No. 9-ranked North Dakota State scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in rolling to a 45-0 win over Mississippi Valley State on Oct. 14 before a season-high and homecoming crowd of 16,384 at the Fargodome.
It was the first shutout of the season for NDSU (6-0). The Delta Devils (3-4) were shut out for the first time since the fourth game of the 2003 season. The Bison recorded their first shutout in a homecoming game since 1997 and seventh overall.
The Bison got a pair of touchdowns from special teams, both on punting plays. Mike Brower blocked an MVSU punt in the first quarter, leading to Kole Heckendorf ?s touchdown, and Travis White returned a punt 47 yards for a score in the fourth quarter. White's punt return for a score was the NDSU's first since Sept. 17, 2005, when Shamen Washington went the distance against Weber State.
NDSU also scored on Nick Schommer's 63-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. It was the second straight week a Bison defensive back returned an interception for a TD. Linebacker Tyler Henry led the team with a career-high 11 tackles, while Joe Lardinois had six tackles and a pair of sacks as NDSU finished with seven sacks overall.
Bison running back Kyle Steffes ran for 86 yards and a score. He pushed his career total to 3,355 yards - No. 3 on NDSU's all-time list. Steffes was one of seven Bison players to have a rushing attempt.
Steve Walker was 9 of 17 passing for 83 yards, while Ryan Parsons connected on both of his pass attempts for 22 yards. Nine different NDSU receivers caught a pass in the game. White extended his consecutive game with a reception streak to 20 with a pair of catches for 22 yards. Tyler Roehl hauled in two passes for 15 yards including a 6 yard TD pass.
Johey Margrett had 40 yards on 13 rushes for the Delta Devils.
NDSU held a 273-130 advantage in total offense and held its sixth straight opponent to under 71 yards rushing.
Bison punter Mike Dragosavich kicked five times for an average of 46.2 yards including three inside the 20.
