UND football notebook: Murray shoulders the load for Sioux

VERMILLION, S.D. -- UND's Josh Murray deserves a break.

He was the busiest Sioux player Saturday in UND's 27-17 loss against South Dakota in the DakotaDome.

And he paid the price.

Murray was leveled by South Dakota's Eric Leon on a crunching hit on a UND kickoff return in the third quarter. The hit dislodged Murray's helmet from his head.

"I don't really remember it," Murray said of the hit. "And I don't remember the next two plays, either. But after that, I was fine."

Murray popped up right after the hit and carried the ball for a 5-yard gain on UND's first play after the kickoff. He ran for 6 yards on the next play.

"He was off his feet when he got hit," UND coach Chris Mussman said. "But it was a good stick."

Murray was the Sioux workhorse, which was necessary in the absence of running back Mitch Sutton who missed his second straight game with a concussion.

Murray rushed for 102 yards and caught six passes for 37 yards. He also returned three kickoffs for 73 yards. He was also on the Sioux punt return team.

"Coach told me before the game they were going to use me a lot," Murray said.

And he was fine with that.

Block Bellmore

Sioux defensive lineman Broc Bellmore did it again.

He blocked another field-goal attempt, his latest coming in the third quarter.

Bellmore has two blocked field-goal attempts this season and he now has six in the last two years.

The Sioux, however, could not take advantage of Bellmore's block.

On UND's possession following the block, the Sioux stalled after one first down and then botched a punt attempt, giving the Coyotes a first down at the Sioux 33. The Coyotes turned the botched attempt into three points.

Two-way threat

South Dakota quarterback Dante Warren, who threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns, was UND's big concern. His ability to pass and run were too much for the Sioux, even though the 6-foot, 196-pound junior is not that physically impressive.

"He's probably the best player we've faced this season," UND linebacker Ross Cochran said. "We had our chances. We just have to make plays.

"He was tough to stop on third down because you always have that fear that he's going to take off running."

Long line of QBs

South Dakota seems to have great quarterbacks every season. Before Warren, Noah Shepard was a thorn in UND's side for four years. Before that, it was prolific passer Wes Beschorner.

"(Warren) has got the same speed as Shepard," Sioux linebacker Ryan Kasowski said. "He seems to have the same arm strength as Shepard, too.

"He just killed us. In the first half, we brought four-man (defensive) fronts. But he sat back and picked us apart. In the second half, we came after him more and then he used his feet.

"He'll be fun to watch."

Notes and quotes

- UND did not appear to suffer any serious injuries, although Murray left the game late after taking a hard hit. He did return.

- It wasn't a great defensive performance by UND, prompting Sioux coach Chris Mussman to say: "We bought ourselves some work on the defensive side of the ball."

- South Dakota president Dr. James W. Abbott conducted the Coyote marching band in the playing of the national anthem.

- Will Powell, who caught two touchdown passes, played on both sides of the ball last season for South Dakota as a true freshman.

- Sioux linebacker Ryan Kasowski: "It was a physical game. They brought the wood."