GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Coming off consecutive losses to non-contenders, North Dakota was the proverbial wounded animal you have to be careful with as they hosted No. 3 South Dakota State Saturday at the Alerus Center.
Perhaps ready to be put out of its misery, but dangerous if you get too close and let your guard down.
The Jackrabbits gave the Hawks what might prove to be a mercy killing, routing UND 38-7 for the worst home loss since 2013.
SDSU improves to 8-2 and 5-1 in the Valley, while the Hawks drop to 5-5 with their third straight loss.
Despite limping into the game, the Hawks were at home, where they were 5-0 this season and 16-2 all-time in Valley games. The only two losses prior had come to eventual national championship winners (NDSU and SDSU).
For the first few minutes, that wounded animal lashed out. The Hawks jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a 62-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Smith, then forced SDSU into a three-and-out. There was energy on the Hawks sideline and confidence brewing.
It didn't last long. The Jacks responded by scoring 38 unanswered points, dominating the action on both sides of the ball for one of their most impressive wins of the season. SDSU outscored the Hawks 28-0 in the second quarter to put the game away by the break.
Mark Gronowski and Griffin Wilde had it going, connecting on three touchdown passes as the Jackrabbits outgained UND 457-246. Wilde caught five balls for 140 yards, Gronowski was 11-of-19 for 193 yards and Amar and Angel Johnson both had rushing touchdowns for SDSU.
Meanwhile the Jacks defense shut down a Hawks offense that came in averaging 34.9 points per game. UND threw for just 124 yards and converted only two third downs.
SDSU was playing without Chase Mason, their secondary quarterback weapon, but Angel Johnson rushed for 100 yards, Amar Johnson 74 and Kirby Vorhees 66.
Caleb Francl, Adam Bock and Reis Kirschenman each had sacks for SDSU, while Matt Durance had a team-high five tackles and Tucker Large intercepted a pass.
SDSU will host Southern Illinois next week for Senior Day.
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