N. Dakota St. 44, Cent. Michigan 14

9/22/2007 7:54 PM

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) -Tyler Roehl ran for 143 yards on 30 carries with three touchdowns as North Dakota State defeated Central Michigan 44-14 Saturday.

The Bison (3-0) are only the third Football Championship Subdivision team to defeat the Chippewas (1-3). The 30-point home loss is the worst for Central Michigan since 2001 when the Chippewas lost 34-3 to Ohio.

North Dakota State benefited from good field position the entire game, including three scoring drives that started in Central Michigan territory.

Shawn Bibeau converted on three field goals in the first half and North Dakota State quarterback Steve Walker found receiver Jerimiah Wurzbacher for an 8-yard touchdown pass to lift the Bison to a 16-7 halftime lead.

North Dakota State took the opening drive of the second half 37 yards for a touchdown, with Pat Paschall scoring on a 1-yard run.

After Central Michigan running back Ontario Sneed fumbled the ball on the Chippewas' first offensive play of the second half, North Dakota State countered with a 53-yard scoring drive that ended with a 6-yard touchdown run by Roehl.

Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour hit Antonio Brown on a 5-yard touchdown pass to close the scoring gap, but the Bison responded with two Roehl touchdowns on runs of 33 and 4 yards.

Walker finished 25 of 30 passing for 261 yards, and the Bison totaled 438 yards of offense.

LeFevour was 25 of 40 passing for the Chippewas for 186 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. LeFevour also was the leading rusher for CMU with 49 yards.