Instead, the 6-foot-5, 282-pounder got some congratulations, and some friendly ribbing from teammates for not taking it to the end zone.
Bursch’s 52-yard fumble return was perhaps the biggest of several big plays turned in by the Bulldogs Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in their 34-21 victory over the Beavers before 860 at Herb Parker Stadium in Minot, North Dakota.
“That was a big play, just for momentum and flipping the field,” UMD coach Curt Wiese said. “We were heading into the wind, so we knew being able to cross the 50 would be a big piece, so for Nate to take the ball and run it all the way to the 8-yard line was a big play.”
While Bursch’s return didn’t lead to a touchdown, it set the Bulldogs up for an easy field goal and set the tone for a third quarter where they outscored Minot State 17-0. UMD (7-2), which also got a key touchdown scoring drive at the end of the first half, scored 24 consecutive points in all to erase a 7-0 deficit against the Beavers (1-8).
Wade Sullivan led the Bulldogs with 13 carries for a season-high 112 yards and two touchdowns while Cazz Martin added 18 carries for 92 yards and another score as UMD bounced back from a tough 42-35 loss to Bemidji State last week in Duluth.
UMD forced four turnovers, including three interceptions of Minot State quarterback Dawson Macleary, who threw for 228 yards and two scores.
“I thought for the majority of the game we controlled the ball and continued to create momentum defensively, forcing turnovers, and for the first time this year created a big play on a kick returning, flipping the field for us,” Wiese said. “It was a good team win and a great way for us to bounce back after last week.”
In a surprise, third-string quarterback Garrett Olson made his first start of the season for UMD as freshman Logan Graetz got banged up last week. Olson, a senior, did a good job directing the offense and was 10-for-23 passing for 106 yards.
UMD is optimistic Graetz will be back for next week’s NSIC showdown at Malosky Stadium with Augustana (8-1), the top-ranked team in this week’s Super Region Four rankings. The Bulldogs then play conference upstart Northern State (7-2) in the regular-season finale Nov. 13 at Malosky Stadium.
“This will be a big game,” Wiese said. “We know that game, and the one after it, could give us a chance to win a conference championship and get into the playoffs.”
Linebacker Brad Dati continued his stellar season with 12 tackles and an interception to lead the UMD defense while Dayvia Gbor and Dylan Bair had the other interceptions.
Bursch, meanwhile, finished with two tackles for loss and his 52-yard fumble recovery. Bursch, a senior from Woodbury, Minnesota, who transferred to UMD from Minnesota, actually snared the ball out of the air after Macleary lost his grip on the football while looking to pass.
For his size, Bursch looked good running with the football after snaring the ball, but his teammates gave him a hard time for running with both hands on the football the entire time. He wasn’t taking any chances.
“It was a great play by him and gave our team a little energy in the second half of the game,” Wiese said. “He knew he had some defenders trailing him who were probably going to be able to catch him. It was just a matter of time. It was great to see Nate Bursch make a big play. Nate runs pretty well for a big guy.”
Minn. Duluth 0-7-17-10—34
Minot State 0-7-0-14—21
Second Quarter
MSU — Nathan Young 9 pass from Dawson Macleary (Dillon Fedor kick), 14:56
UMD — Byron Bynum 6 run (Curt Cox kick), :33
Third Quarter
UMD — Cox 29 field goal, 10:12
UMD — Wade Sullivan 6 run (Cox kick), 6:51
UMD — Cazz Martin 6 run (Cox kick), 2:06
Fourth Quarter
MSU — Peyton Lamoureux 62 run (Fedor kick), 10:30
UMD — Cox 39 field goal, 8:01
UMD — Sullivan 40 run (Cox kick), 6:31
MSU — Lamoureux 49 yd pass from Macleary (Fedor kick), :33
UMD MSU
First downs 19 15
Rushes-yards 43-219 31-76
Passing yards 111 228
Comp-Att-Int 11-24-0 17-39-3
Kick returns-yards 2-36 4-59
Punts-avg 5-31.4 5-37.2
Fumbles-lost 3-1 2-1
Penalties-yards\u00099-85\u00097-55
Time of possession 30:03 29:57
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — UMD, Sullivan 13-112, Martin 18-92, Chamere Thomas 4-15, Bynum 1-6, Johnny McCormick 1-5, Team 1-(-2), John Larson 1-(-3), Garrett Olson 4-(-6). MSU, Lamoureux 1-62, Ali Mohamed 23-50, Macleary 7-(-36).
PASSING — UMD, Olson 10-23-106-0, Johnny McCormick 1-1-5-0. MSU, Macleary 17-39-228-2.
RECEIVING — UMD, Martin 1-31, Sullivan 2-18, Armani Carmickle 2-17, Larson 2-16, Noah Skifton 1-10, Sam Pitz 1-10, Kurtis Weigand 1-6, McCormick 1-3. MSU, Lamoureux 3-91, Jaxon Lundeen 6-77, Young 3-25, Carson Heinen, 2-14, Mohamed 1-13, Joemah Norman 2-8.
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