 62 yards to the house to make it a 14-3 game with a few minutes left in the first quarter.
The Bruce got loose!
NDSU 14, SHSU 3 – 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/QhvziT32XL— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
After forcing a SHSU punt, NDS's offense got right back on track, quickly driving down the field quickly thanks to this Ty Brooks 55-yarder and a 23-yard touchdown pass to Anderson to go up 21-3.
Ty Brooks and the Bison are rolling on the ground early
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Wxh1vQNqPJ
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
Another TD for Bruce Anderson, this time through the air
NDSU 21, SHSU 3 – 1Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/dzLSpHOvnf— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
SHSU finally forced a Bison punt early in the second quarter and had another Briscoe interception overturned on a penalty, but were forced to punt away the ball and NDSU again capitalized, with Anderson scoring from 37 yards out.
BRUUUUUUUUCE!
Make that three touchdowns on the night for Bruce Anderson…in only the second quarterNDSU 28, SHSU 3 – 2Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/qdIC7e6qXK— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
NDSU forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff setting up yet another Bruce Anderson touchdown, his fourth of the first half.
Bruce Anderson. Touchdown. Again.
NDSU 35, SHSU 3 – 2Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/yD5YzHUXsF— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
The first-half scoring wasn't finished as Stick found tight end Jeff Illies for a 12-yard touchdown. The extra point snap was dropped and the Bison took a 41-3 lead with under a minute left in the half.
Great concentration by Jeff Illies as he joins the Bison's touchdown party
NDSU 41, SHSU 3 – 2Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/oJR1ZHQT24— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
Sam Houston threatened late in the first half but Jeremiah Briscoe threw an interception into the hands of Tre Dempsey, who nearly took it back for points as NDSU went into the half up 41-3.
Sam Houston State was driving at the end of the first half, but the Bison defense comes up big again
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/VqBHMl8WcA
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
After SHSU drove for a field goal out of the break, NDSU stormed down the field on two plays — a 58-yard Seth Wilson run and a Stick-Ben Ellefson 17-yard touchdown connection to make it a 48-6 game.
The Bearkats finally put a touchdown on the board when Briscoe tossed a fade route to Nathan Stewart, who tipped the ball to himself on a circus catch to put up six points as SHSU crept a little closer, 48-13.
What. A. Catch.#SCTop10
NDSU 48, SHSU 13 – 3Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/EJ66HcP9TO— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
Bruce Anderson scored his fifth touchdown of the day — a 31-yard catch-and-run screen pass from Stick, to put NDSU up 55-13.
Bruce Anderson just scored another touchdown! Make it 5 for the night…and counting…
NDSU 55, SHSU 13 – 3Q
#FCSPlayoffs on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/uQJzQckA3G— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 16, 2017
SHSU later threatened to score in the fourth quarter, but Briscoe threw his second interception in the end zone — this one Bridges' second pick of the game, as NDSU stopped the Bearkats from inside the 5 yard line. The Bison ran out the clock to finish off the win.
