FARMINGTON, Utah (Dec. 4, 2022) - Two Big Sky football teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs, with Sacramento State and Montana State earning home victories this past Saturday. Below is a recap of every Big Sky football game from the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
Rankings: National Seeds
#4 Montana State 33, Weber State 25
MSU Recap | WSU Recap
BOZEMAN (Dec. 3, 2022) – Fourth-seeded Montana State rushed for 388 yards and downed fellow Big Sky member Weber State 33-25 on Saturday afternoon, as the Bobcats advanced to the FCS Playoff Quarterfinals for the third time since 2019. Quarterbacks Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers combined for 250 yards on the ground, while Isaiah Ifanse made his 2022 debut and rushed for 91 yards on the day. No. 4 Montana State will host No. 5 William & Mary on Friday, Dec. 9 at 8:15 p.m. MT in the quarterfinals, with the game airing on ESPN2.
#3 North Dakota State 49, Montana 26
UM Recap
FARGO, N.D. (Dec. 3, 2022) – Despite pulling within a single point early in the third quarter, Montana fell to third-seeded and defending national champion North Dakota State on the road Saturday after the Bison reeled off 28 unanswered points on their way to a 49-26 win. The Bison scored almost exclusively on home run plays, hitting on runs of 68, 68, 73 and 75 yards for four touchdowns, while limiting the Griz to just two offensive touchdowns. Montana's season ends in the second round at 8-5 overall, while the Bison advance to their 13th straight quarterfinal.
#2 Sacramento State 38, Richmond 31
SAC Recap
SACRAMENTO (Dec. 3, 2022) – Despite playing in a steady rain throughout the game, No. 2 seed Sacramento State threw for a season-high 400 yards and three touchdowns to rally for a 38-31 win over Richmond and advance to the FCS Playoff Quarterfinals. Tied 31-31 late in the fourth quarter, Asher O'Hara floated a 51-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Williams for the game's deciding score, which brought the loyal fans in attendance to a frenzy. The victory was the first FCS playoff win for the Hornets in school history and the first postseason victory for the program since the Div. II quarterfinals in 1988. No. 2 Sacramento State will host No. 7 Incarnate Word on Friday, Dec. 9 at 8:30 p.m. MT in the quarterfinals, with the game streaming on ESPN+.
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