Box Score MINOT, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Duluth's ground game was too powerful for Minot State University.

The No. 9 ranked Bulldogs churned up 288 yards rushing and scored all five touchdowns on the ground in a 44-6 win over Minot State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football Saturday at Herb Parker Stadium.

The Beavers (1-6 overall, 1-6 NSIC, 1-2 NSIC North) didn't have an answer in the first half to the Duluth rushing attack, giving up all five TDs in the first. Logan Lauters and Brian Lucas scored twice each in the first half and Austin Sikorski added a 54-yard TD run for UMD.

“In the first half, we didn't counteract much of what they were doing to us,” said Minot State head coach Paul Rudolph. “We ran into a team with a big and fast offensive line, an offensive line like we haven't seen before.

“They are a good, tough team. We just ran into a better team today. We now need to move on and focus on our next opponent and be ready to fight for a win.”

The Bulldogs (6-1 overall, 6-1 NSIC, 2-1 NSIC North) put the exclamation point on the first half when Cameron Harper stepped in front of a Zac Cunha (Fr., QB, Rocklin, Calif.) pass and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown with just 48 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Bulldogs its 41-0 cushion going into the break.

Minot State found some rhythm in the second half, mainly behind its running game as senior Blake Eggl (RB, Minot, N.D.) and freshman Randel Barber (RB, Maricopa, Ariz.) found some running room. The two combined for 109 yards rushing as Eggl finished with 55 total.

“It's a well-designed play,” Rudolph said referring to Minot State's running success on draw plays. “With the how often we were throwing the ball, it made sense to go to those kind of plays. The way the play is naturally designed opens up some seams. Eggl and Barber made some good moves running through there.”

Minot State got on the board early in the fourth quarter as Cunha found Kirk Mason (Sr., TE, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan) from 6 yards out completing a 14-play drive. It was Mason's first TD catch of the season and Cunha's 10th TD pass of the year.

The running game helped Minot State move the ball and churn up plays, finishing with 37 plays in the second half compared to just 25 for UMD.

Sikorski paced the Bulldogs with 106 yards rushing and the one score. Quarterback Chase Vogler was 10 for 19 for 202 yards and rushed for 37 yards. Aaron Roth caught five passes for 113 yards to pace the Bulldogs.

Glyn Borel (WR, Jr., San Jose, Calif.) finished with 73 yards on seven catches for Minot State. The Beavers defense was led by linebackers Casey Weinmann (So., Selz, N.D.), Chad Marshall (Jr., Hazen, N.D.) and Brett Mohr (Sr., Southey, Saskatchewan) who combined for 24 tackles totals. Weinmann had nine stops and a pass breakup, while Marshall finished with eight and a forced fumble.

The Beavers will look to rebound Saturday as they play host to Minnesota Crookston at 2:30 p.m. at Herb Parker Stadium. The game is Minot State's Hall of Fame/Alumni Appreciation Game.