There have been many nondescript regular season finales since 1894 when North Dakota State University started playing football, but 2024 will not be one of them. Top-ranked NDSU stormed past #14 Missouri State 59-21 Saturday at the Fargodome, setting up a massive game at fifth-ranked South Dakota to finish the regular season. The game in Vermillion could easily be a national championship game, but it will be a stern test for NDSU as it looks for a the top overall seed in the FCS playoffs.
But first, the battle with the Bears.
It wasn’t over early, but it didn’t take long for the home team to show the visitors it would be a long day at the office. The Bison scored on their first four possessions in a lopsided win in the annual Harvest Bowl game.
With the win, claimed at least a share of the conference title, moving to 10-1 overall and 7-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The win gave NDSU a share of its 11th league title with a chance to win it outright on Saturday at USD.
NDSU’s dominating performance began with a 52 yard Barika Kpeenu touchdown run on the second play of the game, and the Bison were literally, and figuratively, off and running.
The Bison defense made the next big statement, forcing a fumble on MSU’s next offensive play, and the Bison took advantage on the Bears’ 13-yard line. Five plays later, quarterback Cam Miller connected with Joe Stoffel on a 3 yard touchdown pass and it was quickly 14-0.
NDSU’s next drive took a little more effort. The Bison went on a 13-play, 95-yard drive capped off by a 22 yard pass from Miller to Jackson Williams, and it was 21-0 after one. The teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter. NDSU got two short passes for scores, one to Bryce Lance and one to Stoffel, while MSU countered with a rushing score and a trick play, as receiver Hunter Wood lofted a 40 yard TD pass to running back Jayden Becks, but NDSU’s big head start left the Fargodome feeling confident with the halftime score 35-14.
The Bison got a pair of long touchdown runs in the third quarter, first a 48-yard dash by CharMar Brown and then a 49-yard scamper by Kpeenu and the rout was on with a 49-14 score after three quarters.
The backups saw plenty of action in the fourth quarter as Missouri State’s touchdown was countered by a 32-yard Griffin Crosa field goal, and a 27 yard passing score from Nathan Hayes to John Gores. Win number 10 was in the books with a 59-21 final.
NEWS AND NOTES
NDSU's Barika Kpeenu rushed 10 times for a career-high 169 yards and two touchdowns, and CharMar Brown had 14 carries for 113 yards and one score as the Bison rushed for 364 yards and averaged 9.6 yards per carry.
NDSU kicker Griffin Crosa scored 11 points on eight extra-point kicks and a 32-yard field goal. Crosa finished the game with 404 points, breaking the previous school record of 399 set by kicker Cam Pedersen from 2015 to 2018.
Quarterback Cam Miller completed 17 of 24 passes for 155 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Tight end Joe Stoffel was one of four NDSU players with three receptions, including TD catches from the 3 and 1. Miller also connected with Jackson Williams on a 22-yard scoring play and Bryce Lance from 4 yards out.
NDSU outgained Missouri State 575 to 382 in total yards and held the Bears to a season-low 21 points.
The Bison had six sacks, forced four fumbles and made two recoveries. Safety Darius Givance and linebacker Marcus Gulley made five tackles apiece, defensive tackle Eli Mostaert had four stops including 1.5 sacks, and defensive end Toby Anene made four stops with one sack.
– Courtesy NDSU Sports Information
LAST DANCE
Saturday’s game marked the final regular season matchup between the Bison and the Bears. Missouri State is in its final year in the Missouri Valley Conference and will move to the FBS’s Conference USA next season. The Bears suddenly find themselves in tenuous position when it comes the FCS playoffs as they take an 8-3 record to #3 South Dakota State in their regular season finale.
NEXT UP FOR THE BISON
NDSU travels to Vermillion, SD Saturday for a battle with conference-rival USD. The Coyotes are enjoying one of their best seasons in school history. The Coyotes’ only losses were at FBS Wisconsin (27-13) and at #3 South Dakota State in overtime (20-17). The Coyotes are coming off a 42-36 road against UND in Grand Forks, a game in which they trailed 21-10 in the second quarter before outscoring UND 32-15 the rest of the way.
USD Head Coach Bob Nielson tallied his 50th win as the head coach at South Dakota with the win.
The Coyotes are led by quarterback Aidan Bouman, son of former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Todd Bouman. Bouman has been efficient this season, completing 68.9% of his passes.
The Yotes also have a standout runningback. Sophomore Charles Pierre Jr. set a new career-best mark against UND with 173 rushing yards. 117 of those yards came in the second half. He also added a team-best 75 receiving yards, totaling 248 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Furthermore, Pierre Jr. becomes the first Coyote in the NCAA Division I FCS era to eclipse the 1,000 yard rushing mark in a single season.
THE STAT STORY
USD Rushing – 234.8 yards per game / NDSU – 212.8
USD Passing – 211.9 yards per game/ NDSU – 227.5
USD Opponents Rushing – 105.1 yards per game / NDSU – 112.8
USD Opponents Passing – 178.1 yards per game / NDSU – 203.6
IN THE FCS RANKINGS
USD Total Offense – 446.7 yards per game (#10 in FCS)
NDSU Total Offense – 440.4 yards per game (#15 in FCS)
USD Total Defense – 281.2 yards per game (#7 in FCS)
NDSU Total Defense – 316.5 yards per game (#23 in FCS)
THAT LOSS LOOKS BETTER ALL THE TIME
NDSU’s only loss came in the season opener at FBS Colorado, 31-26. Since then, the Buffaloes have gone 7-2 and are ranked #16 in the AP Top 25. Colorado beat Utah 49- 24 in Boulder on Saturday and is now 8-2 on the season. Senior Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Travis Hunter are both firmly in the Heisman Trophy race.
SCHEDULE
Thu, Aug 29 @ Colorado L31-26 0-1 (0-0)
Sat, Sep 7 Vs Tennessee State W52-3 1-1 (0-0)
Sat, Sep 14 @ East Tennessee State W38-35 2-1 (0-0)
Sat, Sep 21 Vs Towson W41-24 3-1 (0-0)
Sat, Sep 28 @ Illinois State W42-10 4-1 (1-0)
Sat, Oct 5 Vs North Dakota W41-17 5-1 (2-0)
Sat, Oct 12 @ Southern Illinois W24-3 6-1 (3-0)
Sat, Oct 19 Vs South Dakota State W13-9 7-1 (4-0)
Sat, Oct 26 @ Murray State W59-6 8-1 (5-0)
Sat, Nov 2 Vs Northern Iowa W42-19 9-1 (6-0)
Sat, Nov 16 Vs Missouri State W59-21 10-1 (7-0)
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Sat, Nov 23 @ South Dakota 1:00 PM
