Photos: Scenes from a South Dakota stunner as No. 1-ranked Bison lose late
The Coyotes scored the game's final 12 points to rally for victory.
North Dakota State’s Marty Brown pushes towards the end zone for a touchdown just before halftime against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
VERMILLION, S.D. — North Dakota State couldn't hold a late lead as South Dakota scored the game-winning points in the closing seconds.
Javion Phelps caught a 25-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds remaining to lift the No. 4-ranked Coyotes to a 29-28 victory against the No. 1-ranked Bison in Missouri Valley Football Conference play before 9,062 fans at the DakotaDome.
NDSU (10-2, 7-1 MVFC) had its 10-game winning streak snapped. The Bison couldn't hold on to the 11-point lead that they built with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Bison quarterback Cam Miller completed 10 of 22 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 82 yards and a TD in 19 attempts.
NDSU shared the conference crown with South Dakota and South Dakota State. The Bison could have earned the MVFC title outright with the victory. SDSU earned the league's automatic bid.
Below are scenes from Saturday's dramatic NDSU-South Dakota showdown:
South Dakota’s Will Leyland sprays water as the team celebrates a 29-28 win against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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North Dakota State’s Mekhi Collins dives for a pass against South Dakota’s Mike Reid on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Marty Brown is tackled from all angles by South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Cam Miller looks around before a play against South Dakota’s Gary Bryant III on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota’s Nyle Dickel does a horns down hand gesture after the team took a 29-28 win over North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Cam Miller carries the ball against South Dakota’s Gary Bryant III on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance protects the ball as he goes down in the final play of the game against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Cam Miller makes a pass to a teammate during their game against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota’s Jack Martens gets a touchdown as he's brought down in the end zone by North Dakota State’s Enock Sibomana on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota fans react to a play against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Braylon Henderson does a dance in the end zone after a touchdown against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s TK Marshall catches the kick off against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Griffin Crosa kicks for the extra point after a touchdown against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota’s Keyondray Jones-Logan carries the ball against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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South Dakota’s Aidan Bouman makes a pass against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel celebrates a Bison touchdown against South Dakota to tie the game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State Head Coach Tim Polasek talks to a referee during their game against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota’s Travis Theis lands in the end zone for a touchdown against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance carries the ball against South Dakota’s Mike Reid and Dennis Shorter on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota’s Josiah Ganues blocks a pass meant for North Dakota State’s Braylon Henderson on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota’s marching band performs ahead of their game against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State Head Coach Tim Polasek gives instructions during warm ups ahead of their game against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
South Dakota’s cheerleaders perform ahead of their game against North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State players huddle up ahead of their game against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
North Dakota State players stretch ahead of their game against South Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.
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