Well I think SDSU would have one if their starting QB didn’t go down in me first series. In fact I would say 99% sure they would have won. He is a difference maker and their 2nd string QB was totally confused and off.
Wasn't rooting either way, and both teams qualify for this distinction, but it's always good (as an independent viewer) seeing a team finally get over the hump. Sam Houston had become known for not just losing in the playoffs, but getting blasted when they lost.
39-13 in 2012 to NDST
35-3 in 2014 to NDST
62-10 in 2015 to Jacksonville State
65-7 in 2016 to James Madison
55-13 in 2017 to NDST
Three of those were semifinals and a fourth was the title game so this wasn't some crap team that snuck in, won a game and faced the 1 seed.
Related note, over the past decade, Sam Houston has made the playoffs 8 times. Of the 7 times they didn't win the title, four of those they lost to NDST. SDST has made the playoffs the last 9 seasons. Four of those times they were eliminated by NDST. It makes sense considering NDST has won 8 of the last 10 so if you make the playoffs every year, you're going to lose to NDST a few time. Still crazy to see though.