THIBODAUX, La.--Kyle Steffes ran for 141 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead North Dakota State to a 24-14 victory over Nicholls State in a non-conference football game played Oct. 2 before 5,421 fans at John L. Guidry Stadium. It was the first game played in Louisiana by a NDSU football team.

Steffes' first run, from 10 yards out capped off a seven-play, 67-yard drive as the Bison (4-1) took a 14-0 lead. It was the third 100-yard game of the season for the NDSU sophomore halfback and the fifth of his career. He had 124 yards on 16 carries in the first half. Steffes carred six time for 63 yards to highlight the first scoring drive.

The second score came on a 36-yard pass from Tony Stauss to Allen Burrell in the second quarter. Stauss was 9-of-18 passing for 122 yards. A.J. Cooper was the leading receiver, catching three passes for 57 yards.

Nicholls (2-2) pulled to 14-7 on an 8-yard run by David Plaisance, but the Bison responded with 33-yard field goal by Cory Vartanian and Steffes' second score, that one from 2 yards out, to take their first road victory.

Nicholls State, which runs a triple option, was held to 125 total rushing yards and fumbled the ball away twice. NDSU strong safety Craig Dahl had 17 tackles including 12 solo stops. The dozen solo tackles tied the school record set by former Bison All-American defensive end Jerry Dahl against South Dakota State in 1974.

North Dakota State forced four turnovers during the contest. NDSU stopped the first two Colonels' drives with a Matt Gorman interception and Dwight Summerville fumble recovery. The Bison also received a Bobby Babich interception and Craig Dahl fumble recovery. Kole Zimmerman and Joe Mays each recorded a sack.

The Bison ran for 224 yards behind a dominating effort by the offensive line, as Cinque Chapman rushed for 77 yards on 22 carries.