Saturday Index
Opening game centerBringing the latest verified football information into focus.
Saturday Index
Opening game centerBringing the latest verified football information into focus.
Sat, August 29 · CBSSN
FINAL| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JXST | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| NDSU | 7 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 33 |
Updated Sep 8, 3:29 AM EDT
| JXST | Statistic | NDSU |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | Total yards | 373 |
| 85 | Net passing yards | 164 |
| 85 | Rushing yards | 209 |
| 14 | First downs | 20 |
| 2-10 | Third downs | 5-14 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 1 |
| 23:53 | Possession | 36:07 |
| 8-76 | Penalties | 13-94 |
| JXST | Statistic | NDSU |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Fourth downs | 2-2 |
| 12-23 | Passing | 15-23 |
| 3.7 | Yards per pass | 7.1 |
| 31 | Rushing attempts | 44 |
| 2.7 | Yards per rush | 4.8 |
| 1 | Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 1 | Interceptions | 1 |
| 2 | Passes Deflected | 1 |
| 0 | Qb Hurries | 2 |
| 2 | Sacks | 3 |
| 43 | Tackles | 31 |
| 0 | Defensive TDs | 1 |
| 4 | Tackles For Loss | 5 |
| 4 | Total Fumbles | 0 |
| 0 |
Final
| Player | C/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caden Creel | 12/23 | 85 | 0 | 1 |
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Jacksonville State’s opening-week trip to the Fargodome matters because it puts two FBS programs from Conference USA and the Mountain West into an immediate measuring-stick game. The quarterback rooms give the matchup its first layer of intrigue. Jacksonville State lists five options, including Caden Creel, whose 2025 season produced 1,514 passing yards, 1,075 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns. North Dakota State also lists five quarterbacks; Nathan Hayes returns after throwing for 381 yards and four touchdowns last season. Whichever offense gets clean answers from that crowded room first will have an early edge.
The decisive matchup sits between North Dakota State’s run game and Jacksonville State’s defensive front and second level. DJ Scott gives North Dakota State a proven returning producer after rushing for 502 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, and Kansas transfer Kene Anene adds another option on the interior offensive line. Jacksonville State counters with Mac Sanders and Walker O’Steen, two returning defenders who combined for 161 tackles, four sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last season. If that pair keeps Scott from reaching favorable space and forces longer downs, Jacksonville State can make the North Dakota State quarterbacks carry more of the night.
| Fumbles Recovered |
|---|
| 1 |
| 1 | Passes Intercepted | 1 |
|---|
| 0 | Interception TDs | 0 |
|---|
| 0 | Interception Yards | 4 |
|---|
| 1 | Kicking Points | 15 |
|---|
| 2 | Kick Returns | 1 |
|---|
| 0 | Kick Return TDs | 0 |
|---|
| 31 | Kick Return Yards | 35 |
|---|
| 0 | Passing TDs | 2 |
|---|
| 1 | Punt Returns | — |
|---|
| 0 | Punt Return TDs | — |
|---|
| 2 | Punt Return Yards | — |
|---|
| 1 | Rushing TDs | 0 |
|---|
Jacksonville State’s clearest route to control is to make the quarterback run threat part of every early-down decision, with Creel’s 2025 production showing how much stress that element can create. Interior line addition Caleb Holmes could matter in keeping that attack on schedule, while Ronnel Johnson adds a new receiving option. North Dakota State can answer by staying patient with Scott, using its home setting to avoid a hurried game and creating selective downfield chances for Reis Kessel, who averaged more than 22 yards per catch on 15 receptions last season. North Dakota State needs sustained drives; Jacksonville State needs disruption and explosive quarterback-created gains. The side that dictates down-and-distance should dictate the game.
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