GRAND FORKS (AP) -- Cal Poly had a 10-point lead and a first down at North Dakota's 16 late in the first half, seemingly ready to take complete control of the game.
But the next play resulted in not only a lost fumble, but a complete turnaround in the fortunes of the two Great West Conference football teams. The Fighting Sioux turned that turnover into a touchdown and a springboard to 24 consecutive points and a 31-17 upset victory over Cal Poly, ranked 18th in Division I's Football Championship Subdivision.
North Dakota (4-4, 2-1) went 77 yards on nine plays, scoring on an 8-yard pass from Brent Goska to Ryan Konrath to pull within 17-14 just 40 seconds before halftime.
"That touchdown we scored late in the first half gave us a big lift," said UND running back Mitch Sutton, who led all ball carriers with 143 rushing yards, including 111 in the second half.
"As the game went on, the holes kept getting bigger and bigger."
ADVERTISEMENT
UND Coach Chris Mussman said the turnaround was more gradual than it appeared.
"We looked like the hungrier team and the more physical team," he said. "I thought we kept leaning on them and eventually wore them down."
The Sioux defensive plan was to concentrate on the option running game and make the Mustangs beat them with the pass. Cal Poly (4-4, 2-1) did that early as Tony Smith threw two touchdown passes to Jon Hall in taking a 17-7 lead.
But Cal Poly was held to 62 yards on 27 carries on the ground overall and never crossed midfield in the second half.
