timesargus
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Jerry Kaminski tossed two touchdown passes and North Dakota took down South Dakota State, the top-ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision, 21-10 on Saturday.
Kaminski hit Cameron Weir for a 35-yard score in the first quarter and connected with Deng Deng for a 12-yard touchdown in the second. In between, Charles Langama broke free up the middle for a 49-yard run.
The defense for the Fighting Hawks (6-2, 3-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference), ranked No. 11 in the FCS Stats Perform poll, proved to be the difference. The Jackrabbits (5-2, 2-1) turned the ball over on downs at the North Dakota 37 on their first possession and at the 39 on their fourth. North Dakota also forced three punts before a fumble led to a field goal seconds before halftime.
On the third snap of the third quarter, James Basinger went 63 yards off left tackle for a touchdown. After that, there were three punts before a missed field goal with 2:22 to play. The Jackrabbits never got the ball back.
Kaminski finished 11 of 17 for 118 yards. Matt Lawson ran for 99 yards for the Fighting Hawks and Langama had 60. Chase Mason was just 14 of 33 for 169 yards for South Dakota State. Basinger finished with 101 yards on the ground.
Key Analysis
North Dakota's defense consistently disrupted South Dakota State's rhythm, forcing two turnovers on downs and limiting the Jackrabbits to a single field goal in the first half. The Fighting Hawks' ability to capitalize on those stops with timely scoring plays, including Kaminski's two touchdown passes and Basinger's long run, proved crucial in the upset. The victory boosts North Dakota's standing in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and hands the top-ranked Jackrabbits their second loss of the season.
Up next: South Dakota State hosts Murray State next Saturday. North Dakota visits South Dakota next Saturday.
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Originally reported by timesargus.