NATCHITOCHES, La.-- The game-time temperature was 92 degrees but that didn't cool down the North Dakota State defense as the Bison intercepted four passes and broke up six more in defeating 11th-ranked Northwestern State 35-7 in front of 13,252 fans at Turpin Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Linebacker Joe Mays led the 22nd-ranked Bison's charge with two interceptions and six tackles.  Safety Craig Dahl had an interception of his own to go along with nine tackles and cornerback Scott Walter returned an interception 29 yards with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter.  The defense also came up clutch holding the Demons to just 2 of 13 third-down conversions.

Quarterback Steve Walker completed 12 of 18 passes for 210 yards and tied his career high with three touchdown passes.  Walker led the Bison on a eight-play, 78-yard drive finished by a 12-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Kole Heckendorf giving the Bison the early 7-0 lead.  The touchdown was Heckendorf's first career score.

Walker hooked up with tight end AJ Cooper on his two other scores.  Cooper's first score was 34 yards that extended the Bison lead to 14-0.  The tandem hooked up again in the fourth quarter from 38 yards out.

Walker's career high of three touchdown passes was set against UC Davis on Nov. 13, 2004, and was matched last week vs. Arkansas-Monticello. He also had one interception tonight, his first in 87 pass attempts to start his career.

Running back Shamen Washington showed his versatility tonight leading the team in rushing with 56 yards on just four carries, returning two kickoffs for 76 yards which included a 55-yard return in the 4th quarter and returning two punts for 69 yards that included a 53-yard punt return for a touchdown with 6:37 remaining in the second quarter giving the North Dakota State a 21-0 lead going into halftime.  

Washington's punt return for a touchdown was the first for North Dakota State since Richard Lewis ran one back 40 yards vs. Nebraska-Omaha on November 3, 2001.  

In the third quarter, Walker's interception for touchdown was the only score and extended the Bison's lead to 28-0.

Northwestern State's lone score came in the fourth quarter when Anthony Holmes scored on a 23-yard touchdown run.  North Dakota State retaliated fast with Cooper's second touchdown reception set-up by Washington's long kickoff return making the score 35-7. 

North Dakota State's victory snapped an 11-year, 22-game non-conference home winning streak for the Demons.