North Dakota State Athletics
1-6 , 0-4
South Dakota State
5-1 , 4-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| South Dakota State | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Minett, Defense Lead No. 14 South Dakota State Past North Dakota State 28-13
10/18/2009 3:15:00 AM | Football
BROOKINGS, S.D.--Kyle Minett rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns, and Derek Domino returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown Saturday, Oct. 17, as No. 14-ranked South Dakota State beat North Dakota State 28-13 before 14,188 at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.
It was Minett's 11th career 100-yard game. His final touchdown came in a drive in which the winning Jackrabbits (5-1, 4-0) converted on a fourth-down play at the North Dakota State 28-yard line. Minett has scored in 11 straight games for SDSU.
Quarterback Nick Mertens passed for two touchdowns and 130 yards for North Dakota State (1-6, 0-4). D.J. McNorton finished with 57 yards rushing, 27 yards receiving including a 22-yard TD catch on the opening drive, and 18 yards on punt returns. Mertens other TD pass went to Gary Williams from 20 yards out with 59 seconds left before halftime.
However, the Bison were held to only 51 yards of total offense in the second half by the South Dakota State defense. Domino and teammate Chris Johnson each finished with 12 tackles.
Domino's 16-yard interception return for a score broke a 7-7 tie and put SDSU ahead for good late in the first quarter.
Linebacker Preston Evans recorded a game-high 13 tackles and a sack for NDSU. It was Evans' third double-figure tackle effort of the season. Defensive tackle Matthew Gratzek made a career-high nine tackles including five solos and 2.5 tackles for loss, while free safety Daniel Eaves had a career-high nine tackles including six solos.
Sophomore linebacker Alex Yaggie also blocked a punt in the third quarter. It was NDSU's second blocked punt of the season. Junior tight end Landon Smith also recovered a fumbled punt for the Bison.
Team Stats
NDSU 7, SDSU 0
NDSU - DJ McNorton 22 yd pass from Nick Mertens (John Obarski kick) 7 plays, 62 yards, TOP 3:56
NDSU 7, SDSU 7
SDSU - Kyle Minett 1 yd run (Pete Reifenrath kick), 7 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:25
NDSU 7, SDSU 14
SDSU - Derek Domino 16 yd interception (Pete Reifenrath kick)
NDSU 7, SDSU 21
SDSU - Tyler Duffy 22 yd run (Pete Reifenrath kick), 7 plays, 62 yards, TOP 2:45
NDSU 13, SDSU 21
NDSU - Gary Williams 20 yd pass from Nick Mertens (John Obarski kickfailed) 9 plays, 89 yards, TOP 2:12
NDSU 13, SDSU 28
SDSU - Kyle Minett 20 yd run (Pete Reifenrath kick), 9 plays, 57 yards, TOP 3:47
