NDSU Wins 1st-Ever Game as FBS Program, Final Box Score Stats & Highlights From Historic Debut

North Dakota State defeated Jacksonville State 33-7 on Saturday to mark the beginning of its first-ever season as a Division I-FBS program.

Here's a look at the stats and some highlights from the game.

Quarterback Nathan Hayes found tight end Reid Kessel for a six-yard touchdown to close NDSU's first drive as an FBS member (the Bison now play in the Mountain West).

Jacksonville State, which plays in Conference USA, countered with its own touchdown.

However, NDSU finished the game with 26 unanswered points. Drew Klein hit four field goals (34, 44, 42 and 48 yards) over the second through fourth quarters.

The touchdowns were courtesy of wide receiver Jordan McCants (on a 44-yard pass from Hayes) and defensive end Blake Schlitz (off a recovered fumble in the end zone after a bad snap).

NDSU won 10 Division I-FCS national championships over a 14-year period (2011-2024). Needless to say, it was probably time for the Bison to move up, and they started their season on a great note.

NDSU will now host Division I-FBS Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 5. Their first Mountain West game will be Saturday, Sept. 12 at Air Force.