The first man Andy Thompson greeted when this game was over was Kaiden Bennett.

Sacramento State's new football coach gave his junior quarterback a quick pat on the helmet and said, “Great job!”

Bennett's passing, running and leadership led the Hornets to a 42-35 win over North Dakota in the opening game of the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs on Saturday afternoon in Grand Forks. It was the team's first road win in the FCS playoffs.

Bennett, a Folsom High School native, trotted off the Alerus Center turf with the ball under his arm and made his way to the stands to greet family and friends who had made the trip to the Great Plains.

Bennett completed 17 of 22 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown to Andrew Grover. He also ran 13 times for 126 yards and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning 4-yard touchdown behind a block by All-American tight end Marshel Martin. The Hornets had no turnovers and committed no penalties, a first for the program. They built their record to 8-4 and advanced to the quarterfinals next Saturday at No. 3 South Dakota, which had a first-round bye.

Sacramento State has an 8-1 record in games after a loss since 2019, when the Hornets won the first of three Big Sky championships.

“Kaiden was outstanding,” Thompson said on the ESPN broadcast. “He did a great job. The offensive line did a good job and our offensive team did a great job. It's a tough place to play, a great tradition. We're very happy to come out of here with a win. I was proud of our defense. We made some stops. That's playoff football. Win and you move on. I'm proud. All year we've been resilient. We haven't lost two games in a row all year. Keep it up.”

Sacramento State is in the FCS playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, a first for the program, and the Hornets won their third game at the Alerus Center since 2013. The previous games were Big Sky Conference games. North Dakota is now a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, which put six teams in the FCS playoffs.

North Dakota had a 6-0 record at home this season, won 25 of its last 27 games at this venue and had an overall record of 11-1 in home playoff games.

Marcus Fulcher ran for 41 yards and scored a touchdown for Sacramento State, which ran the ball 41 times for 244 yards. Two-time All-Big Sky linebacker Armon Bailey led the Hornets with eight tackles and 1 ½ sacks as the team recorded four sacks against North Dakota (7-5).

After Bennett's touchdown run made it 42-35, the Hornets forced the Fighting Hawks to punt with 2:45 left. Sacramento State ran out the clock and secured the win.

Bennett has had big moments this season, but also some struggles. He returned to form in the second half of the Causeway Classic at UC Davis last week, throwing three touchdown passes. He started at North Dakota and looked like a veteran.

At one point in the first half, Bennett had completed 10 of 11 passes and eight carries for 105 yards, leading the Hornets to four consecutive touchdowns and a 28-14 lead.

“We've found a rhythm,” Bennett said. “Another week of football. I love it.”

Sacramento State last played in an away playoff game in 1988, losing an NCAA Division II semifinal at North Dakota State. The Hornets have hosted playoff games as a higher seed for the past three seasons.