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Mercer at North Dakota State

Saturday, December 14, 2024, FCS Championship – Quarterfinals, CFP Quarterfinal

North Dakota State beat Mercer 31–⁠7. It was their only meeting on record.

AwayMercer11–⁠3 in 2024
7
HomeNorth Dakota State14–⁠2 in 2024
31

Final at Fargodome, FargoIndoorsAttendance 10,353

Official
Kelly HolmanGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Mercer70007
North Dakota State14100731

Standouts

Player stats

Mercer

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Whitt Newbauer9/198711
D.J. Smith1/1-100
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Dwayne McGee1458011
C.J. Miller458028
Tyrell Coard1808
D.J. Smith3602
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Kelin Parsons138138
Kendall Harris117017
Sam Albee31706
Adjatay Dabbs1808
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Myles Redding0002

North Dakota State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Cam Miller16/2525922
RaJa Nelson0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
CharMar Brown1158013
Cam Miller1140134
Barika Kpeenu1632110
T.K. Marshall3303
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Mekhi Collins4119070
Bryce Lance573240
RaJa Nelson239033
Braylon Henderson32009
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Anthony Chideme-Alfaro0001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

MercerNorth Dakota State
194Total yards392
86Passing yards259
108Rushing yards133
4.3Yards per pass10.0
3.5Yards per rush3.2
8First downs20
1–⁠11Third downs9–⁠17
0–⁠2Fourth downs0–⁠0
1Turnovers2
7–⁠56Penalties5–⁠45
23:40Possession35:38

Efficiency

MercerNorth Dakota State
24%Success rate45%
−0.26EPA per play0.14
1.49Explosiveness1.35
0.19Rushing EPA0.05
−0.73Passing EPA0.26
17%Passing-down success33%
4%Havoc by its defense2%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

North Dakota State 71% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

North Dakota State −23.5, over/under 52.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Every drive

North Dakota State end zoneMercer end zoneQ1 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ1 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 4 playsQ1 MercerFumble, 3 playsQ1 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 2 playsQ1 MercerTouchdown, 5 playsQ1 North Dakota StateInterception, 11 playsQ1 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ2 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 6 playsQ2 MercerTurnover on downs, 6 playsQ2 North Dakota StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ2 North Dakota StatePunt, 5 playsQ2 MercerPunt, 5 playsQ2 North Dakota StateField goal, 6 playsQ2 MercerEnd of half, 1 playQ3 North Dakota StatePunt, 6 playsQ3 MercerPunt, 5 playsQ3 North Dakota StateInterception, 6 playsQ3 MercerInterception, 3 playsQ3 North Dakota StatePunt, 5 playsQ4 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ4 North Dakota StatePunt, 3 playsQ4 MercerTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ4 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 11 playsQ4 MercerResult not recorded, 3 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. North Dakota State drives left to right, Mercer right to left.
  1. Q1 MercerPunt, 3 plays, −4 yards
  2. Q1 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 4 plays, 50 yards
  3. Q1 MercerFumble, 3 plays, 6 yards
  4. Q1 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 2 plays, 74 yards
  5. Q1 MercerTouchdown, 5 plays, 73 yards
  6. Q1 North Dakota StateInterception, 11 plays, 39 yards
  7. Q1 MercerPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  8. Q2 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 6 plays, 55 yards
  9. Q2 MercerTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 16 yards
  10. Q2 North Dakota StatePunt, 3 plays, −16 yards
  11. Q2 MercerPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  12. Q2 North Dakota StatePunt, 5 plays, 18 yards
  13. Q2 MercerPunt, 5 plays, 29 yards
  14. Q2 North Dakota StateField goal, 6 plays, 70 yards
  15. Q2 MercerEnd of half, 1 play, 9 yards
  16. Q3 North Dakota StatePunt, 6 plays, 7 yards
  17. Q3 MercerPunt, 5 plays, 15 yards
  18. Q3 North Dakota StateInterception, 6 plays, 12 yards
  19. Q3 MercerInterception, 3 plays, 9 yards
  20. Q3 North Dakota StatePunt, 5 plays, 27 yards
  21. Q4 MercerPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  22. Q4 North Dakota StatePunt, 3 plays, −2 yards
  23. Q4 MercerTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 29 yards
  24. Q4 North Dakota StateTouchdown, 11 plays, 51 yards
  25. Q4 MercerResult not recorded, 3 plays, −3 yards

