CARBONDALE, Ill. – No. 9/11 North Dakota (5-2, 3-0 MVFC) cruised to a 38-19 victory over No. 12/12 Southern Illinois (4-3, 1-2 MVFC) at Saluki Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Hawks led 28-0 at intermission and rushed for 311 yards in the victory.

North Dakota was powered by Sawyer Seidl, who had 14 carries for 108 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He also added an 11-yard receiving touchdown in the third quarter to finish with four scores. Behind the offensive line, NoDak toted the rock 50 times for 311 yards and four rushing scores in the game.

Jerry Kaminski was an efficient 9-for-15 passing for 73 yards. He also contributed a two-yard rushing score in the second quarter to bring the tally to 21-0 at the time. Continuing the theme this season, Kaminski spread the ball around and tossed completions to eight players. Nate DeMontagnac pulled in a team-best two grabs for 30 yards.

The Fighting Hawks limited elusive Saluki QB D.J. Williams to three yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. His previous season-low was 18 yards on the ground. Williams finished the afternoon 29-for-46 passing for 258 yards and a passing touchdown. He also surrendered an interception in the loss.

In the first 30 minutes, Seidl had eight touches for 86 yards and a trio of rushing touchdowns. The North Dakota offense amassed 190 yards rushing on 23 carries in the opening half to go with 250 total yards of offense.

UND's defense set the tone with a three-and-out on SIU's first possession and only allowed the Salukis to pick up three yards on three plays to start the game. With the stop, the Fighting Hawks became the first team this season to not allow the Salukis points on their opening possession of a game. Nine plays later, Seidl enjoyed his first trip to the end-zone with a 28-yard rushing touchdown.

To begin the second quarter, SIU went for it on 4th & 10 from the UND 41 and was immediately sacked for an 18-yard loss by Jonnie Wiltshire. Four plays later, Seidl scored his second touchdown on a 16-yard rush. The Salukis drove down the field on their next possession but Tyler Erkman popped the ball out in the red-zone and it was recovered by Micheal Devereaux to end the drive. On the ensuing play, Gaven Ziebarth showed his speed with a 45-yard rush and Kaminski capped the drive nine plays later with a two-yard rushing touchdown to bring the score to 21-0.

In the final moments of the first half, Luke Silvernale drilled a punt which was downed at the SIU 1 by DeMontagnac and the long field led to a Zach Lewis interception four plays later. The Hawks concluded the half with a Seidl 21-yard scamper on the next play to carry the 28-0 advantage into intermission.

The Salukis found their first points on their opening drive of the second half to trim the deficit to 28-7, but the Fighting Hawks responded late in the period with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Kaminski to Seidl to push the lead back to 35-7. It was Seidl's fourth touchdown of the afternoon.

In the final 15 minutes, SIU's Williams scored a one-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead to 35-13. Less than six minutes later, Kenten Laughman converted the first field goal attempt of his career to push the score to 38-13. In the waning moments, the Salukis added a three-yard passing score to bring the final to 38-19.

North Dakota will host Indiana State this Saturday at 3 p.m. The game will be televised on Midco Sports and carried on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.

Postgame Notes

• With the win, Southern Illinois now holds a 3-2 edge in the all-time series. As MVFC opponents, the series is tied 2-2. It was UND's first win at SIU in program history.
• It was the first ranked road win for NoDak since taking down No. 5 Sam Houston State, 24-23, on Sept. 15, 2018.
• The Fighting Hawks have now matched their win total from last season and surpassed their win total in MVFC play.
• It is the first back-to-back road wins for the Fighting Hawks since the 2022 season (at Youngstown State and at Indiana State).
• The UND defense became the first team to keep SIU scoreless on their opening possession this season. The Salukis gained three yards on three plays before punting to begin the game.
• Sawyer Seidl had 108 yards rushing in the victory. It was his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game and third of his career.
• Seidl scored four touchdowns in a game for the first time of his career. He had three rushing scores in the first half and added a receiving touchdown in the second half.
• Kenten Laughman attempted all the extra points for UND in the victory and went 5-for-5. He also connected on his first field goal attempt of his career with a 22-yarder in the fourth quarter.
• Charles Langama received his first carries as a Fighting Hawk.
• Tyler Erkman forced a fumble, which was recovered by Micheal Devereaux. Zach Lewis also picked off a pass and UND finished +2.0 in turnover margin.

How It Happened
First Quarter
9:52 – UND | Sawyer Seidl scores on a 28-yard rush. (Kenten Laughman kick). 9 plays, 64 yards, 3:47.
Second Quarter
13:29 – UND | Seidl scores on a 16-yard rush. (Laughman kick). 4 plays, 41 yards, 1:23.
6:47 – UND | Jerry Kaminski scores on a 2-yard rush. (Laughman kick). 10 plays, 96 yards, 4:58.
0:13 – UND | Seidl scores on a 21-yard rush. (Laughman kick). 1 play, 21 yards, 0:07.
Third Quarter
10:02 – SIU | Chandler Chapman scores on a 2-yard rush. (Paul Geelen kick). 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:03.
2:39 – UND | Seidl scores on an 11-yard pass from Kaminski. (Laughman kick). 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:23.
Fourth Quarter
12:54 – SIU | D.J. Williams scores on a 1-yard rush. (Conversion unsuccessful). 12 plays, 65 yards, 4:45.
6:33 – UND | Laughman connects on a 22-yard field goal. 8 plays, 44 yards, 4:49.
2:03 – SIU | Tae Marrero Jr. scores on a 4-yard pass from Williams. (Conversion unsuccessful.) 16 plays, 75 yards, 4:30.
For more information on North Dakota football, follow on social media @UNDfootball or visit FightingHawks.com.