UND's missed opportunities key in Boise State's 42-18 win
Sep. 16—BOISE, Idaho — On a rare blue surface, at a rare early kickoff time, the UND offense turned in a rare mistake-filled performance.
UND quarterback Tommy Schuster was sacked six times, fumbled twice, battled bad snaps and the Fighting Hawks struggled to take advantage of Boise State's miscues in a 42-18 loss to the Broncos on Saturday in front of 35,610 at Albertsons Stadium.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who fumbled twice, ran for three touchdowns and UND's high-scoring offense through the first two weeks of the year was held to just 183 yards of total offense.
"I thought we played alright, but we didn't execute at a high level like we have to against a team like Boise," UND wide receiver Bo Belquist said. "We just couldn't get it going. We needed a couple of more big plays to spark us, but it didn't happen."
Schuster's most pivotal turnover came late in the first half.
With the Fighting Hawks just outside the red zone looking to pull within a point or tie the game at halftime, Schuster was sacked and stripped of the ball with 1 minute, 32 seconds left in the second quarter.
Boise State linebacker Andrew Simpson scooped the loose ball and returned it near midfield.
Seven plays later, Jeanty scored a 1-yard touchdown run to push Boise State's lead to 21-6 with 28 seconds to halftime.
"Things like that happen, but you have to stay in the fight," UND linebacker Wyatt Pedigo said. "I trust our offense to go out there make plays and put points on the board."
After Boise State took a 28-6 lead in the third quarter, the Fighting Hawks put a brief scare into the Broncos.
UND's defense sparked the comeback as a Dylan Boecker interception led to a Wesley Eliodor 6-yard touchdown catch in the back of the end zone to cut the lead to 28-12.
After Pedigo recovered his second fumble of the game, the Hawks scored on a second-straight possession.
A 19-yard Jack Wright catch on fourth down set up a Luke Skokna 3-yard touchdown run to trim Boise State's advantage to 28-18.
UND got the ball back late in the third quarter with a chance to make it a one-score lead.
But a bad snap on third down — a consistent issue throughout the game — helped UND to a three-and-out.
"Offensively, just too many negative plays," UND coach Bubba Schweigert said. "We have to learn from this. We have a long season to go. Against good teams, you have to put your best effort out there. When I say better effort, it's really better execution. Our guys battled."
The Broncos countered with an 11-play drive to put the game out of reach. On the drive, Boise State kicker Jonah Dalmas drilled a 55-yard field goal but UND cornerback C.J. Siegel was flagged for roughing the kicker to extend the drive.
UND entered the game with the FCS' No. 1 total offense and the No. 2 scoring offense. The Hawks were averaging more than 545 yards of offense after games against Drake and Northern Arizona.
Schuster finished 17-for-29 for 142 yards and one touchdown. UND ran for just 41 yards, although Schuster was credited with minus-48 rushing yards on the sacks.
Skokna led the UND rush attack with 48 yards, while Bo Belquist had 63 yards receiving.
"We battled and gave ourselves a shot in the second half, but we needed one more momentum play and it could be a different game," Schweigert said.
The Hawks have a bye week next weekend before traveling to No. 1 South Dakota State.
