(STATS) – North Dakota State loves the comfort of playing inside its raucous Fargodome, but there’s also something about the Bison’s focus when they play on road.
It’s “the heart of a champion,” coach Chris Klieman says.
The No. 2-ranked FCS squad handed No. 8 Youngstown State yet another hard-luck loss Saturday night, as Cam Pedersen kicked a 36-yard field goal in overtime for a 27-24 victory – their national-high 12th straight road win.
The Bison (6-0, 3-0) kept pace with No. 4 South Dakota (6-0, 3-0) atop the Missouri Valley Football Conference standings while ending Youngstown State’s 11-game winning streak at Stambaugh Stadium. The Penguins (3-3, 1-2) also lost in overtime at Pittsburgh and on a late field goal at South Dakota.
“I know we have great fight, You don’t win as many games as we have and not have great fight, great character, unbelievable senior leadership,” Klieman said.
“I thought that was two excellent football teams, but we got the stop when we needed it. Cam Pedersen’s made some big kicks for us and that was another big one. So proud of the guys.”
Junior quarterback Easton Stick fueled NDSU’s sixth straight win in the series. He rushed for 172 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and passed for another 113 yards and two touchdowns. He’s gone past Carson Wentz for the school record with 149 consecutive pass attempts without an interception.
Youngstown State forced overtime at 24-24 when running back Tevin McCaster capped a nine-play, 90-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Nathan Mays, who threw two touchdown passes, had a 36-yard scramble on the drive.
But in overtime, linebacker Jabril Cox had a big sack of Mays and Youngstown State’s Zak Kennedy missed on a 39-yard field goal attempt, which gave the Bison the chance to win the game on their possession. Cox and defensive end Stanley Jones both had two of the team’s eight sacks.
Last season, NDSU was a national semifinalist and YSU was the runner-up, both falling to James Madison.
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