North Dakota St. vs. Richmond: Score and Twitter Reaction from FCS Playoffs 2015

The North Dakota State Bison continued their unprecedented playoff run in Friday’s 33-7 win over the Richmond Spiders in the FCS semifinals and are now one victory away from an FCS record fifth straight national championship.

Even with star quarterback Carson Wentz sidelined since October after suffering a broken wrist, redshirt freshman backup Easton Stick has the Bison bound to continue their remarkable dynasty.

Stick, now 8-0 since taking over, finished 13-of-20 for 136 yards, two touchdowns and an interception Friday. He was aided by a strong run game—a collective 282 yards, including 122 from King Frazier, who scored twice—and the Bison’s longstanding catalyst: defense.

NDSU held Richmond to just 209 yards of offense—well below its 470 per game average—and forced two interceptions and allowed three third-down conversions on 12 attempts.

The Bison also got contributions from special teams, courtesy of an 88-yard punt return by Eric Perkins, which ESPN showed:

The Bisons limited Spiders quarterback Kyle Lauletta, among the best in the FCS, to a 12-of-26 outing for 171 yards and one score. They also held the Spiders ground game to 38 yards on 21 carries. All-Colonial Athletic Association running back Jacobi Green ran for just 32 yards, ending his streak of seven games with 100-plus yards.

The Bison scored on their first offensive drive, less than five minutes into the game, and didn’t look back. They jumped out to a 26-0 halftime lead, while Richmond's first-half drives ended in a punt, a punt, a turnover on downs, a punt, an interception, a punt and another punt.

The Spiders finally made some noise on the first drive of the third quarter, when Garrett Hudson broke off a 55-yard touchdown catch—the Spiders' only score of the game. 

On their next drive, Lauletta threw a pick-six to Tre Dempsey, and the Spiders sputtered the rest of the way. John O’Connor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch described the team’s struggles:

NDSU has outscored opponents 93-26 in three playoff games thus far in what’s amounted to its strongest postseason run during the current dynasty.

Though the Bison didn’t play an FBS foe this year, it wasn’t because they shied away. In fact, they likely scared them off. NDSU has won five straight games against FBS teams, dating back further than their current FCS national title streak, according to Paul Myerberg of USA Today.

Maximiliano Bretos of ESPN suggested the Bison should make the leap to college football’s top ranks:

NDSU will face the winner of Saturday’s remaining semifinal between top-seeded Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State. ESPN Stats & Info noted the Bison will likely be favored in that game as well:

Regardless of seeding or odds, the Bison will be a tough matchup for any opponent.

Postgame Reaction

The Bison already hold the FCS record for most consecutive national titles, and are the first ever to play in five straight title games, eclipsing Eastern Kentucky from 1979-1982 (won two titles) and Youngstown State in 1991-1994 (won three), according to Craig Haley of STATS (h/t Yahoo Sports). 

FCS Football shared a video of the final seconds of Friday’s game and the Bison celebrating their 19th straight playoff win:

NDSU Athletics tweeted a celebratory graphic in light of the Bison reaching yet another national title game:

North Dakota State's current run is one that ranks among the great dynasties of the modern sports era, and regardless of the national title outcome, all should watch in admiration and appreciation for this feat.