This past Saturday, the UND Football team scored the most points in Alerus Center history, and the most points in UND history since 1928 with a 72-35 annihilation of the Murray State Racers.
Early on, it looked like whichever team had the ball last would win the game. The first stop of Saturday’s MVFC showdown came with just minutes left in the first quarter when UND lead 17-14.
Before the first stop, the Grand Forks crowd saw three touchdowns of over 50 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown reception from standout receiver, Bo Belquist (5th).
The Fighting Hawks went three-and-out following the defensive stand, but thanks to a roughing the passer penalty, UND got a fresh set of downs. A few plays later, Isaiah Smith (Sr.) ran untouched up the middle for a 33-yard touchdown to make the score 24-14.
Murray State, showing signs of life, went on a 15-play, 79-yard touchdown drive to bring the deficit back to three.
On the ensuing drive, the Hawks were forced to punt again. However, UND’s Special Teams proved to be the difference in the game, forcing a fumble on the Racers’ return. Quarterback Simon Romfo (Jr.) wasted no time, running in a touchdown to give the Hawks a 31-21 lead.
After the Hawks forced a three-and-out, UND’s Special Teams once again came up big, this time with Tyler Erkman (Rs. Fr.) blocking a Racer punt.
With the ball on MSU’s seven-yard line, Gaven Ziebarth (Jr.) punched it in, and the Hawks were up 38-21.
The Fighting Hawks would score ten more points before the halftime break, giving themselves a 48-21 lead with two whole quarters left to play.
Murray State was unable to make Saturday’s game remotely competitive in the second half, giving up 24 second-half points. UND’s 72 points is the second most points ever scored in a MVFC game.
UND defeated Murray State with a whopping score of 72-35. With the win, the Hawks moved to 4-1 on the season.
Romfo completed nine of his 20 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith led the way on the ground for UND, tallying 142 yards on 11 carries. Smith added two touchdowns on the ground, as well as a 74-yard touchdown reception. Smith’s 216 all-purpose yards gave him his most productive performance in a UND jersey.
When asked about Smith’s performance, Head Coach Bubba Schweigert said, “He’s important. We know he’s really explosive; he’s a good pass catcher.”
Belquist hauled in three receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
Looking ahead, the UND football team will get ready for its biggest game of the season. The Hawks travel to Fargo on Saturday to take on their in-state rival, the North Dakota State University Bison (4-1). Both programs’ only losses this season have come at the hands of FBS teams.
UND trounced the Bison in epic fashion last season with a final score of 49-24.
Saturday’s rivalry game will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Fargodome and will be televised on ABC.
Garrett Webber is a Dakota Student Section Editor. He can be reached at [email protected].
