Blocked field goal nixes NDSU’s upset
MINNEAPOLIS — With one second left on the game clock, the Bison had the Gophers right where they wanted them.
NDSU was in position to defeat the Big Ten Conference’s University of Minnesota with a 42-yard field goal.
However, Minnesota defenders ended the Bison’s impressive run at an upset as they blocked freshman kicker Shawn Bibeau’s attempt and held on to a 10-9 victory in front of 62,285 people at the Metrodome Saturday.
“ I thought they were a real good football team coming into this,” Minnesota head coach Glen Mason said. “I thought they took it to us in every way shape or form and I am just happy we won the game.”
The blocked field goal capped an impressive NDSU drive that was led by quarterback Steve Walker.
After forcing the Gopher’s to punt, the Bison (6-1) started the final drive from their own 16-yard line with 2:21 remaining in the game.
Walker started the drive off with pass completions to senior Travis White for 22 yards and sophomore Kole Heckendorf for nine yards.
Facing a third and one situation, the Bison handed the ball off to Kyle Steffes, who broke a tackle and ran for 17 yards to the Minnesota 28-yard line.
After a short run by Steffes, the Bison were unable to get any closer and on fourth down, and Bibeau took to the field to attempt the 42-yard field goal.
Bibeau, who went to high school in Minneapolis suburb, White Bear Lake, had already made field goals from 30, 39, and 41 yards in the game.
NDSU long snapper Jeff Curtis’s snap was low and the ball bounced before it got to the holder, giving the Minnesota defense an extra moment to penetrate.
Holder Mike Dragosavich controlled the ball but Bibeau’s kick was low and Minnesota batted it down at the line as time expired.
“We gave them all they could handle; they are a good team too,” Heckendorf said. “It came down to the last play like we thought it would and it just didn’t go our way. We will learn from our mistakes and go out next week and give it all we got again.”
Against Minnesota, Steffes proved he could run against tough competition as he finished the with a game-high 138 yards on 19 carries. Steffes rushed for over 100 yards for the 17th time in his career and fifth time this season.
Coming into the game the Bison and Gophers hadn’t played any common opponents to gage themselves.
The first quarter answered any questions about the Bison being able to compete with the Gophers. The first drive for the Gophers ended in a 53-yard missed field goal attempt by Jason Giannini.
On the ensuing NDSU drive, the Bison then marched down the field to get inside the Minnesota 20-yard line. After the Gopher’s stuffed Steffes on three consecutive attempts, Bibeau kicked a 30-yard field goal.
The Bison didn’t trail until Minnesota running back Amir Pinnix punched in a touchdown from a yard out, putting the Gophers on top 10-6 with just over ten minutes remaining in the game.
The touchdown proved to be the game-winner.
The biggest play however, happened just before his touchdown, when the Gopher’s went for it on fourth down.
Pinnix surged ahead for a yard and a first down to set up his touchdown run.
“ We know we came out and played hard but it was just one of those games we couldn’t come out with,” NDSU linebacker Joe Mays said. “Playing these guys to the wire, I mean this Big Ten team, a lot of people weren’t expecting us to win. We proved some people wrong.”
This was the first meeting of the two schools since 1937. The teams will play eachother again next season.
“ Hopefully we can come out and give them a game every time we pay them,” Heckendorf said. “I think we showed that we are a good football team.”