by GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Deng Deng caught two touchdown passes on Saturday as North Dakota rolled past Illinois State, 49-21, at the Alerus Center.
Deng finished with four receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, with a long catch of 41 yards, in the Fighting Hawks’ win.
The teams were tied 14-14 after the first quarter before North Dakota broke the game open with 21 second-quarter points to lead 35-14 at halftime. The Fighting Hawks added a touchdown in the third quarter for a 42-14 lead and matched Illinois State’s fourth-quarter touchdown to close it out.
Quarterback Jerry Kaminski threw for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 18-of-27 passing and added a one-yard rushing touchdown for North Dakota. Matt Lawson and Charles Langama each ran for 63 yards. Beckham Pellant threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns for Illinois State, and Mar’Quan Gary caught six passes for 101 yards and a score.
North Dakota improved to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Illinois State fell to 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the conference.
North Dakota is off next week before hosting Southern Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 1 p.m. in Grand Forks.
