North Dakota beats Robert Morris 16-13

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Joe Mollberg threw a critical second-half touchdown and North Dakota held on to beat Robert Morris 16-13 on Saturday.

After Reid Taubenheim converted three field goals in the first half for North Dakota (1-1), Mollberg threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to R.J. McGill with 7:22 left in the third quarter to give North Dakota a 16-13 lead.

"I was really determined to finish that and it was a good feeling to put that touchdown on the board for us," McGill said.

North Dakota blocked Hunter Khaleghi's 38-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game midway through the fourth quarter, and they recovered a fumble with less than two minutes left and ran out the clock.

"I thought our defense really played gutty down the stretch, blocking a field goal," coach Bubba Schweigert said. "We had to get some stops."

It was Schweigert's first win since returning to North Dakota. The victory was in doubt until McGill fought his way into the end zone.

Mollberg was 8 of 21 for 155 yards and had no interceptions. McGill had three catches for 65 yards and Cedric Simmons led UND with 42 yards rushing.

Rameses Owens led Robert Morris (0-2) with 199 yards and a touchdown. Luke Brumbaugh was 13 of 24 for 149 yards and one touchdown. Robert Morris outgained North Dakota 363-268 in total yards, but they missed two field goals and fumbled four times.

A defensive battle in the first half ended with North Dakota holding 9-6 lead. Each team managed just six first downs in the first half.

The Colonials opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Duane Mitchell hauled in a 6-yard TD pass from Brumbaugh to cap a 14-play, 82-yard drive. The PAT was blocked. Mitchell had six catches for 61 yards.

Owens put the Colonials on top 13-9 with a 2-yard run midway through the third quarter.

"Offensively, this didn't set the tone for us," McGill said. "It's rhythm when it comes to offense. Everybody has to be on the same page. We just never got a rhythm with run and pass."