North Dakota State
2-6 , 1-5
Northern Colorado
8-1 , 7-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Colorado | 6 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 29 |
| North Dakota State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Bison Offense Sputters In 29-7 Loss To Northern Colorado
11/2/2002 6:00:00 AM | Football
The win clinched the outright NCC championship for the Bears (8-1 overall, 7-0 NCC) while North Dakota State was guaranteed of its first losing season since 1975, 27 years ago.
The Bison defense played very well for three quarters, stonewalling UNC numerous times in the red zone. Northern Colorado settled for field goals of 19, 26, 38, and 21 yards in taking a 12-0 lead entering the fourth quarter.
NDSU finally put together a drive early in the final period, marching 73 yards in six plays and scoring on a 34-yard over-the-shoulder TD pass from Graig Gorder to Marques Johnson in the right corner of the end zone with 12:25 left to cut the margin to 12-7.
But the momentum switched back very rapidly. UNC's first offensive play after the Bison score was a 75 yard TD pass from Mark Passard to Brad Pyatt with 12:06 remaining.
The Bears wrapped the game up with a one-yard TD run by Ron Scott four minutes later and a 21-yard field goal by Swim with 3:21 left.
NDSU mustered just 186 yards of total offense including 110 in the air. Rod Malone was limited to 25 yards on 11 carries to lead the Bison rushing attack that was limited to just 76 yards.
Adam Matthews, the Harvest Bowl MVP, led UNC rushers with 119 yards in 28 carries. The Bears finished with 434 yards of total offense including 265 in the air.
NDSU is now 2-6 overall and 1-5 in the NCC. The last losing season for NDSU was a 2-7 campaign in 1975.
Team Stats
NCOL 3, NDSU 0
NCOL - Mike Swim 19 yd field goal 10 plays, 64 yards, TOP 3:46
NCOL 6, NDSU 0
NCOL - Mike Swim 26 yd field goal 14 plays, 54 yards, TOP 5:21
NCOL 9, NDSU 0
NCOL - Mike Swim 38 yd field goal 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:38
NCOL 12, NDSU 0
NCOL - Mike Swim 21 yd field goal 4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 1:26
NCOL 12, NDSU 7
NDSU - Marques Johnson 34 yd pass from Graig Gorder (Cory Vartanian kick) 6 plays, 73 yards, TOP 2:44
NCOL 19, NDSU 7
NCOL - Brad Pyatt 74 yd pass from Mark Passard (Mike Swim kick) 1 plays, 74 yards, TOP 0:19
NCOL 26, NDSU 7
NCOL - Ron Scott 1 yd run (Mike Swim kick), 9 plays, 59 yards, TOP 2:33
NCOL 29, NDSU 7
NCOL - Mike Swim 26 yd field goal 5 plays, 35 yards, TOP 2:30
