GREELEY, Colo.--Cory Vartanian's game-winning field goal attempt was blocked in the closing seconds as North Dakota State University's rally fell short in a 15-13 loss to the University of Northern Colorado in the inaugural Great West Football Conference game before 5,311 fans at Nottingham Field on Saturday, Sept. 4.

North Dakota State (0-1 GWFC, 1-1 overall) is scheduled to host Montana Tech at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Fargodome. Montana Tech (1-0 overall) defeated Jamestown (N.D.) College 31-7 in its opener at Butte, Mont., on Sept. 4.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Steve Walker drove the Bison the length of the field in relief of starter Tony Stauss as North Dakota State whittled away Northern Colorado's 15-0 lead in the fourth quarter.

Overall, Walker completed a NDSU single-game completion percentage record 10-of-10 passes for 112 yards. He broke the old record of 5-for-5 previously set twice by former All-American Chris Simdorn vs. North Dakota in 1988 and Northern Michigan in 1989.

Walker capped off a nine play, 98-yard march with a four-yard touchdown run. The try for two failed as the Bison pulled to within 15-13 with 1:38 remaining.

NDSU junior wide receiver Travis White caught three passes for 49 yards, while sophomore halfback Kyle Steffes rushed twice for 28 yards to highlight the march.

The Bison averted their first shutout since 1995 (34-0 vs. St. Cloud State) when Walker entered the contest and engineered an eight-play, 67-yard drive. He completed three passes including a 21-yarder to A.J. Cooper and converted an important fourth down with a seven-yard run, while Steffes had four carries for 30 yards including a 24-yard scamper.

Walker, who has completed all 12 passes attempted in the first two games, also tied the NDSU single-game record of consecutive passes completed set previously by Graig Gorder against Nebraska-Omaha in 2002 and Kevin Feeney vs. North Dakota in 1995.

Steffes finished with 23 rushes for 128 yards. He surpassed 100 yards for the second straight game and fourth of his career. Cinque Chapman also had 63 yards on 17 carries.

White hauled in a career-high 10 passes for 127 yards. His previous best was seven catches for 90 yards and one TD against Concordia-St. Paul in 2003.

Stauss, who was 13 of 21 for 114 yards, threw five interceptions before being spelled by Walker. The five picks tied a NDSU single-game record set twice previously.

The Bears never reached the end zone, but Justin Zaitz tied an UNC record by connecting on five of six field goal attempts. Andre Wilson rushed 25 times for 100 yards for the Bears, while Tony Christensen completed 12 of 27 passes for 132 yards and two interceptions.

North Dakota State outgained UNC 428-233 in total offense and held a 35:11 to 24:49 edge in time of possession. The Bison had six turnovers compared to three for the Bears.

The NDSU defense held Northern Colorado All-American wide receiver Vincent Jackson to only two catches for eight yards. Jackson had a 48-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

Cornerback Matt Gorman and free safety Jared Essler both picked off a pass for the Bison, while strong safety Craig Dahl recovered a fumble. Jayd Kittelson led NDSU with seven tackles, while nose guard Isaac Snell finished with six tackles, including three stops for a loss.