The University of North Dakota rallied late in the fourth quarter to eke out a 22-21 Missouri Valley Football Conference win over Illinois State University on Saturday in the Alerus Center. Gavin Ziebarth scored his second touchdown of the day with 25 seconds left in the game to secure the win for UND. Ziebarth carried the ball 16 carries for 74 yards. Quarterback Tommy Schuster was 14 for 22 for 169 yards passing and a touchdown. He also had three runs for 22 yards, including a 11-yard rush on the final drive. Bo Belquist caught 8 passes for 72 yards and Max Gunderson had a 9-yard touchdown catch for UND. The Fighting Hawks (7-4 overall, 5-3 MVFC) finished the season with a perfect 6-0 record at home and in the process secured a first-round FSC playoff spot Saturday, when they Sacramento State University. The Redbirds, who closed their season 6-5 overall and 4-4 in MVFC play, were paced by quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, who was 21-33 for 241 yards passing and 66 yards rushing, and running back Mason Blakemore, who had 101 yards on 22 carries. (Check out more photos from Russ Hons here.)
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
During an NCAA FCS football game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, November 18, 2023. By Russell Hons
