In a game featuring the top two ranked teams in FCS, it lived up to the hype. At least in the fourth quarter.

In a tight defensive battle, North Dakota State finally forced its first turnover against South Dakota State in five years with an interception of Logan Kopp to seal a 13-9 win over the Jackrabbits and the Bison won the Dakota Marker for the first time since 2019 to give.

Quarterback Cam Miller threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to wide receiver RaJa Nelson with 1:49 left in the game. It was Nelson’s second touchdown of the game in just his third game of the season while dealing with lingering injuries.

The Bison defense gave another good effort, holding the high-powered Jacks to just one touchdown, a 66-yard run by backup quarterback Chase Mason.

Mark Gronowski completed 17 of 29 passes for 118 yards and an interception.

Luke Weerts, starting for an injured Nick Kubitz at middle linebacker, tied for team-high honors with eight tackles.

The Bison suffered more injuries to key players during the game. Two more defensive starters; Sam Jung and Oscar Benson left the game with injuries, while backup quarterback Cole Payton injured his right shoulder.

Head coach Tim Polasek indicated that all three could be out for a while as NDSU still has two games left before the bye week.

WDAY’s Sam Goetzinger is joined by The Forum’s Jeff Kolpack and Mike McFeely to recap this instant classic in the Dome.

Dom Izzo is sports director at WDAY-TV. He started working for WDAY in 2006 as a weekend sports anchor and was promoted to sports director in 2010.