The 2018 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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No. 1 NDSU 35No. 8 Colgate 0 |
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Next up: No. 4 KSU or No. 5 SDSU Date: Dec. 14 or Dec. 15 | TV: ESPN2 COMPARE: Colgate vs. NDSU |
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PREDICTIONS: What Did We Get Wrong In The Quarterfinals?
THE STANDOUTS
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Easton Stick, QB, NDSU — Stick was efficient in the passing game, going 14-19 for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns.
OTHER STAT STANDOUTS:
Bruce Anderson RB, NDSU – 12 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD
Derrek Tuszka, DE, NDSU – 3 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFLs
James Holland, RB, Colgate – 11 carries, 65 yards
T.J. Holl, LB, Colgate – 16 total tackles, 3 TFLs
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THE TURNING POINT
While Colgate battled tough after a quick 7-0 deficit, the Bison still held control of the game with a 14-0 edge at halftime. NDSU put the icing on the game right away in the second half, though. An eight play, 70-yard drive made it 21-0, a deficit this Colgate offense wasn't going to be able to overcome.
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THE SKINNY
The Raiders were better than maybe some people anticipated. It looked like this could turn ugly early after the Bison needed just four plays to go 96 yards to open the scoring. But Colgate dug in and made the Bison earn every point.
While NDSU held a 210-76 total yard advantage at halftime, it was only 14-0. The Bison's depth and size then wore on Colgate in the second half.
The Bison scored twice in three minutes in the third quarter and added another late in the fourth quarter.
The final score of 35-0 suggests an easy game for the Bison. That's not necessarily the case. Colgate didn't allow them to coast to a win like last week's NDSU opponent, Montana State.
The Raiders no doubt belonged in the quarterfinals. The Bison are just a different beast at this point in the season.
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PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK
It's going to take a monumental effort for either Kennesaw State or South Dakota State to knock off this Bison team. This looks like a senior-laden squad on a mission and a team that is playing as good as it ever has since this run started in 2011.
SDSU has won in the Fargodome before. And KSU's speed could be dangerous indoors and on turf. Who knows what's going to happen with the Chris Klieman to Kansas State rumors and if that distraction will be a factor. But it certainly didn't look like that was the case today.
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THE REST OF THE GAMES
