FARGO, N.D.--A balanced offense and stubborn defense led North Dakota State University to a 49-19 victory over Carson-Newman College (Tenn.) in a non-conference game played Saturday, Sept. 18, before a crowd of 11,523 at the Fargodome.

North Dakota State (3-1) will be off this weekend, but returns to action at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Nicholls State University.

After spotting the Eagles (2-1) a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, the Bison reeled off 42 unanswered points over three quarters to take control of the contest. North Dakota State passed for 236 yards and rushed for 231 in the game.

The turning point of the contest came near the end of the first quarter, when Carson-Newman failed to take advantage of a NDSU turnover by fumbling themselves at the three-yard line. Jared Essler forced the fumble, while Craig Dahl pounced on the bobble.

Leading 7-6, North Dakota State embarked on an impressive 16-play, 97-yard drive that lasted almost eight minutes and culminated in Cinque Chapman's one-yard TD plunge to put the Bison ahead 14-6 with 9:16.

NDSU scored twice in the final 5:17 of the first half when quarterback Tony Stauss connected on scoring strikes of 25 and seven-yards to Travis White. The TD passes extended the Bison advantage to 28-6 at halftime.

Stauss completed 20 of 26 passes for 236 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He spread the wealth, hitting seven different receivers including White, who hauled in six passes for 71 yards. Tight end A.J. Cooper also caught six for 38 yards including a 12-yard TD pass.

North Dakota State quickly widened the margin to 42-6 in the first three minutes of the third quarter when Allen Burrell raced 90 yards with the kickoff for a TD, while Chapman scampered 21-yards for a score following a short Carson-Newman punt.

The Bison had two backs over 90 yards. Kyle Steffes rushed 22 times for 96 yards, while Chapman had 15 carries for 90 yards and two TDs. Shamen Washington rushed three times for 45 yards and one touchdown.

Shane Kelley led the Eagles, completing 7 of 15 passes for 141 yards and a 5-yard TD toss to Leonard Weaver. Kelley had 53 yards on 10 carries, while Ray Hightower led C-N with 65 yards. Rayvon Howard and J.J. Chatmon each had rushing TDs of two yards in the first and fourth quarters, respectively.

NDSU senior linebacker Brian Erenberg sparked the defense with 12 tackles including a key fourth down stop in the second quarter. The Bison defense had a pair of streaks ended, quarters without allowing a touchdown (12) and quarters without allowing a rushing TD (14).