Jacksonville State had been accustomed to slow starts in the previous two seasons, but the Gamecocks eventually righted the ship both times. In 2024 and 2025, they switched starting quarterbacks after non-conference struggles and ultimately hosted the Conference USA Championship Game.
This year, Jax State entered with an established starting quarterback in Caden Creel. The Gamecocks enjoyed coaching continuity with Charles Kelly. Returning starters were prevalent on defense, especially at linebacker
and in the secondary.
But none of that mattered in Saturday’s 33-7 shellacking at the Fargodome.
North Dakota State triumphantly its FBS debut, proving its FCS dominance would translate to college football’s highest level. In front of a raucous Fargo crowd of 18,573 that waited years for the FBS transition, the Bison annihilated a Jax State team coming off three-straight 9-win seasons and two-consecutive CUSA Championship appearances.
Through the first half, all signs pointed to a competitive game in the teams’ first meeting since the 2015 FCS National Championship. North Dakota State scored on its opening possession through a Nathan Hayes to Reis Kessel connection, but Jax State’s veteran defense held the Bison out of the end zone on each of the three series that followed. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks had their own offensive success early, as Creel freestyled his way into the end zone on an 8-yard quarterback keeper.
Down 10-7 in the late second quarter, everything changed for Jax State. The Gamecocks faced a 4th and 1 from the NDSU 12-yard line with 1:46 remaining before halftime. They kept the ball in Creel’s hands on the critical down, but he was stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain. North Dakota responded with an effective 2-minute drill drive, maneuvering 88 yards in 84 seconds. In possibly the best throw of the entire weekend, Hayes threaded the needle to Jordan McCants down the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown.
That 14-point swing allowed North Dakota State to enter the half with a 17-7 advantage, instead of trailing 14-10.
Jax State never recovered from that sequence. The Gamecocks threw an interception on their opening drive of the second half and the Bison capitalized with a field goal. Things only worsened for the visitors on their ensuing offensive possession. Miscommunication between the center and quarterback caused a low, unsuspecting snap to fly into the end zone. Creel attempted to dive for the loose ball but was unable to secure it. Instead, North Dakota State defensive end Blake Schiltz reaped the rewards for the first defensive touchdown of the 2026 FBS season.
North Dakota State continued its charge in the fourth quarter with two clock-consuming field goal drives, ending its FBS debut on a 26-0 run. The Bison were physically dominant throughout the game. Defensively, they produced three sacks and limited Jax State — which ranked fifth nationally in rushing offense last year — to 85 rushing yards on a 2.7 average. Offensively, the Bison offensive line, led by two-time FCS All-American guard Griffin Empey, provided a major assist to the run game. North Dakota State produced 209 rushing yards and controlled the football for over 36 of the 60 minutes of action.
By combining the offensive line and defensive line advantages, North Dakota State out-gained Jax State, 373-170.
North Dakota State continues its FBS journey by hosting FCS program Fordham at the Fargodome next Saturday, hoping to sustain the dominance from the opener. Meanwhile, Jax State faces its third-straight 0-1 start. The Gamecocks eye a rebound Sept. 5 when they welcome Eastern Kentucky of the FCS to AmFirst Stadium.
