Quarterback Reed Manke went 21-for-31 for 269 yards and three touchdowns

GRAND FORKS – The University of North Dakota football team captured a share of the North Central Conference championship on Saturday afternoon at the Alerus Center. The Sioux beat South Dakota 33-26 in front of 9,078 fans, clinching their second straight title.

The Sioux played a well-rounded game, marked by a number of big offensive plays and a defense that held one of the premier Division II running backs of all time in check.

The two biggest plays came from a familiar connection. UND quarterback Reed Manke and Weston Dressler connected for two touchdown passes in the second quarter.

The first score came from the legs of Dressler after the catch. Manke found Dressler open at midfield near the South Dakota 15-yard line. Dressler then outran the defense and somersaulted over the goal line. That score gave the Sioux a 17-13 lead, which the Sioux never lost from there.

The second score was a great pass from Manke. On a third-and-10 from the 23-yard line, Dressler, who ended the day with five catches for 84 yards, somehow snuck behind the defensive back in the middle of the end zone and was open. Manke's pass was perfect. That score gave the Sioux a 24-16 lead and enough breathing room heading into the locker room.

South Dakota did kick a field goal to pull within 24-19 on its first drive of the second half. However, UND answered immediately. On a third-and-fourth, Manke rolled right and lofted the ball downfield to Lee Groeschl for a 56-yard completion. One play later Ryan Chappell, who ended the game with 57 yards, pushed through the line of scrimmage for a nine-yard touchdown. That score gave the Sioux a 30-19 lead with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter.

Groeschl ended the day with 84 yards, while Manke went 21-of-31 for 269 yards and three touchdowns.

On UND's first drive of the game, Manke connected with Blair Grover for a 20-yard touchdown reception. That score was set up by a 68-yard opening kickoff return to the South Dakota 32-yard line.

South Dakota's Stefan Logan, who recently moved into the Division II top 10 of all-purpose yards, was held in check for the most part. Logan averaged 5.2 yards per carry and had 73 yards, but was held scoreless.

The Sioux defense ended with 12 tackles for a loss and one interception by Donovan Alexander. South Dakota quarterback Noah Shepard was also hurried four times.

USD led 13-10 at one point. Shepard found some open running room after a play broke down and ran 22 yards for a touchdown. Frank Leibrarth's point after attempt was blocked. On UND's next possession, however, Manke and Dressler connected for their first touchdown.

South Dakota tied it 7-7 with 10:17 remaining in the first quarter, but UND answered on its next possession. Brandon Hellevang connected on a 44-yard field goal.

Hellevang also hit a 51-yarder with 11:16 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it 33-19.

North Dakota will now enter postseason play. Dates and times of games will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 12, between noon and 1 p.m. on ESPN News (Grand Forks channel 70).

NOTES: Hellevang's 51-yard fourth quarter field goal was a career long. His previous best was the 44-yarder he hit earlier in the game. … Groeschl's 83 yards are a career-high. … Zach Babington-Johnson moved into a tie for fifth with Ben Dixon and Jason Peterson on UND's all-time sack list with 15.5. … Dressler set a new single-season touchdown record on his second score. He has 14 touchdowns this season.

Game story written by Matt Schill, UND Athletics.

Contact: Jayson Hajdu