North Dakota State Bison 33–16 Illinois State Redbirds: Final Score & Recap | Week 6, 2025

Quick answer

North Dakota State Bison defeated Illinois State Redbirds 33–16 in Week 6, 2025. Final score: North Dakota State Bison 33, Illinois State Redbirds 16.

Game summary

North Dakota State Bison rolled past Illinois State Redbirds 33–16 in Week 6 of the 2025 season.

Scoring: 6 touchdowns, 1 field goal across 8 plays.
Passing leader: Cole Payton (North Dakota State) — 182.0 pass yds, 1 TD, +0.83 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Barika Kpeenu — 117.0 yds, 1 TD.
Receiving leader: Daniel Sobkowicz — 7 rec, 75.0 yds.
EPA edge: North Dakota State (+0.430/play) vs Illinois State (+0.009/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
North Dakota State Bison	8	6	3	12	33
Illinois State Redbirds	0	6	6	0	16

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

NDSUNorth Dakota State Bison

OPP EZ

+3OPP 21

OPP EZ

ILSTIllinois State Redbirds

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

8 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

North Dakota State
Q1Safety
Points+2
Yard line
Own EZ
Score
2-0
Safety
North Dakota State
Q1TD
CPCole Payton
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
8-0
Cole Payton rushes 13 yards for a touchdown
Illinois State
Q2TD
WWWenkers Wright
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
8-6
Wenkers Wright rushes 6 yards for a touchdown
North Dakota State
Q2TD
BKBarika Kpeenu
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
14-6
Barika Kpeenu rushes 42 yards for a touchdown
North Dakota State
Q3FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 21
Score
17-6
Field goal good from 38 yards
Illinois State
Q3TD
DSDaniel Sobkowicz
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
17-12
Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Daniel Sobkowicz for a touchdown (3 yards)
North Dakota State
Q4TD
BLBryce Lance
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
23-12
Cole Payton pass to Bryce Lance for a touchdown (23 yards)
North Dakota State
Q4TD
DSDJ Scott
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
29-12
DJ Scott rushes 5 yards for a touchdown

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Cole Payton (North Dakota State) — 182.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.83 EPA/play +13.32 EPA
Tommy Rittenhouse (Illinois State) — 188.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.06 EPA/play +2.37 EPA

Rushing

Barika Kpeenu (North Dakota State) — 117.0 yds · 1 TD +0.35 EPA
Cole Payton (North Dakota State) — 91.0 yds · 1 TD +0.33 EPA
Wenkers Wright (Illinois State) — 53.0 yds · 1 TD +0.10 EPA

Receiving

Daniel Sobkowicz (Illinois State) — 7 rec · 75.0 yds +0.70 EPA
Luke Mailander (Illinois State) — 5 rec · 58.0 yds +0.49 EPA
Eddie Kasper (Illinois State) — 2 rec · 17.0 yds -0.54 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Cole Payton	North Dakota State	16	75.0%	182	1	+0.83	+13.32
Tommy Rittenhouse	Illinois State	37	54.1%	188	1	+0.06	+2.37

Team EPA comparison

Stat	North Dakota State	Illinois State
Plays	49	66
EPA / play	+0.430	+0.009
Total EPA	+21.07	+0.57
Success rate	59.2%	48.5%
Pass EPA / play	+0.833	+0.064
Rush EPA / play	+0.235	-0.062
Yards	408	340

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Illinois State	11	38	-0.38	Punt
Q1	North Dakota State	0	0	—	Safety
Q1	Illinois State	4	37	+2.64	Ended
Q1	North Dakota State	6	34	+1.14	Ended
Q1	Illinois State	1	-4	-8.76	Fumble
Q1	North Dakota State	1	13	+2.70	Rush TD
Q1	Illinois State	10	70	+5.90	Rush TD
Q2	North Dakota State	7	47	-0.02	Missed FG
Q2	Illinois State	3	9	-0.92	Punt
Q2	North Dakota State	3	68	+5.57	Rush TD
Q2	Illinois State	13	56	-0.74	Ended
Q2	North Dakota State	11	61	+2.07	Field goal
Q3	Illinois State	9	80	+7.56	Pass TD
Q3	North Dakota State	8	80	+6.07	Pass TD
Q4	Illinois State	3	1	-2.86	Punt
Q4	North Dakota State	6	73	+5.10	Rush TD

Biggest EPA swings

Q1 · Illinois State Redbirds · Fumble (-8.76 EPA)
Q4 · North Dakota State Bison · Cole Payton pass to Jackson Williams for 51 yards (3rd & 8) (+4.37 EPA)
Q2 · North Dakota State Bison · Barika Kpeenu rushes 42 yards for a touchdown (+4.17 EPA)
Q4 · North Dakota State Bison · Cole Payton pass to Bryce Lance for a touchdown (23 yards) (+3.07 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois State Redbirds · Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Daniel Sobkowicz for 11 yards (3rd & 10) (+2.9 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois State Redbirds · Tommy Rittenhouse pass to Scotty Presson Jr. for 13 yards (3rd & 10) (+2.75 EPA)
Q1 · North Dakota State Bison · Cole Payton rushes 13 yards for a touchdown (+2.7 EPA)
Q2 · North Dakota State Bison · Field goal missed (-2.5 EPA)

Key takeaways

North Dakota State Bison controlled the final (33–16) in Week 6.
Passing edge: Cole Payton (North Dakota State) — 182.0 yds, 1 TD.
EPA edge: North Dakota State at 0.43 EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of North Dakota State Bison vs Illinois State Redbirds?

North Dakota State Bison 33, Illinois State Redbirds 16 in Week 6 of the 2025 college football season.

Who won North Dakota State Bison vs Illinois State Redbirds?

North Dakota State Bison won with a final score of 33–16.

Where can I find the North Dakota State Bison vs Illinois State Redbirds box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401767438.

Who led North Dakota State Bison vs Illinois State Redbirds in passing?

Cole Payton (North Dakota State) led passers with 182.0 yards and 1 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for North Dakota State Bison at Illinois State Redbirds in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.