Miller, NDSU Top Central Arkansas 49-31

Saturday, September 16

Fargo, N.D.

2:30 p.m.

North Dakota State Athletics

3-0 , 0-0

Central Arkansas

1-2 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Central Ark.	7	10	0	14	31
North Dakota St.	21	14	7	7	49

Photo by: Zachary Lucy

Miller, NDSU Top Central Arkansas 49-31

9/16/2023 8:52:00 PM | Football

Box Score Final Statistics Photo Gallery

FARGO, N.D. - Quarterback Cam Miller completed 18 of 19 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 2-ranked North Dakota State to a 49-31 victory over Central Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

Miller added two rushing touchdowns for the Bison, who finished non-conference play with a 3-0 record and will be off until the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener in two weeks against South Dakota.

NDSU came out firing on the first drive of the game with TaMerik Williams running for 21 yards on the first play followed by Miller's 35-yard completion to Eli Green to reach the UCA 25. Two plays later, Barika Kpeenu went 22 yards to the UCA 1 before Miller's first TD run.

The Bison went ahead 14-0 on defensive tackle Eli Mostaert's 35-yard interception return for a touchdown, running back TK Marshall caught an 11-yard TD pass, fullback Hunter Brozio scored his first career touchdown on a 6-yard pass, and quarterback Cole Payton scored on a 26-yard run as NDSU built a 35-17 halftime lead.

UCA running back ShunDerrick Powell ran 18 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 71-yard burst that cut NDSU's lead to 28-17 midway through the second quarter. The Bison responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by Payton's TD run.

Former Northern Iowa quarterback Will McElvain went 22-for-31 passing for 210 yards for UCA. Myles Butler made six receptions for 88 yards to lead the Bears (1-2).

NDSU had 11 different players make at least one reception. Green had a career-high four catches and 86 yards and picked up four first downs. Williams led seven NDSU ball carriers with 13 attempts for 83 yards.

Linebacker Logan Kopp tied a career-high with his second 10-tackle game of the season, and defensive end Dylan Hendricks was in on two of NDSU's four sacks including one solo stop.