by FARGO, N.D. – No. 1-ranked North Dakota State rolled up 508 yards of total offense and cruised to a 58-0 win over Incarnate Word in the home opener Saturday, Sept. 13, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
Indian country’s Esley Thorton,of the MHA Nation, made five tackles and a career-high 2.0 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Carson Wentz completed 14 of 18 passes for a career-high 237 yards and three touchdowns, and John Crockett ran 13 times for 82 yards and a pair of scores as the Bison (3-0) won their FCS-record 27th straight game.
A crowd of 19,020 was on hand to see NDSU raise its national championship banner during pregame festivities for the third straight year. It was the sixth largest crowd in Fargodome history.
CJ Smith’s 47-yard punt return set up an 11-yard TD strike from Wentz to tight end Jeff Illies on NDSU’s third offensive play, and Wentz connected with wide receiver RJ Urzendowski on a 60-yard play to give the Bison a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Crockett scored on a 36-yard scamper and running back King Frazier scored on a 29-yard passing play to make it 28-0 by halftime.
Cornerback Tre Dempsey led the Bison defense with six tackles including four solo stops, Pierre Gee-Tucker had an interception, and Shea DeJong returned an interception 69 yards for the final score of the game.
NDSU held Incarnate Word to just 42 yards of total offense through three quarters. The Cardinals (0-3) finished with 55 yards rushing and 95 yards passing.
North Dakota State closes out its non-conference schedule against Montana at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The Grizzlies were 1-1 heading into Saturday night’s home game with South Dakota.
