NORMAL — North Dakota State looks every bit the No. 1-ranked team in FCS on Saturday at Hancock Stadium, enjoying a 23-3 lead over No. 6 Illinois State at halftime.
The Bison opened the scoring by taking advantage of a blown Redbird coverage for a 35-yard touchdown pass from Trey Lance to tight end Noah Gindorff.
Ty Brooks then burst through the middle for a 53-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion run was thwarted by Luther Kirk and NDSU led 13-0.
ISU's best drive of the opening half penetrated the Bison 10 behind the rushing of James Robinson.