BOZEMAN – D.J. McNorton rushed for 207 yards and a career-high four touchdowns as North Dakota State overpowered No. 4 Montana State in the fourth quarter en route to a 42-17 victory Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
McNorton ran for 163 yards and all of his TDs in the second half, and the Bison (9-4) scored four times after falling behind 17-14 on the first play the fourth quarter.
North Dakota State will play Eastern Washington next week in the quarterfinals.
Denarius McGhee was 19 for 32 for 223 yards and a touchdown for the Big Sky Conference co-champion Bobcats (9-3).
McNorton gave North Dakota State a 21-17 lead with a 19-yard touchdown run with 13:22 remaining and tacked on touchdown runs of 38 and 52 yards in the final 5:28.
McNorton scored from 3 yards out with 6:57 to play in the third quarter to give North Dakota State a 14-7 lead.
Montana State took its last lead when running back Orenzo Davis scored from 1 yard out with 14:54 to play.
Bison starting quarterback Brock Jensen was injured midway through the second quarter and never returned.