GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Cody Kirk rushed for five touchdowns to lead Montana State to a 63-20 victory over North Dakota in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams Saturday.
Montana State (3-2, 1-0 Big Sky) jumped out to an early lead as Kirk scored all five touchdowns in the first half.
Jake Miller ran for a score from 14 yards out to get North Dakota (1-3, 0-1) within a touchdown, 14-7, early in the second quarter. The Bobcats took control from then on to cruise to a 42-7 halftime advantage.
Montana State, which shared the Big Sky Conference championship with Eastern Washington and Cal-Poly last year, racked up 586 total yards of offense. DeNarius McGhee had 194 yards through the air, completing 13 of 18 attempts. Shawn Johnson was the most prolific rusher for the Bobcats, totaling 134 yards on 13 carries.
