David Hale, ESPN Workers Author
It was lower than a month in the past that Georgia slunk into the locker room at halftime in opposition to Alabama, trailing by 23, battered and dazed, a shell of this system that had dominated the earlier three seasons of school soccer.
Loads has modified since then.
Georgia’s frantic second-half comeback try that night time did not in the end finish with a win, nevertheless it was an awakening, and the rejuvenated Bulldogs marched into Austin, Texas, on Saturday night time and delivered a stark reminder that they are nonetheless the kings of school soccer.
Alabama survived that night time in opposition to Georgia, nevertheless it has since felt just like the plot of some dangerous “Remaining Vacation spot” sequel. The Tide ought to’ve misplaced that one, and loss of life has stalked them ever since — first with a loss to Vanderbilt, then a slim escape in opposition to South Carolina, and at last a dagger on Saturday in opposition to Tennessee. The Vols broke out the victory cigars after an unsightly 24-17 win, handing Alabama a second loss earlier than Nov. 1 for the primary time since 2007.
And when the mud settled on Week 8, it isn’t Georgia or Alabama or Texas or Tennessee on the prime of the SEC standings. As a substitute, it is LSU and Texas A&M — two groups that misplaced in Week 1 — now the lone packages nonetheless undefeated in convention play.
It’s maybe becoming that essentially the most memorable second from Saturday’s SEC chaos was a gathering of officers on the sphere in Austin, with followers tossing trash from the stands and each coaches apoplectic on the sidelines. None of this makes a lot sense, and we’re all struggling to kind out what simply occurred.
Maybe we should always consider that Georgia is, regardless of that loss to the Tide final month, nonetheless the preeminent staff in faculty soccer. The Bulldogs actually seemed the half Saturday behind a working sport that, for the primary time this season, flexed actual muscle. Trevor Etienne carried 19 instances for 87 yards and three touchdowns behind an O-line that seemed dominant. And but, there have been nonetheless purple flags, led by Carson Beck’s three interceptions, together with the one which resulted in that scrum of officers.
Initially, what seemed like a decide by Jahdae Barron was overturned by a flag for defensive move interference. The group erupted in a refrain of boos as replay appeared to indicate little proof of a flagrant foul. Steve Sarkisian pleaded his case, Texas followers threw varied condiments onto the sphere and the officers gathered to debate their choices.
1:26
Refs overturn essential PI name after followers throw trash on the sphere
After the referees name a controversial move interference play, the Texas followers throw trash on the sphere and the decision is reversed.
What was stated in that huddle might by no means be recognized, nevertheless it’s completely potential Matthew McConaughey wandered over from his place on the sideline, defined to the officers that the universe is crammed with thriller and time is however a mirage and, in reality, that flag solely actually existed of their minds.
After the officers picked up the flag, Texas scored to tug inside eight, however Georgia by no means flinched. Nothing — not questionable officiating, Beck’s struggles or perhaps a transient look by Arch Manning during which the group squealed like youngsters seeing The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Present” might hold the Bulldogs from an emphatic win.
It was a jarring setback for Texas, however what does that even imply within the SEC in 2024?
Alabama was king three weeks in the past, and now the Tide have the identical convention report as Florida.
Saturday’s efficiency in Knoxville was ugly. The offense managed simply 314 yards. The Tide had 15 penalties within the sport. King Mack’s appearing abilities had been atrocious.
What is going on on right here? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/k2uDdF7puz
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 19, 2024
Three weeks in the past, Tennessee was distraught. The offense was a multitude, Nico Iamaleava could not hit the broad facet of a solar sphere, and an upset loss to Arkansas appeared to have the Vols’ playoff hopes on life assist. However by Saturday night, Iamaleava, Josh Heupel and Co. had been having fun with the best cigars 7-Eleven shares behind the counter, and all was proper with the world.
In Week 1, LSU could not get off the sphere in opposition to USC. Now, they’re driving excessive atop the SEC (whereas the Trojans, in the meantime, are such a catastrophe their season can be rejected as a plot line on “9-1-1” for being too unrealistic).
In Week 1, Texas A&M could not discover an offensive spark in opposition to Notre Dame. Now, the Aggies are 4-0 in convention and Mike Elko is the primary A&M coach to start out his tenure with six wins in seven video games since an period when each faculty soccer coach was named Knute, Pop or Hoss.
