Last Updated 4:00 PM, December 21, 2024
Stan Becton

North Dakota State defeats South Dakota State 28-21 in FCS semifinals to advance to Frisco

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North Dakota State vs. South Dakota State: 2024 FCS semifinal highlights
9:33
8:16 pm, December 21, 2024

North Dakota State wins, advances to National Championship Game

bryce lance

North Dakota State defeated South Dakota State for the second time this year, this time 28-21 with a national title berth on the line.

Bryce Lance stole the show for the Bison. His game-winning one-handed touchdown catch but the Bison in front late in the fourth quarter. It was his third touchdown catch of the day as he moved into first in the NDSU single-season receiving touchdown record book (16).

Bryce Lance's incredible one-hand catch in NDSU's 2024 FCS semifinal win

Defensively, North Dakota State held 2023 Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback Mark Gronowoski to completing just 56 percent of his passes while forcing the games only turnover, a fumble in the second quarter.

With the win, North Dakota State will advance to Frisco, Texas to play in the FCS National Championship Game on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET.

Click or tap here for stats from the game

8:08 pm, December 21, 2024

NDSU gets defensive stop for win — 4Q: 1:16

An inside stunt on a North Dakota Stateblitz led Jaxon Duttenhefer and Loshiaka Roques to land the game-winning sack on South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski on fourth down. North Dakota State takes over possession and South Dakota State only has one timeout. The Bison will win the game!

7:57 pm, December 21, 2024

WHAT A CATCH! NDSU 28, SDSU 21 | 4Q - 4:02

Bryce Lance. All he needed was one hand for his third touchdown of the day that put North Dakota State up seven points late in the fourth quarter. The catch puts Lance in sole possession of the single-season Bison receiving TD record.

South Dakota State will try to answer with 4:02 remaining and three timeouts.

7:41 pm, December 21, 2024

All knotted up! NDSU 21, SDSU 21 | 4Q- 8:20

Quarterback Mark Gronowski found wide receiver Grahm Goering in the end zone for a 14-yard game-tying score.

Gronowski went 4-5 passing for 86 yards and the score on the 90-yard scoring drive.

7:26 pm, December 21, 2024

Bison back in front! NDSU 21, SDSU 14 | 4Q- 12:56

After a dormant third quarter, it took North Dakota State just three plays to go 70 yards and find the end zone. Quarterback Cam Miller found wide receiver Bryce Lance for the duo's third touchdown of the day, this time from 47-yards out — the longest play of the day.

The score gives Lance five touchdowns for 115 yards and two scores. He's tied the North Dakota State single-season receiving touchdowns record at 15.

7:17 pm, December 21, 2024

Third quarter update — North Dakota State 14, South Dakota State 14

North Dakota State and South Dakota State went scoreless in the third quarter. There were five punts on all five drives, with South Dakota State facing a third-and-seven at its own 19-yard line when play resumes.

While there wasn't much offensively, the defenses stood out.

North Dakota State had four tackles for loss. South Dakota State had two tackles for loss and forced a fumble that it didn't recover.

See stats through three quarters below

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7:03 pm, December 21, 2024

Defensive battle to start third quarter — 3Q- 6:30

Four punts opened the first four third quarter drives as both the South Dakota State and North Dakota State defenses are holding their own. We're still deadlocked in the first FCS semifinal game.

6:19 pm, December 21, 2024

Halftime — North Dakota State 14, South Dakota State 14

North Dakota State and South Dakota State are tied at 14 apiece after the first half. It's been a tightly-contested battle as most battles between the two rivals are.

South Dakota State has been able to lean on its running attack, gaining 111 yards to NDSU's 53. Amar Johnson and Mark Gronowski have scored on the ground.

Meanwhile, Cam Miller has accounted for both North Dakota State touchdowns, scoring once with his legs and once with his arm. Miller also has been efficient, completing six of seven passes.

The biggest play of the first half was the lone turnover, a fumble by Amar Johnson that gave North Dakota State the ball in Jackrabbit territory. 

When play resumes, North Dakota State will receive the second half kick. See first half stats below.

stats
6:05 pm, December 21, 2024

Miller ties it up! NDSU 14, SDSU 14 | 2Q- 1:57

Points off turnovers! After a 12-yard pass to Bryce Lance, North Dakota State ran the ball six straight plays until it found the end zone. It was Cam Miller running off the right edge for a two-yard score which tied the game up.

6:02 pm, December 21, 2024

Fumble — 2Q- 5:10

A routine handoff turned into a fumble after Amar Johnson was stripped by Kody Huisman in the backfield. North Dakota State recovered and will take over possession near the red zone at the South Dakota State 23-yard line.
5:50 pm, December 21, 2024

First lead for Jacks! SDSU 14, NDSU 7 | 2Q -

Amar Johnson made plenty of defenders miss on a 39-yard touchdown run that featured both a hurdle and a stiff arm. The run gives the Jackrabbits 100 yards on the ground today and puts them in front 14-7.

The touchdown capped off an 86-yard scoring drive. In total, South Dakota State is outscoring opponents in the second quarter 238-43 this year.

5:41 pm, December 21, 2024

First quarter — North Dakota State 7, South Dakota State 7

We're tied after the first quarter in the Dakota Marker rematch. After both teams matched each other on their scoring drives, South Dakota State forced a three-and-out on North Dakota State after the Bison false started on fourth down and were forced to punt.

When play resumes, South Dakota State will have the ball at its own 42 yard line facing second-and-four. See first quarter stats below.

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5:26 pm, December 21, 2024

Jackrabbits answer! NDSU 7, SDSU 7 | 1Q- 4:14

South Dakota State answered North Dakota State's first points with a scoring drive of its own. The Jackrabbits didn't have a negative play or an incomplete pass on its 10-play drive, capped off by a quarterback sneak from Mark Gronowski.

5:16 pm, December 21, 2024

Bison strike first! NDSU 7, SDSU 0 | 1Q- 9:34

The Cam Miller-Bryce Lance connection is cooking early. The duo connected twice for games of 30 and 21 yards on North Dakota State's opening drive, with the latter catch going for a touchdown. 

5:08 pm, December 21, 2024

We're underway

The first FCS semifinal game is underway as No. 3 South Dakota State battles No. 2 North Dakota State. The Jackrabbits received the opening kickoff.