Bison Sports Update: December 4th

NDSU Athletics had an up and down week.

Football
NDSU Football opened up their 2022 FCS playoffs with 19th ranked, and unseeded, Montana. This was the second ever playoff matchup between the Bison and the Griz. NDSU is now 2-0 in those matchups, both of them taking place at the Fargodome. The Bison started the game hot, scoring two touchdowns to give them a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter. However, Montana responded in kind, scoring a touchdown of their own. In fact, NDSU's offense got stale in the 2nd quarter which gave the Griz an opportunity to inch closer when they kicked a 39 yard field goal to make it a 14-10 game. However, after the Bison went 3 and out, Montana took over from their own 2 yard line. This ended when the Bison defensive line strip sacked QB Lucas Johnson and recovered the ball in the endzone for a touchdown. This gave NDSU a 21-10 lead. Montana would drive down to kick another field goal to cut the deficit to 21-13 at half. 
Out of the break, NDSU stumbled on offense when Cam Miller threw his only pick-six of his career. Montana trailed the Bison by only 1 point, 21-20. However, on the next play from scrimmage, Kobe Johnson ran in a touchdown on a breakaway 75 yard score to put NDSU back up by 8. The Griz would have a lot of trouble from there, as their starting QB, Johnson went out in the 1st half after the strip sack. Their backup was picked off twice, once for a touchdown. NDSU went on to score three more touchdowns, each a rushing a score. Five different Bison players scored, including TaMerik Williams, Kobe Johnson, and TK Marshall. Cam Miller scored the first two touchdowns in the 1st quarter. NDSU ended the day with Johnson and Williams combining for 300+ yards alone (Johnson-206, Williams-101). Bison starting QB Cam Miller ended the game with 81 net yards, 94 yards gained. 

NDSU now moves on to the Quarterfinal round. They will host 6th seeded and 8th ranked Samford on Friday, December 9th at 6:00 PM CT in the Fargodome. 

North Dakota State Football is 10-2 on the season, and 7-1 in MVFC play. 

Volleyball
NDSU Volleyball hit the road for the final time, to play in the NIVC tournament. They played Davidson (ASUN) on Wake Forest's campus on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, they lost in 5 sets and were eliminated from postseason contention. 
This concludes a 21 win season for the Bison, their 3rd year at that mark since entering Division I. Its also the first time NDSU has played in the NIVC tournament.

North Dakota State Volleyball finishes the season 21-12 on the season, 13-5 in Summit League play.

Men's Basketball
NDSU Men's basketball hit the road again this week as they played Eastern Washington in Cheney on Saturday. Despite the Bison's best efforts without veteran forward Grant Nelson, they fell 70-78. 
This week, NDSU finishes of the road trip on Monday when they visit Portland. Then on Saturday, the Bison host Montana at 7 PM CT. On Sunday, NDSU hosts DIII Waldorf at 5 PM CT. This will conclude their non-conference schedule.

North Dakota State Men's Basketball is 1-8 on the season.

Women's Basketball
The NDSU women also had a rough week. Last week, NDSU had a great week and landed at 19 in the Mid-major poll. This week, NDSU played Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. They lost both games. To EMU, they lost 55-73. To CMU, they lost 65-66. 
This week, the Bison hope to get back on track when they go to Cedar Falls to visit Northern Iowa on Tuesday at 5 PM. Then on Saturday, NDSU will visit Green Bay to close out non-conference play and their 6-game road trip.

North Dakota State Women's Basketball is 6-2 on the season.

Go Bison!