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It wasn't the Dukes: North Dakota State downs JMU

Dec 4, 2011 - 1:09 AM Fargo, ND (Sports Network) - D.J. McNorton ran for 154 yards and a score, while Sam Ojuri gained 61 yards on the ground with two touchdowns as North Dakota State defeated James Madison, 26-14, in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday.

Brock Jensen threw for 110 yards on 11-of-18 passing and Warren Holloway caught seven balls for 78 yards for North Dakota State (11-1), which never trailed in the contest.

The Bison will play Lehigh in the quarterfinals after the Mountain Hawks defeated Towson, 40-38, in second-round play earlier on Saturday.

Justin Thorpe threw for 182 yards with a touchdown and an interception for James Madison (8-5), which got 63 yards rushing from Dae'Quan Scott.

On a bit of trickery, the quarterback Thorpe caught a 35-yard TD pass from wide receiver Kerby Long to cut the Bison's margin to 19-14 with 7:26 left.

But North Dakota State quickly responded on the first play of its ensuing drive as McNorton broke off a 60-yard TD run to bring the margin back to 26-14.

Thorpe was sacked on 4th-and-15 on James Madison's next possession to essentially put the game away with 5:09 left.

Ojuri scored from a yard out with 9:12 left in the second quarter to give North Dakota State a 7-0 lead.

Deandre' Smith hauled in a 20-yard TD pass with 22 seconds left in the half to tie the game, but Cameron Starke booted the ensuing kickoff out of bounds and the Bison got the ball in enemy territory at the 49. Ryan Jastram split the uprights from 53 yards out to give North Dakota State a 10-7 advantage at halftime.

Ojuri's second rushing score came from six yards out, but the extra point was blocked as the Bison led 16-7 with 5:13 left in the third.

Jastram booted his second field goal of the game from 44 yards away to give North Dakota State a 19-7 advantage with 9:31 left in the fourth quarter.