Nevada loses two scoring swings as NDSU wins 31-17

Nevada had a chance to take the lead on the final play before halftime and another chance to tie early in the third quarter. North Dakota State scored on both attempts, collecting nine unusual points in a 31-17 win Saturday at the Fargodome.

Jackson Williams returned a missed field goal 100 yards, then Matthew Stenbroten brought back a fumble on a two-point attempt. Those plays helped the Bison reach six wins and bowl eligibility in their first season in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Nevada dropped to 2-4 and 1-2 in the Mountain West.

The kick Nevada never got back

The Wolf Pack led 11-0 after AJ Bianco's 15-yard touchdown run, Trace Estes' two-point conversion and Joe McFadden's 39-yard field goal. NDSU answered with Nathan Hayes' five-yard rushing score and his 21-yard touchdown pass to Mekhi Collins, moving ahead 12-11 with 21 seconds left before halftime.

Nevada still created a field-goal opportunity. Ky Woods returned the kickoff to the Wolf Pack 42, and Bianco hit Gary Givens III for 19 yards. With three seconds remaining, McFadden attempted a 57-yard kick.

Williams fielded the short attempt in the end zone and returned it down the sideline for a touchdown. Instead of walking into halftime ahead, Nevada trailed 19-11. The Mountain West published these official highlights from the game:

A failed conversion becomes two Bison points

Bianco brought Nevada back with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Givens with 11:25 left in the third. A successful two-point conversion would have tied the game. Keenan Wilson forced a fumble on the try, however, and Stenbroten carried it 74 yards for a defensive conversion, NDSU reported.

The scoreboard read 21-17. Nevada had produced a touchdown drive but still needed another touchdown to take the lead.

The remaining opportunities ended more conventionally. Marion Moore's interception at the Nevada 36 led to Drew Klein's 39-yard field goal. McFadden then missed from 54 yards, and NDSU used the favorable starting position for a 63-yard touchdown drive. Hayes found Williams for 43 yards before hitting Reis Kessel for a 12-yard score with 14:08 remaining.

Moore intercepted Bianco again with eight minutes left, stopping a 10-play drive that had reached Bison territory. NDSU followed with a possession lasting 5:09 and eventually finished with a 38:09-to-21:51 advantage in time of possession.

Hayes threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns without an interception; Bianco passed for 190 yards with one touchdown and two picks. The Bison gained 192 yards on the ground to Nevada's 96. NDSU improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference, recovering from the previous week's 13-7 loss at UNLV.