Sycamores unable to topple No.1 Bisons

The ISU football team fell to number-one-ranked North Dakota State University 27-16 despite the fair fight.

"It's not what we didn't do; it's what they did," head coach Trent Miles said after the game.

The Bison defense focused on containing sophomore tail back Shakir Bell. For the season, Bell averages over a hundred rushing yards per game, but on Saturday, Bell rushed for a total of 79 yards. Senior quarterback Ronnie Fouch threw 19 of 38 for 249 yards, two touchdowns and one reception.

The Sycamores quickly turned the ball over to NDSU on a three and out 1:29 into the game. NDSU took the turnover for a 15-play drive putting the first points on the board with a 39-yard field goal. The Bisons controlled the time clock through the rest of the game, topping ISU's possession time by 15:52 overall.

The Sycamores quickly responded with 6-play drive of 76 yards, tying the game with a 22-yard field goal.

The back and forth continued through most of the first half with each team taking turns scoring touchdowns, tying the game at 10-10.

The Bisons pulled ahead with a second touchdown by sophomore running back Sam Ojuri with 9:51 left until half time. Neither team scored the rest of the first half, ending in an ISU missed field goal attempt by sophomore full back Austen Wozniak.

Both teams came out of the locker room to a stagnant third quarter. Regardless of an interception early in the quarter, NDSU didn't score until 2:09 into the fourth quarter.

NDSU regained possession after NDSU senior left end Coulter Boyer sacked Fouch, causing Fouch to fumble. NDSU senior linebacker Chad Wilson recovered the ball putting NDSU sophomore quarter back Brock Jensen at the ISU 13 yard line. After four plays, NDSU senior running back DJ McNorton ran the ball in for a touchdown, making the score 27-10 with 7:44 left in the game.

Both teams took turns punting before Fouch found sophomore wide receiver Donald Spencer in the end zone on a two-yard pass. The Sycamores tried for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful making the score 27-16 with 3:01 left on the clock.

The Sycamores held the Bisons the remaining four plays until the clock winded down giving the final score NDSU 27 ISU 16.

"In the past, when we've played North Dakota State, there was so much difference in talent," Miles said. "Now I don't feel like it's different in talent; it's different in execution."

The Sycamores return to action this weekend when they travel to Springfield, Mo. to take on the Missouri State Bears.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.