FARGO, N.D.--D.J. McNorton rushed for a career-high 250 yards and three touchdowns as #18 North Dakota State scored five times in the second half to defeat #20/21 South Dakota 38-16 in a non-conference football game Saturday, Sept. 25, played before  18,248 in the Fargodome.

Striking quick and using long drives, the Bison (3-1) overturned a 13-7 halftime deficit to outscore the Coyotes 31-3 in the final half during the 1,000th football game in NDSU history. The Bison are 607-359-34 since starting football in 1894.

McNorton, a 5-foot-9 1/2, 203-pound junior from Channelview, Texas, followed the holes opened by the offensive line and fullbacks to challenge Tyler Roehl's school record 263 set in 2007 at Minnesota. He scored on TD runs of 1, 53 and 27 yards.

McNorton rushed 13 times for 202 yards in the second half. His previous career-high was 66 yards against Wagner in 2009. He had a career-long rush of 67 yards late in the fourth quarter. It was the 18th time a NDSU running back went over 200 yards, fifth time over 250.

North Dakota State overcame a turnover and then a pair of penalties during its first two drives of the third quarter to take a 14-13 lead. McNorton rushed four times for 34 yards. Warren Holloway went high for a key third down catch and Brock Jensen capped off the drive with a 1-yard plunge. Jensen completed 9 of 19 passes for 182 yards and a TD in his first collegiate start

The Bison then struck in lightning type fashion. Following a pair of punts, NDSU need just 22-seconds to build the lead to 28-13. McNorton scored on an electrifying 53-yard run with 5:37 left in the third, while Jensen hooked up with Holloway for a 58-yard TD pass at the 3:16 mark. Holloway caught three passes for 109 yards for his second career 100-yard receiving game.

South Dakota's Kevin Robb hit a 33-yard field goal to briefly slow down NDSU to cut the deficit 28-16 with 13:36 remaining in the fourth quarter.

North Dakota State then reeled off scoring drives to 76 and 73 yards that ate eight minutes off the clock and close out the scoring.

South Dakota (2-2) held the ball for 17:44 of the first half and converted on 5 of 9 third downs to take the 13-7 lead at halftime. Coyotes quarterback Dante Warren rushed for 51 yards and two TDs in the opening half, while completing 12 of 19 passes for 97 yards. Warren scored on a pair of 6-yard runs.

However, North Dakota State's defense held USD to 121 yards in the second half. Bison free safety Daniel Eaves recorded the first two interceptions of his career, while defensive end Coulter Boyer had a pair of sacks and defensive tackle Matthew Gratzek finished with 1.5 and three quarterback hurries. Linebacker Chad Willson had nine tackles.

NDSU held a 530-322 edge in total offense including 354 rushing yards.

Warren finished with 83 yards on 19 carries. He completed 19 of 33 overall for 157 yards. Shea Williams and Aaron Swift each had nine tackles for South Dakota.