South Dakota Survives Four-Overtime Thriller With 40-37 Win Over NDSU

Saturday, October 5

Vermillion, S.D.

7 p.m.

North Dakota State

1-3 , 0-2

South Dakota

1-4 , 1-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	OT	OT	OT	OT	Final F
North Dakota State	0	0	6	14	7	7	3	0	37
South Dakota	3	7	7	3	7	7	3	3	40

South Dakota Survives Four-Overtime Thriller With 40-37 Win Over NDSU

10/5/2002 5:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

VERMILLION, SD--Cody Butler kicked a 27-yard field goal in the fourth overtime to lift the University of South Dakota to a 40-37 win over North Dakota State University on Saturday, Oct. 5, in North Central Conference action at the DakotaDome.

The loss dropped NDSU to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the North Central Conference. USD improved to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the conference. The win was USD's first over North Dakota State since a 28-12 win in 1987 at the DakotaDome, and the four overtimes set a new Bison record for most extra periods played.

Bison kicker Cory Vartanian booted a 48-yard field goal--the first of his career--to tie the game at 37 and force the fourth overtime. USD elected to play defense to start the last period, and the Coyotes stuffed Rod Malone on a fourth-and-1 carry to preserve the tie.

The Coyotes gained nine yards on first-and-10 and later moved the ball to the middle of the field at the 10-yard line to set up Butler's game-winning kick.

The teams traded touchdowns and point-after kicks in the first two OTs and swapped field goals in the third extra frame, including Vartanian's first.

USD led 17-0 at one point before NDSU stormed back. Senior quarterback Graig Gorder scored NDSU's second touchdown from the USD 10 to narrow the gap to 17-12.

Shorly after a Mike Rhone interception, Keontay Jackson carried right and dived in for a 5-yard strike to give NDSU a one-point lead, and the Bison went up 20-17 on a successful 2-point try.

Butler blasted a 49-yard field goal with 3:04 left in the game to knot the score at 20. A missed 43-yarder by Vartanian as regulation time expired sent the teams into the first overtime.

North Dakota State will face the University of North Dakota (3-2, 1-1 NCC) at the Fargodome on Saturday, Oct. 12. The 109th meeting between the Bison and Fighting Sioux kicks off at 1 p.m.