NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - Coming into Saturday at Hancock Stadium, the defending FCS champion North Dakota State Bison's closest margin of victory in 2025 was 27 points.

At the start of the 4th quarter, No. 6 Illinois State had NDSU on the ropes in a two-point contest.

However, the Bison flexed their muscle with two fourth quarter touchdowns to pull away 33-16 to spoil the Redbirds homecoming.

Tommy Rittenhouse went 20/35 for 191 yards and a touchdown. The Redbirds added over 150 yards on the ground.

Tye Niekamp got the Redbirds on the board with a safety after they pinned NDSU at their own 1-yard line on a punt.

The Bison responded with two touchdowns in the first half to pull ahead while ISU kept it a one-score game at the break with a score in the second quarter.

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