Going forward, Minnesota might want to put North Dakota State on the “avoid” list.

The Bison defeated Minnesota 37-24 on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium, their second win in the last four years against the Gophers, who lost 27-21 in the last meeting in 2007.

North Dakota State, which entered with the top-ranked scoring offense and defense in FCS, took it to the Gophers from the get-go. The Bison led 28-14 at the half and extended their lead to 31-14 midway through the third on Ryan Jastram’s 49-yard field goal.

Behind Max Shortell, who took most of the second-half snaps in place of the ineffective Marqueis Gray, the Gophers (1-3) cut the lead to 31-24 on Eric Lair’s 20-yard touchdown catch with 9:05 left.

After North Dakota State (3-0) missed a field goal on the ensuing possession, Minnesota took over at its own 20-yard line with less than 3 minutes left and a chance for a game-tying score. However, Shortell’s pass on second-and-10 was intercepted by Marcus Williams and returned for a touchdown.

It was the second interception returned for a touchdown by the Bison, who defeated another BCS opponent — Kansas — last season in their opener. Minnesota, meanwhile, lost for just the fourth time in 56 games against an FCS opponent and fell to 8-2 overall against North Dakota State.

Three different players scored rushing touchdowns for the Bison, including one from quarterback Brock Jensen, who also went 16-of-21 for 197 passing yards.