North Dakota State tops Football, 34-10

Saturday, November 11

Fargo, ND

2:30 PM

Southern Illinois University

6-4 , 3-4

North Dakota St.

7-3 , 4-3

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Southern Ill.	7	3	0	0	10
North Dakota St.	7	6	7	14	34

11/11/2023 | 6:07:00 | Football

Box Score Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery

By: By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com

FARGO, N.D. — In a game that both teams coveted as an opportunity to bolster their playoff resumes, North Dakota State scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to down Southern Illinois, 34-10, at the Fargodome on Saturday.

The No. 12-ranked Bison (7-3, 4-3) controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, winning the total yardage battle, 449-206. NDSU improved to 7-0 all-time at home against Southern and strengthened its case for a playoff bid.

Meanwhile, the No. 11-ranked Salukis (6-4, 3-4) must now win at home in the regular-season finale next Saturday versus Indiana State, and even a victory over the Sycamores won't guarantee Southern a bid in the 24-team FCS Playoffs.

The teams were evenly matched in the first half, with NDSU holding a 13-10 advantage on the scoreboard. Both teams posted touchdowns on their opening drives, including a four-yard TD run by SIU's Romeir Elliott.

"Going into halftime, I felt pretty good with where we were at," said SIU head coach Nick Hill. "(The first half) really came down to, they made two field goals and we went one-for-two."

The contest turned decidedly in favor of the Bison in the second half, as the Saluki offense did not pick up a first down until midway through the fourth quarter.

By that time, North Dakota State had scored three more touchdowns against SIU's defense, which entered the game ranked No. 5 in the country in points allowed.

NDSU was 7-for-12 on third down conversions in the game, including a 52-yard pass play on 3rd-and-25.

"It was one of those nights, defensively, where we couldn't get off the field," Hill said. "We were out there way too much on defense — we didn't force them into many punts."

In the second half, the Bison converted key first downs on 2nd-and-25, 3rd-and-16 and 3rd-and-7 on drives that all led to points.

"Those were huge," Hill acknowledged. "You really have to tip your cap to those guys, they made plays. The (3rd-and-16) was in double-coverage. We've been fortunate to swing those in our favor this year, defensively."

Southern has been stout against the run all season, but gave up 217 yards on the ground and 4.8 yards per carry.

"We didn't have our best day," said linebacker Branson Combs. "Up front, they out-physicaled us, they beat us. It just wasn't our best game and we have to be better next week."

The Salukis remain in the playoff hunt and need a win versus Indiana State at home next Saturday to get to seven wins overall and 4-4 in the toughest league in the FCS.

"Everything we have, collectively — coaches, players — we have to come out and be at our best next Saturday," Hill said. "We have to find a way to refresh our minds and get together and have a one-game season next week."

A victory would still leave Southern's fate in the hands of the selection committee, which will announce the 24-team playoff field next Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN2.

"All we can do is win next week, and it's kind of in the playoff committee's hands at that point," Combs said. "This was one we needed to get to write our own destiny, now we're kind of up in the air, and all we can do is go and win next week."