FARGO, N.D. – Top-ranked North Dakota State will play for its eighth FCS national championship in nine seasons after a 42-14 victory over Montana State in Saturday's playoff semifinal at the Fargodome.
The Bison (15-0) won their 36th straight game overall to extend their FCS record and their 28th straight at home, tying the school mark. The two-time defending champions will play James Madison on Jan. 11 in Frisco, Texas. James Madison defeated NDSU in the 2016 semifinals.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," first-year head coach Matt Entz said. "I'm probably afraid to go home and take a nap. I feel I'll wake up and we'll be getting ready for Butler [in the season opener] or something like that. It would be a dream. It's gone unbelievably fast."
A week after being held to three field goals in a 9-3 quarterfinal win over Illinois State, the Bison piled up 541 yards of offense, including 318 on the ground.
Christian Watson scored long TDs on back-to-back touches in the second quarter.
Trey Lance (Marshall High) found Watson behind the defense along the left sideline for a 75-yard touchdown pass one play after the Bobcats (11-4) tied the game at 7. After a three-and-out by Montana State, Watson went 70 yards on a reverse.
"Explosive," Lance said of Watson. "Anytime he gets the ball in his hands … I don't know if a lot of guys are going to catch him."
Lance completed 15 of 21 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns, including a 73-yard hookup with Dimitri Williams (Rosemount High), and rushed for two scores.
