Sioux rally for triumph

GRAND FORKS, N.D - The University of North Dakota was in unfamiliar territory Saturday - trailing on the scoreboard at home.

But after allowing Ferris State to score on the game's opening possession, the Sioux scored 44 unanswered points to post a 44-7 nonconference win at the Alerus Center.

And they did it with defense.

Linebacker Steve Brennan started the comeback by blocking a field goal try. Then the Sioux followed with eight sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown to run their record to 7-0.

Ferris quarterback Ryan Kaul, who went 6-for-6 on the opening drive, including a23-yard scoring pass to Brandis Bowie, said he thought the Sioux were a little confused with the Bulldogs' spread offense.

"I thought they were caught off guard with the new look we came out with," he said. "Not too many teams in their league (NCC) run the spread."

Sioux quarterback Chris Belmore fumbled on the ensuing possession at the UND 12-yard line. But Brennen saved the day by blocking the field goal attempt.

"That was the key for us to regain our composure," UND head coach Dale Lennon said. "It was that little spark."

UND tied the game on the next possession when Belmore found Dan Grossman for a 4-yard touchdown pass.

"Once we figured out what they were doing, I think we picked it up a little more," Sioux running back Chris Beatty said.

The Sioux took the lead early in the second quarter on an 18-yard field goal by Jeff Glas, then increased it to 20-7 by halftime on a 1-yard touchdown run by Brandon Brady and another Glas field goal.

The second half belonged to the Sioux defense.

Dan Ullsperger recovered a fumble for a touchdown after Tyler Dahlen sacked Kaul in the end zone, one of five UND sacks in the third quarter.

"At half the coaches said we could get after the quarterback and not really worry about the run," said Sioux defensive end Jason Peterson, who had three sacks.

Ferris State 7 0 0 0 - 7

North Dakota 7 13 14 10 - 44

FSU-Bowie 23 pass from Kaul (Eichler kick)

UND-Grossman 4 pass from Belmore (Glas kick)

UND-Glas 18 FG

UND-Brady 1 run (Glas kick)

UND-Glas 30 FG

UND-Ullsperger fumble recovery (Glas kick)

UND-Beatty 34 run (Glas kick)

UND-Glas 27 FG

UND-Caufield 36 pass from Manke (Glas kick)

FSU UND

First downs 11 20

Rushes-yards 25-10 37-144

Passing yards 174 222

Return yards 136 145

Passes 20-32-2 16-26-0

Punts 7-32.6 2-48.0

Fumbles-lost 2-2 3-2

Penalties-yards 7-47 5-31

Time of Possession 31:34 28:26

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Ferris St., Van Wieran 5-20, Fricke 1-1, Hardy 3-(minus 1), Kaul 16-(minus 10). North Dakota, Beatty 14-101, Brady 9-46, Armentrout 4-17, Charles 2-5, Dressler 1-1, Team 1-(minus 1), Belmore 6-(minus 25).

PASSING: Ferris St., Kaul 19-31-2-177, Van Wieran 1-1-0-(minus 3). North Dakota, Belmore 14-23-0-172, Manke 2-3-0-50.

RECEIVING: Ferris St., Brewster 7-78, Conner 4-26, Bowie 3-39, Burton 2-14, Fricke 2-10, Vandenberg 1-10, Hardy 1-(minus 3). North Dakota, Dressler 5-85, Grossman 5-34, Caufield 3-59, Ott 1-25, Mielke 1-11, Tatom 1-8.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Bryan Engleson at (701) 241-5549