by Shane Hylton
Columnist

As you will read later the University of Montana came to challenge UND in a game of football last weekend. I was a bit sad to see this FCS powerhouse come to town and see the UND student section almost empty. I did not think that students and the fans here in Grand Forks are that finicky. Well, those of you that like to show up only when UND is winning, you missed one of the best football games I have ever witnessed! Not only did records fall, but UND came out of the game with a last second win against Montana. With only a few games left in the season, I hope to see more fans out at the Alerus for the final home game on November 3rd!

Hardin, Hanson nationally recognized

The Hanson-to-Hardin connection was a big part of North Dakota’s 40-34 victory and the two players responsible for a majority of the offensive fireworks inside the Alerus Center were recognized both on the national and conference levels on Monday. The duo connected for 12 receptions, but it was Greg Hardin’s 32-yard touchdown catch with 12 seconds remaining that led UND to a 40-34 victory over Montana.

Hardin was named the College Football Performance Awards National Performer of the Week, plus he picked up his second National Wide Receiver of the Week honor from the organziation for his monster effort against the University of Montana Griz. He turned those career-high 12 catches into a Big Sky and UND single-game record 333 receiving yards. It’s the fourth higest total ever by a receiver in a Football Championshpi Subdivision game. Hardin was also named the National Co-Offensive Player of the Week by The Sports Network and the ROOT Sports Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week. Hardin did not hog all of the spotlight as the left-hander throwing him the ball also earned some national recognition.

Senior quarterback Braden Hanson (Charlotte, N.C.) was named the National Offensive Player of the Week by NCAA.com and earned honorable mention National Quarterback of the Week honors from the CFPA. All Hanson did was throw for a Big Sky and UND record 660 passing yards and five touchdowns in what was the first game of his career that the fifth-year senior started and finished. Remarkably, Hardin was not even Hanson’s favorite target in the game as junior wide receiver Blair Townsend caught a career-high 13 passes for 152 yards. Townsend, who had 14 catches for 140 yards in his career coming into the game, also earned CFPA honorable mention honors for National Wide Receiver of the Week. Hanson’s records did not stop with the passing yardage, his 42 completions were also a school record and those 660 yards were the third most ever by a quarterback in the FCS.

UND returns to action on Saturday against No. 4 Montana State. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. CT in Bozeman, MT.

UND Flying Team wins top honors at Regional Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference

The University of North Dakota’s Flying Team recently won top honors in the Region V National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s (NIFA’s) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON). UND’s winning score of 817 points gave the Flying Team first place in flight and ground events. “We also received the safety award at SAFECON, which is a reflection on all of UND Aerospace,” said Lewis Liang, assistant professor of aviation and the team’s faculty advisor. “The team worked hard and was ready for this air-meet. Taking first place in every event and having every competitor score points for the team gives us a solid foundation to build on for Nationals,” Liang said.

The team participates in two competitions annually: a regional qualifying competition and the national competition to determine the national championship. “We have met out first goal of the season and now it’s back to work,” said Jamie Marshall, the team’s assistant coach and UND check pilot.

The Flying Team has set an unprecedented record by placing in the top two 25 times in the past 29 national SAFECON air-meets, with 16 first-place finishes and nine second place finishes. Members of the team are volunteering aviation student body members who have made a commitment of time and effort to be a part of the team.

Around Town

Friends of the Library Book Sale

It’s a Book Extravaganza at the Grand Forks Public Library! Three days of deals! Friday the 26th from 9-4, Saturday the 27th from 9-4, and Sunday the 28th from 1-4. There will be special deals and you can fill a bag for $5.00! How can you pass it up, so stock up now!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show-LIVE!

Nine and Numb presents their 10th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show-LIVE, at the Empire Arts Center 415 DeMers Avenue, downtown Grand Forks, on Oct. 26, 27 and 31 at the Empire Arts Center in downtown Grand Forks, N.D. Doors open at 11 p.m. and the show begins at 11:59 p.m. Tickets are $12 and go on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets on Friday, Oct. 5, at 9 a.m. and will also be available at the door. For more information contact: Empire Arts Center at 701-746-5500

END-TOMBED 12-hour mountain bike race

This Saturday there will be a 12-hour mountain bike race at Turtle River State Park Woodland Lodge, 22 Miles West of Grand Forks on Hwy 2 near Arvilla, ND . Riders can compete solo or on a team of up to four to complete the most laps within the time limit. For more information contact: (701) 594-4445 or go to www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/trsp/trsp.html