Racers grab 21-0 lead, but North Dakota roars back for 55-28 win

Murray State jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but No. 5 North Dakota roared back for a 55-28 win over the Racers on Saturday in Grand Forks.

The Murray State defense got things started when Dylan Rowsey forced a fumble on the opening drive, and Tyrell Campbell ran in a 7-yard touchdown.

On the next drive Jerry Martin scooped up another Fighting Hawks fumble and carried it to the UND 9-yard line. Mykel Allen punched it in from the 1 to give Murray State a 14-0 first-quarter lead. After a Fighting Hawks punt, the Racer offense drove 75 yards in 16 plays and another Allen score put the Racers ahead 21-0.

North Dakota (5-1, 2-0 MVFC) fought back with 24 points in the second quarter, capped by a 23-yard field goal with 5 seconds to go to make it 24-21 at the break.

The third quarter was all Fighting Hawks as North Dakota scored twice on the ground and twice through the air to take a 52-21 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Fighting Hawks added a fourth quarter 31-yard field goal before the Racers got their only points of the second half. Jim Ogle hit Dimitri Howard for a 51-yard score to make the final 55-28, the Racers' season high for points.

The Racers (1-5, 0-2 MVFC) finished the game with 266 total yards of offense, with 121 on the ground and 145 through the air. Tyrell Campbell led the team in rushing yards with 51, while Mykel Allen added 41 yards and 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Baxter Wright had 14 yards on 10 carries and went 8-of-11 for 80 yards through the air. Jim Ogle went 3-of-5 for 65 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

Dylan Rowsey highlighted the Racers' defensive effort with 11 total tackles and a forced fumble, while Ryan McCall had 7 tackles, and Tay Cline had 6. Jayden Walker had 5 total tackles, including 3 for loss.

After a bye week, the Racers will return to Roy Stewart Stadium on Oct. 17, at 4 p.m. for a homecoming matchup against South Dakota.