Photo by: Zachary Lucy
Payton Named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week
10/13/2025 3:00:00 PM | Football
ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week by the league office Monday, Oct. 13. It is Payton's second award in the past three weeks.
A senior from Omaha, Neb., Payton accounted for 291 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in North Dakota State's 45-17 win over eighth-ranked Southern Illinois. He picked up eight first downs on 13 of 16 passing for 243 yards and one TD, and he rushed eight times for 48 yards and two scores including a 41-yard scramble in the third quarter to extend NDSU's lead to 31-10.
Payton connected with Bryce Lance for 48 yards and a 9-yard TD on back-to-back plays late in the second quarter to take a 17-10 lead before halftime, and his 50-yard strike to tight end Reis Kessel on third-and-7 extended the opening drive of the second half as NDSU built a 24-10 lead.
No. 1-ranked North Dakota State (6-0, 3-0 MVFC) is scheduled to play Indiana State (2-4, 0-2 MVFC) at 1 p.m. ET (noon CT) on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Ind.
A senior from Omaha, Neb., Payton accounted for 291 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in North Dakota State's 45-17 win over eighth-ranked Southern Illinois. He picked up eight first downs on 13 of 16 passing for 243 yards and one TD, and he rushed eight times for 48 yards and two scores including a 41-yard scramble in the third quarter to extend NDSU's lead to 31-10.
Payton connected with Bryce Lance for 48 yards and a 9-yard TD on back-to-back plays late in the second quarter to take a 17-10 lead before halftime, and his 50-yard strike to tight end Reis Kessel on third-and-7 extended the opening drive of the second half as NDSU built a 24-10 lead.
No. 1-ranked North Dakota State (6-0, 3-0 MVFC) is scheduled to play Indiana State (2-4, 0-2 MVFC) at 1 p.m. ET (noon CT) on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Ind.
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