5 things you might've missed in UND's 49-10 win over Western Illinois
Oct. 7—GRAND FORKS — UND convincingly knocked off winless Western Illinois with a 49-10 win on homecoming at the Alerus Center.
Here are five things you might've missed during the game.
UND didn't need to punt against Western Illinois.
The Fighting Hawks turned the ball over on downs on the team's second offensive series, the only time a UND drive didn't end in a touchdown.
It has been a long time since UND last went a game without punting. The last time UND accomplished the feat was Aug. 29, 2013 against Valparaiso in a 69-10 win.
Western Illinois wide receivers coach Greg Hardin, then a UND star, had five catches for 163 yards and a touchdown in that game.
UND avoided a letdown before North Dakota State comes to town next weekend.
Fighting Hawks coach Bubba Schweigert and players addressed the game in the postgame press conference.
"We want to stay pretty consistent," "We know there's going to be lots of outside attention on the game. It's going to be a big league game. We have to have a really good week of preparation. We talked about getting off to a good start with preparation. It's a really tough opponent who has won a lot of games. We have to control what we can control and that's our preparation and mindset."
North Dakota State beat Missouri State in Springfield on Saturday to bounce back from last weekend's loss to South Dakota in Fargo.
"We're not going to make it bigger than it is," UND inside linebacker Malachi McNeal said. "Everyone is going to be locked in, and I think it's going to be a very good week from the guys."
UND played true freshman wide receiver Korey Tai for the first time this season.
The 5-foot-11 rookie from Glen Ellyn, Ill., caught a 9-yard pass late in the third quarter.
Tai also caught a 15-yard pass from Simon Romfo in the fourth quarter but the play was brought back due to an illegal lineman downfield.
A high school quarterback, Tai showcased an ability to elude tackles and make plays during fall camp.
"Korey gave our team a boost," UND coach Bubba Schweigert said.
UND backup quarterback Trey Feeney has played in every game this season.
With all three UND home games turning into lopsided wins for UND, the Moorhead product has seen the most extensive action of his career this year.
On the season, Feeney is 13-for-18 for 209 yards and a touchdown.
Against WIU, Feeney was 2-for-2 for 20 yards.
"I think it's very valuable," UND coach Bubba Schweigert said. "The big thing is getting guys experience. If you're going to be called upon, it's not the first time you've been in there. We've had an opportunity to do that a couple of times this year, and that's been really good for us."
UND tight end Quincy Vaughn is making short touchdown runs the norm for the Fighting Hawks.
Vaughn's 1-yard touchdown run on the Hawks' first offensive series was his fifth rushing touchdown of the season. He's scored a rushing touchdown in four consecutive games.
Vaughn, a first-year tight end and former quarterback, nearly had two rushing touchdowns against WIU. However, in search of a second 1-yard sneak, UND was penalized for a false start and settled for Tommy Schuster's 6-yard touchdown run on the drive.
Vaughn has scored a touchdown in every game this season. In the one game he didn't score a rushing touchdown — a 55-7 Week 1 victory over Drake — Vaughn had a receiving touchdown.