Play by play

1st quarter7 drives, then North Dakota State 14, Mercer 7
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Eli Ozick kickoff for 59 yds , Brayden Smith return for 25 yds to the MER 31
14:511st & 10 at own 31Whitt Newbauer sacked by Toby Anene for a loss of 4 yards to the MER 27
14:162nd & 14 at own 27Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Dwayne Mcgee
14:103rd & 14 at own 27Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Adjatay Dabbs, broken up by Darius Givance
14:004th & 14 at own 27John McConnell punt for 38 yds, downed at the NDSU 35 Mercer Penalty, Kick Catching Interference (Parker Wroble) to the 50 yard line
North Dakota State Touchdown, 4 plays
13:541st & 10 at the 50Barika Kpeenu run for 7 yds to the MER 43
13:162nd & 3 at opp 43Cam Miller run for 5 yds to the MER 38 for a 1ST down
12:411st & 10 at opp 38Cam Miller pass complete to Jackson Williams for a loss of 2 yards to the MER 40
12:032nd & 12 at opp 40Bryce Lance 40 Yd pass from Cam Miller (Griffin Crosa Kick)North Dakota State 7, Mercer 0
Mercer Fumble, 3 plays
12:032nd & 12 at own 35Eli Ozick kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
11:561st & 10 at own 25Dwayne Mcgee run for 7 yds to the MER 32
11:152nd & 3 at own 32D.J. Smith run for 2 yds to the MER 34
10:423rd & 1 at own 34Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Brayden Smith for a loss of 3 yards to the MER 31
10:014th & 4 at own 31John McConnell punt for 43 yds , Jackson Williams returns for no gain to the NDSU 26 Jackson Williams fumbled, recovered by NDSU Jackson Williams
North Dakota State Touchdown, 2 plays
9:501st & 10 at own 26Cam Miller pass complete to Mekhi Collins for 70 yds to the MER 4 for a 1ST down
9:311st & goal at opp 4Bryce Lance 4 Yd pass from Cam Miller (Griffin Crosa Kick)North Dakota State 14, Mercer 0
Mercer Touchdown, 5 plays
9:311st & 10 at own 35Eli Ozick kickoff for 65 yds , Brayden Smith return for 27 yds to the MER 27
9:191st & 10 at own 27CJ Miller run for 5 yds to the MER 32
8:432nd & 5 at own 32Whitt Newbauer run for 3 yds to the MER 35
8:003rd & 2 at own 35CJ Miller run for 28 yds to the NDSU 37 for a 1ST down
7:431st & 10 at opp 37D.J. Smith pass complete to Parker Wroble for a loss of 1 yard to the NDSU 38
7:012nd & 11 at opp 38Kelin Parsons 38 Yd pass from Whitt Newbauer (Reice Griffith Kick)North Dakota State 14, Mercer 7
North Dakota State Interception, 11 plays
7:012nd & 11 at own 35Sully Croker kickoff for 51 yds , Jackson Williams return for 23 yds to the NDSU 37
6:481st & 10 at own 37Barika Kpeenu run for 5 yds to the NDSU 42
6:122nd & 5 at own 42TK Marshall run for 2 yds to the NDSU 44
5:353rd & 3 at own 44Cam Miller pass complete to RaJa Nelson for 6 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
4:561st & 10 at the 50CharMar Brown run for 5 yds to the MER 45
4:132nd & 5 at opp 45CharMar Brown run for 7 yds to the MER 38 for a 1ST down
3:381st & 10 at opp 38Cam Miller pass complete to Braylon Henderson for 5 yds to the MER 33
3:012nd & 5 at opp 33RaJa Nelson pass incomplete to Chris Harris
2:553rd & 5 at opp 33Cam Miller run for 8 yds to the MER 25 for a 1ST down
2:161st & 10 at opp 25North Dakota State Penalty, False Start (Trent Fraley) to the MER 30
1:531st & 15 at opp 30Cam Miller pass incomplete to Chris Harris, broken up by Dainsus Miller
1:472nd & 15 at opp 30CharMar Brown run for 6 yds to the MER 24
1:073rd & 9 at opp 24Cam Miller pass intercepted Myles Redding return for no gain to the MER 12
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
1:021st & 10 at own 12D.J. Smith run for 2 yds to the MER 14
0:312nd & 8 at own 14Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Brayden Smith
