FARGO, N.D. (NDSU Athletics)- Cam Miller passed for 259 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 2 seed North Dakota State to a 31-7 victory over seventh-seeded Mercer on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Football Championship.
Miller connected with Bryce Lance for touchdowns of 40 yards and 4 yards on NDSU’s first two possessions to open a 14-0 lead. Miller scored on a 34-yard run in the second quarter and Griffin Crosa added a 38-yard field goal as the Bison built a 24-7 halftime lead.
Lance finished with five receptions for 73 yards and Mekhi Collins had four catches for a career-high 119 yards including a 70-yard catch and run to set up Lance’s second TD.
NDSU cornerback Anthony Chideme-Alfaro made a career-high six tackles and got his first interception as a Bison, picking off Whitt Newbauer to stop Mercer at the NDSU 6 after a Bison turnover. Linebacker Nick Kubitz also had six tackles for NDSU.
Mercer, which entered as the top rushing defense in the FCS, held the Bison to 133 yards and a season-low 3.2 yards per carry including four sacks, the most allowed by NDSU since the September home win over Towson.
North Dakota State improved to 12-2 overall and will host No. 3 seed South Dakota State in the 11 a.m. national semifinal game next Saturday, Dec. 21, on ABC. The Jackrabbits improved to 12-2 with a 55-14 quarterfinal victory over Incarnate Word.
Mercer linebacker Marques Thomas and safety Chris Joines made nine tackles apiece, and safety Myles Redding intercepted two passes for the Bears, who ended their season 11-3 overall.
Game Recap: Football |
Comments