South Dakota State. North Dakota State. Montana.
Yeah, that may get your consideration for energy packages advancing to the FCS semifinals subsequent weekend.
The trio did it in another way within the quarterfinals this weekend, with prime seeds SDSU and Montana passing shut exams and unseeded (or, extra precisely, unseeded?) NDSU profitable in a rout.
UAlbany? Welcome to the get together, because the Nice Danes have reached the FCS semifinals for the primary time in program historical past.
Following is a evaluate of the quarterfinal spherical:
No. 2 Seed Montana (12-1) 35, No. 7 Seed Furman (10-3) 28, OT
Fast Synopsis – Clifton McDowell’s 13-yard landing move to extensive receiver Keelan White offered the profitable margin in additional time after Junior Bergen scored on each a kickoff return and a punt return in regulation. Furman pressured the OT at 28-28 on Tyler Huff’s 13-yard TD floater to tight finish Mason Pine on fourth-and-10 with solely 13 seconds left.
Sport Ball – Bergen returned the opening kickoff 99 yards and a fourth-quarter punt return 59 yards for touchdowns, changing into the primary Grizzly to attain each methods in a sport since 2002. He additionally had 4 receptions in ending with 242 all-purpose yards.
Key Stats – The Grizzlies restricted Furman to only 4 third-down conversions out of 21 makes an attempt whereas forcing 12 punts, and Huff to only 16 completions on 47 makes an attempt, with Tra’John Cotton intercepting a move and Corbin Walker breaking apart three others.
Up Subsequent – Montana will host North Dakota State (11-3) in a nationwide semifinal on Dec. 16 (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2). Each packages have reached the ultimate 4 for the twelfth time, but it surely’s formally thought-about 11 for the Grizzlies as a result of their 2011 look was later vacated by NCAA sanctions.
No. 1 Seed South Dakota State (13-0) 23, No. 8 Seed Villanova (10-3) 12
Fast Synopsis – The defending nationwide champion Jackrabbits led by solely 10-9 at halftime, however asserted management in the course of the second half whereas advancing to the semifinals for the fourth straight season and in six of the final seven. With 27 straight victories, they personal the third-longest profitable streak in FCS historical past.
Sport Ball – All-American Isaiah Davis carried the ball 27 instances for 192 yards, together with a 66-yard landing early within the fourth quarter to increase SDSU’s 17-12 lead (he’s been over the century mark in 11 of 14 profession playoff video games). Shoutout additionally to Matt Durrance for a blocked punt and 45-scoop-and-score within the second quarter when the Jackrabbits offense had but to resolve Villanova’s protection.
Key Stat – After managing solely 64 yards within the first half on a gusty afternoon, the Jackrabbits outgained Villanova 279-84 within the second half.
Up Subsequent – South Dakota State will host No. 5 seed UAlbany (11-3) in a nationwide semifinal on Dec. 15 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2). It will likely be a first-time assembly.
North Dakota State (11-3) 45, No. 3 Seed South Dakota (10-3) 17
Fast Synopsis – The Bison scored 35 factors within the first half to avenge a daily season loss to South Dakota and roll into the semifinals for the third straight season and the twelfth time for the reason that first of their 9 FCS championship seasons in 2011. Quarterbacks Cam Miller (13 of 15, 210 yards) and Cole Payton accounted for 2 touchdowns every.
Sport Ball – Security Cole Wisniewski had two interceptions within the first half, giving him eight general to tie Frank Esposito for the college’s single-season document (eight in 1953). The Bison lead the FCS with 21 picks.
Key Stats – The Bison manhandled the Coyotes within the first half, scoring TDs on every of their first 4 possessions, and boasting benefits in speeding yards (127 to 7), offensive yards (279 to 143) and time of possession (19 minutes, 3 seconds to 10:47).
Up Subsequent – North Dakota State will play its third consecutive sport on the highway after they meet No. 2 seed Montana (12-1) in a nationwide semifinal on Dec. 16 (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Bison have a 6-4 sequence lead, most lately profitable 49-26 at dwelling in a 2022 second-round playoff sport.
No. 5 Seed UAlbany (11-3) 30, No. 4 Seed Idaho (9-4) 22
Fast Synopsis – UAlbany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger and extensive receiver Brevin Easton linked for 3 landing passes, together with a 30-yarder with 4:38 left to erase a 19-17 deficit. The CAA tri-champion outscored Idaho 23-6 over the ultimate 36 minutes, 55 seconds.
Sport Ball – Easton’s 9 receptions, 228 receiving yards and three scores all represented private highs in his two seasons at UAlbany. The senior went over 1,000 yards for the season.
Key Stat – Idaho left factors on the sphere because of its excellent kicker Ricardo Chavez having a tough efficiency: He was simply 3 of 6 on discipline aim makes an attempt and had an additional level try blocked.
Up Subsequent – UAlbany will journey to No. 1 seed South Dakota State (13-0) for its first-ever FCS semifinal on Dec. 15 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
