Bryce Lance continued his efficient workload on Saturday, opening up NDSU’s scoring with a 18-yard rushing touchdown. His first career rushing touchdown. 7-0 Bison.
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ETSU responded swiftly on their opening possession, driving down 75 yards in 10 plays, capped
off by a Bryson Irby three yard rushing touchdown. 7-7.
Offensive strength didn’t shy away in the later half of the first quarter, as an right play, 75 yard drive led by QB Cam Miller, ending in a five yard touchdown pass to Joe Stoffel, his first receiving touchdown of the 2024 campaign. 14-7 Bison.
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TO end the first quarter, Ephraim Floyd gained six yards on his first attempt of the day, leaving ETSU to start their second quarter drive at NDSU’s 44-yard line. Early on in the second quarter, Ty Anderson took the ball in from a yard out to give us a brand-new ball game. 14-14.
Jackson Williams gave the Bison great field position to start their second quarter drive, as he
took a return 44 yards to set up the bison drive around mid-field. ETSU finally prevented a touchdown from being scored, as they stifled out the bison and forced a 54-yard field goal from Eli Ozick, the second longest field goal in school history. 17-14 NDSU.
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ETSU responds, find themselves playing ahead as their five play drive was highlighted by a 61-yard touchdown rush from running back Bryson Irby. 21-17 ETSU.
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Both teams would punt in their following possessions and ETSU would walk into the second half leading NDSU by four points. ETSU would receive the second half kickoff, to which they responded with a monster 14 play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Bryson Irby rushed in from 10 yards out for his third touchdown of the afternoon. 28-17 ETSU.
Quarterback Cam Miller got in on the fun as he cultivated his own rushing touchdown from a yard out to bring the bison within one possession. NDSU missed the two-point conversion to bring the game within a field goal. 28-23 ETSU.
The Bison defense helped themselves out by forcing a three and out to bring us to the start of the fourth quarter. Jaylen King found TE Cameron Lewis for a 19-yard touchdown reception to highlight a four play, 63 yard drive for ETSU to bring their lead back to two possessions. 35-23 ETSU.
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NDSU would wait until under three minutes left in the game to make their last effort push for a comeback as made a crucial fourth down play to connect for 38 yards to John Gores. TK Marshall rushed it in from three yards out to bring the bison back down one possession. 35-30 ETSU.
The most crucial down that was played all night was under the two minute warning, as the bison lined up to go for an onside kick. Caught up in between to play the bounce or to go out and get the ball before it bounced Terrance Lee saw the ball kick off him and end up in the Bison special teams hands as NDSU recovered the onside kick. Their first onside recovery in almost 20 years.
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It was time for Cam Miller’s money drive. Starting at the bison 42-yard line, the Bison quarterback saw a huge call go in favor of North Dakota State, as Pass Interference on Henderson saw the Bison get to take the ball down to ETSU’s 17-yard line. After this penalty, Cam Miller used his legs to cap off his final drive with an 11 yard rushing touchdown to complete the comeback. Bryce Lance caught a reception on the two-point conversion. 38-35 NDSU.
With 33 seconds left, ETSU was running out of time to get into field goal range, as NDSU played preservative defense to start the drive. Jaylen King makes the last play of the day as he threw an interception to Logan Kopp to put the final nail in the coffin for ETSU.
FINAL
NDSU 38
ETSU 35
Cam Miller completed 21 of his 33 attempts for 250 yards, one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. CharMar Brown received 11 rushing attempts for 65 yards, while Mekhi Collins lead the receiving room with four receptions for 67 yards.
NDSU returns back to the Fargodome on Saturday, September 21 to host Towson for their homecoming weekend game. Kickoff is slated for 1 P.M.
*This article was written by Flag Family Media intern Cayden Lloyd*
