North Dakota State Bison vs Iowa Hawkeyes Match Player Stats On Sep 17, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Sep 17, 2016

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- North Dakota State came to Kinnick Stadium with a reputation for beating FBS opponents. On Saturday, the Bison scored their biggest victory yet.

A 37-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Cam Pedersen as time expired gave North Dakota State a stunning 23-21 victory over No. 13 Iowa. The Bison moved to 3-0 with the win, while Iowa dropped to 2-1.

The Bison had a chance earlier to take the lead when they capped a 15-play, 8:39 scoring drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Easton Stick to senior running back Chase Morlock. Trailing 21-20, North Dakota State opted to go for the 2-point conversion to put it ahead, but was unable to convert when a Stick pass into the end zone was batted away.

Iowa's offense then went three-and-out, giving North Dakota State a chance for the win. A 29-yard run up the middle by Stick highlighted what proved to be the game-winning drive.

Both offenses got off to sluggish starts. After exchanging punts to open the game, North Dakota State reached the Iowa 33-yard line before quarterback Easton Stick threw an interception to Hawkeye sophomore safety Brandon Snyder.

But it was the Bison defense scoring the first points on the ensuing drive. Senior linebacker Pierre Gee-Tucker hit Iowa senior quarterback C.J. Beathard from his blind side and Beathard's pass landed in the hands of senior linebacker MJ Stumpf, who returned the pick 21 yards for a touchdown to put North Dakota State ahead 7-0.

The Bison lead carried over into the second quarter before Iowa tied the game on a fourth-and-3 touchdown pass from Beathard to senior receiver Riley McCarron that covered 30 yards. McCarron took advantage of a North Dakota State defender falling and was wide open over the middle the field.

Beathard threw his second touchdown pass of the game on the Hawkeyes' next possession, hitting senior receiver Matt VandeBerg in the end zone on a route that covered 14 yards and put Iowa ahead 14-7. The three-play scoring drive was highlighted by a 51-yard reception from senior tight end George Kittle.

North Dakota State tied the game on its opening drive of the third quarter senior King Frazier punched the ball in from one yard out. Iowa would respond, though, later in the quarter when Beathard tossed his second touchdown pass to VandeBerg on a play originally intended for Kittle.

NOTES: North Dakota State entered Saturday's contest with a five-game winning streak against FBS opponents dating back to 2010. The Bison's FBS wins during that stretch came against Kansas, Minnesota, Colorado State, Kansas State and Iowa State. ... Matt VandeBerg became the 22nd wide receiver in Iowa history to record 100 career receptions during the first quarter of Saturday's game. The career record is 174 receptions set by former wideout Kevonte Martin-Manley. ... The 23-21 loss to North Dakota State marked the first time in school history the Hawkeyes have lost to a FCS opponent. Iowa was previously 13-0 against FCS foes. ... Iowa opens its nine-game Big Ten schedule next week at Rutgers. ... North Dakota State has a bye week coming up before playing Illinois State at home on Oct. 1.