1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MUR | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
UND | 24 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 72 |
Simon Romfo throws for 3 TDs and North Dakota tops Murray State 72-35 for its most points since 1928
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- — Simon Romfo threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns, Isaiah Smith carried it 11 times for 142 yards and two scores, and North Dakota beat Murray State 72-35 on Saturday for its most points scored in a game since 1928.
Avery Scott returned an interception 40 yards to cap the scoring for North Dakota with 8:46 left in the fourth — to notch the Fighting Hawks' highest point total since an 80-0 win over Jamestown College on Sept. 29, 1928. In that year, UND played Carleton College to a 0-0 tie one week later.
North Dakota had its lead trimmed 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 at the 22. Three plays later, Romfo ran it in from the 6 for a double-digit lead, 31-21, North Dakota would not relinquish.
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 went 11 plays before kicking a short field goal for a 48-21 lead at the break.
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 a team-high 14 carries for 87 yards and a score.
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Game Information
2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
North Dakota State | 7-0 | 10-1 |
South Dakota State | 6-1 | 9-2 |
South Dakota | 6-1 | 8-2 |
Missouri State | 6-1 | 8-3 |
Illinois State | 5-2 | 8-3 |
Indiana State | 3-4 | 4-7 |
Youngstown State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
North Dakota | 2-5 | 5-6 |
Southern Illinois | 1-6 | 3-8 |
Northern Iowa | 0-7 | 2-9 |
Murray State | 0-7 | 1-10 |