Cal-Davis Uses Three Field Goals To Stop NDSU, 23-14

Saturday, September 13

Fargo, N.D.

7 p.m.

North Dakota State

2-1

UC Davis

1-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
UC Davis	7	10	0	6	23
North Dakota State	0	7	7	0	14

Cal-Davis Uses Three Field Goals To Stop NDSU, 23-14

9/13/2003 5:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

FARGO, N.D.--California-Davis used a solid running game and three field goals to knock North Dakota State from the ranks of the undefeated with a 23-14 intersectional college football game here Saturday night before 15,548 fans in the Fargodome.

The Aggies (1-1), coming off a season-opening loss to defending NCAA Division II national champion Grand Valley State, controlled the football game from the opening quarter.

UC-Davis scored first on its second possession of the game, marching 90 yards in six plays and scoring on a four-yard run by O.J. Swanigan. The Aggies stretched the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter after blocking a NDSU punt and taking over on the Bison 20. NDSU stiffened and forced a 39-yard field goal by Dusty Apocotos.

The Bison cut the margin to 10-7 late in the first half on Marques Johnson's 7-yard end around but UC-Davis put together an 81-yard march to bolt ahead 17-7 at halftime on a 24-yard Ryan Flanigan pass to Daniel Fells with 54 seconds left.

NDSU's first possession of the second half resulted in a one-yard TD run by Rod Malone as the Bison cut the deficit to 17-14. Malone set up the score with a 15-yard run to the one a play earlier. But that was as close as the Bison would come.

Davis scored early in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard field goal by Apocotos to make it 20-14.

NDSU had an opportunity to take the lead with 10 1/2 minutes remaining when nose guard Isaac Snell intercepted a pass at the Bison 37 and returned it to the 41. But three plays later, Bison halfback Kyle Steffes fumbled the ball away at the UC-D 43-yard line and that was the final Bison threat.

The Aggies put the game out of reach with a 15-play, 55-yard drive that resulted in a 19-yard field goal by Apocotos with 3:18 left.

UC-Davis outgained the Herd, 356 to 262 including 152 yards rushing. The Aggies limited the Bison to just 75 yards on the ground.

Swanigan ran for 126 yards on 22 carries and Flanigan completed 18 of 32 passes for 204 yards and one score.

NDSU quarterback Tony Stauss completed 20 of 31 passes for 187 yards but suffered his first interception of the season.

The Bison are idle next week before moving into North Central Conference action on September 27th at home against South Dakota State.