FARGO, N.D.?Nick Mertens, in his first career start, completed 16 of 18 passes for 304 yards and three touchdown passes to lead North Dakota State to a 41-6 win against Austin Peay State University, Thursday night, in the season opener for both Football Championship Subdivision clubs.

It was a battle between the Ohio Valley Conference (the Governors) and the Missouri Valley Football Conference (North Dakota State). In fact, it was the first Missouri Valley Football Conference and FCS contest for the Bison, who began transitioning to FCS in 2004 after moving up from Division II status.  

Mertens, replacing Steve Walker ? the Bison's all-time leading passer ? completed 14 of 15 first-half passes and two TDs as North Dakota State built a 20-0 halftime lead. Then on the first play of the second half, Mertens completed a 69-yard score to Kole Heckendorf, his third TD reception of the game.

The Bison, the nation's No. 2 FCS team, would not let the Governors build any momentum after Terrence Holt returned the game's opening kickoff 55 yards to the North Dakota State 30. In fact, the Govs were forced to punt from their own 39 after two straight negative plays and an incomplete pass.

But it didn't take the Bison long to move deep into APSU territory. Tyler Roehl, a preseason All-American, burst 14 yards before Mertens connected with Jeremiah Wurzbacher with a 69-yard pass to APSU eight.

However, the Govs defense held the Bison to a 33-yard field goal.

Austin Peay could not get untracked, despite Holt setting an Austin Peay and OVC record for kickoff returns yards (250). At the same time, APSU would not be able to hold the North Dakota State offense on its next two possessions as Mertens connected with Heckendorf on TD passes of 11 and 43 yards as the Bison built a 17-0 lead.

The Govs finally got their first first down with 9:54 left in the half when back-up quarterback T.C. Jennings completed a pass to fullback Jontamion Forrest.
But that literally would be it for the Governors in the first half as North Dakota State added a field goal to make it a 20-0 at the half.

The contest would get out of hand quickly early in the second half

Heckendorf's third TD reception made it a 27-0 contest just 20 seconds into the third frame.

The Governors would finally break through midway through the quarter, taking advantage of Kevis Buckley's 24-yard interception return. Redshirt freshman Ryan White scored on a two-yard run to make it a 27-6 game.

However, the Bison would score on the next two possessions to make it a 41-6 contest.

The Governors finished with only 91 total yards while allowing 453 to the Bison. Holt was the lone bright spot for APSU, returning seven kickoffs for those 250 yards.

Austin Peay continues its bruising schedule on the road at No. 17 Georgia Southern, next Saturday.

-AP-