The win pushes the Bison to a 4-0 record overall, while Sacramento State drops to 1-3 in its first season as an FBS program in the MAC.
Fast Start Propels Bison to Early Lead
Quarterback Nathan Hayes connected with Mekhi Collins for a 38-yard completion before finding wide receiver Jackson Williams for a 33-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive. Williams finished the night targeted 15 times, catching seven passes for 134 yards and one touchdown, according to 247Sports statistics.
The Bison doubled their lead shortly afterward when linebacker Gavin Sell stripped the ball from Sacramento State running back Jamar Curtis. Safety Darius Givance scooped up the loose ball and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown after teammate Ray James kept it from going out of bounds, according to 247Sports. This marked NDSU’s third defensive touchdown in four games. Myles Mitchell added a 9-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, his third score of the season, helping stake the visitors to a 21-0 lead after 15 minutes, as detailed by The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
Turnovers Prove Costly for Hornets
In the second quarter, defensive back Taylen Eady intercepted a pass from Hornets quarterback Jackson Sharman, his fourth career interception. That turnover set up a 42-yard touchdown run by running back DJ Scott at the 11:24 mark, extending the lead to 28-0.
Sharman completed 25 of 41 passes for 238 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions for Sacramento State. Cincere Rhaney led the Hornets’ ground game with 38 rushing yards on nine carries. The hosts avoided a shutout when Drew Klein kicked a 29-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, followed by an 8:05 touchdown pass from Sharman to Onterrio Smith Jr. from 21 yards out, according to 247Sports. The score marked Sacramento State’s first touchdown in over seven quarters, dating back to a 52-0 win against Mississippi Valley State. Freshman cornerback Deron Russell sealed the win for NDSU with an interception in the final minute.
Team Statistics and Standings Context
North Dakota State finished the game with 362 total yards of offense, while Sacramento State generated 90 rushing yards on 3.5 yards per attempt. Hayes completed 14 of 24 passes for 210 yards with no turnovers. Scott finished with 14 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown alongside 18 receiving yards, according to 247Sports player stats.
With the victory, North Dakota State enters its first bye week with a 4-0 record overall and a 1-0 mark in the Mountain West, receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll, according to columnist Mike McFeely of The Forum. The Bison return to action on October 3 to host a sold-out homecoming matchup against Wyoming at the Fargodome. Sacramento State falls to 1-3 ahead of its upcoming schedule.
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