FARGO, N.D. — The suspense for the North Dakota State football team was not on the field Saturday afternoon, not after 665 yards of total offense. It was a foregone conclusion that the University of St. Thomas was an undermanned Division I non-scholarship Pioneer Football League team that came to Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome a banged-up outfit.

No, the biggest mystery will be unraveled at 11 a.m. Sunday when the 24-team FCS playoff field will be revealed on ESPNU. The Bison, 12-0, are certain to be the No. 1 seed after their 62-7 victory before 15,278 fans.

“It will be exciting. (I) think we did a good shutting the door and handling our business,” Bison cornerback Anthony Chideme-Alfaro said. “Excited to see who we’re facing, so ready to get onto the next week and get ready.”

The rest of the seedings, and where NDSU stands in the bracket, will be the questions to be answered. But this is something the Bison have been part of for the past 15 seasons. They know the drill: Seeds 9 through 16 will host first-round games against the last eight at-large entrants.

NDSU will get a first-round bye and will have home-field advantage as long as it continues to advance.

“We shut the door today,” said NDSU defensive tackle Jaxon Duttenhefer. “I don’t think there’s any doubt for us or the nation where we’re supposed to be. I think there will be a little more interest to see who will be on our side of the bracket.”

The Bison beat St. Thomas with an offensive onslaught that for a while threatened to break the school record for total offense, 756 yards set in 1988 against Morningside College.

It was the fourth-most in the Division I era with the leader in that statistic being 700 yards against the University of South Dakota in 2019. That was with quarterback Trey Lance.

“Really good job coming out ready to go, regardless of the opponent it’s hard to do,” head coach Tim Polasek said. “The first-half performance, thought defensively we were flying around.”

This was accomplished with Trey’s younger brother Bryce Lance, who had three receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bison starters were sharp early against the Tommies, taking a quick 21-0 lead. NDSU had 320 yards of total offense in the first quarter alone, and with the difference in team speed, UST had no answer to any deep passes the Bison had to offer. Scoring passes in the first half covered 81, 47 and 43 yards.

Already an underdog, Tommies had to play without starting quarterback Andy Peters, out because of a concussion suffered against Presbyterian College (S.C.) last Saturday. That left the job to senior Amari Powell, who came in with 33 passing attempts on the season. St. Thomas also was missing a few other starters because of injuries.

NDSU found out during warmups.

“Whenever you don’t have a major starter, there’s always a lot of question marks because you’re not prepping for that player,” Duttenhefer said. “I think not having (Peters) in changed their mentality of what they were going to do a little bit.”

The Tommies, in their first year of being eligible for the FCS playoffs, had those hopes dashed last week in a loss to Presbyterian, which eliminated them from earning the Pioneer League’s automatic bid.

It didn’t take Bison running back Barika Kpeenu long to record a career-long touchdown run. On second-and-2, on NDSU’s second play of the game, Kpeenu took a handoff to the left side, saw little room, cut to the right and bolted 74 yards down the sideline for a quick 7-0 Bison lead.

Kpeenu’s previous long this season was 42 yards, and the stage was already set for the expected outcome.

A 40-yard pass to Chris Harris on NDSU’s next possession set up Kpeenu for a four-yard TD run, making it 14-0 before the game was six minutes old.

“They were playing some soft coverage, and we were still getting behind them,” Polasek said. “Really happy how many balls (were) getting pushed downfield.”

Interceptions on consecutive possessions by NDSU safeties Darius Givance and Taylen Eady halted St. Thomas drives, the last that resulting in an 81-yard pass from quarterback Cole Payton to Lance that made it 21-0. That was a career long on two fronts: the longest TD reception by Lance and the longest TD throw by Payton.

It was another showcase moment for Lance.

“That’s been the case 10 of the 12 weeks,” Polasek said. “Overall this year, Bryce continues to get open. He’s a pretty good player.”

It was also the ninth-longest touchdown passing play in NDSU school history. The Bison didn’t let up with the passing attack, either, and Kpeenu was the recipient this time. Payton found him wide open for a 47-yard touchdown play and it was 28-0.

It was 45-0 at halftime.

Kpeenu finished with 107 yards on 10 carries. Payton was 9 of 12 passing for 279 yards and three touchdowns.

“We were just ready to play,” Kpeenu said. “We came out right away willing to play for our brothers.”

 

San Francisco controlled the glass and tempo Saturday evening at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., as the Dons led wire to wire to beat the Gophers men’s basketball team 77-65.

A combination of frontcourt foul trouble, sluggish first-half scoring and inability to capitalize on free throws contributed to Minnesota’s second nonconference loss. Gophers coach Niko Medved said Jaylen Crocker-Johnson’s foul trouble hurt the Gophers (4-2), but touched on a familiar issue that’s haunted Minnesota.

“The two stats I look at right now are they had 11 made threes and we were 15 of 30 from the free-throw line,” Medved said. “Another team makes 11 threes, and you miss 15 free throws. That’s pretty hard to overcome.”

