BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Pierre Strong Jr. had two touchdown runs and the running back threw for another score as South Dakota State knocked off previously unbeaten and second-ranked North Dakota State 27-19 on Saturday.
It was the second win in a row for the 12th-ranked Jackrabbits (7-2, 4-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) against rival North Dakota State (8-1, 5-1). South Dakota State snapped the Bison’s 32-game home winning streak with a 27-17 victory in April.
Strong broke loose with a 75-yard touchdown run on the second play following the opening kickoff. He finished with 22 carries for 152 yards, and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in a season for the third time in his career.
Smith added a 1-yard TD run late in the first quarter and then tossed an 11-yard pass to a wide-open Tucker Kraft in the end zone as the Jackrabbits built a 24-7 halftime lead.
Cam Miller’s 14-yard touchdown pass to RaJa Nelson late in the third quarter pulled North Dakota State to 27-14. Miller then led an 88-yard drive on the next series but threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-goal.
The Bison later added a safety, and Jake Reinholz’s 33-yard field goal with 1:09 remaining capped the scoring.
Chris Oladokun was 13-of-22 passing for 157 yards for the Jackrabbits. Jaxon Janke had six receptions for 118 yards.
Miller completed 15 of 22 passes for 218 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. He also led the Bison on the ground with 59 yards.