North Dakota 72-35 Murray State (September 28, 2024) Game Recap

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Simon Romfo threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns, Isaiah Smith rushed 11 times for 142 yards and two scores, and North Dakota beat Murray State 72-35 on Saturday for the most points scored in a game since then Game were scored in 1928.

Avery Scott returned a 40-yard interception to cap the scoring for North Dakota with 8:46 left in the fourth period – the Fighting Hawks’ highest score since an 80-0 victory over Jamestown College on September 29, 1928 .That year, UND played Carleton College a week later, drawing 0-0.

North Dakota had cut its lead to 24-21 with 9:35 left in the second quarter before closing the half with 24 straight points.

Murray State returner KaVan Reed let a punt bounce about 10 yards in front of him before grabbing it and fumbling it at the 22. Three plays later, Romfo ran it from the 6 for a double-digit lead, 31-21, North Dakota wouldn’t give up.

Murray State was forced to punt on its next possession and UND’s Tyler Erkman went untouched on the left side to block a punt, leading to a 6-yard touchdown run by Gaven Ziebarth to make it 38-21. The Racers punted again and UND scored one play later when Smith caught a screen pass from Romfo and took it 74 yards to the end zone.

North Dakota played 11 plays before scoring a short field goal for a 48-21 lead at halftime.

Romfo also had nine carries for 43 yards and a score for North Dakota (4-1, 1-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference), which is ranked No. 8 in the FCS poll.

Jayden Johannsen and Jameson Holcomb each threw an interception for Murray State (1-3, 0-1). Q’Daryius Jennings rushed for two touchdowns and Johannsen had 14 carries for 87 yards and a team-high score.

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