Stick leads North Dakota State to perfect regular season

Published

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Easton Stick threw for three touchdowns and North Dakota State completed a perfect regular season with a 65-17 victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday.

The Bison (11-0, 8-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference), ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll, extended the longest active winning streak in the FCS to 17 games.

Stick was 16 of 21 for 302 yards with an interception and the senior went over 10,000 total yards of offense for his career.

The teams were tied at 14-all after Matt DeSomer connected with Raphael Leonard on a 59-yard pass play for the Salukis (2-9, 1-7) with 8:36 left in the first quarter. But Stick threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Nate Jenson and after Southern Illinois fumbled on its first play after the ensuing kickoff, Stick and Ben Ellefson combined for a 22-yard score for a 28-14 first-quarter lead.

Stick's 31-yard pass to Darrius Shepherd made it 35-14 at the half and Bruce Anderson added 18- and 30-yard rushing touchdowns in the third quarter. Shepherd had 99 yards receiving and Ty Brooks 113 yards rushing with a score. Robbie Grimsley made his 15th career interception.