5 things you might've missed in UND's 38-0 win over Drake
Sep. 19—1. Nice debuts
UND running backs Isaiah Smith and Austin Clemetson saw the first carries of their careers, while wide receiver Jake Richter played for the first time this season, as well.
Smith, who missed all but two games of his senior season in high school and then redshirted last year, missed the first two games this season. He had a big debut with 12 carries for 125 yards (10.4 yards per carry average) and his first college touchdown.
"It felt great to get out there finally, playing football," Smith said. "I just love the sport."
Clemetson, a transfer from Wyoming, had two carries for 7 yards including a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Jake Richter, a second-year transfer from Minnesota State-Moorhead, missed the first two weeks this season due to an injury. In his return against Drake, Richter had three catches for 36 yards.
2. Vaughn has tough game
UND quarterback Quincy Vaughn, who UND has used in some unique offensive looks, struggled against Drake with two fumbles.
He also sat out the second half of the game. He was on the sideline in street clothes for the second half, as he was shaken up on his second fumble near the goal line in the second quarter.
"We'll find out more tomorrow," UND coach Bubba Schweigert said.
Vaughn finished with five carries for 22 yards and a long rush of 10 yards. Vaughn was 1-for-1 passing for 0 yards.
3. Feeney sees first snaps
UND true freshman quarterback Trey Feeney, a high school star at Moorhead High School, saw his first game action for the Fighting Hawks in the fourth quarter.
Feeney was 1-for-3 passing for 5 yards. he also ran twice for minus-5 yards.
Feeney's first drive started at UND's own 2-yard line.
Schweigert said Vaughn's injury expediated the need for Feeney.
"Hopefully, we get (Vaughn) back but we had to get Trey in there to give him some experience and that's why we did it maybe a little bit earlier than we normally do it because we want to get him some experience," Schweigert said.
4. Wright shines
UND redshirt freshman wide receiver Jack Wright had the best game of his young career against Drake.
Wright led UND with three catches for 53 yards including a game-long catch of 30 yards.
Wright, out of Broken Arrow, Okla., scored 112 high school touchdowns, which is a national record for receiving scores.
Wright has taken a step forward each week. He had one grab for 3 yards at Idaho State, then had two catches for 32 yards against Utah State.
5. Skokna has career day
Perhaps lost in the shuffle of UND's turnovers and Isaiah Smith's debut was the career day for Fighting Hawks running back Luke Skokna.
Skokna finished with 123 rushing yards and had 101 on three carries in the first quarter alone. It was his second 100-yard game for UND.
Skokna finished with 197 all-purpose yards, setting a new career-high one week after his previous best of 145.
Skokna's 51-yard touchdown run was UND's longest play from scrimmage this season.
"You know, you don't get a lot of opportunities; Otis is a great back and deserves all the carries he gets so in a game like this you know you just have to make the most of each opportunity," Skokna said.
Skokna said he wished he would've scored on his second long run in the first quarter, a drive which ended with Tommy Schuster's 8-yard touchdown pass to Bo Belquist.
"Yeah, I'm losing sleep over that one, no doubt," Skokna said. "I'm already thinking about that. I thought I should cut it back but maybe I should've Reggie Bush'ed it to the pylon."
