Time to quit bitching and accept this as a great victory for many reasons.
Postgame Notes
North Dakota is now 7-3 all-time in the series with Idaho State.
NoDak is 46-12 in Potato Bowl USA Games. The Fighting Hawks are on a five-game winning streak in Potato Bowl USA Games.
UND has now won 27 of its last 30 games inside the Alerus Center.
The Fighting Hawks are now 4-1 all-time in the MVFC/Big Sky Challenge.
UND led 38-7 at the break. The 38 points in the opening half were the most UND has scored in a first half in its Division I history against an FCS opponent. The 38 points were also the most points scored by UND in the first half since Aug. 30, 2012, against South Dakota School of Mines – NoDak had 45 points that half.
The 52 points are the most North Dakota has ever put up against an opponent from the Big Sky Conference. It is also the third-most points NoDak has scored against an FCS team in its history.
With eight receptions, Bo Belquist broke UND's Division I school record for receptions in a career with 224. He broke the record of Greg Hardin (2010-13), who hauled in 216 grabs in his career.
Belquist finished with 165 yards receiving, a new career best. He had the most receiving yards by a UND receiver since Greg Hardin put up 179 yards at UC Davis on Nov. 16, 2013.
In the opening quarter, Devin Hembry recorded a 92-yard pick-six to put UND up 14-0 early. With the pick, he became the first Hawk to score a pick-six since Ted Mullin had a 33-yard interception return for touchdown in the 49-10 win over Western Illinois last season.
Lance Rucker and Riley Gerhardt each had a strip-sack and a fumble recovery. Jonnie Wiltshire also forced a fumble in the fourth quarter that was recovered by Kason Kelley. Devin Hembry also had a 92-yard pick-six in the first quarter.