Stick, Bison handle San Diego in FCS second round
NDSU LB Stumpf picks off pass, goes 41 yards for TD
San Diego QB Anthony Lawrence's pass is intercepted by North Dakota State LB MJ Stumpf, who returns the pick 41 yards for a touchdown.
(STATS) -- A lopsided win over the Pioneer Football League champion was expected.
A win over South Dakota State? Well, five-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State is in the rare possession of having to prove something.
Quarterback Easton Stick accounted for 307 yards of total offense and passed for three touchdowns as the Bison powered to a 45-7 win over PFL champion San Diego in the second round Saturday at the Fargodome.
Next up for coach Chris Klieman's Bison (11-1) is a rematch with rival South Dakota State (9-3) next Saturday. The two teams shared the Missouri Valley Football Conference title, but the Jackrabbits earned the automatic bid to the playoffs because of their 19-17 win inside the Fargodome on Oct. 15.
The Bison have never lost in the playoffs at the raucous dome, moving to 17-0 all-time with the rout of San Diego, whose nine-game winning streak ended.
A crowd of 18,305 watched as Stick threw for 208 yards and rushed for 99 more. He connected on two touchdowns passes to fullback Chase Morlock and one to wide receiver RJ Urzendowski.
Running back Bruce Anderson capped the blowout with a 61-yard touchdown run with 19 seconds remaining.
Although San Diego (10-2) held the ball for more than 11 minutes longer than NDSU, the Bison forced a pair of turnovers and had a 507-296 advantage in total yards. The Toreros entered the game ranked No. 1 in the FCS in the fewest points (12.9) and yards allowed (244.6) per game.
But the first meeting the two programs was hardly in doubt. The win was NDSU's 45th straight at home against a non-conference opponent.
San Diego's lone touchdown came on quarterback Anthony Lawrence's 1-yard pass to tight end Ross Dwelley midway through the third quarter, which cut into the Toreros' 21-0 halftime deficit.
Game Information
2023 Pioneer Football League Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Drake | 8-0 | 8-4 |
| St. Thomas-Minnesota | 7-1 | 8-3 |
| Davidson | 6-2 | 7-4 |
| Butler | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| Marist | 4-4 | 4-7 |
| San Diego | 4-4 | 4-7 |
| Morehead State | 3-5 | 4-7 |
| Presbyterian | 2-6 | 4-7 |
| Valparaiso | 2-6 | 3-8 |
| Dayton | 2-6 | 4-7 |
| Stetson | 1-7 | 3-8 |
2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State | 8-0 | 15-0 |
| South Dakota | 7-1 | 10-3 |
| Northern Iowa | 5-3 | 6-5 |
| North Dakota | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| North Dakota State | 5-3 | 11-4 |
| Youngstown State | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Southern Illinois | 4-4 | 8-5 |
| Illinois State | 4-4 | 6-5 |
| Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-7 |
| Murray State | 1-7 | 2-9 |
| Indiana State | 1-7 | 1-10 |
| Western Illinois | 0-8 | 0-11 |
NCAAF News