Using a swarming defense to shut down the potent Georgia State running game, the North Dakota State Bison and former Baler Michael Murphy, earned a berth in the FCS national championship game on Jan. 7 in Dallas.
The Bison will play Sam Houston State in the title game in a matchup between two teams that were ranked No. 1 nationally.
In Saturday’s game, the Bison limited the Georgia Southern offense to 186 yards on 48 carries – well below the team’s average of 330 yards per game – to win 35-7 at home.
North Dakota, which is 14-1, scored the game’s final 28 points at the Fargodome in Fargo to run away with the win.
It is the first time North Dakota State has played in the national title. The Bison have won seven Division II championship, but none since 1990.
San Benito alumnus Murphy is the team’s long snapper, and has record 1 solo tackle and two assisted tackles this year.
Sam Houston beat Montana 31-28 to advance to the title game. The Bearkats enter the game with a 14-0 record.
The championship game is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. on Jan. 7. The game can be found on ESPN 2.
