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Montana State quarterback Troy Andersen tries to get away from a North Dakota State tackler during Saturday's FCS playoff game in Fargo, North Dakota. The undefeated Bison rushed for 400 yards and overwhelmed the Bobcats 52-10, bringing an exciting MSU season to an end.
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State proved its mettle as the nation's top-ranked team Saturday, beating Montana State 52-10 in Fargo.
After an early field goal, the No. 1 team in the FCS and the top seed in the playoffs rolled. The Bison scored touchdowns on their first five possessions, and on the sixth added a field goal. NDSU averaged a tick under 11 yards per rush in the first half, holding Montana State's offense to just four first downs.
Montana State landed the game's first punch. On the opening play, catching NDSU bringing defensive pressure, Troy Andersen hit Kevin Kassis behind the secondary. The Bobcat junior was run down at the Bison four-yard line, but NDSU got a stop and the Cats settled for a 24-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
It would be short-lived. The Bison marched 60 yards on their opening drive, with Lance Dunn plunging in from one-yard out to give NDSU a 7-3 margin. It was the first of four Dunn scores in the first half, which gave him the same number as D.J. McNorton scored against the Cats in the second round of the 2010 FCS Playoffs.
Dunn scored again on NDSU's second drive, then Bruce Anderson dashed in from 32 yards in the first quarter's final minute to extend the home team's lead to 21-3. Dunn scored twice in the second quarter, and Cam Pedersen's 27-yard field goal finished the first half scoring.
Andersen led the Bobcats offensively by passing for 124 yards and rushing for 129 yards, which was highlighted by a 51-yard touchdown. Isaiah Ifanse added 43 yards on the ground and Kassis led MSU's receiving core with four catches for 93 yards. Brayden Konkol had a team-high 10 tackles and Josh Hill recorded an interception.
The Bison rushed for over 400 yards and had three different running backs top the 100-yard mark on their way to the quarterfinals.
While North Dakota State marches on in the playoffs, raising its record to 12-0, the Bobcats finish 2018 with an 8-5 record. It is Montana State's first eight-win campaign since 2014 and only its sixth since 1984.
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