North Dakota State routs South Dakota 47-7

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — It was just another day in the Missouri Valley Football Conference for No. 1-ranked North Dakota State.

Carson Wentz threw three touchdown passes, John Crockett had a rushing and receiving touchdown and the Bison defense dominated South Dakota in a 47-7 win.

It was the same formula that has led NDSU (8-0, 4-0 MVFC) to 32 straight wins, including 17 straight against MVFC opponents.

NDSU has beaten the Coyotes (2-6, 0-4) five straight times, the last three by a combined 143-7. It was NDSU’s first trip to USD since a 40-37 win in 2002.

After a three-point first quarter, courtesy of one of Adam Keller’s four field goals, the Bison exploded on offense.

But things really took off after Nick DeLuca’s interception in the third quarter.

“We thought we could find some plays offensively and we had to create a couple turnovers on defense,” NDSU coach Chris Klieman said. “DeLuca’s interception was really big to start the second half and to get seven points off it, I was pleased with the guys.”

The Bison defense was again dominating. It allowed only Riley Donavan’s 10-yard TD catch late in the second quarter. The top defense in the FCS allowed only 243 total yards and just 31 points in the fourth quarter of its last 28 games.

“I give them a lot of credit but we didn’t have to help them so much,” USD coach Joe Glenn said. “You can’t give the ball away, you can’t fumble the ball and throw interceptions that just misreads. I’m kinda tired of it.”

Keller booted a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter. He added kicks of 21, 49 and 27 yards.

Wentz was 14-for-26 for 231 yards. He tossed TD passes of 10 yards to Luke Albers, 27 yards to RJ Urzendowski and 25 yards to John Crockett.

Crockett ran for 123 yards on 23 carries and also scored on a 10-yard run. King Frazier added 106 yards as NDSU rushed for 293 yards.

Urzendowski caught four passes for 107 yards.

USD quarterback Kevin Earl was 14-for-28 for 104 yards. He was intercepted twice.

“The guy has played enough now. He’s got to start doing his reads. I’ll tell you this; their defense has done this to just about everybody they have played. That’s a good defense. But we can’t help them with errant throws. We cannot turn the football over.”

Jasper Sanders led the Coyotes, who have lost four straight games, with 67 yards rushing on 23 carries. Eric Shufford had four catches for 41 yards.

North Dakota State has won 18 straight true road games.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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