Bison Football Misses FCS Semis, Baseball and Softball Win

The weekend was going well until the football team missed the playoff semifinals.

Football
NDSU football had a rough weekend. They started off the game on Sunday with 2 turnovers in the first quarter. The first one being a fumble on the first drive, the second being an interception thrown by freshman QB Cam Miller.
But when all hope seemed to be lost in the 2nd quarter, the Bison special teams blocked a punt for a safety to get on the board. The Bison tried a field goal from 54 yards out but it missed wide right. 
NDSU started the second half on defense, allowing one of Sam Houston's two scoring drives not assisted by good field position. On the ensuing kickoff, Junior WR Christian Watson took the return 95 yards to the house for NDSU's for touchdown of the day!
The defense came back on the field and forced another punt, almost blocked again. Then Bralyon Henderson returned that punt for another touchdown! After Cam connected with Watson for the 2 point conversion, suddenly the game was tied up after being down two scores no more then 5 mins prior! 
It was a nailbiter from there. NDSU and Sam Houston largely traded punts in the fourth quarter. NDSU did have one successful drive where Jake Reinholz kicked a 32 yard field goal, this gave NDSU its first lead of the day. But then Sam Houston went down and punched in their second and final long drive of the day. 
NDSU got the ball back last and did drive down the field all the way to Sam Houston's 20 yard line. But QB Miller fumbled a handoff on 3rd and 2, and then overthrew his receiver on 4th and 8 which won Sam Houston the game.
Overall, NDSU kept themselves in a game they had no business being in. I consider that a positive. It sucks that another streak is broken, but as much as I hate to say it streaks come to an end at some point. But this doesn't mean they can't start a new one next season!
This team has a very bright future. With Virginia Tech QB transfer Quincey Patterson able to officially play starting in August, we will see where this team can go fully healthy. Phoenix Sproles comes back in August and only one member of the team will be out because of a Spring injury. I believe just RB Seth Wilson will be out. 
Until next season, Bison Nation.
North Dakota State Football finishes the year 7-3 overall, 6-2 in Missouri Valley Football play.

Baseball
The Bison went down to Lawrence, Kansas to visit the Jayhawks for a 3 game series. They won the first game in extra innings. Then they lost the second and then won the finale to win the series.
Now NDSU will come home for 2 non conference games and 2 conference series. First up is NAIA Mayville State this Tuesday, May 4th. First pitch is at 5 PM. Then next weekend they will host Omaha for a 4 game series. Currently Oral Roberts leads the Summit League, Omaha right behind them with the Bison at 3rd. The strange thing is that Bison have played more conference games then anyone else but have a slightly lower winning percentage due to the 9-4 and 9-5 records of ORU and Omaha, respectively. Either way the Bison are looking to be a very serious contender for the Summit League title at the end of May.
North Dakota State Baseball is 28-13 overall and 14-9 in Summit League play.

Softball
The Bison hosted another series this weekend, this time no game was snowed out!
They hosted conference rival North Dakota in a great series for the Bison. They won the first matchup in extra innings, and they won the second. UND came away with the third game with a 1-0 game. Finally, the Bison shutout North Dakota for the series finale and series win. 
NDSU will wrap up their season next weekend in Brookings, SD where they take on the conference leading Jackrabbits. The Bison are second in the conference right behind SDSU. After next weekend the Summit League tournament will begin right here in Fargo at Tharaldson Park.
North Dakota State Softball is 16-24 overall and 11-8 in Summit League play.

​Hopefully Baseball and Softball can continue their success. Go Bison!