And amid the entire zigs and zags of this SEC season, there’s nonetheless Vanderbilt, crusing alongside like a goalpost within the Cumberland River. In some way the Commodores have a greater shot on the SEC title sport than the Tide or Ole Miss or Oklahoma as a result of, in 2024, on this new SEC, there’s virtually nothing that feels regular.
Properly, OK, Auburn stinks. A minimum of that is a correct by way of line.
However the bigger takeaway — from Saturday’s heavyweight fights, from the season up to now — is that making sense of this 12 months’s SEC will not be for the faint of coronary heart.
This can be a new period, and what we knew to be true for the previous 20 years — even for the previous few weeks — can evaporate faster than a defensive move interference name in Texas.
Bounce to:
We’re good now | Miami makes magic | Cook dinner to the rescue
FSU loses … once more | BYU stays undefeated | Vibe shifts
Darkish days in Norman | Irish roll | Iowa State survives
Heisman 5 | Beneath the radar
We’re good now
Typically groups we have collectively dismissed in September use the time outdoors the highlight to repair some issues and discover their footing. With that in thoughts, we’re checking in with some stunning upstarts who’ve gone from afterthoughts to groups with actual aspirations.
Washington State (6-1)
The Cougars dominated Hawai’i 42-10 behind QB John Mateer, who threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for 2 extra. Mateer has developed into faculty soccer’s wildest experience — finishing fewer than 60% of his throws, boasting three video games with 5 touchdowns or extra, profitable a sport whereas finishing 9 passes and dropping one when finishing 26. There’s just about nothing about Mateer that appears off the desk. He might throw for 600 yards or he might determine to dwell in a van and comply with Maroon 5 on tour for a 12 months. Something is feasible.
Colorado (5-2)
Travis Hunter left Saturday’s sport after re-aggravating a shoulder damage, nevertheless it did not matter a lot for the Buffaloes, who romped previous the Arizona Wildcats, 34-7. Deion Sanders’ squad is now only a win away from bowl eligibility, which might be a pleasant little bit of validation for the oft-criticized coach if he had been the kind of one that seemed for exterior validation fairly than merely counting Instagram likes.
Cincinnati (5-2)
The Bearcats blew a 27-6 second-half lead in opposition to the Pittsburgh Panthers and missed a final-second area purpose in a three-point loss to the Texas Tech Purple Raiders, in any other case we would be speaking about an undefeated Cincinnati staff. Both approach, the Bearcats are 5-2 after beating Arizona State Solar Devils 24-14 on Saturday in a sport during which the Solar Devils missed two late area objectives that had head coach Kenny Dillingham saying he’d open up tryouts for a brand new kicker this week.
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ASU coach labels kicking sport ‘atrocious,’ confirms tryouts for Monday
ASU coach Kenny Dillingham labels his staff’s kicking sport “atrocious” and says it will likely be internet hosting open tryouts on Monday.
Wisconsin (5-2)
After dropping back-to-back video games to Alabama and USC, the Badgers have discovered their mojo with three straight wins during which they allowed a grand complete of 16 complete factors. That these three wins got here in opposition to Purdue, Rutgers and, on Saturday, 23-3 vs. Northwestern, undercuts a little bit of the passion, however after sufficient Brandy Previous Fashioneds, who’s actually counting anyway?
Vanderbilt (5-2)
These are halcyon days in Nashville. Will Levis is doing shirtless mayo commercials. Sturgill Simpson is doing what quantities to an Eras Tour for middle-aged guys with beards. And Vanderbilt is 5-2 after Saturday’s 28-14 win over Ball State. Diego Pavia accounted for 357 yards and two touchdowns within the win, which places the Commodores forward of Alabama, Ole Miss and Oklahoma within the SEC standings as a result of the world not makes any sense.
Your complete state of Louisiana (22-5)
LSU rode Caden Durham for 3 touchdowns in a 34-10 win over Arkansas on Saturday. Tulane cruised to a 24-10 win over Rice, too. Louisiana upended Coastal Carolina 34-24 and ULM had an off week. Add all of it up, and the state’s 4 FBS groups are a mixed 22-5. It is the kind of overwhelming success that warrants every day parades, an countless array of cocktails and a celebration round each nook. Sadly, that is simply not Louisiana’s fashion, so it’s going to have fun with a cool glass of milk and a pleasant ebook.