0:233rd & 8 at own 14Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Samuel Albee for 5 yds to the MER 19
Q2 14:534th & 3 at own 19John McConnell punt for 36 yds, fair catch by Jackson Williams at the NDSU 45
2nd quarter8 drives, then North Dakota State 24, Mercer 7
North Dakota State Touchdown, 6 plays
14:471st & 10 at own 45CharMar Brown run for no gain to the NDSU 45
14:112nd & 10 at own 45Cam Miller pass complete to Bryce Lance for 6 yds to the MER 49
13:283rd & 4 at opp 49Cam Miller pass complete to Chris Harris for 10 yds to the MER 39 for a 1ST down
12:481st & 10 at opp 39CharMar Brown run for 5 yds to the MER 34
12:102nd & 5 at opp 34Cam Miller pass incomplete to Tyler Terhark, broken up by Dainsus Miller
12:013rd & 5 at opp 34Cam Miller 34 Yd Run (Griffin Crosa Kick)North Dakota State 21, Mercer 7
12:013rd & 5 at own 35North Dakota State Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Chris Harris) to the NDSU 20
Mercer Turnover on downs, 6 plays
12:013rd & 20 at own 20Eli Ozick kickoff for 66 yds , Brayden Smith return for 34 yds to the MER 48
11:501st & 10 at own 48Dwayne Mcgee run for 1 yd to the MER 49
11:142nd & 9 at own 49Dwayne Mcgee run for 10 yds to the NDSU 41 for a 1ST down
10:421st & 10 at opp 41Dwayne Mcgee run for 1 yd to the NDSU 40
10:072nd & 9 at opp 40Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Kelin Parsons, broken up by Toby Anene
9:563rd & 9 at opp 40Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Brayden Smith for 4 yds to the NDSU 36
9:414th & 5 at opp 36Whitt Newbauer sacked by Logan Kopp for a loss of 14 yards to the 50 yard line
North Dakota State Punt, 3 plays
9:411st & 10 at the 50North Dakota State Penalty, False Start (Trent Fraley) to the NDSU 45
9:351st & 15 at own 45Barika Kpeenu run for a loss of 3 yards to the NDSU 42
8:542nd & 18 at own 42CharMar Brown run for 2 yds to the NDSU 44
8:163rd & 16 at own 44Cam Miller sacked by Brayden Manley for a loss of 10 yards to the NDSU 34
7:374th & 26 at own 34Kaedin Steindorf punt for 36 yds, downed at the MER 30
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
7:301st & 10 at own 30Dwayne Mcgee run for 3 yds to the MER 33
6:572nd & 7 at own 33Dwayne Mcgee run for a loss of 1 yard to the MER 32
6:183rd & 8 at own 32Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Brayden Smith
6:124th & 8 at own 32John McConnell punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Jackson Williams at the NDSU 28
North Dakota State Punt, 5 plays
6:041st & 10 at own 28Cam Miller pass complete to Bryce Lance for 10 yds to the NDSU 38 for a 1ST down
5:271st & 10 at own 38CharMar Brown run for 10 yds to the NDSU 48 for a 1ST down
4:471st & 10 at own 48TK Marshall run for a loss of 2 yards to the NDSU 46
4:002nd & 12 at own 46Cam Miller run for 1 yd to the NDSU 47
3:193rd & 11 at own 47Cam Miller sacked by Marques Thomas for a loss of 1 yard to the NDSU 46
2:324th & 12 at own 46Kaedin Steindorf punt for 44 yds , Parker Wroble returns for 10 yds to the MER 20
Mercer Punt, 5 plays
2:261st & 10 at own 20Kelin Parsons run for 4 yds to the MER 24
1:542nd & 6 at own 24CJ Miller run for 23 yds to the MER 47 for a 1ST down
1:531st & 10 at own 47Timeout Mercer, clock 01:53
1:481st & 10 at own 47CJ Miller run for 2 yds to the MER 49
1:212nd & 8 at own 49Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Adjatay Dabbs
1:173rd & 8 at own 49Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Parker Wroble, broken up by Toby Anene
1:104th & 8 at own 49John McConnell punt for 41 yds, fair catch by Jackson Williams at the NDSU 10
North Dakota State Field goal, 6 plays
1:031st & 10 at own 10Cam Miller pass complete to RaJa Nelson for 33 yds to the NDSU 43 for a 1ST down
