Just like that, it’s over.
North Dakota State had entered tonight’s FCS playoff semifinal matchup with James Madison riding a 22-game playoff winning streak, with the Bison staking its claim to the last five national championships at that level. Playing in Fargo Friday night, NDSU was expected to, at the very least, take care of business against JMU and advance to the FCS championship game for the sixth consecutive season.
The Dukes, though, had other plans.
FRISCO BOUND!!!! #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/zvJ4YErxwR
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) December 17, 2016
Fun fact? JMU was NDSU’s first victim in its record playoff winning streak, falling to the Bison 26-14 in the second round of the 2011 playoffs. Revenge, consider it exacted five years later.
Running back Khalid Abdullah led the way for the Dukes with 180 yards rushing on just 23 carries. Quarterback Bryan Schor passed for all three of the Dukes’ touchdowns.
JMU will now face the winner of Saturday’s Youngstown State-Eastern Washington game. The Dukes will be looking for its second-ever national championship, and first since 2004.
