Breaking: Unseeded Illinois State Defeats No. 1 North Dakota State, Upsets FCS National Championship Odds
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The most favored team for this year’s FCS national championship has been eliminated from the 24‑team playoff bracket. Unseeded Illinois State rallied in the final minutes to topple defending champion No. 1 North Dakota State 29‑28 on Saturday.
Late Surge Sends Redbirds Over Bison
Trailing 28‑14 wiht just over six minutes left, Illinois State faced a seemingly unfeasible comeback.After a three‑and‑out by the Bison, the Redbirds drove 41 yards in seven plays, culminating in quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse‘s 8‑yard touchdown pass to Daniel Sobkowicz.
Following a sack and forced fumble by Illinois State defensive lineman Jake Anderson, the Redbirds regained possession with 1:51 remaining. Six plays later, Rittenhouse connected again with Sobkowicz for a 6‑yard score, narrowing the gap to one point.
Refusing to settle for overtime, Illinois State executed a successful two‑point conversion, a pass from Rittenhouse to Scotty Presson Jr., sealing a 29‑28 victory as the Bison failed to enter field‑goal range on their final drive.
