BOZEMAN, Mont. -- North Dakota sophomore Brady Oliveira rushed for a career-high 171 yards and his 60-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference in the Fighting Hawks' 17-15 victory over Montana State Saturday in the Big Sky opener for both schools.

Oliveira and the offense can thank the defense, however, for keeping the Fighting Hawks within reach.

The Bobcats (2-2,  0-1 BSC) entered the contest with the top turnover-margin in the FCS at plus-11, but the home team turned in a minus-4 performance during its homecoming contest at Bobcat Stadium. The Fighting Hawks would force a season-high five turnovers, while only giving up a first-quarter fumble themselves.

"We found ways to get a big win to open our conference season," UND head coach Bubba Schweigert said. "We have not made these last two wins easy ones, but we'll sure take them."

UND would get 10 of its points off those miscues and took a 7-6 lead at the half thanks to a fumble recovery late in the second period. Oliveira capped that short drive with a 3-yard run and finished with the first two-touchdown game of his career.

Both teams traded third-quarter field goals before the wild last few minutes of regulation ensued.

After Oliveira's long scoring jaunt gave UND an eight-point cushion, it took MSU just four plays to get into the end zone for the first time on a 3-yard run by Chad Newell.

Kevin Kassis had the big play on that scoring drive, taking a short pass and turning into a 55-yard gain. 

After a pass-interference call on UND gave MSU another crack at the potential game-tying, two-point conversion, Newell was stuffed just before the goal line to keep the score at 17-15. Captains Connor O'Brien and Cole Reyes combined on the stop for UND, who gave up only 116 yards on the ground.

The Bobcats would get the onside kick, but Zach Arnell would come down with his first career interception to stall that ensuing drive.

The game would continue though as UND could not net a potential game-winning first down and gave the Bobcats one last chance with 49 seconds remaining.

UND's defense answered the challenge once again and preserved the first win for the team in Bozeman since 1982.
 
The Fighting Hawks host Cal Poly on Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. at the Alerus Center. 

Game Notes: Game captains for today's game were Luke Mathewson, Connor O'Brien, Keaton Studsrud and Cole Reyes … Mathewson was born in Bozeman and lived here until sixth grade … Sophomore Brady Oliveira posted career-highs in rushes (22), rushing yards (171) and touchdowns (2) ... Both of his career 100-yard rushing games of have come against the Bobcats ... UND had three interceptions in a game for the second time this season ... Senior Zach Arnell and redshirt freshman Torrey Hunt both had the first interceptions of their respective careers ... Senior Brian Labat had his second ... UND improved to 3-2 in Big Sky openers and its previous two losses were both to MSU ... UND has scored 99 points on the season and surrendered 99 points in four games ... All four games have been decided by four points or less ... Sophomore Grant Aplin made his first career start (right guard).