Williams returns missed kick 100 yards as NDSU beats Nevada, 31-17

Jackson Williams returned a missed field goal 100 yards on the final play before halftime, and North Dakota State beat Nevada 31-17 on Saturday to become bowl eligible in its first FBS season. The Bison recovered from an 11-point deficit at the Fargodome and improved to 6-1, including 3-1 in the Mountain West.

The return gave NDSU a 19-11 halftime lead. Nevada had lined up Joe McFadden for a 57-yard attempt with three seconds left, hoping to retake the lead after a late Bison touchdown. Williams caught the short kick in the end zone and took it back along the sideline.

The Mountain West's official highlights from the NDSU-Nevada game:

Hayes brings the offense back

Nathan Hayes supplied the Bison's first two touchdowns. His five-yard run with 6:04 left in the second quarter finished a 71-yard possession and cut the deficit to 11-6 after the two-point pass failed.

NDSU then traveled 77 yards in 14 plays. Hayes found Mekhi Collins for a 21-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining. Nevada blocked the extra point, leaving the Bison ahead 12-11 before Williams' return transformed the final snap of the half.

Hayes completed 19 of 25 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. NDSU rushed for 192 yards and held the ball for 38:09, giving its defense long stretches off the field despite an uneven start.

Nevada's tying attempt goes the other way

AJ Bianco's 19-yard touchdown pass to Gary Givens III brought Nevada within 19-17 with 11:25 left in the third quarter. The Wolf Pack tried for two, but Keenan Wilson forced a fumble and Matthew Stenbroten returned it 74 yards for two Bison points, according to NDSU's postgame report. A possible tie became a 21-17 deficit.

Cornerback Marion Moore intercepted Bianco twice after halftime. His first pick gave NDSU possession at the Nevada 36 and set up Drew Klein's 39-yard field goal. Hayes later connected with Williams for 43 yards on the drive that ended with Reis Kessel's 12-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth.

Nevada's offense never scored again after Givens' touchdown. Moore's second interception ended a 57-yard possession with eight minutes left, and the Wolf Pack's final drive ended on downs.

Bianco finished 17 of 34 for 190 yards with one passing touchdown and two interceptions. He had opened the scoring on a 15-yard run early in the second quarter, followed by Trace Estes' two-point run. Nevada fell to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play; NDSU visits New Mexico on October 24.