MINNEAPOLIS – (NDSU Athletics) North Dakota State opened the 2023 football season with a 35-10 win over Eastern Washington in the first collegiate football game played at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings.
NDSU quarterback Cam Miller went 18-for-25 passing for 174 yards and two touchdowns and ran nine times for 83 yards and one score for the Bison, who outgained Eastern Washington 513 to 338 in total yards.
North Dakota State rushed for 337 yards including 104 yards for backup quarterback Cole Payton, who scored on a 70-yard run early in the second quarter. Running back TaMerik Williams added 93 yards on 13 carries including a 54-yard TD run.
Cole Wisniewski, the former Bison linebacker playing his first game at safety, made a game- and career-high 11 tackles and snared his first collegiate interception. Linebacker Logan Kopp made a career-high 10 tackles including his first career sack.
Seven different players caught passes for NDSU including four by tight end Joe Stoffel, who caught touchdown passes of 7 and 3 yards. Wide receiver Zach Mathis also had four receptions for a team-high 53 yards.
North Dakota State is scheduled to host Maine at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, in the home opener at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
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