FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Hunter Luepke ran for a pair of first-quarter touchdowns and FCS top-ranked North Dakota State led the rest of the way en route to a 27-14 victory on Saturday over Youngstown State.
Kobe Johnson’s 17-yard touchdown run led to a 21-3 halftime lead for the Bison (4-1, 2-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference). Mitch Davidson’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Jaleel McLaughlin got the Penguins (2-2, 0-1) within 10 points at 24-14 with 4 1/2 minutes left.
Griffin Crosa’s 39-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter extended the Bison’s lead to 24-6. He added a 38-yarder in the final minute.
Luepke had 72 yards for a Bison rushing attack that finished with 227 yards against a Youngstown State defense that came in ranked 11th nationally at under 70 rushing yards allowed per game.
McLaughlin ran for 150 yards on 17 carries for the Penguins, becoming the seventh player in NCAA all-divisions history to go over 7,000 rushing yards in his career.
North Dakota State has won 11 straight in the series, which it leads 13-4.
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