FCS playoff roundup: Final Four set as E. Washington, NDS win

• Eastern Washington beat Illinois State, Georgia Southern beat Old Dominion and North Dakota State beat Wofford

The Final Four is set. Next weekend, North Dakota State and Georgia Southern will clash and Eastern Washington meets Sam Houston State before the national championship game in Frisco, Texas on Jan. 5.

Here's a look at what happened Saturday:

Eastern Washington 51, Illinois State 35

CHENEY, Wash. (AP) -- Kyle Padron threw a school-record-tying six touchdown passes, including two to Brandon Kaufman on back-to-back plays early in the third quarter, to lift second-seeded Eastern Washington to a win over Illinois State in the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

With a 24-17 lead at the half, Padron dropped a perfect pass into Kaufman's hands at the goal line. Ronnie Hamlin intercepted ISU quarterback Matt Brown on the next play, setting up Padron's 17-yard strike to Kaufman in the back right corner of the end zone for a 38-17 lead at the 11:01 mark.

Padron completed 19 of 33 passes for 358 yards. Kaufman added a clutch 76-yard catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter after the Redbirds (9-4) had scored 18 straight points to close within 38-35.

The Eagles (11-2), the national champions two seasons ago, host Sam Houston State in a semifinal next weekend.

Georgia Southern 49, Old Dominion 35

NORFOLK, Va. -- Dominique Swope ran 12 yards for a touchdown with 2:36 remaining, and Georgia Southern's defense helped erase a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter and beat Old Dominion in the FCS quarterfinals.

Jerick McKinnon ran for four touchdowns for the Eagles (10-3), who completed just two passes all day but ran for 602 yards in pursuit of their seventh national championship. They trailed 35-21 entering the final quarter, then scored the final 28 points to reach the semifinals.

Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who broke Steve McNair's single-season passing yardage record during the game and became the first quarterback with over 5,000 yards in a season, fumbled to set up the Eagles' tying drive in the fourth quarter, then threw incomplete on fourth-and-6 from his own 39.

Three plays later, Swope's second touchdown run put Georgia Southern in front to stay. It was the second consecutive season the Eagles have dispatched the Monarchs (11-2) from the playoffs in a thriller.

Last season, the Eagles won 55-48 at home.

North Dakota State 14, Wofford 7

FARGO, N.D. -- Sam Ojuri and Zach Vraa scored touchdowns, and North Dakota State rode its top-rated defense to a victory over Wofford in the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

The Bison (12-1) forced two turnovers, blocked a field goal and did not allow an offensive touchdown. They advanced to the semifinals against Georgia Southern.

Wofford's best shot at a tying touchdown ended on downs at the NDSU 6 with less than 4 minutes left.

Wofford (9-4) scored on a 35-yard interception by Blake Wylie in the second quarter. Standout Terriers fullback Eric Breitenstein, the No. 2 rusher in FCS, ran for 135 yards. Wofford attempted only seven passes.

Cole Jirik and Andre Martin Jr. recovered fumbles and Anthony LaVoy blocked a field goal for NDSU.

Friday: Sam Houston State 34, Montana State 16

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Brian Bell threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns and Sam Houston State cruised to an FCS playoff quarterfinal win over Montana State.

The Bearkats (10-3) took advantage of Jon Ellis' fumble on a first down reception to take control of the game late in the third quarter. Montana State (11-2) had cut Sam Houston State's lead to 20-9 on its first drive of the second half only to see the turnover set up a short field and a touchdown pass from Bell to Chance Nelson giving the Bearkats a 27-9 lead.

The Bobcats were dealt a blow early when senior linebacker, and Big Sky Conference defensive player of the year, Jody Owens was injured and didn't return.

Montana State was also without the services of its leading rusher Cody Kirk for most of the game.

Bearkats running back Tim Flanders had 106 yards on 31 carries.

Richard Sincere scored on a 12-yard run for the Bearkats in the second quarter. Trey Diller scored on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Bell, and Miguel Antonio tacked on a field goal to complete the first half scoring and give the Bearkats a 20-3 lead.

Sam Houston will face the winner between Eastern Washington and Illinois State.

Sam Houston State eliminated Montana State in the quarterfinals for the second straight year. Last season, at home in Huntsville, the Bearkats routed the Bobcats 49-13.