GRAND FORKS — Against No. 5 South Dakota on Saturday, the UND football team's offense managed nine more points than Wisconsin scored against the Coyotes and 19 more points than any Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent has in regulation this season.
That still couldn't overshadow the cause of the Fighting Hawks' four-game losing streak: run defense.
USD ran for 322 yards and the UND defense gave up at least 35 points for the fourth-straight week as the Coyotes hung on for a 42-36 win in the Alerus Center.
UND dropped to 5-6 overall, losing a fourth-straight game for the first time since 2013. The Coyotes won in Grand Forks for the first time since 1985, snapping a 15-game losing streak.
"I'm just really disappointed for our guys," UND coach Bubba Schweigert said. "Their dreams were shattered today because we really felt for the win today that our playoff hopes were alive yet going into our last week, and that didn't happen."
UND trailed 42-21 midway through the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback.
Simon Romfo scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 5:50 left in the game to cut the lead to 42-28.
On UND's final possession, Bo Belquist capped a quick, four-play 80-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown catch. Caden Dennis caught a two-point conversion attempt to trim the lead to 42-36 with 23 seconds to go.
Already having secured an onside kick earlier in the quarter, UND nearly pulled it off twice.
C.J. Elrichs' spinning onside kick was wrestled for in a scrum before officials awarded the ball to USD — despite the adamant objection from UND's sideline.
USD's Travis Theis and Belquist were battling for the ball and Belquist walked away from the pile with it.
"We were told it was dual possession, and dual possession goes to receiving team," Schweigert said. "I might be a bit biased but we had it. It would have been a lot of fun to see what happens."
Ultimately, though, UND couldn't stop Charles Pierre Jr., who finished with 173 rushing yards and 70 receiving. Theis added 130 rushing yards in his typically bruising style.
UND led 14-0 early and 21-10 with 57 seconds left in the first half.
But momentum swung hard to USD to close the half as the Yotes answered in a hurry.
First, UND's ensuing kickoff went out of bounds to give the Yotes the ball at the 35.
Then, UND cornerback Devin Hembry was flagged for a facemask to give USD the ball at midfield.
On the next play, USD quarterback Aidan Bouman found Quaron Adams for a 31-yard gain as a UND defensive back slipped in coverage.
After a spike to stop the clock with 22 seconds left, Bouman found Adams open in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 21-17.
USD had the ball to start the third quarter and scored quickly to take the lead for good. Pierre caught a pass over the middle on third-and-7 and outraced defenders for a 53-yard touchdown catch.
UND finishes the season at Illinois State next Saturday.
"It's just the motto we've had the whole year," said an emotional Quincy Vaughn, who caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. "It doesn't matter the situation or what we're dealt with. Next week we're going to fight our butts off, too. To have the support of the fans and the community has been great. Keep on fighting. It doesn't matter who we play or the situation."
The Trust Project
