FARGO, N.D. (NDSU Athletics)- Top-ranked North Dakota State finished an unbeaten Missouri Valley Football Conference season with a 48-16 victory over Northern Iowa in the annual Harvest Bowl game Saturday, Nov. 15, before a crowd of 14,736 at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
North Dakota State, which clinched the conference title outright a week ago, went 8-0 in league play and improved to 11-0 overall heading into next week’s non-conference matchup against St. Thomas of the Pioneer Football League.
The Bison defense held Northern Iowa to 201 total yards and the Panthers didn’t get an offensive touchdown until midway through the fourth quarter against NDSU’s second unit. Nathaniel Staehling made a team-high seven tackles with one tackle for loss and fellow linebackers Donovan Woolen and Logan Kopp made six and five tackles, respectively.
Defensive tackle Zach Vanderpool recorded two sacks in the fourth quarter and had three of NDSU’s six tackles for loss. Toby Anene had a sack fumble, and safety Taylen Eady and linebacker Peder Haugo each got their first career interceptions.
NDSU’s Barika Kpeenu rushed 12 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns, including a 1-yard TD to cap NDSU’s 10-play, 83-yard opening drive. He added a 5-yard TD run late in the second quarter and Eli Ozick booted a 46-yard field goal to give the Bison a 31-2 halftime lead.
Bison quarterback Cole Payton went 15 of 17 passing for 212 yards with a 14-yard TD pass to Bryce Lance, who finished with eight catches for 131 yards. Payton also ran 10 times for 74 yards and two scores, including a 64-yard burst on NDSU’s first offensive play of the third quarter.
Northern Iowa scored on a safety on the first play of the second quarter when Caleb Frazer sacked Payton for a loss of eight, and the Panthers got a defensive touchdown midway through the third quarter when John Powers blocked Aaron Bickerton’s punt and Ethan Schoville recovered in the end zone.
UNI put together an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter for its only offensive touchdown. Jaxon Dailey connected with JC Roque Jr. on a 14-yard pass and the Panthers were within 38-16 after the PAT kick.
NDSU extended the lead with a 23-yard Eli Ozick field goal and backup quarterback Nathan Hayes had a 34-yard rushing touchdown to close out the scoring.
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