Upset in the FCS Playoffs: No. 1 North Dakota State Eliminated by Illinois State
The overwhelming favorite to win the FCS national championship, North Dakota State, suffered a stunning second-round playoff loss to Illinois State on Saturday, 29-28, after a dramatic collapse in the final minutes. The Bison, a dominant force in college football’s second tier for two decades, were heavily favored at -300 to win the title at BetMGM.
The improbable victory for Illinois State throws the FCS playoff bracket wide open, ending North Dakota State’s hopes for a repeat championship run.
Redbirds Stun Bison with Late-Game Heroics
Illinois State’s chances appeared bleak when they were stopped on fourth-and-goal while trailing 28-14 with 6:14 remaining. However, a quick three-and-out by North Dakota State ignited a remarkable comeback. The Redbirds marched 41 yards in seven plays, culminating in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to Daniel Sobkowicz, narrowing the deficit to seven points.
Momentum swung decisively in Illinois State’s favor on the ensuing North Dakota State drive. Redbirds defensive lineman Jake Anderson sacked Bison quarterback Cole Payton and recovered the fumble, giving Illinois State possession at the 1:51 mark. Rittenhouse quickly connected with Sobkowicz again, this time for a 6-yard touchdown with just one minute left on the clock.
Demonstrating a bold and aggressive strategy, Illinois State opted to go for the win rather than tie the game. Rittenhouse delivered a clutch pass to Scotty Presson Jr. for the successful two-point conversion, securing a 29-28 lead. North Dakota State’s final drive stalled, and they turned the ball over on downs, sealing their fate.
Rittenhouse Overcomes Interceptions, Bison QBs Struggle
Despite throwing five interceptions, Rittenhouse finished with a productive performance, completing 35 of 52 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Three of those interceptions occurred in the first half, with the fifth contributing to North Dakota State’s 28-14 lead in the fourth quarter.
North Dakota State’s quarterback play was significantly hampered. Payton, a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award, managed only 4 of 12 passing attempts, while Nathan Hayes completed 2 of 7. The duo combined for just 120 passing yards, with 78 yards coming on a touchdown pass to Bryce Lance, the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance.
End of an Era? Dakotas’ Dominance Challenged
The Bison’s loss marks a significant shift in the FCS landscape. North Dakota State had won the 2024 national title over Montana State, adding to their impressive tally of 10 national championships since 2011. Prior to North Dakota State’s recent success, South Dakota State claimed back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
With programs like Sam Houston and James Madison moving to the top level of college football, the path to the FCS championship is now more open than it has been in years. The last team outside of North Dakota State or South Dakota State to win an FCS title while currently in the division was Eastern Washington in 2010.
