{
  "id": 15336142,
  "title": "North Dakota State’s special teams help Bison beat Nevada 31-17",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/north-dakota-states-special-teams-help-bison-beat-nevada-31-17-15336142",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-18T02:44:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/north-dakota-state-special-teams-024443234.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "North Dakota State's special teams played a crucial role in the Bison's 31-17 victory over Nevada on Saturday night. Leading the charge was Jackson Williams, who not only returned a missed field-goal attempt 100 yards for a touchdown but also scored on a 5-yard run to put the Bison ahead 19-11 at halftime. Early in the third quarter, AJ Bianco's 19-yard touchdown pass to Gary Givens III narrowed the gap to 19-17. However, Nevada's efforts to regain the lead were thwarted when they fumbled a 2-point conversion attempt, allowing Matthew Stenbroten to score for the Bison and secure a 21-17 lead. The final touchdown of the game came in the fourth quarter, when Nathan Hayes completed a 12-yard pass to Reis Kessel. Hayes' passing performance was solid, completing 19 of 25 passes for 153 yards. Nevada's quarterback, Bianco, compiled 190 passing yards but also threw two interceptions and scored on a 15-yard run. The Bison bounced back from a previous loss to UNLV, while Nevada will face San Jose State in their next game, and North Dakota State will travel to play New Mexico.",
  "summary": "(AP) — Nathan Hayes accounted for three touchdowns and Jackson Williams returned a missed field-goal attempt 100 yards for a touchdown to help North Dakota State beat Nevada 31-17 on Saturday night. Nevada jumped out to an 11-0 lead early in the second quarter before Williams scored on a 5-yard run and then tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Mekhi Collins.",
  "key_points": [
    "North Dakota State's special teams crucial in 31-17 win over Nevada.",
    "Jackson Williams returns missed FG 100 yards for TD, scores 5-yard run.",
    "AJ Bianco's 19-yard TD pass to Gary Givens III narrows gap to 19-17."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Exceptional special teams play and defensive opportunistic scoring provided the necessary margin for North Dakota State to recover from their recent loss to UNLV.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "North Dakota State’s special teams help Bison beat Nevada 31-17",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/north-dakota-states-special-teams-help-bison-beat-nevada-31-17",
        "published": "2026-10-18T02:49:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}