FARGO, N.D Sam Houston State stuck with the three-time defending national champions for a half. The second half, and a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision title game, belonged to North Dakota State.
The Bison shrugged off a sluggish first half and rolled to a 35-3 victory over the Bearkats Friday before 18,025 at the Fargodome.
NDSU (14-1) will play the winner of Saturdays New Hampshire-Illinois State game for the FCS title Jan. 10 in Frisco, Texas. The Bison will be going for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title.
The Bison beat Sam Houston for their first two titles following the 2011 and 12 seasons.
John Crockett rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns for the Bison. Carson Wentz completed 13 of 19 passes for 179 yards and a TD.
Sam Houstons offense, averaging 454 yards and 36 points per game, got only a 22-yard field goal from Luc Swimberghe early in the second quarter. The Bearkats managed 338 total yards.
Sam Houston trailed just 7-3 at halftime while holding the powerful Bison offense to 99 yards. NDSU exploded for 217 yards and two touchdowns in the third quarter, and added another TD early in the fourth quarter to take a 28-3 lead.