1. UND plays in unique weather
Roos Field typically sees cold, snowy weather -- but usually not until November.
When UND and EWU kicked off, temperatures were in the mid-30s with sleet and wind speeds of more than 20 miles per hour. Conditions didn’t improve much during the game as Eastern Washington downed UND 35-20.
The Spokesman-Review newspaper in nearby Spokane said the area hasn’t seen snow in September since 1926.
UND, meanwhile, hasn’t played in snowy weather in years.
The last time UND played in snow might have been the final game of the 2010 season when South Dakota State picked up a 21-0 win in Brookings in front of just 3,918 fans.
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2. UND turnovers prove costly
With wet, cold weather, turnovers were bound to play a big role.
The Fighting Hawks ended up on the wrong side of the turnover battle.
UND quarterback Nate Ketteringham threw three interceptions and was involved in three fumbles.
In the first half, he and Dalton Gee couldn’t connect on a handoff which led to an EWU score.
Late in the third quarter, Ketteringham was hit as he threw and the Eagles took over inside the UND 20 just as the Hawks had gained some momentum by trimming the EWU lead to 28-14.
UND was fortunate to escape that fumble without giving up points, though, as EWU went for it on fourth down and an Eric Barriere pass was incomplete.
3. Review goes against UND
A potential UND turnover came off the board in a bit of a surprise in the first half.
Fighting Hawks safety Jer Dominique, a first-year transfer from Hawaii, appeared to recover a fumble on third-and-8 late in the first quarter when Antoine Custer Jr. misplayed a swing pass from Eric Barriere.
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The Big Sky Conference officials originally called the play a fumble but reversed the call after a review.
Officials decided the pass was incomplete, although some believed replays appeared to be inconclusive.
The Eagles still had to punt on the drive but the call cost the Hawks about 30 yards of field position.
4. UND shuffles OL starters
For the first time this season, UND had the services of its No. 1 center.
Senior Patric Rooney made his first start of the year against EWU.
Junior Nathan Nguon, who had been starting at center in Rooney’s absence, moved to make the start at right tackle.
In 2017 and 2018, Rooney made all 11 starts on the offensive line before missing time with an upper-body injury.
UND has now had three different players start at right tackle. Junior Sean Russo started the year as the starter there, then redshirt freshman Donny Ventrelli took over against Sam Houston State two weeks ago.
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5. Johannesson finds some room
UND’s No. 1 running back finally found some room to run against Eastern Washington.
The Fighting Hawks entered the game without a back running for more than 100 yards all season.
Johannesson had a 56-yard run in the first half and a 17-yard run in third quarter.
Johannesson, a senior from Fargo, eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time since running for 218 last year against Sacramento State.