Miami makes magic
Within the second half of Miami’s 52-45 win over Louisville, the Hurricanes’ offense went with a silent snap depend, ostensibly due to the hostile crowd however, in QB Cam Ward’s estimation, it was just because “it seems to be cooler.”
1:56
Cam Ward tosses 4 TDs as Miami stays good with win over Louisville
Miami QB Cam Ward goes off for 4 landing passes and 319 yards because the Hurricanes transfer to 7-0 with a win over Louisville.
That is the vibe Miami’s working with proper now. At 7-0, and regardless of three straight nail-biters, the Canes are mainly simply doing what they need offensively as a result of Ward is all however unstoppable.
Halfway by way of the second quarter, Miami went for it on fourth-and-1 from its personal 25. Receiver Sammy Brown’s rationalization: “If a staff can cease us 4 straight performs, kudos to them.”
Miami led by 7 on the half, and Ward’s message to his teammates as they walked off the sphere: “Don’t be concerned. We ain’t performed.”
Miami benefitted from some controversial officiating for the third straight week, and all Mario Cristobal needed to say was, “The top official’s cat has been returned secure and sound, and any perceived threats had been taken utterly out of context.”
OK, we made that final one up, however the remainder of Miami’s secret system appears unimpeachable. Ward threw for 319 yards and 4 touchdowns — to 4 totally different receivers. The bottom sport got here to life to the tune of 219 yards. And the officers went to replay on a crucial name that labored out for Miami. Rinse, repeat.
Cook dinner makes heroic return
Missouri rallied previous Auburn 21-17 on Saturday due to a legendary efficiency by QB Brady Cook dinner.
Cook dinner went down with an ankle damage on the primary collection of the sport. He was taken to the hospital for an MRI, and Missouri stated he was unlikely to return.
However Cook dinner had different plans.
Drinkwitz stated Cook dinner went to the hospital for an MRI throughout the sport. He instructed the staff “I’ve solely acquired 2 1/2 video games left on Faurot Area, I am not lacking this one within the hospital.”
— Energy Mizzou (@PowerMizzoucom) October 19, 2024
In what can be a central plot level in any soccer film ever made, Cook dinner emerged from the ER with little greater than a sore ankle and a $1,200 deductible, then returned to the sphere within the third quarter, rescuing Missouri from a 17-3 deficit and engineering two fourth-quarter landing drives within the win. This marked the primary sport in SEC historical past during which a QB left a hospital mattress to beat a staff whose coach as soon as received a sport from a hospital mattress.
In the end, the efficiency can be remembered in Missouri soccer lore and served as a reminder {that a} man who spent half a sport in an MRI machine continues to be higher than something Michigan can discover at QB.
Noles dig beneath all-time low
This isn’t the primary season that has gone horribly mistaken for Florida State. A lot of the previous 20 years has been a rollercoaster between 10-win seasons and utter distress. However at no level in 22 earlier conferences had the Seminoles reached this depth: a loss to Duke.
However this 12 months is one thing particular. It is not simply dangerous. It’s cartoonishly terrible, the kind of ritualistic embarrassment usually reserved for Wile E. Coyote. On Friday, the receivers dropped almost a half dozen straightforward catches, the offense turned it over on three straight performs and at one level, we’re pretty sure Mike Norvell was simply standing on the sideline holding up an indication that learn “Yikes.”
Florida State turned the ball over 4 instances within the sport, went 2-of-14 on third downs, and regardless of holding Duke to simply 180 complete yards of offense, nonetheless misplaced, 23-16. FSU might’ve tied it on its closing drive after having a primary down on the Blue Devils’ 38 with 1:23 to play, however the Noles proceeded to lose 24 yards over their subsequent 4 performs earlier than working into the facet of a mountain that Manny Diaz had painted to seem like a tunnel.
FSU’s decline from final season’s 13-0 ACC championship staff is baffling, however there’s one potential rationalization for the precipitous fall, and it includes Norvell assembly the satan on the crossroads of I-10 and Thomasville Street earlier than final season.
Satan: “How would you prefer it if I ensured you received each regular-season sport en path to an ACC title?”
Norvell: “OK, however what is the catch, an terrible postseason sport?”
Satan: “Oh, you may play Georgia in your bowl sport — and everybody can be speaking about it afterward.”
