Blaine Kinsey
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.—Despite being within one score for the majority of the game, the No. 1 Bison of North Dakota State (9-0, 6-0 MVFC) proved to be too much for the No. 16 Sycamores as ISU (5-4, 3-3 MVFC) fell by a final score of 27-16 Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Bison got on the board first as they marched down the field on a 15 play, 46 yard drive before the Sycamore defense came up with a stop to force the Bison to kick a 39 yard field goal and giving them a 3-0 lead.
On the very next possession the Sycamores answered the Bison call going on a six play, 76 yard drive before stalling at the 18 yard line. Sophomore Austen Wozniak came on for the Sycamores and connected on a 22 yard field goal attempt to tie the game at three.
The score did not remain tied for long, however, as the Bison extended their lead to 10-3 on the next possession with a 30-yard touchdown pass.
The Sycamores stormed right back though as they tied the game at 10 with a four-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Ronnie Fouch to junior tight end Michael Mardis.
The Bison once again had an answer and moved the ball 84 yards, in just seven plays to take the lead once again over the Sycamores 17-10 with just 1:35 left in the half. The Sycamores moved down the field in the final seconds and lined up for a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left but it hit the left upright and bounced out, no good, giving the Bison a 17-10 lead heading into halftime.
Defense took over in the third quarter as neither team was able to score in the period. On the Sycamores first drive they moved the ball 15 yards before Fouch's pass was tipped and then intercepted by North Dakota State. The Sycamore defense held strong and forced the Bison to turn the ball over on downs.
The Bison broke through to start the fourth quarter as they extended their lead to 20-10 with a 29 yard field goal. The Sycamores could not respond and two possessions later Fouch was sacked and stripped of the ball and it was recovered by North Dakota State on the ISU 13 yard line. The Bison went on to score and to extend their lead to 27-10 with 7:44 left to play.
Fouch got the Sycamore offense moving with 4:44 left to play as they moved 70 yards off seven plays before Fouch found senior wide receiver in the end zone for a touchdown. The Sycamores elected to go for the 2-point conversion but failed making it 27-16.
The ensuing on-side kick was recovered by the Bison and the Sycamores could not get a stop as they went on to fall to the Bison by a final score of 27-16.
Fouch finished the game 19-38 for 249 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Hilton led the ISU receiving core with four catches for 1-3 yards including a 59 yard reception.
Bell led the Sycamores on the ground with 79 yards off 16 carries.
As a team the Sycamores had 373 yards compared to the Bison's 343 yards.
The Sycamores will return to action this Saturday when they travel to face the Bears of Missouri State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
