Easton Stick was in top form Saturday to lead the Bison to a 31-10 homecoming victory over Illinois State. Stick threw for 256 yards and three scores to lead the Bison to a 4-0 start.
Coming off a bye week after the big win at Iowa, the Bison continued to make big plays to put the Redbirds away before halftime.
Trailing 3-0 late in the first, it was Darrius Shepherd who provided the first spark for the Bison. Set in motion, Shepherd would take the handoff on the jet sweep. Good blocks on the outside open the gap allowing the sophomore to gallop into the end zone to give the Bison the lead.
Redbirds quarterback Jake Kolbe found Anthony Fowler to give Illinois State what would be its last lead of the day. Fowler would find a break in the Bison zone coverage, and make the play easily.
The lead lasted just 10 seconds, as Stick would fire his first big throw of the day. At his own 35, Stick would throw one downfield to RJ Urzendowski. The senior wide receiver caught the ball in stride and accelerated into the end zone to give the Bison the lead at 14-10.
The Bison defense would get in on the act. After a pair of receptions over 20 yards, including a 41 yarder, by Fowler, the Redbirds looked like taking back the lead. On third and goal, Kolbe would roll to his left, and look to make it back to the line. He was met by Aaron Steidl, who forced the ball free. The fumble would be recovered by Pierre Gee-Tucker, ending the Redbird threat.
“Anytime you get a big play like that or a turnover, that sparks everybody.” Gee-Tucker said, who has made a big play in both of the last two games. He caused C.J, Beathard to spill the ball at Iowa two weeks ago.
The Bison used the turnover to extend their lead. Facing third and eight on their own 10, Stick dumped a screen pass to Chase Morlock. Morlock turned up field and followed his blocks for a 52-yard gain.
The next play, Stick would find Lance Dunn in the seam for the 38-yard touchdown.
Stick would put the exclamation point on the first half with a two minute drill. Starting with the ball at midfield, the Bison needed just 50 seconds to put the game to bed. Another long pass, this time a 35 yarder to Nate Jensen, would extend the lead to 28-10.
The catch was Jensen’s first career touchdown.
Stick would throw for 198 yards in the second quarter.
In the second half, both teams lacked the offensive spark from the first half.
NDSU would return to the ground game. King Fraizer led out of the backfield. He amassed 20 touches on the ground, and got out 78 yards.
Meanwhile, Illinois State could not get anything going on offense. The Redbirds finished with just 37 yards rushing in the game. The defensive front of the Bison would dominate in the second half. Four of the Bison’s six sacks came in the second half.
Caleb Butler would notch up a pair in the second half sacks. Jarrod Tuszka would also get in on the act for his first career sack.
The only scoring of the second half was a Cam Pederson 47-yard field goal in the third quarter to make the score 31-10.
The only big controversy from the final frame was a personal foul call on the Redbirds.
Illinois State head coach later called it a “phantom call” and let the officials know about his displeasure, drawing some activity from the half-full student section.
The Bison will now take off for a visit to Missouri State, who defeated Indiana State on Saturday. NDSU will be back in Fargo for the Dakota Marker game against South Dakota State on Oct. 15.