UND quarterback Jerry Kaminski hurt during playoff win over Tennessee Tech

Nov. 29—COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — UND quarterback Jerry Kaminski, who has started every game this season for the Fighting Hawks, was injured on the first drive of the second half during the Hawks' 31-6 win over Tennessee Tech on Saturday.

After taking a high hit on a designed quarterback running play, UND's medical staff attended to Kaminski on the field before he walked gingerly to the sideline. Kaminski didn't return to the game.

No penalty was called on the play.

"He's going to be fine," UND coach Eric Schmidt said in the postgame press conference. "It's just a matter of the protocol now and how fast does he get into the protocol and how fast does he go out.

"He wanted to go back in when he was on the sidelines. I was standing next to (offensive coordinator Isaac Fruechte). He's like, Isaac, I'm fine. I'm good. And the trainers were the ones that ... obviously you've got to manage a kid like that because he wants to go in, and he's really competitive. I just saw him in the locker room before I came up here, and he just gave me a nod, like, I'll be fine."

With Kaminski out, UND's 2024 starter Simon Romfo entered the game. Romfo threw for 48 yards, while Kaminski threw for 98.

"The other thing I think is an important piece to our team and needs to be talked about is Simon Romfo," Schmidt said. "Once again, how many guys would start their junior year, get beat out their senior year and then leave? Say, hey, I want to play and there's only so many years of football I have in my life. Football life is short.

"But he didn't bat an eye because how he was raised and who he is as a person, how much he cares about North Dakota football. That's why you recruit kids in your own backyard right there, because it means a lot to him to put on the green helmet every single day. We told him, 'There's going to be a time where we're going to need you go out there and lead the family business.' I just think there's a lesson to be learned there as far as staying the course, being a good teammate and being ready when your number is called."

Kaminski is 212-for-354 this season (59.9%), while throwing 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His 26 touchdown passes marks a regular-season record for UND football.

UND backup quarterback Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson, a San Diego State transfer, has played in seven games this year, but is out for the season with an injury.

Romfo, who is from Calvin, N.D., started 12 games last season, throwing 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Prior to Saturday's game, Romfo had only throw three passes this season — all against Valparaiso during a Week 4 blowout.

The only other quarterbacks on UND's roster are redshirt freshman Jack Sulik and true freshman Etienne Higgins.