The last time we saw the North Dakota State football team on the field, they lost one of the most puzzling games in program history. An 11-point fourth-quarter lead slipped away at South Dakota, and the Bison were sent back to Fargo as co-champions of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title.
Some questioned whether the one-point loss in Vermillion would cost NDSU home-field advantage in the FCS playoffs. However, the defeat to USD did not hurt the Bison as they were awarded the #2 seed and a first-round bye.
While NDSU was enjoying Thanksgiving weekend off, TVs around the state were tuned into the first-round matchup between Northern Arizona and #15 Abilene Christian. The Wildcats shut out the Lumberjacks 24-0 to earn a trip to Fargo for the second round.
The Bison owned a 35-1 home record in the FCS playoffs heading into this second-round game against ACU, but for a majority of the first half, the Wildcats looked like the home team after Griffin Crosa opened the scoring with a 21-yard field goal ACU would score 17 straight points. A Fargodome crowd of just 10,373 was shell-shocked as a J.J Henry touchdown reception, a 90-yard touchdown run by Sam Hicks, and a Kaghen Roach interception that led to a field goal put NDSU down 14 points.
The Bison needed a spark, and their freshman phenom of a return man gave it to them as Jackson Williams returned the ensuing kickoff after the ACU field goal 100 yards to the house to get NDSU within seven, 17-10.
ACU knew momentum was starting to turn, so after their offense went three and out, head coach Keith Patterson decided to dial up a fake punt on 4th and 14 that was snuffed out by Ryan Jones a good yard shy of the line to gain, but the Bison offense could only muster a 37-yard field goal from Crosa to make it a 17-13 game.
Following an Abilene punt, the Bison offense finally found the end zone. A nine-play, 66-yard drive ended with a Cam Miller to RaJa Nelson pass from six yards out, regaining the lead for NDSU. The Bison would take a 20-17 lead into the locker room.
Abilene Christian would receive the second-half kickoff and try to regain the momentum, but Logan Kopp had other plans on a third and six from the NDSU 44. The all-American came unblocked from the blindside, stripped ACU quarterback Maverick McIver, and returned the loose ball to the 28-yard line of the Wildcats.
NDSU would only need four plays to find the endzone as Cam Miller would score his eighth rushing touchdown of the season on a one-yard sneak to put the Bison up 27-17. The offense kept humming in the third, and after another Abilene punt, the thundering herd would only need four plays. Cam Miller would find TK Marshall on a wheel route to finish off a 60-yard drive and to put some distance between themselves and ACU as the score put NDSU up 34-17.
Abilene Christian fought back as after a 57-yard kickoff return by Nehemiah Martinez; the Wildcats were back in the endzone as Sam Hicks would score from six yards out and pull them back with ten.
The Bison closed the third-quarter shootout with a bang. Cam Miller hit his favorite target, Bryce Lance, for a 30-yard touchdown toss to cap off a five-play, 75-yard drive, and the score ballooned back to 17.
A ten-play drive by ACU would result in a Rovaughn Banks Jr. three-yard rushing touchdown to keep themselves within shouting distance, 41-31. The Wildcats wouldn’t go away as they forced a punt and were in the midst of beginning another scoring drive, but Toby Anene hit McIver’s arm, and the ball fell into the arms of Marcus Gulley, who trucked his way to the Abilene nine-yard line. Griffin Crosa would knock a 24-yarder through the uprights to make it a 13-point game four plays later.
“Code Green” didn’t have their best day on defense, but they slammed the door on Maverick McIver on the next offensive snap. He was picked off by Logan Kopp on a tipped pass, and he took it back to the residence for a pick six, which was the nail in the coffin.
The touchdown by Kopp was the last score of the game as North Dakota State moves onto the quarterfinals for the 15th consecutive season with a 51-31 win over #15 Abilene Christian. Cam Miller was his usual self, 20 of 29 passing for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Bison were held in check as Jerry Rice award winner CharMar Brown was held to 58 yards rushing and just 110 yards as a team.
Abilene’s elite passing offense was grounded as Maverick McIver was held nearly 200 yards below his season average, as he threw for just 153 yards, a touchdown, and two picks. Running back Sam Hicks was the star of ACU’s offense, as his 153 yards and two scores kept his team in the game.
The #2 Bison will advance to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs to take on seventh-seeded Mercer University. The Bears defeated #10 Rhode Island 17-10 in their second-round playoff game. Kickoff between the Bison and the Bears is set for 2:30 p.m. inside the Fargodome. The game can be seen on WDAY/ABC and ESPN+.