North Dakota State's top-15 defense hosts a Nevada team whose quarterback, Carter Jones, is questionable with an elbow injury
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State has built one of college football's great dynasties. Nevada gets its first look at it tonight.
Nevada (2-3, 1-1 Mountain West) visits North Dakota State (5-1, 2-1) at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network at the Fargodome. It's the first meeting between the programs, according to both schools.
The Bison's strength is defense. ESPN's Football Power Index ranks it 15th in efficiency. Donovan Woolen leads in tackles with 44, and Kelton McCaslin has four sacks. North Dakota State has posted two shutouts, 38-0 over Fordham and 28-0 over Wyoming, and won 38-32 at Air Force. Its only loss came 13-7 at UNLV last week. Tim Polasek, in his third season, has the Bison 3-0 at home.
NDSU quarterback Nathan Hayes has thrown for 1,119 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Jackson Williams has 374 receiving yards, and DJ Scott has four rushing touchdowns. The offense ranks 100th in ESPN's index, so the Bison don't usually win big.
Nevada's quarterback situation is uncertain. Carter Jones is questionable after aggravating an elbow injury at UTEP, according to Nevada Sports Net. If he can't go, AJ Bianco, who has three career starts, would take over. Jones has completed 53 of 89 passes for 654 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Dominic Kelley has run for 440 yards and four touchdowns. EJ Smith leads the defense with 59 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Jeff Choate is in his third season.
Nevada has lost three one-score games: 20-7 to Montana State, 27-20 at Middle Tennessee and 36-33 in double overtime to Air Force.
NDSU's history includes a long run of conference titles, most recently in 2025, under coaches like Chris Klieman and Matt Entz. Nevada's history is defined by Chris Ault, who coached the Wolf Pack in three separate stints, and its field is named for him.
The weather won't matter indoors.
Nevada hosts San José State next week. NDSU visits New Mexico.
Our score assumes Jones plays, since he is questionable with no downgrade. With Jones, we see North Dakota State 27, Nevada 13. If Bianco starts, it's North Dakota State 28, Nevada 12.
Our call: North Dakota State 27, Nevada 13.