After a little bit of back and forth in the first half, the #2 ranked Bison literally ran away from #5 Eastern Washington for a second straight victory to open the season.

North Dakota State scored 21 unanswered points en route to a 40-13 win over the Eagles of Eastern Washington.

The first half seemed to have a bit of a seesaw battle as teams were exchanging TDs and FGs while Eastern Washington took a 10-9 lead with 5:39 to go in the second quarter. The lead didn't last long. On the ensuing possession, NDSU needed just five plays to go 75 yards with Bruce Anderson breaking loose for a 44-yard TD run to make it a 16-10 lead after the extra point.

Robbie Grimsley would make the second of his two interceptions on the next Eastern Washington possession, giving NDSU good field position near midfield with under two minutes remaining in the first half. The Bison would kick a 38-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 19-10 lead.

In the third quarter, after holding the Eagles to a field goal, which made it 19-13, the Bison used another 75-yard drive on 8 plays to get into the endzone on a 2-yard run from Lance Dunn to make it a 26-13 lead. Eastern Washington was stifled by NDSU's defense from there on out.

In the fourth quarter, the Bison scored on each of their first two possessions. The first on a 12-yard TD run by quarterback Easton Stick. That would be followed by another touchdown run from Lance Dunn, a 31-yard score (his third rushing TD of the game).

The rushing game for NDSU was dominant once again, racking up 375 yards on the ground on 63 carries. Bruce Anderson led with 160 yards on 23 carries, while Dunn had 148 yards on 19 carries. Easton Stick finished with 13 of 20 passing for 157 yards.

In contrast, Eastern Washington's running game wasn't nearly efficient as NDSU held them to just 70 yards on 24 carries. Eagles quarterback Gabe Gubrud could never quite get it going. The Bison defense held him to just 10 for 30 for 134 yards and 2 interceptions.

Overall, North Dakota State dominated in total yardage, outgaining Eastern Washington, 532 yards to just 204 for the Eagles.

NDSU (2-0) made a statement, beating their top 5 opponent. They'll have a bye week before taking on Robert Morris on Saturday, September 23 at the Fargodome.

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