Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
5-3 , 4-1
North Dakota
7-2 , 6-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber State | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
| North Dakota | 7 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
Wildcats fall 27-19 at No. 17 North Dakota
10/29/2016 9:31:00 PM | Football
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Weber State saw its five-game winning streak come to an end as the Wildcats fell 27-19 to No. 17 North Dakota Saturday afternoon at the Alerus Center. The loss was Weber State's first Big Sky loss, dropping the Wildcats to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in Big Sky play. North Dakota won its seventh-straight game and improved to 7-2 overall and 6-0 in conference action.
The Wildcats had four turnovers on the day with three interceptions and one fumble, which North Dakota turned into 13 points. Weber State outgained UND 286 yards to 212 yards. The Wildcat had 274 yards passing but only 12 rushing. Weber State did committ nine penalties for 98 yards. North Dakota had just 41 passing yards.
"The turnover margin was a key in a game like this and the turnovers flipped the field position," said WSU head coach Jay Hill. "There were times when we moved the ball well, but in general in the second half we gave up too many sacks and had too many turnovers. You have to give North Dakota credit. They are a good, well-coached team. Defensively, I think we did some good things but turnovers and penalities cost us."
North Dakota returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown as John Santiago ran back the kick 100 yards to start the game.
The Wildcats got its offense going in the second quarter, scoring on back-to-back possessions. Jadrian Clark found Darryl Denby for a 19-yard score. On the next possession, Cory Thomson punched it in from one-yard out. The 'Cats went for two points and didn't get it to make the score 13-7 at halftime.
The Fighthing Hawks regained the lead midway through the third quarter after a 17-yard touchdown run by Brady Oliveria made it 14-13. UND picked off a pass on the next possession, then scored on a two-yard TD pass that made it 21-13 with 2:41 left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, a Clark fumble led to a 28-yard field goal by North Dakota that gave the Fighting Hawks a 24-13 lead with 5:33 to play. The Wildcats drove down the field and Clark found Tui Satuala for a 16-yard touchdown but after a penalty, the extra point was missed to make it 24-19 with 4:46 to play.
After a defensive stop, North Dakota had another interception and added a 42-yard field goal, and the 'Cats could not score on their final possession. It was North Dakota's first win ever against Weber State.
Clark finished the day 20-for-36 passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Cameron Livingston led the receivers with eight catches for 68 yards, while Denby had two catches for 66 yards.
The Wildcats were not able to get much going on the ground, rushing for a season-low 12 yards and the 'Cats were sacked seven times.
Defensively, Adam Rodriguez led the way with nine tackles while Tre'von Johnson had eight tackles and a sack and Jonah Williams added eight tackles.
Weber State returns home for back-to-back home games starting next Saturday, Nov. 5, at noon as the 'Cats host Northern Arizona at Stewart Stadium.
Team Stats
WSU 0, UND 7
UND - John Santiago 100 yd kickoff return (Reid Taubenheim kick)
WSU 7, UND 7
WSU - Darryl Denby 19 yd pass from Jadrian Clark (Taylor Hintze kick) 9 plays, 77 yards, TOP 4:27
WSU 13, UND 7
WSU - Cory Thomson 1 yd run (Stefan Cantwell rushfailed), 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:48
WSU 13, UND 14
UND - Brady Oliveira 17 yd run (Reid Taubenheim kick), 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:10
WSU 13, UND 21
UND - Noah Wanzek 2 yd pass from B. Heidlebaugh (Reid Taubenheim kick) 4 plays, 17 yards, TOP 2:00
WSU 13, UND 24
UND - Reid Taubenheim 28 yd field goal 7 plays, 19 yards, TOP 3:39
WSU 19, UND 24
WSU - Tui Satuala 16 yd pass from Jadrian Clark (Taylor Hintze kickfailed) 3 plays, 38 yards, TOP 0:36
WSU 19, UND 27
UND - Reid Taubenheim 42 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 0:28
