Oct. 30, 2004

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Freshman quarterback Steve Walker accounted for three touchdowns in his first collegiate start to help North Dakota State rally for a 30-17 victory over No. 15 Northwestern State on Saturday.

Walker threw a pair of touchdown passes and scored on a trick play for the Bison (6-3), who scored 23 unanswered points in the second half.

Jayd Kittelson intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble for the Bison, who forced three turnovers.

The Demons (5-3) led 17-7 at halftime.

The go-ahead score came one play after Kittelson recovered a fumble at the Demons 40 late in the third quarter. Walker floated a pass to Marques Johnson, who corralled the ball and scored even though there was pass interference on the play.

That gave NDSU a 21-17 lead. The Bison tacked on a touchdown and a safety in the fourth quarter.

The Demons dominated the first half, piling up a 243-47 advantage in total offense. Walker scored the lone touchdown for NDSU when he caught a pass from Nick Jackson after a double reverse.

The Bison set the tone for the second half when they took the kickoff and drove 83 yards in 12 plays, capped by a 25-yard pass from Walker to Travis White.

Kittelson's fumble recovery came on the ensuing drive for Northwestern State. The center snap went over the head of quarterback Davon Vinson while Vinson was in the shotgun formation.

Walker, a 6-foot-1, 198-pounder from Lockport, Ill., completed 8 of 11 passes for 131 yards and no interceptions. He replaced senior Tony Stauss in the starting lineup.

Derrick Johnese rushed for 93 yards and one touchdown for the Demons.