Norvell: “That truly sounds OK. However certainly there is a catch. Is the 2024 staff going to be a multitude?”
Satan: “Why, I am going to truly ensure you land a five-star QB and a bunch of Alabama gamers within the switch portal.”
Norvell: “Wow, that is nice however, I am nonetheless a bit doubtful.”
Satan: “You will even have two reliable All-America candidates in your 2024 staff.”
Norvell: “Wait, it isn’t going to be the kicker and punter, is it?”
Satan: “Look, are you going to signal the paperwork or not? I’ve acquired an 11:30 with Hugh Freeze, and if I am late, he begins blaming his gamers.”
You mess with the bull …
BYU stayed undefeated due to a late rally by QB Jake Retzlaff, culminating in a 35-yard landing move to safe the 38-35 win over Oklahoma State on Friday. The Cougars are 7-0, and after the sport, Retzlaff referred to as the win “religious,” including “how will you not be romantic about this sport?” Sadly for Retzlaff, it’s in opposition to BYU’s code of conduct to be romantic in regards to the sport.
1:08
BYU followers go wild on late game-winning TD
BYU’s Darius Lassiter sends the group right into a frenzy after hauling in a miraculous landing catch within the waning moments in opposition to Oklahoma State.
Alan Bowman got here off the bench in aid of an injured Garret Rangel and helped ignite the Cowboys’ passing sport, together with a landing throw with simply 1:13 to play that gave Oklahoma State the lead. However the Cowboys’ protection fell aside within the closing minute, permitting BYU to march 75 yards on eight performs in simply over a minute of motion.
Oklahoma State is now 0-4 in Large 12 play and Mike Gundy will be the solely coach within the nation who can rightly say being attacked by a cow wasn’t the worst factor that occurred to him final week.
Week 8 Vibe Shifts
Every week, there are large wins, huge upsets and astonishing performs that assist outline the school soccer season. However there are additionally loads of smaller moments that subtly shift the panorama, and we attempt to monitor these moments right here.
Trending down: Michigan’s rating
Regardless of two ugly losses and an entire lack of a coherent passing assault, Michigan remained within the AP ballot this week. That ought to change after Saturday’s 21-7 defeat by the hands of Illinois.
Michigan has now misplaced as many instances in its previous six video games because it had within the prior three seasons, although Saturday’s mess was particularly merciless. Illinois prevailed regardless of its beginning quarterback, Luke Altmyer, finishing simply 9 of 18 throws for 80 yards, main an incredulous Sherrone Moore to ask why that kind of QB manufacturing by no means works for Michigan.
After Week 8, the 2 groups that performed for final 12 months’s nationwide championship — Michigan and the Washington Huskies — are actually 8-6 in 2024.
Trending down: Winless groups
After which there have been two.
On Wednesday, UTEP scored win No. 1 by upending Florida Worldwide 30-21. That leaves simply two FBS groups nonetheless seeking win No. 1.
Kennesaw State, which grew to become an FBS member this 12 months, is now 0-6 after a woeful 14-5 loss to MTSU on Tuesday. Fortunately, Atlanta-area followers are already so numb to October distress due to the Atlanta Braves that it does not actually matter.
In the meantime, Kent State — subsequent to Kennesaw State alphabetically and metaphorically — misplaced to Bowling Inexperienced 27-6. The Golden Flashes are actually 0-7 and driving the nation’s longest dropping streak at 16 straight video games, which for those who do not depend the Cleveland Browns, makes them Ohio’s most embarrassing soccer staff.
Trending down: Males of Troy
Enjoyable truth: Florida State is not the one 2023 convention champion that received double-digit video games to open the season 1-6. Troy can be horrible this season, although sadly for Mike Norvell, far fewer folks have seen. After profitable 25 video games over the previous two seasons, the Trojans dropped to 1-6 with a 25-9 loss to South Alabama on Tuesday.
However that wasn’t even near the worst second for the groups named after a folks most well-known for being catfished by a picket horse.
USC blew a 21-7 second-half result in Maryland, falling 29-28 within the newest of a collection of brutal fourth-quarter defeats. The Trojans lined up for a possible game-sealing area purpose with two minutes left, however Maryland’s Donnell Brown blocked it, and the Terps discovered the tip zone with 53 seconds to play to win the sport. It is USC’s fourth loss this season, all coming after holding a lead within the closing quarter.
