SACRAMENTO (Interstat) — North Dakota State defeated Sacramento State 31-10 on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Hornet Stadium in an NCAA Football Championship Division game. The Bison, playing as the visiting team, improved to 4-0. The Hornets fell to 1-3. North Dakota State led throughout and answered a late Sacramento State touchdown with a steady ground game, timely passing and a defense that limited the Hornets’ scoring chances. Nathan Hayes was North Dakota State’s top star, completing 14 of 24 passes for 210 yards with one passing touchdown and adding one rushing touchdown on a 14-yard run. Jackson Williams was his leading target, catching seven passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.

North Dakota State opened the scoring when Hayes connected with Jackson Williams on a 33-yard pass down the left side for a touchdown. Drew Klein made the extra point. The Bison added another touchdown when Myles Mitchell rushed right for a 9-yard score, and Klein again converted. North Dakota State continued to press when DJ Scott broke through the middle for a 42-yard touchdown run. Klein’s extra point gave the Bison a commanding lead. Hayes also scored on a 14-yard run as part of a balanced offensive effort that produced 31 points.

Sacramento State got on the board with a Grant Meadors 25-yard field goal. The Hornets moved the ball effectively at times through the air but could not match North Dakota State’s early scoring pace. Meadors’ kick was one of the few finishes for Sacramento State. North Dakota State added a Drew Klein 29-yard field goal to extend its advantage.

The Hornets found the end zone when Jackson Sharman completed a deep left pass to Onterrio Smith Jr. for a 21-yard touchdown. Meadors made the extra point. A pass interference penalty against North Dakota State was declined on the play. The touchdown cut into the final margin but did not change the outcome. North Dakota State’s defense held Sacramento State to 10 points and came up with an interception from Taylen Eady.

Sharman finished 25 of 41 for 238 yards with one touchdown for Sacramento State. He also rushed once for 5 yards. Matt Coleman was the Hornets’ most productive receiver with eight catches for 95 yards. Onterrio Smith Jr. caught three passes for 37 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Williams added three receptions for 42 yards. Raiden Brown had four catches for 30 yards. Kenyon Shabazz caught one pass for 18 yards. Kyle Koontz had one reception for 6 yards, and Khai Taylor caught two passes for 5 yards. Jamar Curtis had two receptions for no yards and returned one kickoff for 22 yards.

On the ground for Sacramento State, Cincere Rhaney carried nine times for 38 yards and caught one pass for 5 yards. Isaiah Ene ran nine times for 36 yards and made one tackle. Daniel Swinney had two carries for 15 yards. Jaylen Patterson rushed once for 3 yards. The Hornets’ running game produced enough to sustain some drives, but North Dakota State’s defense tightened near the goal line and forced Sacramento State to settle for a field goal on one early opportunity.

Hamish Adams punted five times for 189 yards for Sacramento State. North Dakota State’s Aaron Bickerton punted three times for 128 yards. The Bison also received a strong defensive effort from Darius Givance, who recorded seven tackles. Gavin Sell added six tackles. Will Steil had five tackles, and Taylen Eady finished with five tackles and one interception. Alex Elliott recorded four tackles and one quarterback hurry. Matthew Stenbroten had three tackles and one quarterback hurry. Ray James Jr. and Keenan Wilson each made three tackles.

Sacramento State’s defense was led by Alex Rocha, who made eight tackles and one quarterback hurry. Fata Puloka and Boogsie Silvera each recorded seven tackles. Warren Smith Jr. had five tackles. Amari Wallace and Dionte Thornton each finished with four tackles. Miles Bailey, Xavier Williams, Isiah Chala Jr. and Jamel Howard Jr. each made three tackles. Darson Jeanty, Elias Mullican, Caleb Reese, Malachi Kindle and Donovan Turner each had two tackles. Tim Thomas recorded two tackles and one quarterback hurry. Ivan Moore Jr. had one tackle and one quarterback hurry. KJ Jefferson, Noah King, Austin Chambers and Malik Tullis each made one tackle.

North Dakota State’s passing game also featured Mekhi Collins with one reception for 38 yards and Reis Kessel with two receptions for 16 yards. The Bison protected the ball and controlled the clock when needed. Their defense limited Sacramento State’s big plays for most of the game. The Hornets’ best offensive moments came through Sharman’s connection with Coleman and Smith, but Sacramento State could not convert consistently in North Dakota State territory.

The victory continued a strong start for North Dakota State. The Bison had defeated Jacksonville State 33-7 on Aug. 29, Fordham 38-0 on Sept. 5, and Air Force 38-32 on Sept. 12. North Dakota State’s next scheduled game is against Wyoming at home on Oct. 3. The Bison are set to play at UNLV on Oct. 10, host Nevada on Oct. 17, visit New Mexico on Oct. 24, host UTEP on Oct. 31, visit Hawaii on Nov. 15, host Northern Illinois on Nov. 21, and visit San Jose State on Nov. 27.

Sacramento State entered the game after a 49-3 loss at Fresno State on Sept. 12. The Hornets had beaten Mississippi Valley State 52-0 on Sept. 5 and lost at Eastern Michigan 28-17 on Aug. 29. Sacramento State is scheduled to host Massachusetts on Sept. 26. The Hornets will then visit Bowling Green on Oct. 10, host Ohio on Oct. 17, visit Ball State on Oct. 24, host Kent State on Oct. 30, host Toledo on Nov. 4, visit Central Michigan on Nov. 11, and visit Hawaii on Nov. 29.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of North Dakota State 42, Sacramento State 26. Interstat’s ELO system had projected North Dakota State with a 93.4 percent probability to win. Sacramento State had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -26.5. The total score of 41 went over the over/under line of 50.5.