Paschall rushes for 2 touchdowns as North Dakota State defeats Wagner 59-28

North Dakota State defeats Wagner 59-28

FARGO, N.D. — Pat Paschall rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns to lead North Dakota State to a 59-28 victory over Wagner Saturday night.

Paschall, the nation’s top rusher in the Football Championship Subdivision, scored on a 91-yard run in the second quarter, which included a spinning leap over a Wagner defensive player. It was the longest run from scrimmage in NDSU history, breaking by one yard a record set in 1928.

Nick Mertens completed 12 of 21 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown for the Bison (1-2). Mertens also ran for two touchdowns. D.J. McNorton scored twice for NDSU, which rolled up 531 total yards.

Dominique Williams ran for 131 yards and a touchdown for the Seahawks (1-2).

NDSU avoided its first 0-3 start since 1962. The Bison started 0-2 for the first time since 1981.