FARGO, N.D. – It was a tale of two defenses Saturday afternoon, as No. 13 Illinois State head No. 1 North Dakota State without a touchdown at home for the first time since 2002, but the defending national champion Bison (14-0) were able to hold the Redbirds (10-5) to just a field goal in a 9-3 victory in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs at the Fargodome.
How It Happened:
•   After a scoreless first quarter by both teams, the Bison got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter on a 38-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa that made the score 3-0 with 14:23 left in the period.
•   With 10 minutes left, Crosa connected on his second field goal of the afternoon, this one from 33 yards to make it 6-0 in favor of NDSU.
•   Crosa's third field goal of the quarter split the uprights from 22 yards out with 27 left before halftime, as the Bison took a 9-0 lead into the locker room at the break.
•   A 27-yard field goal by Sam Fenlason with 2:02 left in the third quarter cut the NDSU lead to one score at 9-3.
•   Both teams could not muster a score in the final quarter, as the Bison came away with their 35th straight win.
Game Notes: Â Â
•   Senior All-American running back James Robinson finished the game with 94 yards on 24 carries and had one reception for 16 yards to lead the ISU offense … he finished the season with 1,917 yards (career-best) and finished his illustrious career with 4,462 yards which ranks No. 2 all time.
•   Fenlason finished the season 17-of-21 (.809) with his field goal make in the third quarter.Â
•   Dylan Draka led the Redbird defense with eight tackles, a TFL and a pass breakup on the afternoon.
•   Devin Taylor added five stops and added a sack and pass breakup.Â
•   The Redbird defense finished the day with a sack and 7 TFL and held the vaunted NDSU offense to just 263 yards of total offense in the contest.
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