NORMAL, Ill. – In a pivotal matchup on Saturday afternoon, the No. 14/13 ranked Illinois State (9-3, 6-2 MVFC) faced off against North Dakota, emerging victorious with a decisive score of 35-13 at Hancock Stadium. This loss marks a troubling turn for UND, as it falls into its first five-game losing streak since 1986.
After trailing 14-10 at halftime, the Fighting Hawks (5-7, 2-6 MVFC) aimed to turn the tide on their first drive of the second half. Quarterback Sawyer Seidl made an impressive impact, barreling through the Illinois State defense with three consecutive rushes totaling 42 yards, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite being met by defenders. However, Seidl’s promising drive was abruptly halted when ISU’s Keondre Jackson managed to punch the football loose, effectively recovering it to stifle the UND’s momentum. Just minutes later, Wenkers Wright scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on an 18-yard dash, extending the Redbirds’ lead to 21-10 midway through the third quarter.
As the game entered its final stretch, Tommy Rittenhouse connected with Mitch Bartol for a five-yard touchdown pass, further solidifying the lead. Not long into the fourth quarter, Seth Glatz capped a strong performance with a 13-yard rush into the end zone, pushing the score to 35-10. C.J. Elrichs, rounding out the scoring for the Fighting Hawks, managed to salvage some pride with a 37-yard field goal, making the final score 35-13.
Throughout the contest, Illinois State showcased a dominant offensive strategy, amassing a total of 420 yards, including 224 yards through the air. Rittenhouse completed 21 of 33 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, with Xavier Loyd standing out as his primary target, hauling in eight receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. The rushing game was no less impressive, with Wright tallying 21 attempts for 118 yards and two scores.
Conversely, North Dakota struggled to find its rhythm, managing only 226 total yards—135 of which aired in the air. Simon Romfo ended the game with 135 yards through the air on 11 completions out of 26 attempts, including one touchdown pass. He also contributed with 24 yards on the ground. Sawywer Seidl led the rushing efforts for UND, registering 45 yards on just five carries while also showcasing his speed and agility in special teams as he returned kicks for 120 yards. Bo Belquist emerged as a strong receiving option, finishing with three receptions for 42 yards.
At halftime, North Dakota found itself trailing 14-10, having faced an uphill battle throughout the first two quarters. Following a missed field goal at the start, ISU quickly struck first, orchestrating a 70-yard drive over seven plays culminating in a 30-yard double-reverse pass touchdown from Eddie Kasper to Loyd. North Dakota answered back, with Romfo connecting with Nate DeMontagnac for a 20-yard touchdown pass that leveled the score at 7-7. However, Wright’s 10-yard touchdown run later gave ISU a commanding lead, and Elrichs’ 20-yard field goal cut the deficit to a narrow 14-10 by halftime.
The statistics from the first half illustrated a balanced offensive battle; UND racked up 161 yards of offense, with 88 yards passing, while ISU tallied 183 yards total, mostly propelled by both their passing and rushing game. Both teams exhibited defensive prowess, each forcing one turnover during this period, with Josh Navratil making a game-changing strip-sack later recovered by teammate Craig Orlando.
Postgame Notes
- North Dakota now leads the all-time series 3-1 and is 2-1 in the MVFC version of the series.
- NoDak is on its first five-game winless skid since the 1986 season.
- Josh Navratil recorded a strip-sack and now leads North Dakota with three forced fumbles this season.
- Wyatt Pedigo spearheaded the NoDak defense with 15 tackles (10 solo) and a tackle-for-loss.
- The Redbirds ended the game with a +1.0 turnover margin.
- Illinois State controlled the game with 34:16 minutes of possession.
- Bo Belquist finishes his career just two touchdown grabs shy of breaking UND’s Division I record in career touchdown receptions.
For more information on North Dakota football, follow on social media @UNDfootball or visit FightingHawks.com.
What strategies did Coach Hill implement during halftime to shift the momentum of the game against North Dakota?
**Interview with Coach Brad Hill of Illinois State Football**
**Interviewer**: Good afternoon, Coach Hill! Congratulations on the big win against North Dakota. How important was this victory for your team in terms of securing a playoff berth?
**Coach Hill**: Thank you! This win is crucial for us, especially heading into the playoffs with momentum. Finishing the regular season with five straight wins not only boosts our confidence, but it also solidifies our spot in the playoff picture. The guys worked hard all season, and it’s great to see their effort pay off.
**Interviewer**: You were trailing at halftime. What adjustments did you make during the break to turn the game around?
**Coach Hill**: We focused on tightening up our defence and capitalizing on offensive opportunities. North Dakota’s quarterback, Sawyer Seidl, was gaining some ground with his runs, so we made adjustments to contain him better. Offensively, we emphasized our running game, and it paid off when Wenkers Wright found the end zone again in the third quarter, extending our lead.
**Interviewer**: Speaking of Wenkers Wright, he had a standout performance with two rushing touchdowns. How vital is his performance to the overall success of the team?
**Coach Hill**: Wenkers is incredibly important to our offence. His ability to break tackles and gain significant yards helps open up our passing game as well. He showed great determination out there, and when he’s on his game, it really elevates our entire team’s performance.
**Interviewer**: On the flip side, North Dakota struggled, falling further into a losing streak. What are your thoughts on their performance today?
**Coach Hill**: I think North Dakota is a tough team, and you could see flashes of their potential, especially with Seidl’s dynamic play. However, every team has rough patches. We were able to capitalize on their mistakes, particularly the fumble that halted their momentum. They are a well-coached team, and I’m sure they’ll bounce back in time.
**Interviewer**: Looking ahead, what are your plans for preparing the team for the playoffs now that you have secured a spot?
**Coach Hill**: We’re going to take it one step at a time. Our first priority is to recover and assess any injuries. Then we’ll begin the game planning for our next opponent. We’ll review film and focus on what we do best, while also preparing for the challenges that come with playoff football.
**Interviewer**: Thanks, Coach Hill, for your insights, and again, congratulations on the victory!
**Coach Hill**: My pleasure! Thank you for having me, and go Redbirds!
