If winning was easy everyone would be doing it. Some games just don’t flow and it quickly turns into a battle. Saturday was one of those games.
The Hawks fought back from a late deficit, forced overtime, and beat the Indiana State Sycamores 36-33 on Saturday. It wasn’t sexy but the Hawks had enough flashes of brilliance to pull out the win.
At 5-3 the Hawks now head down to Murray State to take on the Racers (2-6) for the first time in school history.
We know UND is a team of habit from one year to the next. Because of that I equate this to the Abilene Christian game last season. A lethargic UND team takes on an unfamiliar opponent at home and has to battle all game to eek out win. 8th game of the year last season – 8th game of the year this season.
Now UND goes on the road to take on a bottom feeder in Murray State, just like they did in Week 9 last season (Indiana State. UND won that game 42-7. Just saying.
The crowd wasn’t helping much either, to be honest. I think the loss last weekend took the starch out of the faithful. It seemed like more of just another game vs a game that can help UND get a seed in the playoffs.
This team needs to play three-phase football with an energized crowd to be elite. This wasn’t one of those games but they found a way.
The play of Tommy Schuster was one of the bright spots. 26-35 for 285 yards and 4 TD. His lone INT was a tipped ball on a short tunnel screen.
Schuster willed the Hawks to victory on that last series. 47 seconds and two timeouts is more than enough for Tommy. He ran a clinical hurry-up offense highlighted by his 21 yard scramble and 25 yard pass to Elijah Klein that setup the game-tying field goal.
The Hawks offense amassed 456 yards. I sure didn’t think they got that many but credit them for converting on third down (7-14) and extending drives.
I was a bit disappointed in the running game. I know Ziebarth is out but the holes just aren’t what they were vs NDSU. ISU certainly had something to do with that but it would be nice to see the running game break out again.
Was great to see Isaiah Smith bounce that late run around the corner for a long 71 yard scamper. He had been held in check most of the year.
Bo Belquist was back to his old ways again. 8 catches for 101 yards and two TD’s. He made some big catches that kept the momentum on UND’s side.
C.J. Elrichs absolutely nutted that game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. Kudos to that kid for coming through in the biggest of scenarios. That could be the type of kick that springboards him to more attempts at even longer distances.
I like the way #23 Devin Hembry is playing at corner. The juco transfer has taken a bit to get acclimated but he seems to really be getting comfortable with this technique in coverage. His ball skills are there, as well, as shown on the interception. Fellow DB Malachi Buckner added a nice INT too. Glad to see the Hawks forcing turnovers and flying around out there.
The pressures the UND defense were bringing were noticeable but they had a hard time getting to Chambers and Owens. UND did notch three sacks (knocking Chambers out of game also) but could’ve had 6-7 easily. Staying in their rush lanes and keeping eyes on the QB as they are rushing is not always easy. The UND linebackers were destroying the ISU running backs in pass protection. McNeal and Pedigo were lowering the boom on those guys throughout the game knocking them back into the QB.
I love the way Kadon Kauppinen is playing at safety. He looks re-energized. Flying around trying to make things happen in his senior season.
Indiana State lost 27-20 to UNI. Lost 17-3 (tied 3-3 at half) to USD. They are not Western Illinois. But this is one UND can watch on tape and realize how close they are and if you don’t bring it every play these games get interesting. I have a lot of respect for the way HC Curt Mallory runs that program. They fight and are much tougher than their record indicates.
I wasn’t real jazzed up about the fake field goal attempt. UND tried to run down-the-line option with Simon Romfo and if it works it looks like a great call. The ISU linebacker reacted well and got out to Romfo right before the goalline. It’s clear there was no option to throw it but Romfo had FB Haydn Stay open in the back corner of the end zone. It appeared that Stay was more of a clearing route to hopefully pull the linebacker with him.
Not sure why UND went for two when they scored to go up by 11 with only 4:37 left in the game. In a football terms you want to make it a two touchdown game (takes two TD to beat you) vs. a touchdown/two point & a field goal. The play would’ve worked easily, but the swing pass was dropped.
A win is a win is a win is a….you know what I mean. The Hawks have all their goals in front of them still at 5-3. Win out and they may get a seed. But, two of the last three are on the road. Glad they won and am excited to catch them this weekend vs the Racers!
Kickoff is set for 1:00pm.
Photos courtesy of Russell Hons and UND Athletics