1:021st & 10 at own 43Timeout North Dakota State, clock 01:02
0:551st & 10 at own 43Miller, Cam pass incomplete to Lance, Bryce, PENALTY MERCER pass interference (Miller, Dainsus) 15 yards to the MERCER42, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN NODAKOTAST.
0:451st & 10 at opp 42Cam Miller pass complete to Bryce Lance for 13 yds to the MER 29 for a 1ST down
0:281st & 10 at opp 29Cam Miller pass incomplete to Braylon Henderson
0:232nd & 10 at opp 29Cam Miller pass complete to Mekhi Collins for 8 yds to the MER 21
0:233rd & 2 at opp 21Timeout Mercer, clock 00:23
0:163rd & 2 at opp 21Cam Miller run for 1 yd to the MER 20
0:154th & 1 at opp 20Timeout North Dakota State, clock 00:15
0:114th & 1 at opp 20Griffin Crosa 38 Yd Field GoalNorth Dakota State 24, Mercer 7
Mercer End of half, 1 play
0:114th & 1 at own 35Eli Ozick kickoff for 64 yds , Parker Wroble return for 18 yds to the MER 19
0:001st & 10 at own 19Dwayne Mcgee run for 9 yds to the MER 28
3rd quarter5 drives, then North Dakota State 24, Mercer 7
North Dakota State Punt, 6 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Sully Croker kickoff for 46 yds , Jackson Williams return for 11 yds to the NDSU 30
14:511st & 10 at own 30CharMar Brown run for no gain to the NDSU 30
14:152nd & 10 at own 30Barika Kpeenu run for 3 yds to the NDSU 33
13:313rd & 7 at own 33Cam Miller pass complete to Mekhi Collins for 14 yds to the NDSU 47 for a 1ST down
12:581st & 10 at own 47Cam Miller sacked by Arias Nash for a loss of 7 yards to the NDSU 40
12:172nd & 17 at own 40Barika Kpeenu run for a loss of 3 yards to the NDSU 37
11:303rd & 20 at own 37Cam Miller pass incomplete to Carson Williams, broken up by Ken Standley
11:234th & 20 at own 37Kaedin Steindorf punt for 45 yds , Parker Wroble returns for no gain to the MER 18
Mercer Punt, 5 plays
11:181st & 10 at own 18Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Adjatay Dabbs for 8 yds to the MER 26
10:552nd & 2 at own 26Dwayne Mcgee run for 3 yds to the MER 29 for a 1ST down
10:241st & 10 at own 29Whitt Newbauer sacked by Enock Sibomana for a loss of 10 yards to the MER 19
9:362nd & 20 at own 19Tyrell Coard run for 8 yds to the MER 27
8:563rd & 12 at own 27Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Parker Wroble for 6 yds to the MER 33
8:184th & 6 at own 33John McConnell punt for 43 yds, fair catch by Jackson Williams at the NDSU 24
North Dakota State Interception, 6 plays
8:131st & 10 at own 24Barika Kpeenu run for 4 yds to the NDSU 28
7:392nd & 6 at own 28Barika Kpeenu run for 4 yds to the NDSU 32
7:033rd & 2 at own 32Cam Miller run for 4 yds to the NDSU 36 for a 1ST down
6:221st & 10 at own 36Barika Kpeenu run for no gain to the NDSU 36
5:412nd & 10 at own 36Cam Miller pass incomplete to Tyler Terhark
5:333rd & 10 at own 36Cam Miller pass intercepted Myles Redding return for no gain to the NDSU 41
Mercer Interception, 3 plays
5:261st & 10 at opp 41Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Kendall Harris for 17 yds to the NDSU 24 for a 1ST down
5:011st & 10 at opp 24Mercer Penalty, False Start (Israel Mukwiza) to the NDSU 29
4:381st & 15 at opp 29D.J. Smith run for 2 yds to the NDSU 27
4:012nd & 13 at opp 27Mercer Penalty, False Start (Tyler Murray) to the NDSU 32
3:392nd & 18 at opp 32Whitt Newbauer pass intercepted Anthony Chideme-Alfaro return for no gain to the NDSU 6
North Dakota State Punt, 5 plays
3:301st & 10 at own 6CharMar Brown run for 7 yds to the NDSU 13
2:552nd & 3 at own 13CharMar Brown run for 13 yds to the NDSU 26 for a 1ST down
2:151st & 10 at own 26Cam Miller pass complete to Braylon Henderson for 9 yds to the NDSU 35
1:372nd & 1 at own 35Barika Kpeenu run for a loss of 3 yards to the NDSU 32
