Last season, UND football’s season ended at the hands of their former conference, the Big Sky. On Saturday, the Fighting Hawks met a similar fate. 

UND hosted the Sacramento State Hornets in the first round of the FCS playoffs this past weekend. The two teams came into the bout with the same record, sitting at 7-4. 

The Hornets took the opening kick and marched down the field in just over three minutes to take a 7-0 lead. 

UND was able to respond with a touchdown drive of its own, with Gaven Ziebarth (So.) scoring on a seven-yard run. 

Sacramento State was able to keep the pressure on the Hawks with another touchdown, going unchallenged down the field yet again to retake the lead. 

After forcing a UND punt, Sacramento State continued to put on an offensive masterclass, going on an 84-yard, 13-play drive to go up 21-7. 

Needing a score, the Fighting Hawks found themselves in a 3rd and 9 in their own territory. Luke Skokna (Sr.) answered the bell, catching a pass across the middle of the field and turning it into a 29-yard gain. UND eventually scored on another Ziebarth touchdown run. 

The UND defense continued its first half struggles, surrendering another long touchdown drive, going down 28-14. 

Following a 41-yard kick return from Skokna, UND had a few minutes left on the clock with a chance to cut the lead to one score. On a 4th and 1, Tommy Schuster (Sr.) was pressured into throwing an interception, effectively ending the half.  

The Hawks started the half strong, scoring on a drive where they faced not one, but two fourth downs. Bo Belquist (Sr.) caught a touchdown pass by the pylon to make it 28-21. 

After not stopping the Hornet offense all game, UND’s halftime adjustments proved to be significant, with Sacramento State going three and out on its first drive of the half.  

UND kept proving why they were favored by four points going into the matchup, gashing the Hornets on the ground and scoring on a Quincy Vaughn (Sr.) goal line sneak, tying the game at 28-28. 

The Fighting Hawks were able to force the Hornets into a three and out again on the ensuing drive. 

At the start of the fourth quarter, North Dakota was at midfield, with a 1st and 10 and the chance to finally take the lead.  

The Hawks called three consecutive pass plays, with the first two ending with Schuster being sacked for significant losses. UND was forced to punt. 

When asked after the game about the decision to throw consecutively in that sequence, head coach Bubba Schweigert said, “Well after it’s over, you always know what to do.” 

Sacramento State did not let the opportunity to correct its second half shortcomings pass, going on a 5-play, 67-yard touchdown drive in just over a minute to go up 35-28. 

UND needed to answer, and they would. After a Schuster scramble, the signal caller found Belquist again for a 34-yard catch on a corner route to set the stage for Vaughn at the two-yard line. Vaughn was able to punch it in to tie the game at 35 a piece.  

The Hornets clearly found themselves offensively, going the length of the field in a few minutes to retake the lead. UND trailed 42-35 with under five minutes to play. 

On first down, the Hawks went to old reliable, Ziebarth, who ran for five yards to set UND up for a 2nd and 5. Ziebarth gained an average of five yards on each run he had in the game. 

The Hawks decided to throw the ball on 2nd and 5. Schuster was sacked for a three-yard loss. The Hawks decided to throw the ball on 3rd and 8. Schuster was sacked for a nine-yard loss. 

UND was forced to punt on a 4th and 17 and would not see the ball again. 

Sacramento State picked up a few first downs and ran the clock out to win the game 42-35. 

Sacramento State will travel to Vermillion next week to play the South Dakota Coyotes with a berth to the FCS quarterfinals on the line. 

UND ended its season at 7-5. 

Schuster completed 11 of his 17 passes for 137-yards, throwing a touchdown pass and an interception. 

Ziebarth took 18 carries for 96-yards and two scores. Isaiah Smith (Jr.) added 81-yards on nine carries. Vaughn scored twice on his signature quarterback sneak.  

Belquist hauled in five receptions, turning in 90-yards through the air and a score.  

Garrett Webber is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].