GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? There is an offensive strategy in the world of mixed martial arts that is known as “ground and pound.” The Fighting Sioux borrowed directly from that philosophy this afternoon in a 45-7 Potato Bowl victory over Wisconsin-LaCrosse in front of 10,256.
Led by the career day of sophomore running back Josh Murray (Pepin, Wis.), the Sioux racked up a season-high 287 yards along the ground and wore out the Eagle defense with a nine-minute time of possession advantage.
The win boosts UND's record to 3-0 while Wisconsin-LaCrosse falls to 0-2.
Murray carried 23 times for 180 yards and three touchdowns, all personal bests, to lead the charge. Murray scored on touchdown runs of two and 16 yards on UND's first two possessions in what was arguably the most efficient half of football for the Sioux offense this season.
In all, the Sioux scored points on their first four possessions and only came away empty on the fifth drive when Brandon Hellevang's (Jr., Fargo, N.D.) 47-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright on the final play of the half.
After Murray's first two scores, UW-L relied on some razzle-dazzle to set up their lone score of the day. With the Eagles scrimmaging at their own 29-yard line, quarterback Alex Seguin rolled right and threw back across the grain to a wide open Eric Donoval, who made his way to the Sioux 4-yard line. Three plays later, Seguin found Tyler Keeney open in the end zone to make it a 14-7 game.
UND's next possession chewed up the final 5:23 of the quarter, and on the first play of the second quarter, Sioux quarterback Danny Freund (Sr., Kenosha, Wis.) hit Alex Nicholas (Sr., Franklin, Wis.) on an 11-yard slant to push the lead to 21-7.
The Sioux tacked on another three points with a masterpiece of a drive. Murray, Freund and running back Brandon Brady (Sr., Bloomington, Minn.) combined to run 12 times as the Sioux chewed up 11:13 with a 19-play, 83-yard march that resulted ion a 21-yard Hellevang field goal.
Freund added his second touchdown strike late in the third quarter, finding junior Ryan Konrath (White Bear Lake, Minn.) on a 6-yard scoring play with 2:11 left in the period that made it 31-7. It was Konrath's first career touchdown reception and marked the third straight game this season that Freund has thrown at least two touchdown passes.
Murray put the finishing touches on his memorable performance with a career-long 53-yard touchdown run two minutes into the fourth quarter, gaining the edge on the right side and eluding an Eagle defender with a nifty move on his way to paydirt.
The Sioux rounded out the scoring with 2:44 left in the game when sophomore quarterback Jake Landry (Grand Forks) threw a bulls-eye to true freshman Ismael Bamba (Montreal, Quebec) over the middle, and the speedster raced to the end for a 61-yard touchdown on the first reception of his career.
Murray's big day on the ground was complemented by Brady (seven carries for 53 yards), Freund (seven carries for 27 yards) and redshirt freshman Catlin Solum (four carries for 28 yards).
Freund completed 18-of-24 passes for 140 yards and the two touchdowns in leading UND to exactly 500 yards of total offense.
Nicholas was the top target, nabbing four catches for 43 yards and a score.
The Eagles managed just seven first-downs and 199 yards of total offense, 67 of which came on Donoval's first-quarter catch. UW-L quarterbacks Seguin and Nick Anker combined to go 9-for-22 for 138 yards and a touchdown.
UND's defense, which had been held without a sack in its first two games, managed to get to the Eagle quarterbacks three times, once each by Mike Ebanks (Sr., Orlando, Fla.), Tyson Giles (Sr., Warren, Minn.) and Brad Kelley (RFr., Coon Rapids, Minn.).
Redshirt freshman cornerback Dominique Hawkins (Rockford, Minn.) added the first interception of his career.
The Fighting Sioux now turn around and play on Thursday at Idaho State. UND will not return home until Oct. 18 against Western Washington.
Notes: UND is now 32-11 all time in the Potato Bowl ... UND greats Scott Guldseth (basketball), Colleen Chaske (basketball), Kris Presler (wrestling) and Craig Ludwig (hockey) will all be inducted into UND's Athletic Hall of Fame tonight. The 1934-35 and 1989-90 men's basketball teams will also be inducted ... Trenbeath had four receptions to up his career total to 134, moving him into ninth place on UND's all-time list. He also moved into sixth place on UND's career receiving yardage list with 1,798 ... Freund now has 31 career regular season touchdown passes, tied with Kurt Otto (1985-87) for seventh in school history ... Junior wide receiver Kellen Leupp (Stanley, N.D.) recorded his first career reception, a 12-yard effort in the fourth quarter.
