Nathan Hayes accounts for 2 TDs, defense does the rest in North Dakota State's 31-7 win over UTEP

FARGO, N.D. -- , Nathan Hayes accounted for two touchdowns and the North Dakota State defense had another shutdown performance in a 31-7 victory over UTEP on Saturday. UTEP took a 7-0 lead on quarterback Raymond Moore III 's 57-yard touchdown run on the Miners' first play from scrimmage. The North Dakota State defense allowed 181 yards the rest of the game. North Dakota State entered with the number two defense in the nation, allowing 250.1 yards per game. The Bison (7-2, 4-2 Mountain West) got on the board on Drew Klein 's 30-yard field goal early in the second quarter and took a 10-7 lead on DJ Scott 's 1-yard run before halftime. The score stood at 10-7 deep into the third quarter before Hayes threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Reis Kessel .