North Dakota State Athletics
10-2 , 7-1
Montana
8-5 , 4-4
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 26 |
| North Dakota St. | 14 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 49 |
Bison Outrun Grizzlies in NCAA Second Round, 49-26
12/3/2022 7:55:00 PM | Football
North Dakota State averaged 10.8 yards per carry and totaled 453 rushing yards, the most yards per carry and second most single-game rushing yards by an NDSU team in the FCS playoffs. Johnson carried 12 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns while Williams finished with 11 carries for 101 yards and one TD.
The Bison improved to 10-2 on the season and advanced to the quarterfinal round to face Southern Conference champion Samford. The sixth-seeded Bulldogs (11-1) escaped the second round with a 48-42 overtime victory over Southeastern Louisiana.
NDSU scored four touchdowns of 68 yards or longer against Montana with three of those coming after the Grizzlies got a 58-yard interception return touchdown from Corbin Walker to close within 21-20 with 10:58 to play in the third quarter.
Johnson burst through the middle of the NDSU offensive line for a 75-yard TD on the first play of the ensuing drive, Williams scored on a 68-yard run on the second play of the next Bison drive, and Johnson added a 73-yard TD early in the fourth quarter to cap another two-play scoring drive that put NDSU ahead 49-20.
Bison quarterback Cam Miller scored on 10-yard and 68-yard runs in the first quarter to give the Bison an early 14-0 lead.
It was 14-10 late in the second quarter when the Bison defense got into the scoring column. Kody Huisman's sack fumble deep in Montana territory rolled into the end zone and linebacker Cole Wisniewski recovered the ball for his first collegiate touchdown.
The Griz got their second of two Nico Ramos field goals to cut the deficit to 21-13 before halftime.
NDSU's defense recorded a season-high six sacks and forced three turnovers including interceptions by linebacker Nick Kubitz and safety Dawson Weber. Six different players recorded pass breakups and cornerback Anthony Coleman blocked an extra-point kick for the Bison.
Linebacker James Kaczor made a game-high nine tackles for NDSU, Wisniewski finished with eight tackles and safety Michael Tutsie had seven stops for the Bison. Defensive end Dylan Hendricks made a career-high five tackles including 1.5 sacks.
Team Stats
MON 0, NDS 7
NDS - Miller,Cam 10 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 6 plays, 76 yards, TOP 02:59
MON 0, NDS 14
NDS - Miller,Cam 68 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 3 plays, 73 yards, TOP 00:55
MON 7, NDS 14
MON - Johnson,Lucas 1 yd run (Ramos,Nico kick), 13 plays, 66 yards, TOP 04:33
MON 10, NDS 14
MON - Ramos,Nico 39 yd field goal 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 03:55
MON 10, NDS 21
NDS - Wisniewski,Cole 0 yd fumble recovery (Crosa,Griffin kick)
MON 13, NDS 21
MON - Ramos,Nico 36 yd field goal 5 plays, 32 yards, TOP 00:43
MON 20, NDS 21
MON - Walker,Corbin 58 yd interception (Ramos,Nico kick)
MON 20, NDS 28
NDS - Johnson,Kobe 75 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:12
MON 20, NDS 35
NDS - Williams,TaMerik 68 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 2 plays, 70 yards, TOP 00:51
MON 20, NDS 42
NDS - Johnson,Kobe 73 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 2 plays, 85 yards, TOP 00:33
MON 20, NDS 49
NDS - Marshall,TK 7 yd run (Crosa,Griffin kick), 9 plays, 87 yards, TOP 05:59
MON 26, NDS 49
MON - White,Keelan 18 yd pass from Britt,Daniel () 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:19
