Illinois State Redbirds at North Dakota State Bison
· FCS Championship - Second Round
Illinois State scores 2 late TDs to knock out top-ranked North Dakota State 29-28 in FCS playoff
Rittenhouse’s second 8-yard TD pass to Sobkowicz pulled Illinois State to 28-21 with 2:44 left. On the ensuing possession, Jake Anderson strip-sacked Cole Payton and the Redbirds had the ball back at the 23.
On fourth-and-goal with 51 seconds left, Rittenhouse threw a 6-yard TD pass to Sobkowicz and the Redbirds converted a Scotty Presson Jr.
The Bison then drove near midfield, but Nathan Hayes threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-7 to seal it for the Redbirds, who will move on to face the UC Davis-Rhode Island winner in a quarterfinal.
Payton threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Lance on North Dakota State's first play from scrimmage. About 10 minutes later, Jackson Williams scored on a 52-yard punt return for a 14-0 lead. Nathaniel Staehling added a 73-yard pick-6 midway through the second quarter to give the Bison a 21-7 lead.
Rittenhouse threw three interceptions in the first half before throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Sobkowicz late in the second quarter to get the Redbirds within 21-14 at the break.
Rittenhouse completed 35 of 52 passes for 249 yards. Victor Dawson scored on a 69-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and finished with 137 yards rushing for Illinois State.
Payton and Hayes combined for 6-of-19 passing for 120 yards. Barika Kpeenu's 4-yard touchdown run gave the Bison the lead at 28-14 with 12:38 left in the fourth quarter.
The Bison entered having won 14 straight in the series with a pair of playoff wins including a 29-27 victory in the 2014 national championship.
----
How To Watch
How can I watch Illinois State Redbirds vs. North Dakota State Bison?
- TV Channel: Redbirds at Bison 2021 College Football, week 15, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 12:39 | Bryce Lance 78 Yd pass from Cole Payton (Eli Ozick Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 4:40 | Jackson Williams 52 Yd Punt Return (Eli Ozick Kick) |
 |
TD | 2nd Period 11:21 | Victor Dawson 69 Yd Run (Matt Maldonado Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 8:09 | Nathaniel Staehling 73 Yd Interception Return (Eli Ozick Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 0:50 | Daniel Sobkowicz 8 Yd pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 12:38 | Barika Kpeenu 4 Yd Run (Eli Ozick Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 2:44 | Daniel Sobkowicz 8 Yd pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 1:00 | Daniel Sobkowicz 6 Yd pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Tommy Rittenhouse Pass to Scotty Presson Jr. for Two-Point Conversion) |
Statistics
 ILST |
 NDSU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 1st Downs | 6 |
| 6-18 | 3rd down efficiency | 2-13 |
| 4-6 | 4th down efficiency | 1-2 |
| 422 | Total Yards | 179 |
| 249 | Passing | 120 |
| 35/52 | Comp/Att | 6/19 |
| 4.8 | Yards per pass | 6.3 |
| 173 | Rushing | 59 |
| 39 | Rushing Attempts | 27 |
| 4.4 | Yards per rush | 2.2 |
| 4-21 | Penalties | 5-54 |
| 5 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 0 | Fumbles lost | 2 |
| 5 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
| 42:01 | Possession | 17:59 |
College Football News
Texas or Ohio State? Dinich reveals her preseason No. 1 team
Texas or Ohio State? Dinich reveals her preseason No. 1 team
2026 Big Ten college football preview, predictions, top transfers
The Ducks look to continue an amazing trend, but Ohio State, Indiana, USC and others stand in the way.
Mike Lombardi leave the latest cloud for Bill Belichick at North Carolina
Not much has gone well for Belichick since his arrival in Chapel Hill.
Why Michigan's Kyle Whittingham likes the idea of a salary cap in college football
Why Michigan's Kyle Whittingham likes the idea of a salary cap in college football
Darieon Prescott, No. 36 recruit for 2028, picks Notre Dame
Notre Dame continued its summer run on elite defensive line talent with a commitment from DE Darieon Prescott, the No. 36 recruit in the SC Next ESPN Junior 300.