Updated

Fargo, ND (SportsNetwork.com) - Trailing for much of the game, top-ranked North Dakota State rallied past No. 4 Northern Iowa, 24-23, on Saturday in a thrilling Missouri Valley Football Conference game at the Fargodome.

Sam Ojuri scored on a 19-yard run to tie the game with 2:52 to play and Adam Keller kicked the extra point, giving the Bison (5-0, 2-0) their first lead of the game.

The two-time defending Missouri Valley and FCS national champions rallied from 13-0 and 23-10 deficits. Northern Iowa (4-1, 0-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.

John Crockett rushed for 103 yards on 19 carries and Ojuri had 96 yards on 17 carries to highlight North Dakota State's 260 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Brock Jensen threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Vraa as the Bison pulled within 23-17 at the 10:14 mark of the fourth quarter.

David Johnson had an 85-yard touchdown run and rushed for 142 yards on 12 carries for Northern Iowa. Linebacker Jake Farley had 11 tackles, including one sack, before leaving the game with a broken leg in the fourth quarter