5 things you may have missed in UND's 31-7 win over UNI – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS – UND moved to 5-2 with a convincing 31-7 win over Northern Iowa at the Alerus Center on Saturday.

Here are five things you may have missed during the game.

As UND looked for the knockout blow in the fourth quarter, Gaven Ziebarth took a handoff up the middle.

When he couldn't find a place to run there, he jumped outside.

As Northern Iowa defensive lineman Tate Sander closed in, UND quarterback Simon Romfo, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, blocked Sander from Ziebarth to start the 40-yard touchdown run.

“I went to him after the play and thanked him for this great game,” said Ziebarth. “It’s just nice to see our quarterback do things like that. That shows how much heart he plays with.”

UND American Bo Belquist continues to expand his successful career.

Belquist finished the game with six catches for 72 yards and a 34-yard touchdown catch.

Belquist is just four catches away from becoming UND's career receptions record holder.

Weston Dressler (2004-07) holds the record with 243 grabs. Belquist has 240 catches as a Fighting Hawk.

UND played without several regulars in the starting lineup, including defensive end Jack Teiken, wide receiver Nate DeMontagnac and safety Jett Sutton.

Junior college transfer Jonnie Wiltshire started in Sutton's place and made four tackles.

Teiken's absence increased reps for transfer nose guard Montre Samuels-Parker, who finished with two tackles and a sack.

DeMontagnac's absence increased the role of Nick Kupfer, who had three grabs for 18 yards. Kupfer also carried the ball on a crucial, early fake punt.

AND saw some new faces making plays.

Safety Jy Martin recorded his first interception with the Fighting Hawks.

Tight end Aidan Behymer caught a 9-yard pass over the middle. This was the first UND catch for the redshirt freshman transfer to Air Force.

Jerry Kaminski made a pass at the quarterback in the final minutes. He completed his only attempt for 12 yards against true freshman wide receiver Deng Deng.

Deng, the 6-5 wide receiver from Four Winds, made his first two catches of his career against UNI. His first grab was down the sideline for 2 yards.

UND kicker CJ Elrichs hit a 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Elrichs, who hit from 45 yards at North Dakota State two weeks ago, is 11 of 13 and 30 of 30 on extra points this season.

The 6-foot-10 sophomore from Olathe, Kan., took over kickoff duties against UNI for the first time this season. Four of his six kicks were for touchbacks.