Preview No. 13/12 Fighting Hawks vs No. RV/20 Penguins in Exciting MVFC Showdown Hosted by University of North Dakota Athletics
North Dakota Ready to Face Youngstown State at Alerus Center
North Dakota vs. Youngstown State: Game Details and Broadcast Information
North Dakota’s Fighting Hawks, ranked No. 13/12, will host the RV/No. 20 Youngstown State Penguins at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D., this Saturday. The anticipated kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the game will be televised on Midco Sports Two while also being available on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.
North Dakota’s Recent Performance and Key Players
The Fighting Hawks, currently 3-2 overall and 1-0 in Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) play, are coming off a significant 35-7 victory over Northern Iowa. This win, celebrated at the UNI-Dome last week, also marked North Dakota’s 100th victory in its Division I history.
Key to the triumph was the robust performance of North Dakota’s defense, which prevented Northern Iowa from scoring until the game’s last 46 seconds and limited them to one red-zone appearance. Defensive standout Kaden Vig notably contributed with a 63-yard touchdown return following a strip-sack in the first quarter.
Quarterback Jerry Kaminski excelled, completing 20 of 23 passes for 246 yards and securing four touchdowns, sharing completions among ten different receivers. B.J. Fleming shone as the top receiver, with five receptions for 134 yards, highlighted by a 77-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Youngstown State’s Comeback Challenge
The Penguins enter the match at 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play after a narrow 35-30 loss to the No. 2 South Dakota State last week at Stambaugh Stadium. Youngstown State held a 14-point lead at one point and was ahead 17-7 at halftime but ultimately could not withstand South Dakota State’s rally in the third quarter.
Beau Brungard delivered a noteworthy performance by rushing for 130 yards and passing for 275, achieving a career-high with three touchdown passes, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
Historic Rivalry: North Dakota vs. Youngstown State
In their series history, North Dakota leads with a 4-1 record against Youngstown State. Within games played at Grand Forks, North Dakota has a 2-0 record. Last season, however, the Penguins managed an overtime win, edging North Dakota 41-40 at Youngstown.
This rivalry remains intense and closely contested, particularly in their MVFC encounters, where North Dakota holds a slight 2-1 advantage. Historically, these matchups are decided by narrow margins, with an average difference of just three points per game, adding intrigue to their upcoming clash.
