Box Score FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State's defense scored one touchdown and set up another as the Bison opened their final season in the North Central Conference with a 24-0 whitewashing of South Dakota State Saturday night at the Fargodome.

The Bison defense pitched its first shutout in 36 games. The last time the opponent was held scoreless in a game was the second game of the 2000 season when NDSU pounded Minnesota State-Moorhead, 80-0.

The Bison were nursing a 3-0 lead late in the first half when the defense took charge. SDSU was driving and had a second down on the Bison 23 yard line when Jackrabbit quarterback Brad Nelson was sacked by senior linebacker Josh Mock and the ball was knocked free. Senior strong safety Mike Sheppard scooped up the ball at the 31-yard line and raced 69 yards untouched with 1:03 left in the quarter to give the Herd a 10-0 lead.

The defense set up NDSU's next score near the end of the third quarter. Nelson again went back to pass and was picked off by junior free safety Jared Essler at the Bison 47. Essler returned the ball 39 yards to the SDSU 14 before he was tackled.

Freshman runningback Kyle Steffes scored from one yard out on a fourth and goal six plays later to up the margin to 17-0.

NDSU's last score came early in the fourth quarter as the Bison drove 67 yards in 10 plays with Rod Malone scoring his 5th touchdown of the season, this one on a two-yard run to the right corner of the end zone.

Malone sparked the Bison ground game, picking up 91 yards on 20 carries while Steffes gained 57 yards on 19 attempts.

Junior quarterback Tony Stauss was 18 for 28 passing for 127 yards

The Bison limited South Dakota State to just 11 yards rushing in the game but the Jacks gained 259 yards in the air on 26 of 45 passes. NDSU had 269 yards of total offense in the game including 132 on the ground.

Sheppard was named the Bison Player of the Game by the media. He added 10 tackles including one quarterback sack and two other stops for losses and broke up one pass in addition to his recovered fumble return for a score.

The win ups NDSU's season chart to 3-1 and 1-0 in the NCC. South Dakota State fell to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the league.

The Bison journey to Minnesota State-Mankato (0-5, 0-1) next week while South Dakota State visits Nebraska-Omaha (4-1, 1-0).