North Dakota State was pushed for a full four quarters for the first time this season and when the smoke settled, the Bison held off Youngstown State 38-30 before 14,607 fans. The win kept No. 1-ranked NDSU unbeaten at 9-0, 6-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference heading into next Saturday's game at the University of North Dakota.

GRAND FORKS — North Dakota State's Cole Payton scored with 2 minutes, 22 seconds left and Bison defensive back Anthony Chideme-Alfaro intercepted UND's last-chance pass as No. 1 NDSU beat No. 13 UND 15-10 on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at the Alerus Center.

Game summary of the North Dakota State Bison vs. Youngstown State Penguins NCAAF game, final score 38-30, from November 1, 2025 on ESPN.

Defense was the name of the game in North Dakota State 15-10 win over the University of North Dakota. The top-ranked Bison’s win clinched the Missouri Valley Football Conference Championship.

After claiming the Missouri Valley out right championship title, the Bison had one more MVFC test on Saturday.

Cole Payton threw for 125 yards and his 8-yard touchdown run with 2:02 left helped top-ranked FCS North Dakota State beat North Dakota 15-10 to claim the Missouri Valley Conference title.

No. 18 Youngstown State holds a distinction that no other team that has faced No. 1 North Dakota State does: the Penguins lost to the Bison in a one-score game. NDSU defeated Youngstown State by eight.

Game summary of the North Dakota State Bison vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks NCAAF game, final score 15-10, from November 8, 2025 on ESPN.