North Dakota St. defeats Mercer 31-7 to advance to FCS Semifinals

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The playoff march continues for the Herd, as North Dakota St. took care of business against Mercer Saturday 31-7 to advance to the FCS Semifinals for the fourth straight season.

Early scoring and stingy defense propelled the Bison to victory in the quarterfinals, with Cam Miller and Bryce Lance starring in the first quarter.

NDSU capped its opening drive with a Cam Miller 40-yard dime to Lance for a 7-0 lead.

On the next Bison drive, following a 70-yard Miller completion to Mekhi Collins, Miller and Lance connected again for another touchdown and a 14-0 advantage.

Bears got a score back, but Cam Miller responded for North Dakota St. with his legs this time, scampering in for a 34-yard score to keep Mercer out of arm’s reach.

The Bison led 24-7 at halftime, and North Dakota St. pulled off the 31-7 victory.

Next up, it’s a Dakota Marker rematch in the semifinals, as NDSU will host SDSU for the second time this season with a trip to Frisco and the FCS National Championship on the line. Kickoff Sat. Dec. 21 is set for 11:00 a.m.

North Dakota St. won their regular season meeting 13-9 in the Fargodome for its first Dakota Marker victory since 2019.

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