COOKEVILLE, TENN – For the first time since 2020, the University of North Dakota football team has advanced past the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
The Fighting Hawks picked up a 31-6 win over Tennessee Tech Saturday at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn.
Freshman Kenten Laughman put the Fighting Hawks up 3-0 with 3:46 to go in the first quarter, capping off a nine-play, 33-yard drive that spanned nearly three-and-a-half minutes.
Freshman Deng Deng extended the lead with a 21-yard touchdown reception with 2:15 left in the half after a pass by quarterback Jerry Kaminski found Deng in the endzone. Laughman’s extra point extended the lead to 10-0.
Tennessee Tech got their lone touchdown with 11:28 to go in the third quarter.
The Fighting Hawks extended the lead with 11:48 to go in the game, as freshman Colton Brunell took a handoff into the endzone from eight yards out. Laughman’s extra point made it 17-6.
After a Gaven Ziebarth touchdown was overturned and moved to the 3-yard line, he redeemed himself with a touchdown seconds later. Laughman’s extra point made it 24-6.
Freshman running back Charles Langama capped off the scoring with a 18-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes to go in the game.
Kaminski was taken out of the game in the third quarter after finishing the game 9-of-18 passing for 98 yards and a touchdown. Simon Romfo relieved Kaminski and finished 4-of-8 passing for 48 yards.
Ziebarth finished with 66 yards rushing on 11 catches, while Deng finished with 73 receiving yards on five catches.
The Fighting Hawks will advance to the second round and will travel to Stephenville, Texas, where they’ll take on Tarleton State University.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. next Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville against the Texans, with game coverage on ESPN+.
