Southeast Missouri State Redhawks @ North Dakota State Bison
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SEMO | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
NDSU | 14 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 41 |
NDSU beats SEMO 41-14 behind Payton's 4-touchdown showing
FARGO, ND -- — Cole Payton threw for four touchdowns, with two going to RaJa Nelson, as North Dakota State beat Southeast Missouri State 41-14 on Saturday for the program's 200th win in the Fargodome.
Payton finished 16 of 23 for 348 yards for NDSU (3-0), the top-ranked team in the FCS coaches' poll. He had 230 yards passing with 10 minutes left in the second quarter as NDSU led 24-7.
Bryce Lance caught a screen pass, made a move and outran the Redhawks' defense for a 75-yard touchdown that put the Bison up 14-7 in the first quarter.
Payton threw his fourth touchdown pass of the half from the 5-yard line for Nelson’s second score, to take a 31-14 lead at halftime.
Lance had 159 yards receiving and a touchdown for NDSU. Mekhi Collins added a 28-yard touchdown on his lone catch.
Jax Leatherwood went 12 of 23 for 145 yards and a score for SEMO (1-2), which only managed 217 total yards.
The NDSU defense applied consistent pressure throughout the game, tallying four sacks, eight tackles for loss and a turnover.
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Game Information
Fargo, ND
2025 Standings
| OVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| Mountain West Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Boise State | 6-2 | 9-5 |
| New Mexico | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| San Diego State | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| UNLV | 6-2 | 10-4 |
| Fresno State | 5-3 | 9-4 |
| Hawai'i | 5-3 | 9-4 |
| Utah State | 4-4 | 6-7 |
| Air Force | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Nevada | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Wyoming | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| San José State | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Colorado State | 1-7 | 2-10 |
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