FARGO — Christian Watson scored touchdowns on consecutive offensive plays for North Dakota State to help the Bison to a 29-7 halftime lead over Montana State in the FCS semifinals Saturday.
With the game knotted at 7-7 after Travis Jonsen scored on a 1-yard run on fourth down, Watson got a beautifully thrown pass from Trey Lance for a 75-yard score in the second quarter. Montana State went three-and-out on its ensuing possession, and Watson struck quickly again, this time taking a handoff 70 yards for another score. NDSU added on a two-point conversion to make it to 22-7 with more than 10 minutes to play in the second quarter.
Lance added a touchdown pass to Jimmy Kepouros just before halftime to give the Bison their 29-7 lead.
The Bison led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter behind a short scoring run from Lance on their first possession.
Montana State's offense got a little traction near the end of the first quarter, getting big plays from Mark Estes and Isaiah Ifanse to get inside the NDSU red zone. Jonsen's touchdown capped that drive.
NDSU has 319 yards of offense compared to just 102 for Montana State. Lance has carried the ball nine times for 56 yards and touchdown for the Bison, while also completing 12 of 14 passes for 138 yards and two scores.
Watson has two catches for 88 yards and a touchdown and two carries for 81 yards and a touchdown.
MSU has 60 yards rushing on 17 carries, with Estes gaining 26 yards on his lone attempt. Quarterback Tucker Rovig has is 2-of-7 passing for 42 yards.
