FARGO — North Dakota State was intercepted late by safety Dawson Weber to hold off Incarnate Word for a 35-32 win Friday night in the NCAA Division I FCS semifinals in front of 12,569 fans at Gate City Bank Field in the Fargodome.
The Bison (12-2) advanced to their 10th FCS championship game in the last 12 seasons.
NDSU running back Kobe Johnson rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns on 15 tries. Bison quarterback Cam Miller rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 18 tries.
The Bison trailed 16-0 in the first quarter before scoring 24 unanswered points to take a 24-16 lead early in the second half.
Below are scenes from NDSU’s semi-final win over Incarnate Word:
North Dakota State’s Tyler Roehl leads the celebrations in the locker room after defeating Incarnate Word during the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
Incarnate Word quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. jumps on the goal line during the first quarter of the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Cam Miller celebrates with Santa after defeating Incarnate Word during the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Dawson Weber celebrates his late game interception with his teammates during the semifinals of the NCAA FCS at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State fans celebrate as Incarnate Word’s Isaiah Paul sits dejected after the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
Players from the state of North Dakota step into the student division following their loss to Incarnate Word in their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota’s Dawson Weber celebrates defeating Incarnate Word in the semifinals of the NCAA FCS at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State fans Colton Huschka and Alison Bunnell celebrate a Bison big save against Incarnate Word during the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Tony Pierce nearly grabs Incarnate Word quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. in their final game during the NCAA FCS Semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s TK Marshall breaks free against Incarnate Word in the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Joe Stoffel celebrates his two-point conversion reception from teammate Braylon Henderson during the NCAA FCS semifinals on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Kobe Johnson runs past Incarnate Word’s Donte Thompson for a touchdown during the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s RaJa Nelson, top, celebrates with Jake Lippe after losing Incarnate Word in their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Jalen Bussey and Incarnate Word’s Tyrese Brown meet in a kickoff return during the semifinals of the NCAA FCS at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State President David Cook, right, congratulates head coach Matt Entz on his loss to Incarnate Word in their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Dawson Weber intercepts an Incarnate Word pass in the final moments of their FCS semifinal championship soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Michael Tutsie interrupts an Incarnate Word pass to force a rally during their FCS semifinal championship soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State fans cheer after a Kobe Johnson touchdown against Incarnate Word during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Will Mostaert (left) and Dom Jones take on Incarnate Word’s Marcus Cooper during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Griffin Crosa shoots a point against Incarnate Word during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Kobe Johnson makes a touchdown run against Incarnate Word during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Cam Miller scores a second quarter touchdown against Incarnate Word in the NCAA FCS Semifinals on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Jayden Price reacts after his punt return against Incarnate Word during the NCAA FCS Semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Jayden Price competes on a punt return against Incarnate Word during the NCAA FCS Semifinals at the Fargodome on Friday, December 16, 2022.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Loshiaka Roques and Cole Wisniewski take on Incarnate Word’s Lindsey Scott Jr. on Friday, December 16, 2022 during the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Kobe Johnson hits for a touchdown against Incarnate Word in the NCAA FCS semifinals on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
David Samson/The Forum
Cam Miller of North Dakota State plays against Kaleb Culp of Incarnate Word on Friday, December 16, 2022 during the NCAA FCS semifinals at the Fargodome.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Dawson Weber picks up an Incarnate Word pass on Friday, December 16, 2022 during the NCAA FCS Semifinals at the Fargodome.
David Samson/The Forum
The North Dakota State defense stops Incarnate Word’s Lindsey Scott Jr. from scoring during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
North Dakota State’s Cam Miller passes TK Marshall during their FCS semifinal championship soccer game against Incarnate Word on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/The Forum
New grads Alli Pieper (left) and Hayley Leisenheimer celebrate a North Dakota State touchdown against Incarnate Word during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome. The opening ceremonies took place at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m
Michael Vosburg/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Dawson Weber is congratulated by Michael Tutsie for intercepting a pass from Incarnate Word during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
Incarnate Word’s Lindsey Scott Jr. crawls for a loose ball after being disturbed by the Loshiaka Roques of North Dakota State during their FCS Championship semifinal soccer game Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Fargodome.
Michael Vosburg/Forum Communications Co.
The state of North Dakota emerges from an inflatable helmet at the Fargodome for its FCS Championship semifinal soccer game against Incarnate Word on Friday, December 16, 2022.
