FARGO, N.D. - Darrius Shepherd's 84-yard punt return touchdown and two early Easton Stick scoring runs sparked No. 4-ranked North Dakota State to a 41-17 win over Indiana State in the Missouri Valley Football Conference on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

Cam Pedersen kicked two field goals and King Frazier and Lance Dunn each rushed for touchdowns as NDSU (9-1) improved to 5-1 in the conference to maintain a share of first place with South Dakota State.  Indiana State finished its season 4-7 overall and 2-6 in the league.

Linebacker Pierre Gee-Tucker had a career-high 12 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup to lead a Bison defense that held Indiana State to 162 total yards through three quarters.  The Sycamores got a field goal and touchdown in the fourth quarter against NDSU's second defensive unit.

Indiana State's opening drive stalled after six plays and Shepherd returned the ensuing punt from his own 16-yard-line to give NDSU its first special teams touchdown of the season.  The 84-yard score tied the fourth longest punt return in school history.

Shepherd led the Bison with four receptions for 40 yards and Stick led the rushing attack with 85 yards on four carries including his 16- and 42-yard TD runs in the first quarter.  NDSU rushed for 243 yards and has put up 700 yards rushing over the past three contests.

North Dakota State scored on its first three possessions and six of its first eight drives to open up a 34-7 halftime lead.  The Bison marched 78 yards in nine plays after the second half kickoff and scored again on Dunn's 14-yard TD to make it 41-7 before turning the offense over to backup quarterbacks Cole Davis and James Hendricks.

Defensive tackles Blake Williams and Grant Morgan had eight and five tackles, respectively, in NDSU's first game without starter Nate Tanguay.  Greg Menard and MJ Stumpf each made seven tackles and the Bison totaled nine tackles for loss with three sacks.

North Dakota State closes out the regular season at South Dakota next Saturday, Nov. 19.  The Coyotes are 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the MVFC after a 28-21 loss at South Dakota State.  NDSU needs a victory at USD to claim at least a share of its sixth straight conference championship.