A fourth-quarter comeback fell short for the University of North Dakota football team Saturday in the Alerus Center, as the Fighting Hawks dropped a 34-27 decision to Sacramento State University in a matchup of Big Sky Conference foes. UND (2-6, 1-4 BSC) and Sacramento State (4-3, 3-1 BSC) were tied 10-10 at halftime before the Hornets opened up a 24-10 lead in the third quarter and managed to hold on for the win. UND starting quarterback Keaton Studsrud was 5-for-12 for 80 yards before leaving the game with an injury. Backup quarterback Andrew Zimmerman finished 11-for-20 for 179 yards and two second-half touchdown passes, one to De’mun Mercer (39 yards) and the other to Noah Wanzek (18 yards). Mercer finished the game with five catches for 115 yards. Wanzek caught eight passes for 100 yards. Running back John Santiago rushed for 75 yards on nine carries to lead UND’s ground game. Sacramento State redshirt freshman quarterback Roman Ale, in his first collegiate appearance, completed 13 of 19 passes for 263 yards and two long scoring tosses to wideout Andre Lindsey. UND will be on the road for its next two contests, starting with a Big Sky matchup at Portland State next Saturday. (Check out more photos from Russ Hons here.)