UND football GameCenter: UND 44, Southern Illinois 21, final.

Tom Miller, Grand Forks Herald
·4 min read

Feb. 20—The Herald will provide a live box score of the UND football team's season opener — and the program's first game in the Missouri Valley Football Conference — against Southern Illinois on Saturday at noon at the Alerus Center.

First quarter

Southern Illinois 7, UND 0, 9:27 left: On third-and-6, Justin Strong catches an 8-yard touchdown pass from Kare Lyles as the Salukis score on their first drive of the game, an efficient march that saw just two third downs. SIU marches in 11 plays and 84 yards in 5:33 to start the game.

.@Super_sJAY with his first career TD.

Watch on ESPN+ » https://t.co/UOOw9XdW0p pic.twitter.com/8BTUpOxxE8

— Saluki Football (@SIU_Football) February 20, 2021

UND 7, Southern Illinois 7, 4:12 left: UND linebacker Devon Krzanowski forces a fumble from SIU wildcat quarterback Javon Williams Jr., and UND's Noah Larson recovers at the 17. UND starts the drive with Quincy Vaughn's first snap of his career — a 13-yard carry down to the 4. On the next play, UND brings back Tommy Schuster at QB and he hits fullback Brett Finke in the back of the end zone for the score.

.@schustertommy dropping dimes to @bfizzle_fink #MidcoSports — @UNDfootball pic.twitter.com/aLKGm1ytOx

— Midco Sports Network (@MidcoSN) February 20, 2021

Second quarter

UND 10, Southern Illinois 7, 4:01 left: Adam Stage, in his first Division I game, hits his first field goal — a 27-yard attempt. It was a bit of a disappointing result for the Hawks, who saw running back Otis Weah drop a wide-open third-down pass from Tommy Schuster near the goal line on the previous play.

UND 16, Southern Illinois 7, 1:39 left: UND cornerback C.J. Siegel blitzes off the corner and drills Kare Lyles, who fumbles and is hurt on the play. Krzanowski picks up the loose ball and returns it 41 yards for a TD.

.@DevonKrzanowski taking it to the house #MidcoSports — @UNDfootball pic.twitter.com/jS77EfBW5R

— Midco Sports Network (@MidcoSN) February 20, 2021

UND 16, Southern Illinois 14, :29: Romeir Elliott punches in a 1-yard run as Southern Illinois strings together a quick drive behind backup quarterback Nic Baker. Baker was 4-for-6 for 71 yards late in the half.

Take it to the house @Romeir_Elliott!

Watch on ESPN+ » https://t.co/UOOw9XdW0p pic.twitter.com/bX419KVXoS

— Saluki Football (@SIU_Football) February 20, 2021

Third quarter

UND 23, Southern Illinois 14, 9:26 left: UND opens the second half with an impressive series. The Hawks' run game starts to take shape, as Luke Skokna starts the drive strong and Otis Weah finishes it. Weah carried for 20 yards down to the 1, then punched in on first down.

Otis powers through and finds a way #UNDproud — @UNDfootball — @MidcoSN pic.twitter.com/JxWmAio5U0

— UND Insider (@UNDinsider) February 20, 2021

UND 30, Southern Illinois 14, 4:50 left: After strong running from an emerging Weah, Schuster finds Dalton Gee slipping out of the backfield for a touchdown catch. UND was set up for the score by its defense forcing a quick three-and-out, as well a shanked punt by SIU, which started the drive at the 45.

Gee gets in #UNDproud — @UNDfootball — @MidcoSN pic.twitter.com/T63GQOw4dT

— UND Insider (@UNDinsider) February 20, 2021

UND 37, Southern Illinois 14, 1:25 left: An Evan Holm interception, coupled with a Southern Illinois unsportsmanlike penalty during the return, gives the Hawks a short field. UND takes advantage when Schuster finds a perfect window to hit Bo Belquist for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

From Freshman to Freshman#UNDproud — @UNDfootball — @MidcoSN pic.twitter.com/XbN14xAsrL

— UND Insider (@UNDinsider) February 20, 2021

Fourth quarter

UND 44, Southern Illinois 14, 13:04 left: An interception by Sammy Fort set up another short field for UND. Consistent running from Skokna, Gee and Weah leads to a first-and-goal from the 1. On second down, Skokna goes untouched up the middle for the score.

Skokna sneaks through and grabs another UND TD! #UNDproud — @UNDfootball — @MidcoSN pic.twitter.com/w5WSW3DVjl

— UND Insider (@UNDinsider) February 20, 2021

UND 44, Southern Illinois 21, 8:45 left: Javon Williams Jr. scores from the 1 against a majority of UND's third-string defense. A Landon Lenoir 28-yard catch from Baker set up the goal-line situation.

.@javonwilliams08 goes UP TOP!

Watch on ESPN+ » https://t.co/UOOw9XdW0p pic.twitter.com/gyBRRmAb7r

— Saluki Football (@SIU_Football) February 20, 2021