Gophers center Robert Vaihola, who had started each of Minnesota’s first five games, was out with a knee injury. Sophomore big man Nehemiah Turner stepped into his position in the starting lineup after not playing in any of Minnesota’s previous three contests.

Dons’ leading scorer Ryan Beasley knocked down a 3-pointer on their opening possession, and from that point on, San Francisco (5-1) never trailed.

Minnesota utilized a zone defense against Chicago State on Tuesday when the Cougars seized momentum in the second half. Medved deployed it earlier versus the Dons, who saw it 12 minutes into the game and led 21-18.

The Gophers shot 34.8% from the field before the break, and their free-throw shooting woes continued, going 7 for 13 (53.8%) at the charity stripe. Despite that, Minnesota remained within striking distance, trailing 34-27 at the half.

Cade Tyson — who entered Saturday as the Big Ten’s leading scorer, averaging 23.4 points — only registered two field-goal attempts in the first half. The North Carolina transfer had five points at halftime, thanks to three free throws and a layup.

Minnesota hung around in the second and went on an 8-0 run midway through the second half to tie it, 52-52, but the Dons responded. It was a charge led by Langston Reynolds and Crocker-Johnson.

Reynolds, a sparkplug off the bench on both ends of the court, led Minnesota with 16 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.

Medved said Reynolds is at his best when he is crashing the paint and getting to the rim.

“It was really good to see him, you know, get aggressive and get on the attack, and get in the lane, and he was really causing problems,” Medved said.

Beasley responded to Minnesota’s run with another one of his four 3-pointers. He led the contest in scoring, finishing with 24 points and four assists.

Foul trouble plagued the Gophers as top frontcourt option Crocker-Johnson left the game with six minutes to play after picking up his fourth foul. Crocker-Johnson re-entered three minutes later but fouled out with 2:07 to go and Minnesota trailing 64-58.

San Francisco countered every punch the Gophers threw down the stretch to claim a 77-65 Power Four nonconference victory at a neutral site.

The Gophers finished with nine assists to 12 turnovers, a product of stagnant offensive possessions due to the Dons’ swarming defense. Medved said his team was not “nasty” enough on defense, but San Francisco’s pressure caused problems for his squad.

“I thought we got a little bit sped up at times, on offense,” Medved said. “They got after us, and we kind of rushed some things and probably left some plays out there.”

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These gifts will thrill beauty product enthusiasts

Gift shopping is often a challenge, but when your loved one has a special interest, ideas are definitely easier to come by. If you have friends and family members who can’t get enough of beauty products, there is no shortage of items that will make their day. In fact, you may have a tough time deciding between all the options.

But all the options don’t have to overwhelm you. To help you focus your shopping, we’ve gathered our favorite gifts for beauty and product lovers. From hair styling tools to cream blushes to face masks, there is something that every beauty enthusiast on your list will absolutely love.

Best gifts for beauty lovers

Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer

Get a spa-like facial at home with this convenient facial steamer. It uses microsteam technology to deliver a clean, hydrated complexion in as few as nine minutes. Its wide nozzle ensures that the steam reaches your entire face, while the carrying handle makes it easy to travel with.

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush

This beginner-friendly cream blush blends into the skin like a dream, providing a natural flush that never looks cakey. It contains vitamin E to condition the skin and offers a radiant finish that adds a soft glow. It is available in 12 shades, too, so there’s an option to flatter every skin tone.

Abib Pink Me UP PDRN 3-Step Glow Kit

This three-piece kit is designed to give you a healthy, glowing complexion with premium ingredients, including vegan PDRN, retinal, collagen and hyaluronic acid. The eye patches help reduce under-eye dark circles and puffiness, while the lip mask soothes and hydrates dry lips. The firming face mask helps plump and brighten the skin overnight, so you wake up looking glowy and refreshed.

Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer

This multipurpose styling tool can dry, curl, smooth and straighten all hair types without damaging your hair. It features intelligent heat controls that prevent the temperature from exceeding 302 degrees, ensuring hair looks healthy and shiny. It comes with six versatile attachments, making it ideal for both straight and wavy hair.

ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm

Keep your lips hydrated and smooth with this easy-to-wear tinted lip balm. It contains moisturizing ingredients such as sea succulent, rosehip oil and shea butter to hydrate and soothe dry lips. The buttery formula also has a sheer tint of color that’s perfect for no-makeup makeup looks and comes in eight wearable shades.

NuFACE TRINITY + Microcurrent Facial Device Kit

This science-backed skin care device uses microcurrent technology, providing a low-level electric current to help lift and tighten the skin. The set includes a hydrating gel to boost moisture for up to 24 hours and a brightening cream that also helps firm. Best of all, using the device with the products provides both instant and long-term results.

