Blocked punt lifts North Dakota past Montana State

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Alex Cloyd blocked a punt in the end zone and Jayson Coley recovered for a touchdown to spark North Dakota’s 16-12 victory over Montana State on Saturday.

Cloyd lined up at left tackle, broke through a block and smothered the punt. Coley recovered for the Fighting Hawks (5-3) as the ball was bouncing out of the end zone toward the field of play.

Both teams scored one touchdown on offense. Fighting Hawks backup quarterback Brock Boltmann threw a touchdown on his only pass attempt, 36 yards to Travis Toivonen for a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. Montana State’s only touchdown came on Troy Andersen’s go-ahead 1-yard run midway through the fourth quarter for a 12-10 lead.

North Dakota starting quarterback Nate Ketteringham completed 27 of 36 attempts for 220 yards. He was sacked four times.

Montana State (5-3), ranked No. 9 in both FCS polls, was held to 97 yards passing. The Bobcats rushed for 219 yards, their balanced attack led by DeMareus Hosey with 76 yards on 10 carries.