Illinois State scores 2 late TDs to upset top-ranked North Dakota State 29-28 in FCS playoffs

FARGO, N.D. — Tommy Rittenhouse connected with Daniel Sobkowicz for two touchdown passes inside the final two minutes and overcame five interceptions to help No. 17 Illinois State upset top-ranked and previously unbeaten North Dakota State 29-28 on Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Rittenhouse’s second 8-yard TD pass to Sobkowicz pulled Illinois State (10-4) within 28-21 with 2:44 left. On the ensuing possession, Jake Anderson strip-sacked Cole Payton, and the Redbirds had the ball back at the 23.

On fourth-and-goal with 51 seconds left, Rittenhouse threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Sobkowicz, and the Redbirds converted a two-point conversion on a pass to Scotty Presson Jr.

The Bison (12-1) then drove near midfield, but Nathan Hayes threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-7 to seal it for the Redbirds, who will move on to face the UC Davis-Rhode Island winner in a quarterfinal.

Payton threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Lance on North Dakota State’s first play from scrimmage. About 10 minutes later, Jackson Williams scored on a 52-yard punt return for a 14-0 lead. Nathaniel Staehling added a 73-yard pick-six midway through the second quarter to give the Bison a 21-7 lead.

Rittenhouse threw three interceptions in the first half before throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Sobkowicz late in the second quarter to get the Redbirds within 21-14 at the break.

Rittenhouse completed 35 of 52 passes for 249 yards. Victor Dawson scored on a 69-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and finished with 137 yards rushing for Illinois State.

Payton and Hayes combined for 6-of-19 passing for 120 yards. Barika Kpeenu’s 4-yard touchdown run gave the Bison the lead at 28-14 with 12:38 left in the fourth quarter.

The Bison entered having won 14 straight in the series with a pair of playoff wins, including a 29-27 victory in the 2014 national championship game.