DRMTLGY Brightening Eye Masks

It won’t matter how little sleep you got the night before when you use these brightening eye masks. They are infused with high-quality ingredients, such as caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, to help reduce puffiness and brighten dark circles. They are safe for all skin types, making them an excellent addition to any skincare routine.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

This body cream absorbs quickly into the skin and instantly helps smooth its appearance. It contains caffeine-rich guarana to tighten the skin and cupuacu butter to hydrate. In addition to its skin care benefits, it also offers a delicious fragrance with notes of salted caramel, vanilla and pistachio.

Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask

Wake up to bright, hydrated, plump skin with this overnight mask. Its vegan formula contains vitamin C and antioxidant-rich berries to help treat dullness, uneven skin tone and environmental damage. In addition to functioning as a sleeping mask, it also works well as a daily moisturizer for dry skin.

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set

This easy-to-use set lets you achieve beautiful curls without heat. It works for all hair types, preventing frizz, breakage, and other damage. The curling rod is made entirely of satin and is comfortable to sleep in, so you wake up with perfect curls. It also includes two satin scrunchies to secure your hair to the rod.

Live Tinted Huestick

If you’re a fan of easy-to-apply, multitasking makeup, this twist-up crayon is for you. It can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips, allowing you to achieve a chic monochromatic look in no time. It also contains good-for-the-skin ingredients, such as squalene and hyaluronic acid, and blends in easily with just your fingers.

Masktini Night Ranger Overnight Renewal Mask

This antiaging overnight mask contains AHAs, retinol and papaya enzymes to exfoliate the skin and smooth texture without irritation. It also helps brighten dull skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots for a more youthful appearance. It uses hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, too, making it appear plumper.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Down by three with 3:32 to play, Chanhassen had an opportunity for a championship drive. Across the line of scrimmage, the Spring Lake Park defense wanted to clinch the school’s first state title in a generation.

Advantage Panthers.

Spring Lake Park made two late defensive stops to beat Chanhassen 24-21 in the Class 5A Prep Bowl on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. It was a true team effort that earned the school its second state football championship but first since 1991.

Pressure from Panthers’ defensive end Jamal Smith forced a third-down incompletion on the second-to-last drive for the Storm. On 4th-and-7 with 1:49 left, the senior Smith nearly got to the quarterback again, but his pressure was enough to force an incompletion.

Up 24-21, any Spring Lake Park celebrations turned out to be premature.

The Panthers subsequently went three-and-out, giving Chanhassen one last opportunity with 1:20 left. The Storm started from their 1-yard line where Calen Truckenbrod’s lofty punt was downed. Nine plays later, the Storm were at the Spring Lake Park 33 with 25 seconds remaining.

A fourth-down pass was intercepted by Cade Skelly and the 13-0 Panthers could celebrate — officially.

Spring Lake quarterback Nolan Roach ran for 162 yards and two scores, and tossed a touchdown. Lemari Brown finished with 58 powerful, between-the-tackles rushing yards and the defense forced four turnovers against a Storm squad averaging more than 32 points per game. Skelly had 15 tackles, eight solo.

Nathan Ramler was 27 of 47 for 240 yards for Chanhassen (11-2). Peyton Ramsey ran for 104 yards.

Down 24-14 late in the third quarter, Chanhassen put together a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Ramsey scoring from the 10 on fourth down 1:24 into the fourth quarter.

Spring Lake Park led by seven at the break, and Sam Wolde’s 25-yard field goal capped a 15-play, 81-yard third-quarter drive to make it 24-14. The trek took 7:37.

A seesaw opening 24 minutes ended with Spring Lake Park holding a 21-14 lead thanks to a late 38-yard touchdown reception by Kaden Konkler and the Panther defense coming up big in the closing minute.

From the Panthers’ 5 with 1:07 left, the Storm lost a yard over the next two plays. Out of a timeout on third down and with 35 seconds left, Ramler dropped back but was pressured by Braden Hemquist. The lineman forced a fumble that was recovered by Isaac Olson.

A 38-yard Roach run gave the Panthers an early 7-0 lead, but Ramler’s 1-yard run evened the game less than three minutes later.

Three plays after Chase Warner recovered a fumble early in the second quarter, Roach scored from 53 yards away for a 14-7 Panthers lead. But, again, Chanhassen responded. This time it was a 16-yard fourth-down touchdown reception by Bush that capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive to tie the game.

Class 3A

Wide receiver/safety Colton Purcell threw a touchdown pass and tied a Prep Bowl record with three interceptions, and Annandale beat Waseca 17-7 in Class 3A for the school’s first football title.

Via a double-pass play, Purcell took a backwards throw from Michael Kovall and found Gabriel Westman behind the defense late in the third quarter. Westman’s 25-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter gave the Cardinals a 10-0 lead.

Kellen Klinger had a rushing touchdown for the Bluejays (12-1).

9-Player

Jamin Metzger threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, and Hills-Beaver Creek routed Hillcrest Lutheran 46-22 for the 9-Player crown.

Brodie Metzger ran for 126 yards and had 99 receiving yards for the 13-0 Patriots, who outgained the Comets 481-258.

Ethan Swedberg threw two touchdown passes for Hillcrest Lutheran (12-1).

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