North Dakota mashes Bengals to earn Potato Bowl victory – East Idaho News

POCATELLO — Head coach Cody Hawkins said his offense linemen “played their nuts off” in a season-opening, hard-fought loss to Oregon State. Idaho State University linemen shined again when the Bengals beat Western Oregon last week.

On Saturday, the University of North Dakota defense had its way with that unit — at least in the first half. The result was a 52-28 drubbing at the hands of the Fighting Hawks (2-1)

Senior quarterback Kobe Tracy spent much of his time on the field in Grand Forks scrambling for his life. He was sacked just twice but seemed to be on his back after every pass attempt.

Making matters far worse for the Bengals (1-2), Tracy was stripped both times he was brought down, and both fumbles were recovered by the Fighting Hawks. And after one of the hits he endured, Tracy suffered an injury serious enough to send him to the bench temporarily.

Jackson Sharman came in for two snaps, hading the first off. His lone pass attempt of the game was made across the field, from the left hash to the right sideline. As is often the case, that pass was picked and returned for UND a defensive touchdown.

ISU’s struggles were not contained to the offensive side of the ball. After forcing a three-and-out on their first effort, the Bengal defense struggled to even slow the Fighting Hawks, who scored on three consecutive possessions — not including the pick-six — and jumped out to a 38-0 lead.

Down huge, Hawkins went to the more mobile quarterback, Hunter Hays.

Tracy had completed just six of his 18 pass attempts for 72 yards, and Sharman did not see the field again. Wide receiver Adam Watts attempted one throw on a reverse pass — completing it for 15 yards.

Hays, though, ignited the offense with both his legs and arm.

He completed 18 of 23 attempts for 206 yards and four touchdowns, adding 62 rushing yards.

While Tracy struggled under the pressure of a collapsing pocket, Hays seemed to relish it. Things do seem to loosen up on both sides when the score is what it was, however, so Hays may have benefitted from that a bit as well.

Regardless of the situation, Hays’ ability to lead the offense to four scores added respectability to the final score.

Wide receiver Jeff Weimer hauled in six catches for 92 yards and two scores — including a perfectly thrown 30-yarder from Hays that dropped perfectly into Weimer’s hands to beat a declined defensive pass interference penalty.

North Dakota was paced by senior wideout Bo Belquist, who set a school Division I career receptions record en route to a eight-catch, 165-yard performance. He added a touchdown, the Fighting Hawks’ last of the day.

UND improved to 46-12 all-time in the Potato Bowl. ISU last won the rivalry game in 2018.