How do you beat a team that stacks the box in football? You either run through them, or as was the case for the Bison of North Dakota State in a 38-7 resounding win against North Dakota, you simply go around them.
Throughout the week, the Bison were at a bit of a disadvantage from a film study standpoint. The Fighting Hawks’ defense is one that at times almost seems position-less in the back seven, linebackers can put their hands on the field and rush the passer or drop back and cover wideouts, while their secondary has to be able to step up and make tackles when needed in the run game on the edge.
This set up a scenario for NDSU where head coach Matt Entz had to not teach too many different scenarios to his team this week and adjust on the fly based on what the Fighting Hawks tried to do on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense. UND ran some concepts on defense that were not a part of their package in the past season let alone last week against Drake.
[divider]MORE FCS:
[divider]
UND stacked the box against NDSU pretty consistently, often leaving one safety in the defensive backfield. The ability of Bison quarterback Trey Lance combined with the strong consistency of the Bison offensive line allowed them to take full advantage of their matchup on the edge. Initially, and occasionally as the game wore on, the Bison had a little trouble running between the tackles, but Lance’s ability to maneuver in the pocket and run on the numerous designed runs for him around the edge were the difference for the Bison as Lance led all rushers with 95 yards on the ground.
For the game, NDSU out-gained the Fighting Hawks 428 to 230 in total yards while possessing the ball for 35:06.
The biggest thing that decided the final score was UND’s inability to consistently make a tackle on the edge. Whenever Lance or any other Bison got there, there was either open room or a tackle that was missed. UND head coach Bubba Schweigert acknowledged that the ability to make those tackles for the Fighting Hawks is “critical”.
Throughout the game, UND had moments where it looked like they might make things a little more interesting than the final 38-7 score. At one point, this was a 14-7 game after a James Johannesson three-yard scamper on the only real sustained drive UND had all day. That drive alone produced 75 of UND’s 230 yards. That was the only real bright point for the offense. The rest of the game, the Bison allowed some underneath quick-hitters from UND as the Fighting Hawks had some success on quick to intermediate routes throughout the game.
UND quarterback Andrew Zimmerman finished the day with 150 yards through the air going 16-27. He looked capable to deliver some deep balls as the game went on but ran into starting NDSU safety Michael Tutsie, who finished the game with two interceptions, both of which sapped the UND offense of any momentum they wanted to find.
Next week, the Fighting Hawks take on Sam Houston State at home in a pivotal game for their playoff hopes while the Bison head to Delaware to take on the Blue Hens.
[divider]
Listen to this week's episode of B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast, which is also available on iTunes, Spotify, iHeart, Stitcher and Spreaker.
SUBSCRIBE: HERO Sports FCS Podcast
