Nov. 3, 2007
Final Stats 
| Post-game Notes
FARGO, N.D. - Led by a powerful running attack, the No.1 North Dakota State Bison (9-0) defeated the Illinois State football team, 54-28, in front of 18,116 fans Saturday at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D. Senior tailback Rafael Rice recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season, and junior Tom Nelson established three kickoff return records, but the Bison racked up over 600 yards of total offense during NDSU's Senior Day.
The Redbirds, who fell to 4-6 overall, saw Nelson break the career kickoff return (54) and kickoff return yardage (1,175) records, as well as setting the single-game mark for returns in a game with eight. Quarterback Luke Drone threw for 217 yards on 25-for-39 passing, with three touchdowns and an interception, while Nelson and linebacker Kye Stewart finished with a game-high 14 tackles a piece. Rice finished with 132 yards on 22 carries.
NDSU running back Tyler Roehl was able to run all over the Redbird defense during the game, as he racked up 257 rushing yards on 20 carries with a career-high four touchdowns. Roehl's rushing total was the second-straight 200-yard rushing day given up by the Redbirds, as the Bison extended their winning streak to 12 games.
Despite the overwhelming crowd noise, the Redbirds were to capitalize on their opening drive, courtesy of big runs by Drone and Rice. On the second play from scrimmage, Drone was able to avoid pressure and establish a new career-long rush of 25 yards, putting the Redbirds in Bison territory. Rice was able to keep the drive alive on two occasions, allowing Drone to hit fullback Dave Mordis on a two-yard fade to give ISU a 7-0 lead with 10:33 remaining in the first.
But the Bison were also able to find the end zone on their opening drive, as NDSU knotted the score at 7-7 when Lockport, Ill., native Steve Walker connected with wide receiver Kole Heckendorf on a 19-yard touchdown catch with 8:59 left in the first.
The Redbirds appeared to have another scoring threat on their next possession, however, Drone was not ready for the snap from center Jonathan St.-Pierre on first-down. Drone fumbled the snap, which was recovered by NDSU at their own 42-yard line. The Bison capitalized on the turnover, as Walker was able to score on a quarterback sneak, giving the Bison a 13-7 advantage. But the Redbirds blocked the extra point attempt, as Kelvyn Hemphill broke through the line and got a hand on the kick from NDSU kicker Shawn Bibeau.
The Bison were able to take control of the ground game in the early minutes of the second quarter, as Roehl scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions. Roehl scored his first touchdown of the game on a 34-yard scamper, and found the end zone again by pounding in a one-yard run, giving NDSU a 26-7 lead with 11:29 left in the second quarter.
Drone showed poise throughout the Redbirds' next drive, which ended with a touchdown when he hit wide receiver Eyad Salem in stride as he crossed the goal line on a 29-yard catch with 9:39 left in the first half. Drone went 4-for-4 during the drive, allowing the Redbirds to move the ball 70-yards and cut into the Bison lead at 26-14.
But the Bison were able to answer the Redbirds' touchdown, as Roehl took a handoff and out-ran the Redbird secondary on an 81-yard touchdown sprint down the Redbird sideline. Roehl, who established a season-long rush on the touchdown, was able to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark for the fifth time this season.
The Redbirds were able to get things going and move the ball inside the Bison's three-yard line on their next drive, the Bison defense held tough, and forced ISU to turn the ball over on downs. But Illinois State forced the Bison to a three-and-out on the next possession, and got the ball back at the one-yard line when the snap got away from punter Mike Dragosavich on fourth down and was kicked out of the end zone. ISU accepted the penalty instead of recording a safety, and Rice was able to cross the goal line for a touchdown on a one-yard dive with six seconds left in the half.
North Dakota State opened the second half by adding to its lead, as Walker and the Bison put together a nine-play, 76-yard drive that ended in a 14-yard touchdown catch by Heckendorf. Bibeau nailed the extra point, giving the Bison a 40-21 lead with 11:58 remaining in the third quarter. But Drone and the Redbirds responded, as the Redbird signal caller connected with Salem on a 10-yard touchdown reception. Salem caught his second touchdown of the game in the left corner of the end zone, as he was able to drag his feet inbounds as he fell out of the end zone. Fetzer made the extra point, with the Bison holding onto a 40-28 lead at the 9:48 mark.
Roehl scored his fourth touchdown of the game with 3:01 left in the third, giving the Bison a commanding, 47-28 advantage. Roehl's fourth score from four-yards out established his career-best tally in a game, as the Bison continued to put pressure on the Redbird defense.
The Bison put the game out of reach on their first play of the fourth quarter, when backup running back Pat Paschall ran 38-yards for his first score of the game. North Dakota State took a 54-28 lead, as the Bison needed only three plays to cover 55 yards during the drive.
The Redbirds will wrap up their 2007 regular season when they travel to Carbondale, Ill., to face in-state rival Southern Illinois next Saturday, Nov. 10. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.
