BROOKINGS, S.D. - Quarterback
Cole Payton had 380 total yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 1-ranked North Dakota State to a 38-7 victory over No. 2-ranked South Dakota State in the 22nd annual Dakota Marker game Saturday, Oct. 25, before a record crowd of 19,477 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
North Dakota State improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with its third straight win over South Dakota State and took a 12-10 lead in the Dakota Marker series dating back to 2004. SDSU slipped to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
NDSU scored touchdowns on its first three possessions while holding SDSU to three straight three-and-outs. The Bison set the tone for the night with a 16-play, 84-yard opening march that ate up 9 minutes of the first quarter capped by Payton's 1-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal.
Payton rushed 17 times for a career-high 137 yards and four scores, including TD runs of 57 and 47 yards while going 18 of 23 passing for 243 yards through the air. He completed his first 12 attempts and connected with six different receivers led by
Bryce Lance's five receptions for 103 yards.
Donovan Woolen led NDSU with nine tackles,
Logan Kopp had seven tackles including one of NDSU's four sacks, and
Nathaniel Staehling had five stops including a sack on third-and-9 to force a punt on SDSU's longest drive of the night to open the second half.
NDSU controlled the football for more than 22 minutes in the first half and finished with 38:01 in time of possession against an SDSU team that entered the night ranked first in the FCS averaging more than 34 minutes per game.
The Bison converted 9 of 16 third downs and held the Jackrabbits to 3 of 11 on third down and just 43 net rushing yards. NDSU outgained SDSU 500-166 in total yards.
Julius Loughridge was SDSU's leading rusher with 10 carries for 38 yards. Quarterback Luke Marble, making his first start in place of injured Chase Mason, finished 7 of 16 passing for 89 yards.
North Dakota State returns home to face Youngstown State on Saturday, Nov. 1, in the first of three NDSU home games during the month of November at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. The Penguins are 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the MVFC after a 51-17 rout of Murray State.
