Jacksonville State GamecocksvsNorth Dakota State Bison
JXST 7/NDSU 33
Things to say
North Dakota State beat Jacksonville State 33-7 at the Fargodome.
01
opener
NDSU handled business, 33-7. Never really in doubt after halftime. Jax State scored once and then just couldn't move the ball.
02
key player
Nathan Hayes was efficient, not flashy. 14 of 22, 160 and two scores. He didn't have to do much.
03
hot take
Drew Klein was the real MVP. Four field goals from the kicker? That's a defense that bottled them up in the red zone.
04
deep cut
The Schiltz fumble return for a touchdown was the backbreaker. Defense literally put points on the board.
05
exit
Classic NDSU opener. They're gonna be a problem in the FCS again, we'll see who steps up next week.
The recap
NDSU did what NDSU does at the Fargodome, grinding Jacksonville State into the turf 33-7. After the Gamecocks answered an early Nathan Hayes touchdown to knot it at seven, the Bison just slammed the door and never let it crack open again.
Hayes threw for two scores, a Blake Schiltz fumble return TD put it out of reach, and Drew Klein tacked on four field goals to salt it away. Jacksonville State managed 85 passing yards all night and simply couldn't move the ball once the game got physical.