[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHcErsiraZ8[/youtube]
A 41-yard punt return for a touchdown by NDSU’s Ryan Smith delivered the dagger to the Jacks’ chances of taking back the Dakota Marker, as the Bison rolled SDSU 38-14 at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium Saturday.
Ahead 17-7, Smith’s score put the Bison up 17 points in the third quarter securing NDSU’s effort to leave Brookings for the first time as winners since 1999. It is also the largest margin of victory in the series since 2005.
“They’re a good team and they don’t make mistakes.” Stiegelmeier said.
SDSU missed early chances to score, including possession on the one yard-line and failing to punch it in, then missing the ensuing 19-yard field goal try from Justin Syrovatka. The Jacks would get close into the red zone in the second quarter, missing another chip shot field goal. A touchdown by D.J McNorton and a 32-yard field goal by Ryan Jastram put NDSU up 10-0 at halftime.
“It’s definitely frustrating. And it put us in tough situations. We have a talented team and it’s frustrating to not score there,” wide receiver Dale Moss said, who had seven catches for 111 yards.
Both quarterbacks were solid, not throwing an interception. But the Bison’s Brock Jensen came out ahead with a 20 of 25 performance for 178 yards. Jensen, who had two rushing touchdowns, said that drought about winning in Brookings came up repeatedly during the week.
“Coach [Bohl] reiterated that we haven’t won here since 99 and we executed with a win and it’s nice to get a win in this hostile environment,” Jensen said.
For the first time all season, SDSU didn’t turn the ball over and out-gained NDSU, 349-327. However, the failure to execute on special teams and committed costly penalties during the game.
“The sign of a winner is you play in the present and you make a play. I’m not saying we’re not winners but we didn’t respond like a winner,” Stiegelmeier said.
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