North Dakota State Tops Illinois State on Senior Day, 20-7

NORMAL, Ill. – With rain turning into snow, No. 4 North Dakota and No. 21 Illinois State battled through a first half stalemate before the Bison (10-1, 7-1 MVFC) clinched the outright MVFC Championship with a 20-7 win over the Redbirds (6-5, 4-4 MVFC) on Senior Day at Hancock Stadium Saturday.

Both teams struggled mightily in the first half, with weather conditions deteriorating as the game went on. With strong 25-plus mile per hour wind throughout, but teams took to the ground. As rain turned into heavy snow that covered the field, both teams were forced to punt on every possession of the first half. NDSU managed just 84 yards, but controlled the clock with nearly 20 minutes of possession, as the Redbirds recorded 68 yards without completing a pass on just three attempts.

The Bison were finally able to put points on the board midway through the third quarter. After an Illinois State punt was downed at midfield, NDSU put together a nine-play drive that took 4:14 off the clock. The Redbird defense appeared to have the Bison stalled and forced a punt, but a costly roughing the punter call gave NDSU new life and extended the drive. Six plays later, quarterback Easton Stick called his own number and ran off left tackle for a 10-yard touchdown run to give NDSU a 7-0 lead with 8:32 to play in the quarter.

Getting the ball back, Jake Kolbe found James Robinson for a pair of first downs after NDSU's first score to move the ball nearly to midfield. However, an interception and a 32-yard return by Jabril Cox gave the Bison back on ISU's 25-yard line. Four plays later, Bruce Anderson added a second touchdown for the Bison but Adam Conley blocked the PAT to hold the Bison at 13 before time expired in the quarter. 

Trading three-and-outs, the Redbirds started with the ball on their own 41-yard line. A 29-yard reception from Kolbe to Christian Gibbs followed by a James Robinson first down set Illinois State up in scoring position. Kolbe turned again to Robinson who completed the drive with an 11-yard touchdown. Sean Slattery knocked in the PAT for a 13-7 score with 3:21 left in the game. 

The Bison would add a late touchdown on a one-yard run by Stick to put the game away at 20-7. Robinson finished the game with 96 yards rushing and the lone ISU touchdown, while Christian Gibbs finished with 47 yards on three receptions to lead the Redbirds. Brannon Barry led the way for the ISU defense with a career-high 10 tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss, while Dalton Keene ended his storied Redbird career with eight tackles and two sacks.

GAME NOTES:
-    Dalton Keene tied his career best with two sacks and finished the game with 2.5 tackles for loss
-    Brannon Barry set a career-high with 10 tackles and added 1.5 tackles for loss for the Redbird defense
-    Illinois State did not allow a sack on the day, and recorded four of its own to finish the day with eight TFLs
-    James Robinson rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown, his sixth game with at least 80 or more yards rushing
-    Finishing 6-5, Illinois State has now had winning records in 8 of 9 seasons under head coach Brock Spack

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