USC is now 5-9 in its previous 14 video games, which proves that these Lincoln Riley voodoo dolls Barry Switzer has been promoting outdoors Oklahoma Memorial Stadium actually do work.
Trending up: Strategic use of the rule ebook
This week, the NCAA moved to shut the loophole within the rulebook that allowed Oregon’s Dan Lanning to strategically put a twelfth man on protection as a way to take a small penalty but in addition run a while off the clock late in a win over Ohio State.
Lanning did not want to fret about working out the clock Friday in a 35-0 rout of woeful Purdue, however simply to maintain the NCAA on its toes, he did try and disguise a play by having Dillon Gabriel put on a pretend mustache and sun shades, gained an edge on rush protection by laying out these spikes police use in high-speed chases, and within the second half, utilized a golden retriever at wideout. The canine completed with six catches for 87 yards and a stomach rub.
Trending up: Profitable straightforward
Eight weeks into the season, not solely are Military and Indiana undefeated, however neither staff has trailed at any level this 12 months.
On Saturday, the Black Knights cruised previous East Carolina, 45-28, behind Bryson Every day’s six complete touchdowns, whereas the Hoosiers drubbed Nebraska 56-7 in a sport that feels prefer it needed to be Scott Frost’s fault by some means.
Military has the nation’s longest win streak at 11 video games and hasn’t trailed in a sport in virtually a full calendar 12 months — since Oct. 28, 2023 in opposition to UMass. For context, dropping to UMass earlier than happening an 11-game profitable streak with out ever falling behind is roughly the identical as if Military had thwarted Mussolini in World Battle II solely after dropping a pivotal battle to the front-of-house workers at an Olive Backyard.
Indiana’s rise is much more surprising on condition that many individuals in Bloomington had been unaware the Hoosiers had a soccer staff till a month in the past, however Curt Cignetti has turned one of many nation’s most moribund packages into a real Large Ten energy, which begs the query: Can Cignetti additionally coach basketball?
Trending up: Mascot divorce
It was a tough day for the NC State Wolfpack’s Mr. Wuf, who discovered — like so many within the ACC have this 12 months — that Oski is a easy operator.
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) October 20, 2024
As for the motion on the sphere, nevertheless, it was one other brutal defeat for the California Golden Bears, who missed a chip-shot area purpose with 1:34 to play that may’ve received it. Cal has now misplaced 4 straight by a mixed complete of 9 factors. Additionally, Oski now has to drive Mrs. Wuf’s children to soccer apply each Thursday, which goes to actually intervene together with his bowling league.
Darkish days in Norman
How dangerous are issues at Oklahoma proper now? On Saturday, South Carolina led 21-0 earlier than the Sooners had completed placing on their cleats.
Oklahoma’s first play was an interception, which South Carolina was a landing. The Sooners’ fourth play was a sack-fumble that South Carolina scooped for one more landing. Oklahoma’s ninth play was one other interception, this one returned for a rating.
The shortage of QB manufacturing is gorgeous, nevertheless, given the pedigree of Michael Hawkins, who was benched, and Jackson Arnold, who burned a redshirt to return on in aid.
After the sport, Venables stated the choice to make use of Arnold — who had been benched earlier this season after showing in 4 video games — was a simple one, on condition that it was Oklahoma’s finest probability to win and reminded offended Sooners followers that that is truly all Lincoln Riley’s fault.
Irish roll once more
Riley Leonard struggled by way of a tough first quarter Saturday in opposition to Georgia Tech, finishing simply 2 of 5 passes for 8 yards and an interception because the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 7-0 lead.
After that, nevertheless, Leonard was almost good.
Leonard accomplished his subsequent 12 straight passes, and Notre Dame scored touchdowns on three straight drives, marching previous Georgia Tech 31-13. For the sport, Leonard threw for 203 yards, ran for 51 and scored two dashing touchdowns.
Notre Dame is now 6-1, nicely positioned for the playoff and, after early offensive struggles, has now put up greater than 30 factors in three straight video games. This might both be an indication the Northern Illinois loss was an entire fluke or, maybe extra doubtless, attending to play three straight ACC groups solves quite a lot of issues for anybody’s offense.
Cyclones survive
Iowa State escaped a near-catastrophe Saturday, squeezing out a 38-35 win over UCF due to a Rocco Becht landing run with 30 seconds left within the sport.
