North Dakota State
10-0 , 6-0
Western Illinois
1-9 , 1-5
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Illinois | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| North Dakota State | 13 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 57 |
North Dakota State Rolls to 57-21 Harvest Bowl Win Over Western Illinois
11/9/2019 7:45:00 PM | Football
It was the most yards of offense for the Bison in a Division I game and the fourth most in school single-game history. Six different players scored touchdowns as NDSU improved to 10-0 overall and 6-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Western Illinois fell to 1-9 overall and 1-5 in the conference.
North Dakota State had 13 rushes for at least 10 yards and another six passing plays that went 15 yards or longer, including the second-longest passing play in school history from Trey Lance to tight end Josh Babicz on an 88-yard touchdown that gave NDSU a 27-0 lead before halftime.
Wide receiver Christian Watson made four receptions for a career-high 121 yards including a 51-yard touchdown to cap the opening drive of the second half before true freshman running back Jalen Bussey made his first career appearance and stole the show in the fourth quarter.
Bussey's first rush went for a 65-yard touchdown. Two series later, he returned the kickoff 50 yards and then scored on a 45-yard run on the next play. He finished with six carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns with 173 all-purpose yards in his collegiate debut.
NDSU starting quarterback Trey Lance went 17-for-22 passing with two touchdowns and 313 yards - tied for eighth most in school single-game history. Lance sat the final 20 minutes of the game after leading two touchdown drives in the third quarter.
Defensive end Derrek Tuszka made six tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks, and linebacker Jackson Hankey made six tackles along with his first career interception to lead the Bison defensive effort. Cole Karcz and Dom Davis each had five tackles for NDSU.
Bison cornerback Josh Hayes made his second interception of the season, Jayden Price recovered a fumble forced by Saybein Clark on kickoff coverage, and brothers Will Mostaert and Eli Mostaert created a turnover with Eli recovering Will's sack fumble late in the third quarter.
North Dakota State is scheduled to host South Dakota in the final home game of the regular season at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday, Nov. 16. The Coyotes are 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the conference after a 56-21 home win over Youngstown State.
Team Stats
WIU 0, NDSU 7
NDSU - Adam Cofield 1 yd run (Griffin Crosa kick), 5 plays, 50 yards, TOP 2:27
WIU 0, NDSU 13
NDSU - D. Williams 10 yd run (TEAM rushfailed), 3 plays, 46 yards, TOP 1:35
WIU 0, NDSU 20
NDSU - Trey Lance 23 yd run (Griffin Crosa kick), 13 plays, 80 yards, TOP 6:54
WIU 0, NDSU 27
NDSU - Josh Babicz 88 yd pass from Trey Lance (Griffin Crosa kick) 3 plays, 86 yards, TOP 0:35
WIU 0, NDSU 33
NDSU - C. Watson 51 yd pass from Trey Lance (Griffin Crosa kickfailed) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:02
WIU 7, NDSU 33
WIU - Clint Ratkovich 9 yd pass from Kevin Johnson (Nathan Erickson kick) 8 plays, 72 yards, TOP 2:31
WIU 7, NDSU 40
NDSU - D. Williams 1 yd run (Griffin Crosa kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:39
WIU 14, NDSU 40
WIU - George Wahee 17 yd pass from Kevin Johnson (Nathan Erickson kick) 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 1:41
WIU 14, NDSU 47
NDSU - Jalen Bussey 65 yd run (Griffin Crosa kick), 1 plays, 65 yards, TOP 0:17
WIU 14, NDSU 50
NDSU - Will Cardinal 32 yd field goal 4 plays, 1 yards, TOP 0:48
WIU 21, NDSU 50
WIU - George Wahee 28 yd run (Nathan Erickson kick), 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:06
WIU 21, NDSU 57
NDSU - Jalen Bussey 45 yd run (Will Cardinal kick), 1 plays, 45 yards, TOP 0:09
