Bison Quarterback Cole Payton impressively debuts, leading North Dakota State to a dominating season opener victory
In a commanding display of football, North Dakota State University (NDSU) kicked off their season with an emphatic 38-0 victory over The Citadel in nonconference Division FCS play.
The Bison controlled the opening half, gaining a substantial 330 yards on 39 plays. Cole Payton, making his first career collegiate start, led the charge, rushing for 101 yards and passing for 192 yards. Payton completed 10 of 16 passes for a touchdown and also showcased his versatility, completing 7 of 13 passes for another score in the first half.
NDSU's dominance was not just limited to the passing game. Barika Kpeenu, a redshirt freshman, made a significant impact with the ball in his hands. He rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns on 12 attempts in the game, contributing to the Bison's impressive 257 yards on the ground.
The Bison's offensive onslaught began early, with Isiah St. Romain catching a 15-yard TD pass from Hayes for a 38-0 lead. The scoring drive was one of several long ones for NDSU, with RaJa Nelson making a diving catch into the end zone for a 17-0 lead, a drive that covered 84 yards in six plays.
Defensively, NDSU was equally impressive, limiting The Citadel to 42 yards on 20 plays over the first 30 minutes. This stingy defence helped the Bison earn their first shutout win since October of 2021 at Illinois State.
Jaxon Duttenhefer, a Bison senior defensive tackle, commented on the team's success, saying, "We came out focused and ready to play. Our defence set the tone early, and offensively, we were able to capitalise on our opportunities."
DJ Scott added 43 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries in the game, while Eli Ozick booted a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead, finishing a 72-yard drive that took nine plays.
The Bison's impressive performance in the season opener improved their record in season-opening games to 91-32-6 with the victory. As they move forward, they will look to build on this strong start and continue their quest for success in the upcoming season.
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