The University of Minnesota Duluth erupted for a school-record 56 points in the first half and coasted to a 63-7 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division victory over the University of Minnesota Crookston Saturday afternoon in Crookston, Minn.

The No. 5 Bulldogs, who improved to 9-0 on the year while extending their regular season winning streak to 17 games, scored four touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to take a 56-0 lead into halftime. Those 56 points were one more than the previous program mark set against Minnesota State University-Moorhead on Oct. 3, 2009.

Junior quarterback Ben Everhart came off the bench to complete 13 of 22 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns -- all to junior wide out Obi Ibeneme. That included an 80-yard strike on the first play of the second quarter. His fellow quarterbacks, junior starter Mike Rybarczyk and redshirt freshman Garrett Olson, also had one touchdown pass each while Ibeneme and redshirt freshman wide out Dain Hudson both finished with a game-high six receptions. Reserve junior running back Tory Adams, who rejoined the UMD program this fall after a one-year stint at the University of St Thomas (2015), led all ground gainers with 101 yards on 18 carries.

The Bulldogs, making their final 2018 regular season road appearance, held overwhelming advantages in total yards (509 to 109), first downs (28 to 3) passing yards (336 to 41) and total plays (a season-high 84 to 47) in the victory, their 67th in 70 lifetime NSIC North Division assignments. Backup sophomore free safety Braden Jorenby (seven total tackles) and redshirt freshman linebacker Bryce Harder (five stops and a fumble recovery for a touchdown) topped the UMD defensive charts. 

Minnesota Crookston (1-8 overall) broke UMD's shutout bid by scoring with 2:34 to go in regulation when it recovered a loose ball in the Bulldog endzone following an errant punt snap by the Bulldogs.

UMD returns to James S. Malosky Stadium next Saturday (Nov. 3) for a NSIC North Division bout with the University of Mary.