South Dakota State at North Dakota State FCS Playoffs 2nd Round Breakdown
#1 North Dakota State vs. South Dakota State
North Dakota State’s road to another FCS title begins with a familiar foe. South Dakota State ran all over Eastern Illinois in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Jackrabbits sent EIU home with a 58-10 drubbing. Zach Zenner rushed for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while Reginald Gandy added 151 yards and two scores. South Dakota State is playing very well right now. The ground game is on a roll and the defense has done very well keeping the opposition out of the end zone. And that is how South Dakota State can keep the game close against North Dakota State. That is exactly what they did back on November 10th when these two teams met in Missouri Valley play. NDSU came away with a 20-17 victory, but this again will be a low scoring, close affair. The Bison have an amazing defense, but South Dakota State has the ground game to control the clock and at least occasionally move the chains. North Dakota State is the favorite to move on in the playoffs, yet South Dakota State has a couple things going for them. They know NDSU very well, play good enough defense and have the defensive and special teams playmakers to make a difference. And this game could come down to one big play one way. If South Dakota State can make that play, they could give the Bison a serious test early in the playoffs.
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