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Playoff preview: North Dakota State at Eastern Washington

Dec 8, 2010 - 9:14 PM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -

FCS THIRD ROUND: (21) NORTH DAKOTA STATE AT (1) EASTERN WASHINGTON

Kickoff: Saturday, Dec. 11, 3:30 p.m. ET

Facts & Figures: Site: Roos Field (8,600) -- Cheney, Washington. Surface: Red Sprinturf. Television: ESPN Game Plan and North Dakota NBC Sports Network. Announcers: Trey Bender, Jon Berger. Home Record: North Dakota State 6-1; Eastern Washington 6-0. Away Record: North Dakota State 3-3; Eastern Washington 3-2. Neutral Record: North Dakota State 0-0; Eastern Washington 1-0. Series Record: First meeting. Conference: North Dakota State - Missouri Valley; Eastern Washington - Big Sky. Nicknames: North Dakota State Bison; Eastern Washington Eagles. Sports Network/Fathead.com Ranking: North Dakota State (21); Eastern Washington (1). Head Coaches: North Dakota State - Craig Bohl (61-29 at North Dakota State and Overall); Eastern Washington - Beau Baldwin (24-11 at Eastern Washington and 34-14 Overall). All-Time Record: North Dakota State (613-362-34); Eastern Washington (473-391-23). Playoff Records: North Dakota State (2-0); Eastern Washington (6-7). Previous FCS Playoff Appearances: North Dakota State 0; Eastern Washington 7 (1985, 92, 97, 2004-05, 07, 09).

What to know: North Dakota State pulled off an impressive road victory over Montana State last week to advance to the quarterfinals.

Trailing 17-14 early in the first quarter, the Bison scored four consecutive times in the eventual 42-17 victory. D.J. McNorton ran for a school-record 207 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He was most effective in crunch time, rushing for 163 yards and all four of his touchdowns in the second half.

As a team, the Bison rushed 46 times for a season-high 376 yards, while completing just 5-of-19 passes for 56 yards. Jose Mohler completed 3-of-11 passes but had 48 rushing yards and Brock Jensen completed 2-of-6 passes but tallied 28 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jensen suffered a slight concussion and left the game.

Given North Dakota State's poor performances on the road this season, it was crucial that the Bison pressure quarterback Denarius McGhee and win the turnover battle. They did both. Five different players recorded sacks in the game, while Preston Evans and Daniel Eaves both had fumble recoveries, and Marcus Williams and John Pike each recorded interceptions.

On the year, the Bison have forced 32 turnovers (No. 5 FCS). Evans leads the team with 90 tackles, while Eaves has 70 tackles and three interceptions. The Bison rank No. 7 in the FCS in scoring defense (16.6 ppg), which is predicated upon winning the turnover battle. They rank just No. 83 in rushing defense (167.1 ypg) and No. 46 in passing defense (192.6 ypg).

The win over Montana State was North Dakota State's first playoff road win since Nov. 25, 2000, and the Bison will face another stiff test on Saturday when they travel to Cheney, Wash,, to face the Eastern Washington Eagles.

The Eagles, the No. 1 team in the country, dispatched Southeast Missouri State with relative ease last week to advance to the quarterfinals.

Not known for their defense, the Eagles held SEMO to just 26 yards of total offense in the second half en route to the 37-17 win. Entering the half tied at 17, EWU linebackers J.C. Sherritt (10 tackles) and Tyler Washburn (nine tackles) were pivotal in pitching a second-half shutout. The Redhawks' standout running back Henry Harris gained 108 yards in the contest, but only found paydirt once.

This matchup did play into the Eagles' hands. SEMO was a run-heavy team and the Eagles, led by Sherritt, are more effective against the run, allowing 131.1 rushing ypg (No. 36 FCS) as opposed to 262.1 passing ypg (No. 114 FCS).

The offense, which carries the team, was spurred forward by the usual suspects. Taiwan Jones ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns and Bo Levi Mitchell completed 21-of-34 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Nicholas Edwards caught eight passes for 65 yards and a TD.

North Dakota State knows something about home-field advantage. The Bison have gone 6-1 in the Fargodome this season and after last week's win, 3-3 on the road. They should be familiar with EWU's advantage. The Eagles hope to turn the red turf at Roos Field into the FCS' version of Boise State's Smurf Turf. So far they have succeeded. The Eagles are 6-0 at home this season.

The Bison found success last Saturday by, once again, winning the turnover battle. Freshman Denarius McGhee was baited into mistakes, but EWU quarterback and SMU transfer Mitchell is slightly more seasoned. If he stays turnover free (and that is a big if, considering the nature of the Bison defense), then EWU should be able to pull out the win.

Prediction: Eastern Washington, 35-24