FARGO, N.D. (AP) - D.J. McNorton rushed for 154 yards, including a
60-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and North Dakota State beat
James Madison 26-14 on Saturday, Dec. 3, before a crowd of 17,432 in a second-round FCS playoff game.
Sam Ojuri added 61 yards and two scores for the Bison (11-1), who will host Lehigh in the quarterfinals next weekend. Lehigh (11-1) edged Towson 40-38 to advance.
Justin Thorpe had 182 yards passing for the Dukes (8-5), hooking up
with DeAndre' Smith for a 20-yard score in the second quarter. In the
fourth, Thorpe caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Kerby
Long on a trick play. That pulled James Madison within 19-14 with 7:26
left.
McNorton's touchdown run came on North Dakota State's next play from
scrimmage, after an out-of-bounds kickoff gave the Bison the ball at
their own 40.
McNorton has rushed for over 100 yards in all four of the Bison FCS playoff games. It was his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and 11th of his career.
North Dakota State held a 329-301 advantage in total offense including 219 yards rushing. The Bison didn't record a turnover for the seventh time in 12 games this season. Brock Jensen completed 11 of 18 passes for 110 yards. Warren Holloway caught seven passes for 78 yards.
Ryan Jastram kicked a 53-yard field goal to put the Bison up 10-7 at halftime. He added a 44-yarder in the third quarter. Jastram's previous career best was 51 yards against Robert Morris in last year's first-round NCAA FCS playoff game.
North Dakota State's defense held James Madison to 1 of 4 in fourth down conversions including a pair of stops in the second half. Linebackers Chad Willson and Preston Evans each had 10 tackles to lead the way. Free safety John Pike recorded his fourth interception of the season to end the game. Defensive end Cole Jirik recorded a career-high nine tackles.
Thorpe completed 21 of 38 passes for 182 yards and one TD. Dae'Quan Scott rushed 17 times for 63 yards as James Madison held a 30:13 to 29:47 edge in time of possession. Vidal Nelson recorded a game-high 12 tackles, while Stephon Robertson had 11 stops.
