GRAND FORKS, N.D.--Sophomore running back Ryan Chappell ran for 254 yards and the Sioux defense pitched its second shutout in three home games as UND defeated Augustana 37-0 today in front of 12,148 Homecoming fans at the Alerus Center.
While the Sioux defense was putting up more than 500 yards of total offense -- including nearly 400 yards rushing -- for the fifth straight game, UND's defensive unit also put its stamp on this one in limiting the Vikings to just 148 yards of total offense.
UND held Augie to just 13 yards on the ground, including a 20-yard scamper by punter Joe Nordin, who was forced to run the ball to avoid having his punt blocked by Kris Ankenbauer (Fr., Plano, Tex.). Take Nordin's run out of the equation, and the Sioux suffocated Augustana's ground game to the tune minus seven yards on 25 carries. UND also sacked Viking quarterbacks Daniel Millus and Collin Abrahamson five times and hurried him them on seven other occasions.
Chappell, meanwhile continued to rack up yards at a pace unlike any other running back in Sioux history. The Grand Forks, N.D., native amassed his 254 yards on just 26 carries, including a 95-yard scoring run midway through the fourth quarter, his final carry of the game.
It was the second touchdown run of 90-plus yards in as many games for Chappell, who has now run for 774 yards and seven touchdowns over his last three games, while averaging just under 10 yards (9.9) per carry.
Despite the final offensive numbers, the Sioux offense needed more than a quarter to get fully rolling. After the two teams played through a scoreless first quarter, junior running back Brandon Brady (Bloomington, Minn.) scored on a one-yard touchdown plunge to put the Sioux on the board with 10:09 left in the half.
A 26-yard punt return by Weston Dressler (Sr., Bismarck, N.D.) on the ensuing possession gave UND the ball at Augie's 41-yard line. A 26-yard reception by Brady Trenbeath (So., Cavalier, N.D.) and a six-yard run by true freshman Josh Murra (Pepin, Wis.) put the ball at the Viking nine-yard line, and Murray finished the drive with a nine-yard touchdown ran in which he dragged a host of Augie defenders for the final four yards. It was Murray's first career touchdown.
The Sioux then closed out the half with more points on their next possession, using the final 4:01 of the half to set up a 22-yard Brandon Hellevang (So., Fargo, N.D.) field as time expired that would give UND a 17-0 halftime lead.
UND played arguably its best half of defensive football all season, holding the Vikings to just 57 yards of total offense and two first downs through the first 30 minutes.
The Sioux wasted no time in getting back on the board in the second half, as Freund hit Dressler for a 39-yard hookup just 1:23 into the third quarter. The touchdown, his sixth of the season, was the only catch on the day for Dressler. The Bismarck, N.D., native did, however, manage to break yet another school record. He finished with 113 all-purpose yards to become UND's all-time leader in that category with 5,910 career yards. Phillip Moore (1995-98) held the previous standard with 5,857.
Augie was in position to finally crack the Sioux defense on the following drive, marching all the way to UND's one-yard line on 12 plays. The Vikings, however, came away with nothing as outside linebacker Bobby Stroup (So., Fargo, N.D.) stuffed running back Joe Clark on a fourth-down gamble.
Two plays later Chappell broke free for his 95-yard scoring run, and Hellevang added two more field goals for the 37-0 final.
Chappell led a group of Sioux runners who rumbled for a season-high 395 yards, including 63 by Brady and 79 by Murray.
Freund enjoyed an economical day, completing 8-of-12 passes for 110 yards and the one touchdown. Trenbeath was his top target, catching three passes for 43 yards.
On the other side of the ball, Millus was 17-for-27 for just 135 yards. Joe Klumper led all players with eight catches for 66 yards.
Senior inside linebacker Robbie Meek (Bloomington, Minn.) led the defensive effort with a team-high seven tackles, including two-and-a-half for losses. The Sioux registered 12 tackles for losses as a team.
UND, now 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the North Central Conference, will take to the road next Saturday to face Minnesota State University. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
Notes: Chappell's rushing touchdown was the 24th of his career, tying him with Jed Perkerewicz (1998-01) for fifth on UND's all-time list. Chappell also moved into eighth place on UND's all-time rushing list with 2,212 career yards ... The win was the 85th at UND for head coach Dale Lennon, leaving him five away from the school record of 90 set by predecessor and NCC commissioner Roger Thomas ... It was also the 32nd win in the last 33 home games for the Sioux.
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