The UND football team lost to its in-state rival, the NDSU Bison, this past Saturday with a final score of 41-17. The highly anticipated matchup featured two of the top six ranked teams in the country (NDSU #2, UND #6).
With 18,723 in attendance, the largest crowd for a Bison home game since the 2022 Harvest Bowl against UND, NDSU took the opening kick to around near midfield.
The Bison were able to pick up first downs at will, and thanks to a defensive pass interference call, the home team quickly found themselves in the redzone. NDSU punched it in with a 2-yard touchdown run and took an early 7-0 lead.
UND, needing to quiet the home crowd, went three-and-out on its opening drive, giving the ball right back to its rival.
The next two possessions ended in punts, but then NDSU would get back on the board with a 36-yard touchdown pass to NFL quarterback Trey Lance’s younger brother, Bryce Lance. Lance’s reception gave the Bison a 14-0 lead.
With their backs against the wall, the Hawks were able to respond. Gaven Ziebarth (Jr.) racked up 47 yards on a scoring drive for UND. The drive concluded with a vintage Quincy Vaughn (5th) tush-push to cut NDSU’s lead to seven.
Unfortunately for the green and white, NDSU was determined to quell any sense of a comeback. The Bison went on an efficient, 5-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to make it 21-7.
On the ensuing drive, the Fighting Hawks faced a huge third down past the 50. Offensive coordinator Issac Fruechte drew up a tight end screen to Quincy Vaughn. Vaughn delivered, picking up 15 yards and the first.
UND’s drive stalled out after a dropped pass by Caden Dennis (Jr.) that would have moved the chains. The Hawks settled for a 45-yard field goal from C.J. Elrichs (So.) to make the score 21-10.
NDSU was able to go down the field and kick a field goal before the half, and UND trailed 24-10 going into the break.
The Hawks needed a near perfect second half to execute the comeback, and they were not able to make it happen. On the first play of the third quarter, quarterback Simon Romfo (Jr.) lost the ball on a scramble, giving it right back to NDSU in plus territory.
“I just stepped up and someone just got a hand on it, good play by him,” Romfo said when asked about the fumble.
The Bison capitalized on the fumble, walking down the field for a score. NDSU’s drive was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run, giving themselves a seemingly insurmountable 31-10 lead.
On the next drive, trailing by 21, UND faced a 4th and 3 near midfield. The Hawks elected to punt.
NDSU made the most of the punt, going down and scoring on a 9-play, 85-yard touchdown drive. The scoring drive was finished off by a 33-yard flea flicker pass to make the score 38-17.
UND was able to score a late touchdown thanks to a 66-yard punt return by Bo Belquist (5th) that set the Hawks up in a goal-to-go. That 66-yard return was by far the Hawks’ most productive play of the afternoon. Dennis caught the touchdown pass for the Hawks.
The result of Saturday’s game was a 41-17 win for the Bison. With the loss, UND moved to 4-2 on the season.
“We’re gonna move on, we’re 1-1 in the league, how we respond to this is really gonna be important for our team,” UND Head Coach Bubba Schweigert said in his post-game press conference.
Romfo completed 18 of his 23 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. The quarterback added 28 yards on the ground.
Ziebarth was the lead back for the Hawks on Saturday, turning 12 carries into 65 yards.
Belquist was the feature receiver again for UND, catching four passes for 61 yards. Dennis caught four passes for 24 yards and a touchdown.
The Fighting Hawks will be off this weekend, utilizing the bye to rest up and get ready for the rest of the Missouri Valley gauntlet.
UND will look to bounce back in the Alerus Center next Saturday October 19 when they host the University of Northern Iowa Panthers (2-2) at 1 p.m.
Garrett Webber is a Dakota Student Section Editor. He can be reached at [email protected].