That the Cyclones even had an opportunity late got here largely due to UCF’s personal incompetence. Braeden Marshall intercepted Becht within the second half and appeared to cruise into the tip zone for a pick-six, solely he forgot to carry the soccer with him.
1:05
UCF participant drops the ball earlier than he reaches the tip zone
Braeden Marshall drops the ball on the 1-yard line after selecting off Iowa State’s Rocco Becht, forcing the pick-six landing to be referred to as again.
In most years, this might qualify as essentially the most embarrassing soccer efficiency by a staff from Florida, however 2024 has been a tough one.
Regardless, the Cyclones survived regardless of trailing by 14 within the third quarter, permitting 354 yards on the bottom and turning the ball over twice within the sport. Iowa State is now 7-0 to start out a season for the primary time since 1938.
Heisman 5
Travis Hunter left Colorado’s sport with an damage for the second straight week, which knocks him out of our Heisman contenders for now however did permit him to concentrate on refining his punting abilities so he can be utilized in all three phases of the sport when he is wholesome once more.
1. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
The Broncos had been off in Week 8, which compelled Jeanty to search out different methods to embarrass Mountain West defenses and, lengthy story quick, Wyoming ought to’ve recognized higher than to attempt to stamp out that flaming bag with its new boots.
2. Miami QB Cam Ward
Ward threw for 4 touchdowns in a rollicking win over Louisville on Saturday. Extra importantly, he helped the Canes safe the Schnellenberger Trophy, which is a bronzed pair of Howard Schnellenberger’s cowboy boots. It is a superb trophy, however it will’ve been a lot cooler if the win meant Ward was compelled to develop a distinguished-looking white mustache as a substitute. That is Schnellenberger’s actual legacy.
3. Military QB Bryson Every day
Every day had six touchdowns in a win over East Carolina, together with a 17-yarder that featured a online game spin transfer.
0:29
Landing! Bryson Every day scores vs. East Carolina
Landing! Bryson Every day scores vs. East Carolina
For the season, Every day now has six passing touchdowns and 14 dashing touchdowns, and he has efficiently thwarted Hydra’s makes an attempt at world domination.
4. Navy QB Blake Horvath
Horvath threw for 117 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant 51-17 win over Charlotte on Saturday. Horvath now has 10 passing touchdowns this season — or the identical as Navy’s complete all of final 12 months. It is also greater than Iowa has had in a season since 2021.
5. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
In a Week 1 drubbing by Georgia, Klubnik threw an interception, averaged simply 4.9 yards per move and fell for the outdated “What’s that in your shirt?” trick earlier than Mykel Williams flicked him within the nostril. Since then although, the Clemson QB has been borderline unstoppable, finishing 67% of his throws with 24 complete touchdowns, 2 picks and a 90.8 Complete QBR, second solely to Ward amongst FBS passers.
Beneath-the-radar play of the week
It is completely potential that half the pages in Idaho’s playbook are taken up by this one play.
Yard soccer 🤙@VandalFootball goes deep into their bag of tips #ExperienceElevated pic.twitter.com/OPgmgwtEXG
— Large Sky Convention (@BigSkyConf) October 19, 2024
The Vandals ran the triple-reverse flea-flicker for a 21-yard landing in opposition to Cal Poly on Saturday and went on to win 34-29.
It appears unfair that Idaho ought to have so many gamers able to correctly executing a ahead move when Michigan does not have any.
Beneath-the-radar sport of the week
The Dakota Marker belongs to North Dakota State after Cam Miller hit RaJa Nelson for a 20-yard landing with 1:49 to play Saturday to provide the Bison a 13-9 win over South Dakota State.
0:20
Cam Miller finds RaJa Nelson for go-ahead North Dakota State TD
Cam Miller combines once more with RaJa Nelson to provide North Dakota State the lead late vs. South Dakota State.
The win marks the most recent chapter within the ongoing rivalry between the 2 states, who’ve lengthy battled for the moniker of “state least doubtless for the common ninth-grader to establish on a map.” It additionally snapped a five-game profitable streak within the rivalry for South Dakota State, and it was the primary time the Bison received the Dakota Marker on their dwelling area since 2018. Miller threw for 2 touchdowns within the sport — each to Nelson.
