North Dakota State Athletics
2-0
Colorado State
1-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 16 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 22 |
| Colorado State | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Bison Handle Colorado State, 22-7
9/9/2012 3:36:00 AM | Football
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Sam Ojuri scored two touchdowns and Marcus Williams had a big day on defense and special teams as reigning Division I FCS national champion North Dakota State beat Colorado State 22-7 on Saturday night at Hughes Stadium.
NDSU now has six wins over FBS schools since 2006 -- the most among all FCS schools. The Bison are 6-3 against FBS opponents over that stretch.
Ojuri had a 6-yard TD scamper in the first quarter and scored another on a 10-yard screen pass. Williams accumulated 135 yards on five returns and also had an interception -- all in the first half.
The Bison dominated time of possession by nearly 20 minutes and outgained the Rams by 123 yards, a figure that was more lopsided until a last-minute drive by the Rams that was halted when NDSU recovered a fumble.
NDSU's 81 offensive plays were its most since running 83 against Northern Iowa on Oct. 10, 2009, and its 39:52 mark in time of possession was its most since holding the ball for 40:17 in a 51-14 win over Cal Poly on Nov. 11, 2006.
Junior quarterback Brock Jensen was efficient all evening, completing 17 of 28 passes for 178 yards. He also ran for 42 yards as the Bison spoiled the home debut of CSU coach Jim McElwain.
Early on, the game looked like it might be a high-scoring affair. CSU tight end Crockett Gillmore hauled in a pass over the middle and outraced the Bison secondary for a 69-yard TD just 90 seconds into the contest.
NDSU (2-0) quickly answered just over a minute later when Ojuri glided into the end zone. Soon after, Cole Jirik tackled tailback Tommey Morris in the end zone for a safety, giving the Bison a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The stingy Bison defense allowed CSU to convert just 1-of-10 third-down plays all game and sacked quarterback Garrett Grayson four times. The Bison converted 12-of-21 third-down plays.
Sophomore Zach Vraa led a balanced Bison receiving attack, hauling in six passes for 67 yards.
The Bison have allowed just 20 points in their last five contests, dating back to a 24-0 shutout victory over Lehigh in the 2011 Division I FCS Quarterfinals. NDSU has limited its opponent to 10 points or less in nine of its last 17 games.
Junior linebacker Grant Olson led NDSU in tackles for the second straight game, recording nine stops and 2.0 TFL.
The Bison will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 22, when they host Prairie View A&M at Gate City Bank Field. Kickoff is set for 3:07 p.m.
Team Stats
NDSU 0, COLO_ST 7
COLO_ST - C. Gillmore 69 yd pass from Garrett Grayson (Jared Roberts kick) 3 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:30
NDSU 7, COLO_ST 7
NDSU - Sam Ojuri 6 yd run (Adam Keller kick), 4 plays, 47 yards, TOP 1:20
NDSU 9, COLO_ST 7
NDSU - Cole Jirik 1 yd safety
NDSU 16, COLO_ST 7
NDSU - Sam Ojuri 10 yd pass from Brock Jensen (Adam Keller kick) 12 plays, 67 yards, TOP 5:21
NDSU 19, COLO_ST 7
NDSU - Adam Keller 29 yd field goal 10 plays, 53 yards, TOP 1:44
NDSU 22, COLO_ST 7
NDSU - Adam Keller 33 yd field goal 16 plays, 71 yards, TOP 9:29
