North Dakota State defeats South Dakota State 28-21 in FCS semifinals to advance to Frisco

An inside stunt on a North Dakota Stateblitz led Jaxon Duttenhefer and Loshiaka Roques to land the game-winning sack on South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski on fourth down. North Dakota State takes over possession and South Dakota State only has one timeout. The Bison will win the game!

FRISCOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)

Bryce Lance. All he needed was one hand for his third touchdown of the day that put North Dakota State up seven points late in the fourth quarter. The catch puts Lance in sole possession of the single-season Bison receiving TD record.

South Dakota State will try to answer with 4:02 remaining and three timeouts.

Unreal. Absolutely unreal.

BRYCE. LANCE.

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)

After a dormant third quarter, it took North Dakota State just three plays to go 70 yards and find the end zone. Quarterback Cam Miller found wide receiver Bryce Lance for the duo's third touchdown of the day, this time from 47-yards out — the longest play of the day.

The score gives Lance five touchdowns for 115 yards and two scores. He's tied the North Dakota State single-season receiving touchdowns record at 15.

TOUCHDOWN, Bison!

47-yard strike from Cam to Bryce!

Bryce Lance has now tied the NDSU single-season receiving TDs record with No. 1⃣5⃣!

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)

North Dakota State and South Dakota State went scoreless in the third quarter. There were five punts on all five drives, with South Dakota State facing a third-and-seven at its own 19-yard line when play resumes.

While there wasn't much offensively, the defenses stood out.

North Dakota State had four tackles for loss. South Dakota State had two tackles for loss and forced a fumble that it didn't recover.

See stats through three quarters below

North Dakota State and South Dakota State are tied at 14 apiece after the first half. It's been a tightly-contested battle as most battles between the two rivals are.

South Dakota State has been able to lean on its running attack, gaining 111 yards to NDSU's 53. Amar Johnson and Mark Gronowski have scored on the ground.

Meanwhile, Cam Miller has accounted for both North Dakota State touchdowns, scoring once with his legs and once with his arm. Miller also has been efficient, completing six of seven passes.

The biggest play of the first half was the lone turnover, a fumble by Amar Johnson that gave North Dakota State the ball in Jackrabbit territory. 

When play resumes, North Dakota State will receive the second half kick. See first half stats below.

Points off turnovers! After a 12-yard pass to Bryce Lance, North Dakota State ran the ball six straight plays until it found the end zone. It was Cam Miller running off the right edge for a two-yard score which tied the game up.

TOUCHDOWN, Bison!

We're all tied up.

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)

Amar Johnson made plenty of defenders miss on a 39-yard touchdown run that featured both a hurdle and a stiff arm. The run gives the Jackrabbits 100 yards on the ground today and puts them in front 14-7.

The touchdown capped off an 86-yard scoring drive. In total, South Dakota State is outscoring opponents in the second quarter 238-43 this year.

Amar Johnson. Big. Time. Run.

39 yards and a 14-7 Jackrabbit lead

📽️ » ABC/NCAA🐰🏈

— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB)

We're tied after the first quarter in the Dakota Marker rematch. After both teams matched each other on their scoring drives, South Dakota State forced a three-and-out on North Dakota State after the Bison false started on fourth down and were forced to punt.

When play resumes, South Dakota State will have the ball at its own 42 yard line facing second-and-four. See first quarter stats below.

The Cam Miller-Bryce Lance connection is cooking early. The duo connected twice for games of 30 and 21 yards on North Dakota State's opening drive, with the latter catch going for a touchdown. 

Miller 🎯 Lance

TOUCHDOWN, Bison!

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball)