It was a playoff game for the ages in Bozeman, MT for NDSU and Montana State Saturday. The Bobcats led most of the game after missing two field goals, finally sustaining a drive with 1:57 left in the first quarter resulting in a touchdown pass from Tommy Mellott to Ty McCollouch; putting the Bison in chase mode most of the game in the finally three quarters. Every time NDSU scored, Montana State found an answer and that was the case all the way late into the game. With the Bobcats leading 28-21 the Bison tied up the game with 2:33 left in regulation on a TK Marshall 29 yard touchdown run to tie it up 28-28.
Montana State could score on a game-winning drive as NDSU forced them to punt with numerous quarterback sacks on the Bobcat’s final offensive possession in regulation. The Bobcats pinned the Bison deep at the two yard line with 20 second left on their punt to NDSU, and regulation ended with Cam Miller pushing forward to get some breathing room out of the end-zone. The Bison had the ball first in overtime, scoring on a three-yard touchdown run to give NDSU the lead 35-28. The Bobcats answered quickly, scoring on their first offensive play in overtime on a Scottre Humphrey 25 yard touchdown run to make the score 35-34. Hunter Poncius, a 6’8 315 pound offensive tackle from Buffalo, MN was able to get his hand on the ball on the kick for the point-after-attempt to seal the victory for NDSU. It was the fourth time in five years the Bison have defeated the Bobcats in the postseason and snaps the 26 home game winning streak for Montana State. NDSU will travel to Vermillion, SD next weekend for the FCS quarterfinals against USD. The Coyotes defeated the Bison at the Fargodome in the regular season 24-19.
