FARGO, N.D. (KELO) — Third-seeded SDSU lost to No. 2 NDSU 28-21 in the FCS semifinals Saturday inside the FargoDome. The Jackrabbits’ quest for a third straight national championship comes to end.
Cam Miller’s 10-yard touchdown strike to Bryce Lance with 4:02 remaining in the fourth proved to be deciding score. That was the duo’s third TD connection.
After the Jackrabbits went three-and-out on the opening drive of the game, the Bison marched down field and struck first on Miller’s 21-yard touchdown strike to Lance. The Jacks responded on their next drive as Mark Gronowski punched it in from the one to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive.
South Dakota State found the endzone again on its next drive. Amar Johnson found pay dirt for the 39-yard TD one play after SDSU converted on fourth and one. That capped an 11-play, 86-yard, six-minute drive.
The score remained 14-7 Jacks until just inside of two minutes left in the half. Miller rushed it in from the two with 1:57 remaining in the second quarter.
The third quarter saw the two sides trade punts as the offenses failed to muster any type of momentum.
NDSU broke the deadlock with a 47-yard touchdown strike from Miller to Lance two minutes into the fourth. SDSU answered with a 10-play, 90-yard scoring drive where Gronowski connected with Grahm Goering for a 14-yard TD.
The Jacks outgained the Bison 333-329.
Gronowski is 14-for-25 for 204 yards. He also had 50 yards on the ground and one TD on 15 carries. Amar Johnson tallied 77 yards and one score on 15 carries.
Miller led NDSU with 13-for-19 passing for 179 yards and three TDs. He also rushed for 93 yards and one score on 15 carries. Bryce Lance caught six passes for 125 yards and three TDs.
The attendance for the game was 17,849.
NDSU advances to the FCS Championship game on Jan. 6.
