Bison Escape Bears

  • Posted By: Andrew Zimmel
  • October 23, 2021 @ 6:27 pm
  • Local Sports
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In one of the most exciting games of the season for #3 North Dakota State, #17 Missouri State Bears gave NDSU al they could handle but came up short to the Bison 27-20.

It was a chilly day when the Missouri State Bears came to town, and someone forgot to tell the stadium operator that he could turn the heat on. It was cold everywhere which, if I’m being honest, did add to the feel of the game. It doesn’t feel right to watch a team called “the Bison” in any other setting other than slight discomfort from the cold.

The Bison, and most teams, have taken the tradition of shaking hands before the game rather than after. Most of the time I don’t love that. Either show me the sportsmanship of two men beating the hell out of each other for 60 minutes coming together to say good game or don’t do it at all. In this game however, I thought it was appropriate. The Bears gave the Bison the best game up until this point and it’s disappointing that there aren’t more teams and games like this on the schedule.

Missouri State took the opening kickoff down the Bison 45, giving the fans of the Fargodome excited right from the jump. The Bears came into the game with one of the top passing game in the country. Quarterback Jason Shelley had six straight 200-yard passing game before the game, making him the first Missouri State QB to do so in his first six games. Shelley would give the Bison a fit, using his arm as well as his legs. The Bear’s QB finished with 242 passing yards. Missouri State’s Jose Pizano kicked a 47 yard field goal to give the Bears an early lead.

After a Bison three and out, Missouri State took over at their own 39. Shelley made quick work of the Bison secondary, connecting with Tyrone Scott for a 31 yard gain then hitting Xavier Lane for a 24 yard gain. The passing game set up a first and ten for Tobias Little to rush for this first touchdown of the game with 9:07 left in the first quarter and gave Missouri State a 10-0 lead.  Little was the leading rusher last year for the Bears when they played NDSU. He only had 46 yards on 8 touches. This year had five fewer yards but two scores. It all evens out.

The Bison were finally able to make something happen in the second quarter. After a mishandled punt by MSU’s Hunter Wood, the Bison were able to recover and on the first play form scrimmage Quincy Patterson was able to run in for a score to make it 10-7 with 12:09 left in the first half.

After Missouri State and North Dakota State both punted back and fourth to each other, the Bears were able to put a drive together.  Shelley and company went on a 11 play-84 yard- drive that had multiple third down conversions and even a fourth down conversion. The Bears were able to score three points to make it 13-7 on the 25 yard field goal.

North Dakota State was able to answer back with their own field goal with time expiring in the half. Jake Reinholz connected from 46 yards out to cut the lead to three 13-10.

The story of the game however was the amount of “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” penalties between the two teams. You could tell that this was a game between two of the best by the intensity and action on the gridiron. It is rare for a game to live up to the exceptions that I have set for it, but at the half way point I was shocked how competitive of a game it was.

The Bison took the kick to start the second half, and were immediately able to move the ball down the field, but were stopped short before getting the first down. The Bears defense between their own 30 and the end zone was impressive. This was the first defense that forced NDSU to beat them in the air, and if it wasn’t for Christian Watson for the Bison, Missouri State might have won this one. Reinholz connected on a 41 yard field goal to tie the game at 13 apiece.

Shelley and the Bears came roaring back, putting together a six play drive that Little score his second touchdown of the game. With 9:03 left in the third quarter, the Bears took a 20-13 lead.

The Bison defense bailed out the offense for the first time in the third quarter. In what would become a game (and potentially season) changing play, Patterson threw an inception to a Bear’s defender. It appeared to be a game changer and a chance for Missouri State to take a two score lead. Instead, the Bison defense were able to bait Shelley into throwing a pick of his own. If the NDSU defense hadn’t stepped up, again, you’d be reading a different game recap.

In the third quarter, Head Coach Matt Entz had seen enough from Patterson. Patterson ended the day throwing 5/16 for 77 yards and a pick, while also running for 56 yards and a touchdown. His replacement had a much much better day.

Cam Miller stepped into the role of QB and had himself a day, throwing for 112 yards and two TDs in a quarter and a half of playing time. Miller would throw the first of this scoring passes in the fourth quarter. Phoenix Sproles was able to haul in a 29 yard pass to tie the game up for the Bison 20-20.

After another Bears punt, the Bison would milk the clock. A 12 play seven minute drive that was caped off by a 24 yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson would be all the Bison needed to stay perfect. The extra point was good to make it 27-20 for a final. Watson finished with 4 receptions for 106 yards and a score.

The Bears had one more chance, and after starting at their own 25 with 4:42 left in the game, Shelley did his best to move the ball down the field getting as close to scoring as the Bison 36 yard line before penalties and sacks pushed MSU out of scoring range.

While the Bison keep their perfect season hopes alive and lead the Missouri Valley Football Conference, there are more questions after this game than any other earlier in the season. Next week, the Bison host 4-4 Indiana State Sycamores at 2:30.

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