FARGO — North Dakota State scored 35 points in the first half Saturday afternoon at the DakotaDome, a dominating start that proved too much for No. 3-seeded South Dakota.
The Bison led by 32 points at halftime and cruised to a 45-17 victory in the NCAA Division I FCS quarterfinals before 9,141 fans.
Unseeded NDSU (11-3) plays at No. 2-seeded Montana (12-1) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, in the FCS semifinals.
“We’ll have our work cut out for us,” said Bison head coach Matt Entz.
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Bison quarterback Cam Miller completed 13 of 15 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown against the Coyotes. Miller also added a touchdown run.
“Guys don’t want to be done playing football yet,” Miller said.
Below are scenes from NDSU’s decisive victory against South Dakota:
North Dakota State’s Brandon Westberg signals a first down on a reception by teammate Eli Green against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State’s Carson Williams hauls in a reception against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s TaMerik Williams runs past South Dakota’s Keyon Turner for a touchdown during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Brandon Westberg has a laugh on the sidelines late in the game against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State’s Jayden Price runs past South Dakota’s Isaac Erbes on his way to a 82-yard punt return touchdown during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Jake Kava is congratulated by Brenda Entz after the win over South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton scores on a 17-yard run to the dismay of South Dakota fans during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz congratulates Cole Wisniewski on a fine effort against South Dakota after the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s TaMerik Williams (22) celebrates his touchdown run with teammates during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State’s Cole Wisniewski celebrates his second interception against South Dakota with teammate Marcus Sheppard during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Cole Wisniewski celebrates his second interception against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State’s Sam Jung snares an interception against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Cole Wisniewski grabs an interception against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Jaxon Duttenhefer sacks South Dakota’s Aidan Bouman during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State players thank the Bison fans after the win over South Dakota in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Kaedin Steindorf and Griffin Crosa celebrate a field goal against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State fans get fired up for the fourth quarter against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Jayden Price runs past the South Dakota bench on his way to a 82-yard punt return touchdown during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Matt Entz questions a call during play against South Dakota in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State’s Eli Green takes on South Dakota’s Dennis Shorter after a reception during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State’s Joe Stoffel (82) celebrates his touchdown reception against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State’s Matt Larsen and Matt Entz celebrate the win over South Dakota after the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz fires up Cole Wisniewski before kickoff against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State players ready to take the field for warmups before play against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State’s Cam Miller soars to score a first quarter touchdown past South Dakota’s Myles Harden during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
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North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton breaks free on a 43-yard touchdown run against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
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North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton celebrates his second touchdown on a 17-rard run against South Dakota with teammate Joe Stoffel during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Jayden Price celebrates his 82-yard punt return touchdown against South Dakota during the NCAA FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
David Samson/The Forum
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.