1:023rd & 4 at own 32North Dakota State Penalty, False Start (Grey Zabel) to the NDSU 27
0:283rd & 9 at own 27Cam Miller pass complete to Braylon Henderson for 6 yds to the NDSU 33
Q4 14:554th & 3 at own 33Kaedin Steindorf punt for 32 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the MER 35
4th quarter5 drives, then North Dakota State 31, Mercer 7
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
14:471st & 10 at own 35Dwayne Mcgee run for 2 yds to the MER 37
14:172nd & 8 at own 37Whitt Newbauer sacked by Kelton McCaslin for a loss of 7 yards to the MER 30
13:373rd & 15 at own 30Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Samuel Albee for 6 yds to the MER 36
12:594th & 9 at own 36John McConnell punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Jackson Williams at the NDSU 24
North Dakota State Punt, 3 plays
12:521st & 10 at own 24TK Marshall run for 3 yds to the NDSU 27
12:162nd & 7 at own 27Barika Kpeenu run for a loss of 5 yards to the NDSU 22
11:323rd & 12 at own 22Cam Miller pass incomplete to Barika Kpeenu
11:224th & 12 at own 22Kaedin Steindorf punt for 54 yds, downed at the MER 24
Mercer Turnover on downs, 8 plays
11:101st & 10 at own 24Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Kendall Harris, broken up by Darius Givance
11:042nd & 10 at own 24Dwayne Mcgee run for 11 yds to the MER 35 for a 1ST down
10:381st & 10 at own 35Whitt Newbauer pass incomplete to Kendall Harris
10:312nd & 10 at own 35Dwayne Mcgee run for 11 yds to the MER 46 for a 1ST down
9:561st & 10 at own 46Dwayne Mcgee run for a loss of 5 yards to the MER 41
9:272nd & 15 at own 41Mercer Penalty, Delay of Game (-5 Yards) to the MER 36
9:052nd & 20 at own 36Whitt Newbauer pass complete to Samuel Albee for 6 yds to the MER 42
8:303rd & 14 at own 42Whitt Newbauer run for 11 yds to the NDSU 47
8:024th & 3 at opp 47Timeout Mercer, clock 08:02
7:564th & 3 at opp 47Whitt Newbauer sacked by Loshiaka Roques and Toby Anene for a loss of 2 yards to the NDSU 49
North Dakota State Touchdown, 11 plays
7:511st & 10 at own 49Barika Kpeenu run for 10 yds to the MER 41 for a 1ST down
7:461st & 10 at opp 41North Dakota State Penalty, Personal Foul (Mason Miller) to the NDSU 44
7:261st & 10 at own 44CharMar Brown run for 3 yds to the NDSU 47
6:502nd & 7 at own 47Cam Miller pass incomplete to Joe Stoffel, broken up by Dainsus Miller
6:023rd & 10 at own 44Cam Miller pass complete to Mekhi Collins for 27 yds to the MER 29 for a 1ST down
5:251st & 10 at opp 29Barika Kpeenu run for 5 yds to the MER 24
4:492nd & 5 at opp 24Cam Miller sacked by Marques Thomas and Andrew Zock for a loss of 5 yards to the MER 29
4:023rd & 10 at opp 29Cam Miller run for 10 yds to the MER 19 for a 1ST down
3:461st & 10 at opp 19Barika Kpeenu run for 1 yd to the MER 18 for a 1ST down Mercer Penalty, Personal Foul (Isaac Dowling) to the MER 9 for a 1ST down
3:081st & goal at opp 9Barika Kpeenu run for 2 yds to the MER 7
2:252nd & goal at opp 7Barika Kpeenu run for 4 yds to the MER 3
2:033rd & goal at opp 3Mercer Penalty, Defensive Offside (Andrew Zock) to the MER 1
1:573rd & goal at opp 1Barika Kpeenu 1 Yd Run (Griffin Crosa Kick)North Dakota State 31, Mercer 7
Mercer Result not recorded, 3 plays
1:573rd & 2 at own 35Eli Ozick kickoff for 65 yds , Parker Wroble return for 19 yds to the MER 19
1:461st & 10 at own 19Parker Wroble run for a loss of 3 yards to the MER 16
1:192nd & 13 at own 16Dwayne Mcgee run for 3 yds to the MER 19
0:423rd & 10 at own 19Dwayne Mcgee run for 3 yds to the MER 22

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Mercer–North Dakota State game

North Dakota State leads 1–⁠0 in their only meeting.

Around this game

Mercer

North Dakota State

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 16