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FCS roundup: Illinois State upends Appalachian State

Illinois State’s Tyrone Walker evades a defender on his way to 41-yard touchdown. (Associated Press)
Illinois State’s Tyrone Walker evades a defender on his way to 41-yard touchdown. (Associated Press)

Matt Brown threw for five touchdowns and 322 yards and Illinois State blocked the game-tying PAT in overtime to beat Appalachian State 38-37 Saturday in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in Boone, N.C.

Brown was 20-of-32 passing for the Redbirds, who made their first playoff appearance since 2006 and handed Appalachian State its third straight postseason loss.

After Brown threw his fifth touchdown of the day – a 25-yarder to James O’Shaughnessy that gave Illinois State (9-3) a 38-31 overtime lead – Jamal Jackson and Appalachian State (8-4) answered three plays later with a touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 38-37.

However, Illinois State blocked the ensuing PAT kick to seal the win.

Montana State 16, Stony Brook 10: Bobcats’ defensive end Caleb Schreibeis forced the last of three lost Seawolves (10-3) fumbles with 45 seconds to play to preserve a victory in Bozeman. No. 3-seeded Montana State (11-1) got a 69-yard touchdown pass from DeNarius McGhee to Tanner Bleskin in the first quarter and never trailed. McGhee finished 12-of-22 passing for 208 yards and ran for 73 yards.

Sam Houston State 18, Cal Poly 16: Tim Flanders rushed for 101 yards and Vincent Dotson blocked a punt to help led the Bearkats to a win over the Mustangs in Huntsville, Texas. Sam Houston State (9-3) was outgained 387-241 but forced three turnovers. Cal Poly (9-3) closed the gap on two field goals by Bobby Zalud in the third quarter. Sam Houston quarterback Brian Bell then threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Keshawn Hill late in the third quarter.

North Dakota State 28, South Dakota State 3: Brock Jensen passed for two touchdowns and ran for one to help the Bison (11-1) defeat the Jackrabbits (9-4) in Fargo, N.D. The Bison (11-1) shut down SDSU’s vaunted ground game, holding the leading rusher in FCS, Zach Zenner, to 46 yards on 15 carries.

Wofford 23, New Hampshire 7: Eric Breitenstein ran for three touchdowns and 247 yards as the Terriers (9-3) opened the playoffs with a victory over the Wildcats (8-4) in Spartanburg, S.C.

Old Dominion 63, Coastal Carolina 35: Taylor Heinicke threw for six touchdowns and rushed for two more while leading the Monarchs (11-1) over the Chanticleers (8-5) in Norfolk, Va.

Georgia Southern 24, Central Arkansas 16: Georgia Southern quarterback Jerick McKinnon ran for 316 yards on 24 carries, scored two touchdowns and passed for another as the Eagles (9-3) defeated the Bears (9-3) in Statesboro, Ga.