The UND football team lost as a two-score favorite for the second consecutive week, this time falling on the road to the Indiana State Sycamores with a score of 35-21.
Yet to win a game on the road so far this season, the Fighting Hawks looked to get off to a good start in Terre Haute, Indiana this past Saturday.
On the second play from scrimmage, UND quarterback Simon Romfo (Jr.) was intercepted by a Sycamore defender, who then returned it to the house to give ISU a 6-0 lead before even a minute had ticked off the clock.
The Fighting Hawks were able to respond, racking up 51 rushing yards on the ensuing drive. Romfo was able to bounce back from the pick-six, punching it in to give UND a 7-6 lead.
Indiana State, on its first offensive possession, marched down the field and found itself in a goal-to-go situation after just a few minutes. On 2nd and goal, UND safety Jett Sutton (So.) was able to force a fumble, which was recovered by Sutton’s teammate, Tyler Erkman (Rs. Fr.).
The Fighting Hawks were able to pick up a few first downs following the fumble recovery, but due to a Sycamore sack, UND was ultimately forced to punt the ball back to ISU.
Indiana State made the most of the stop, getting all the way down to another goal-to-go. The Sycamores would not fumble this time, running it in to take a 13-7 lead.
UND was able to regain the lead on the following drive, thanks to a 5-yard touchdown pass from Romfo to wide receiver Nate DeMontagnac (Jr.).
Feeding off of its offense, the UND defensive unit forced its first punt of the game, handing the ball right back to Romfo.
Romfo was able to lead the Hawks right back down the field, this time dealing it to receiver Bo Belquist (5th) to take a 21-13 lead.
Turnovers are the leading cause of upsets, and after forcing a punt on the ensuing drive, UND turned it over for the second time in the first half.
On the Sycamore punt, return man Belquist muffed the return, which gave Indiana State the ball in UND territory.
The Sycamore’s were not only able to score a touchdown but also convert a two-point conversion to tie the game at 21 apiece going into the half.
The first three possessions of the second half resulted in touchdowns, with the Sycamores scoring two and the Hawks scoring one.
Trailing 35-28, UND was looking to go blow-for-blow with ISU and respond with another touchdown of their own.
Facing a 3rd and 8 in the redzone, the Fighting Hawks drew up an inside run to Sawyer Seidl (Rs Fr.). Seidl’s run picked up two yards for UND.
Feeling risky, UND wanted to go for it on 4th and 6. The Hawks O-line would commit a false start, putting UND in a situation where it had to kick the field goal.
CJ Elrichs (So.) buried it, and the Hawks trailed 35-31.
After the two sides traded punts, Indiana State had the ball on its own six with just over seven minutes to play. The Sycamores were able to pick up multiple first downs, draining over five minutes off the clock.
On 3rd and 7 with two minutes left in the game, the UND defense came up big and forced a punt.
The Fighting Hawks had the ball on their own 15-yard line with no timeouts, 1:49 to play, and a chance to win the game.
UND picked up three quick first downs, two through the air and one on the ground. On 3rd and 9 with time dwindling away, Romfo was sacked by a Sycamore defender. Rushing to get off a final play, Romfo threw a last chance Hail Mary to the endzone, which would fall incomplete.
UND lost to Indiana State with a score of 35-31. The Fighting Hawks are now 5-0 at home and 0-4 on the road, with two of the road losses coming to two-score underdogs.
Romfo completed 18 of his 26 passes for 187 yards. Romfo threw for two touchdowns and one interception, adding 21 yards and a score on the ground.
Isaiah Smith was given 11 carries, turning in 104 yards and a touchdown.
Belquist and Demontagnac each caught a touchdown pass on Saturday, both turning in 38 yards respectively.
Nick Kupfer produced the most yards for the Hawks through the air, catching three passes for 56 yards.
Caden Dennis hauled in five passes for 54 yards.
UND will return to the Alerus Center this Saturday, November 9 at 1 p.m. The Fighting Hawks will look to remain undefeated at home against two-time defending national champions, the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits (7-2).
The Jackrabbits have won the last three meetings against the Fighting Hawks.
Garrett Webber is a Dakota Student Section Editor. He can be reached at [email protected].
