Skokna Shows Out!

By Skyler Knapp

November 23, 2019

Freshman Luke Skokna steps onto the scene at home and shows out for the Fighting Hawks

leading them to a 36-18 victory over Southern Utah pushing them into playoff potential.

UND was at full strength offensively securing 510 yards total. On the other side, defense rallied

to the ball well putting up 84 total tackles and 1 interception.

Skokna carried the UND offense with 129 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns. “Yeah I mean I

just saw em kind of bite in and I hit a quick spin, and there was nothing but green grass out there

so I took off and I think that put the dagger in em,” said by Luke Skokna about his touch down

during his post-game interview.

It was a big night for the wide receivers as well, with Noah Wanzek putting up 100 yards, Travis

Toivonen with 72 yards and 1 touch down, and Garett Maag with 37 yards and 1 touchdown.

Defensively, Senior linebacker Donnell Rodgers had a big night recording 6 solo tackles, 8

assists, and 1 assisted QB sack for a total of 14 yards lost. Hayden Galvin contributed to this

frenzy with 8 recorded solo tackles, 3 assists, and 1 sack for a total 11-yard loss. A total of 5

sacks were recorded for 41 yards lost: 2 and a half coming from linebacker Andre Steiger, one

from Caden White, Graham Devore, Hayden Blubaugh, and assisted sacks from Noah Larson

and Jaelen Johnson.

Rodgers gave his opinion on what contributed to tonight’s victory playing at home with the

Alerus Magic: “I think it’s been really good you know. We have super loud third downs thanks

to the fans, and we just have great fan turnout so that helps a lot too.”

Securing this win puts the Fighting Hawks in playoff position awaiting the results of the

committee with a 7-4 record and no losses at home. Coach Bubba Schweigert discussed his

opinion on how UND ranks for the playoffs given their overall season performance:

“You know I think we built a good resume. We have 7 wins. We have a win over Montana State:

they’re a really good football team, they’re hard to beat. I think our win over Cal Davis, they’re a

really good football team. I think you can ask the team that’s ranked #1 in the country, they’re

hard to beat and we beat them. And there were other wins that we you know have. And then to

go to Weber, I think Weber’s a really good football team. It’s a toss-up and we lose it late down

the stretch. We’re in position to win it. So we don’t hear anything really, it’s just how we feel. I

feel like we really built and have a good resume and were just hopeful that we get in.”

Unfortunately, all UND can do is endure the anticipation and wait. Playoff brackets will be

released Sunday, November 24th.