UND Kicker C.J. Elrichs: “Alerus Center Magic is Real.”

NO. 23 NORTH DAKOTA DOWNS NO. 4 MONTANA 27-24 WIN.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR)–In Grand Forks, you hear the saying: ‘Alerus Center magic’ when talking about North Dakota football. But what does that truly mean? There is not a consensus out there, but when No. 23 North Dakota welcomed in No. 4 Montana for their home opener, whatever that magic is made its presence felt.

Trailing 24-7 at half, it looked like the Grizzlies were too much for North Dakota to handle. Then something switched. 20 unanswered points as the North Dakota offensive found life and the defense got stop after stop.

North Dakota ultimately won 27 to 24 to improve to 1-1 on the season.

But a 20-zip second half against last seasons FCS runner-ups… magic?

“You know, it’s easy to get down on the team, but when you get to the locker room, you can tell the energy is still high,” said kicker C.J. Elrichs who made a go-ahead 40-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. “Players are still motivated. They know we’re still in it. the ‘Alerus magic’ is real. Defense played outstanding in the second half. Offense, Simon [Romfo], everybody you know, they kept believing, and you could see slowly and steady, we’re back in it. Just a great team win. I’m really proud of everyone.”

Head Coach Bubba Schweigert shared his take on ‘Alerus Center Magic’.

“There’s no question it helps,” said Scheigert. “The crowd helped tonight. It was an awesome atmosphere. Our guys, you know, first half we couldn’t get the crowd in the game, you got to play well. We always tell our guys you got to make plays so the crowd gets excited. There is something about it, we just have a belief that we’re going to win.”

North Dakota prepares for Idaho State next on Saturday, September 14.