Box Score It appeared both the University of Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota State University-Moorhead checked their defenses at the door when they entered Alex Nemzek Stadium Saturday afternoon. When time had expired over three hours after the opening kickoff, the two long-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rivals combined to amass 114 points, 1,309 yards of total offense, 16 touchdowns and 56 first downs -- and No. 11 Bulldogs had themselves a 69-45 road victory.

Running backs Austin Sikorski and Logan Lauters both turned in career-high performances for the Bulldogs, who have now 12 straight over the Dragons -- a run which dates back to 2000. Sikorski rushed for a personal-high 212 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries while Lauters also set a career best with 153 ground yards and three scores on 17 runs. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Bauer eclipsed previous bests for passing yards (178) and touchdowns (three) and completed 13 of 21 passes on the day.  His primary target was junior wide out Zach Zweifel, who caught eight passes for a career-best 105 yards and one touchdown.

UMD scored on its opening possession of the game on a 16-yard run by Lauters and never relinquished that lead. Minnesota State-Moorhead did pull to within 7-3 10 minutes later, but UMD scored the next two touchdowns and eventually went into halftime 41-31.

The Bulldogs, who came the day ranking sixth nationally in total defense (262.8 yard per game) had allowed the ninth fewest points per game among NCAA II schools (15.0 ppg), was outgained by the Dragons 685-619 in total offense and 472-178 in passing yards. Five of the six Dragon touchdowns came via the right arm of quarterback Jake Hodge (31-of-45 with no picks).

UMD capped off its scoring barrage with 34 seconds to go in the fourth quarter when senior defensive end Chris Vandervest scooped up a fumble on the UMD nine-yard line and took it 91 yards to the house.

The 114 combined points were a Bulldog school record, surpassing the previous mark set last November in a 57-55 triple overtime loss to Missouri Western State University in the NCAA Division II playoffs.  The 690 yards were also the most ever rolled up by a UMD opponent.

UMD (5-1 overall and in the NSIC) will be back at Malosky Stadium next Saturday to host Minot State University in the Beavers' first-ever visit to Duluth.