FCS Playoffs: NDSU beats JMU 17-13 to win sixth title in seven years

The FCS Playoffs produced a great Championship game. North Dakota State, led by strong defense, beat James Madison 17-13 to win its sixth title in seven years.

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North Dakota State (14-1) capped off a tremendous year by winning their sixth national championship in seven years over James Madison (14-1). The Bison defense forced three James Madison turnovers and came up with a key stop to snap James Madison’s 26-game winning streak.

Game Recap

The Bison defense set the tone forcing a three and out to begin the game. The stop led to a 3-yard touchdown run by Bruce Anderson set up by a roughing the punter call on JMU. Special team woes seemed like they might hurt the Bison but a stingy defense that bent but never broke was the difference.

JMU was held to a field goal after returning a punt to the Bison 14-yard line cutting the Bison lead to 7-3. On the ensuing possession, defensive lineman Simeyon Robinson stripped Easton Stick giving the Dukes great field possession at the Bison 28-yard line. Once again the Bison defense stepped up as defensive lineman Nate Tanguay picked off Bryan Schor giving the Bison first and ten at their own 44-yard line after a personal foul on JMU.

JMU looked to have another stop as they forced the Bison into third and seventeen. Offensive coorinator Courtney Messingham chose to take a shot on third down and wide receiver Darrius Shepherd slipped past the JMU secondary for a 50-yard touchdown pass making the score 14-3.

With just over two minutes to go in the first half, NDSU stripped receiver Riley Stapleton. The Bison capitalized with a 33-yard field goal by Cam Pedersen with 39 seconds left in the half giving the Bison a 17 to 3 lead.

James Madison finally found some momentum as they turned to Riley Stapleton who made an incredible catch on the sideline. The catch led to a JMU field goal, cutting the Bison lead to 17-6.

JMU came out a different team after halftime forcing the Bison to go three and out. Another huge punt return led to a one yard touchdown run by Marcus Marshall cutting the Bison lead to 17 to 13 with 9:26 to go in the third.

After another defensive stop, JMU got the ball at midfield. With the Bison starting a true freshman at corner, the Dukes turned to Riley Stapleton. Two catches later, JMU had first and ten at the Bison twenty. The Bison defense once again came up huge as Marquise Bridges picked off quarterback Bryan Schor.

After exchanging punts, the Bison marched down and looked to be settling for a field goal that would push their lead to a touchdown. JMU, needing a shift in momentum, blocked the kick and took over with a chance to take the lead.

A promising JMU drive was halted as the Bison forced JMU into punt formation. James Madison coach Mike Houston dialed up a fake punt that was executed to perfection. The fake punt gave James Madison first and ten at the Bison 29, only trailing by four.

Only one stop away from their sixth national title in seven years, the Bison defense needed another stop in the red zone. The Bison forced JMU into fourth and sixteen and with 1:10 forced an incompletion and the title was headed back to NDSU.

How the Bison won

On offense, the Bison were led by a balanced run game and quarterback Easton Stick. Bruce Anderson led the way on the ground rushing for 63 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown. In his first game back from injuring his labrum, Lance Dunn ran for 50 yards on 13 carries including a key first down to extend a drive in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Easton Stick continued to be game manager as he threw for 130 yards and one touchdown. Stick also rushed for 35 yards on 14 carries.

The Bison were +2 in turnover margin. They forced three JMU turnovers including two in the red zone. More importantly, the Bison took care of the football and dominated time of possession. 37:41 to 22:19.

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The National Championship trophy is headed back to Fargo, North Dakota. The Bison faithful traveled well to the game and were rewarded by another stellar performance from NDSU. North Dakota state caps off an incredible year on top and will be right in the hunt again next year.