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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
FARGO, N.D. – Spencer High School graduate Hunter Luepke shined on the national stage on Friday night for the North Dakota State University football as the Bison defeated James Madison 20-14 in the FCS national semifinals at the Fargodome and in front of a national audience on ESPN 2.
Luepke, a junior fullback who was a three-time all-first team Cloverbelt Conference selection playing for Spencer/Columbus Catholic in high school, ran the ball 19 times for 110 yards and caught three passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the Bison’s win.
Luepke caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Cam Miller with 5:12 to go in the first quarter for the first score of the game, and added a 22-yard TD reception from Miller with 13:44 remaining in the game for the winning score.
Luepke now has 461 yards rushing and five touchdowns, and nine catches for 165 yards and three scores after eclipsing his season total in receiving yards on Friday.
North Dakota State, a seven-time national champion, will play in the FCS National Championship game on Jan. 8 against the winner of Saturday’s game between Montana State and South Dakota State. The game will be in Frisco, Texas, and will be televised live on ESPN2 at 11 a.m.
South Dakota State handed North Dakota State (13-1) its only loss of the season, 27-19, back on Nov. 6.