Montana State University
8-5
North Dakota State (Second Round)
12-0
Montana State's 2018 Season Ends in FCS Playoffs Second Round
12/1/2018 4:10:00 PM | Football
North Dakota State advances to FCS quarterfinals
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 DJ 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 4 catches for 93 yards. Brayden Konkol had a team-high 10 tackles and Josh Hill recorded an interception.
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.
Team Stats
MSU 3, NDSU 0
MSU - BAILEY, Tristan 24 yd field goal 5 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:07
MSU 3, NDSU 7
NDSU - Lance Dunn 1 yd run (Cam Pedersen kick), 9 plays, 60 yards, TOP 4:38
MSU 3, NDSU 14
NDSU - Lance Dunn 11 yd run (Cam Pedersen kick), 4 plays, 43 yards, TOP 1:29
MSU 3, NDSU 21
NDSU - Bruce Anderson 32 yd run (Cam Pedersen kick), 4 plays, 68 yards, TOP 1:59
MSU 3, NDSU 28
NDSU - Lance Dunn 1 yd run (Cam Pedersen kick), 8 plays, 62 yards, TOP 4:25
MSU 3, NDSU 35
NDSU - Lance Dunn 46 yd run (Cam Pedersen kick), 2 plays, 65 yards, TOP 0:48
MSU 3, NDSU 38
NDSU - Cam Pedersen 27 yd field goal 4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 1:37
MSU 10, NDSU 38
MSU - ANDERSEN, Troy 51 yd run (BAILEY, Tristan kick), 8 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:24
MSU 10, NDSU 45
NDSU - Ty Brooks 30 yd run (Cam Pedersen kick), 4 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:08
MSU 10, NDSU 52
NDSU - Adam Cofield 1 yd run (Cam Pedersen kick), 11 plays, 65 yards, TOP 6:28
