GRAND FORKS, ND--North Dakota used an overwhelming defensive performance to regain the Nickel Trophy with a 19-7 win over North Dakota State here Saturday in the first game between the two teams in the new Alerus Center, the soldout 13,500-seat indoor stadium.

The Sioux held NDSU to just 81 yards rushing and 140 yards of total offense and Bison All-American runningback Lamar Gordon was limited to just 72 yards, only the fourth time in the last 34 games that he has failed to gain at least 100 yards on the ground.

UND scored on its second possession when quarterback Kelby Klosterman hit a wide open Dan Graf for a 40-yard TD strike on the first play after the Bison were forced to punt from the shadow of their own end zone. The Sioux stretched the margin to 10-0 later in the quarter when All-American kicker Cameron Peterka easily nailed a 52-yard field goal.

The Bison put together their only sustained drive of the game late in the second quarter, marching 52 yards after a nine-yard punt return by Richard Lewis gave the Bison excellent field position. Quarterback Graig Gorder ran for 20 yards on the first place, hit H-back Craig Tangen for a 15-yard gain two plays later, and finished the drive with a three-yard TD pass to tight end Jared Peck.

UND made it 13-7 at half with a 25-yard field goal 25 seconds before the end of the quarter.

After a scoreless third period, the Sioux picked off a Gorder pass and returned it 16 yards to the Bison seven yard line. UND scored three plays later on a five-yard pass from Klosterman to Graf.

The Bison had three passes intercepted and poor field position for much of the contest. NDSU began eight drives inside its own 20 yard line. The Bison defense played well, holding UND to just 86 yards rushing and 260 yards of total offense. Backup runningback Jim Miller led the Sioux running game with 57 yards in 13 carries.

NDSU drops to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the North Central Conference. The Bison travel to Minnesota State-Mankato next weekend. UND improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the NCC.