We asked, you answered. We wanted to know what your favorite University of North Dakota athletic moments are, and you sent us emails, Facebook messages and tweets on what you love about Fighting Sioux athletics.
The first moment we put together is from the 2001 football season. Dubbed "The Drive" for Fighting Sioux fans, it's the series of plays that led to the football team's national championship.
"The whole game can pretty much be a memory," Sioux fan Ethan Armstrong wrote to us via email. "It was absolutely amazing."
With 2:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback Kelby Klosterman led the Fighting Sioux offense onto the field at the 20-yard line. The Sioux began driving the ball, but stalled after three plays. Facing a 4th-and-2 with 2:10 remaining, Klosterman ran it himself on a bootleg to the left for the first down.
The Sioux went back to work, but, again, stalled and faced another fourth down. This time a 4th-and-4 with 55 seconds remaining, the Sioux lined up with four recievers and Jed Perkerewicz in the backfield. Klosterman looked right and threw to Luke Schleusner, who caught the ball and the 50, broke a tackle and ran all the way down to the 1-yard line. Perkerewicz punched it in for a touchdown on the next play, the defense held strong and the rest is history.
To watch the drive, play the video at the top of this page. Video courtesy of ESPN. Audio commentary at the 3:30 mark provided by Ed Schultz, Jim Heilman and Tony Stein, the UND radio broadcast team. A photo gallery from the game is also available, or purchase a piece of history yourself in the FightingSioux.com Photo Store.
Do you have a favorite memory? Let us know at athletics@mail.und.nodak.edu, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UNDathletics, or on Twitter at @UNDAthletics.
Matt Schill is the new media for the University of North Dakota athletic department media relations office. He can be reached at mattschill@mail.und.nodak.edu.
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