NDSU Survives Scare, Defeats SDSU 27-24 in Fargo

The North Dakota State Bison scored a touchdown with less than one minute to go to squeak by the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 27-24 in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Earlier in the season, the Bison defeated the Jackrabbits by 20 on the road, leading some to believe that this would be a relatively easy win for NDSU in Fargo. It was anything but easy, though.

The Bison got on the scoreboard first, after quarterback Carson Wentz hit RJ Urzendowski with a 27-yard touchdown pass at 8:42 of the first quarter.

The Bison would add a second touchdown early in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead. The Jackrabbits would fight back, though, scoring two touchdowns before the half and tying the game at 14-14.

The third quarter saw both teams kick field goals, keeping the score tied at 17-17.

In the fourth quarter, the Bison took a 20-17 lead early with a 29-yard field goal from Adam Keller. The Jackrabbits responded with a 65-yard drive, resulting in a touchdown, which gave them a 24-20 lead with a little over three minutes left to go.

Luckily, the Bison were able to drive the ball down the field 76 yards in 2:18 and put seven on the board to secure the win, 27-24, and a spot in the next round of the FCS playoffs.

Carson Wentz led the Bison with 235 yards passing and two touchdowns, both to receiver RJ Urzendowski, who had four catches for 109 yards.

NDSU will take on #7-seed Coastal Carolina in the next round of the FCS playoffs. That game will be played next weekend, December 13th, at the FargoDome.

[ESPN]