South Dakota State upends Kennesaw 27-17 in FCS quarters

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KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — Taryn Christion threw for one touchdown and ran for another — the clincher with 2:22 to play — and fifth-seeded South Dakota State held off fourth-seeded Kennesaw State 27-17 in the FCS quarterfinals on Saturday.

The Jackrabbits (10-2) play at top-seeded North Dakota State, the defending national champion, next weekend. SDSU lost 21-17 at NDSU on Sept. 29.

Christion scored on a 15-yard run to cap an eight-play, 65-yard drive after the Owls (11-2) had scored on consecutive possessions to close within 20-17.

The game ended at almost the exact same time as the SDSU women's basketball upset No. 21 Drake 80-71 at home.

South Dakota State scored on three straight possessions to take a 17-3 lead at halftime. Christion connected with Adam Anderson for a 5-yard score and Pierre Strong had a 9-yard run. Chase Vinatieri kicked his second short field goal to make it 20-3 entering the fourth quarter.

Daniel David, who took over for injured started Chandler Burks, directed two scoring drives. His 19-yard pass to Jake McKenzie, capped a 73-yard drive, just the second passing TD of the season for Daniel. Then he scored on a 1-yard run to finish a 91-yard drive.

Christion was 12 of 18 for 147 yards and Strong ran for 112 yards on 18 carries as SDSU had 308 yards.

In relief of Burks, who set an FCS record of 29 quarterback rushing touchdowns, David was 5 of 11 for 93 yards and ran for 65. He was 3 for 3 passing entering the game.