Game Preview: North Dakota State University
The Bison are the Jackrabbits biggest rival and have won 11 of 16 matchups, including 3 playoff wins, since the duo made the leap from Division 2 to the FCS together and name the game "The Dakota Marker Game." However, the Jacks did outplay the Bison in the 2016 regular season match-up but were thrashed in the playoff victory when the Bison held the ball for nearly 41 minutes of the game including a 20 play 12 minute drive in the second quarter where the Jacks could not get a 3rd down stop. This ball control keep away is the same blueprint that YSU and UNI used to defeat the Jacks in 2017. If the defense cannot get off the field, you can expect more of the same in this matchup.
Offense
The Bison offense is good. On the season they are averaging 42.4 points per game but that number lowers to 34.2 ppg when playing in the Valley. The Bison are equally capable running or passing. The rush the ball for 277.9 yards per game which is towards the top of the FCS. They pass the ball of 178 ypg but could probably do more damage in this area if they needed to. The only area of concern is that they only score touchdowns on 64% of their redzone visits. The jacks on the other hand convert 83% of their redzone trips into touchdowns.
At quarterback the Bison return #12 Easton Stick, a player the Jackrabbits know all too well. The junior has only passed for 1270 yards on the season but has 14 TDs and completes 63.4% of his passes. He also is a threat to move the ball with his legs as he has 361 rushing yards on the season with another 5 touchdowns. He is good at extending plays and can complete the long throws down field, especially against the Jackrabbits. Stick only has 4 interceptions on the season but tossed 2 last week against UNI. Stick seems to elevate his play as the importance of the moment increases.
NDSU is especially talented at running back. #8 Bruce Anderson and #10 Lance Dunn form a formidable duo now in their junior years. Dunn is especially electric with the ball in his hands, however he was out last week against UNI due to a leg injury but might be ready this week. On the season Anderson has 638 yards on a 5.1 ypc avg and 4 TDs. Dunn has 634 yards with a whopping 7.9 ypc avg and 12 TDs. If Dunn is unable to play, #28 Ty Brooks will take some of the workload. Brooks has 225 yards and 3 TDs on the season. The Bison love to use a fullback. Chase Morklock has finally graduated but has been replaced by #34 Brock Robbins. He has not carried the ball on the season and only has 3 receptions. The Bison use their tight ends, #87 Connor Wentz and #86 Jeff Illies as "H-backs" at times to assist in the running game.
The strength of the Bison offense is absolutely the offensive line. On the season they have only given up 8 sacks and have paved the way for 2,223 rushing yards. From left to right they start junior #64 Colin Conner (6-5, 309), senior #62 Bryce Messner (6-3, 291), junior #74 Tanner Volson, senior #75 Austin Kuhnert (6-4, 304), and sophomore #68 Zack Johnson (6-4, 304). This isn't the biggest offensive line the Jacks have faced this season but they are nasty and athletic. The reserves are young and/or inexperienced but I can't image the quality drops off that much.
The wide receiver position is solid for the Bison. #16 RJ Urzendowski is finally a senior, good riddance, and has caught 24 passes for 383 yards and 7 TDs. #20 Darrius Shepherd has caught 25 for 354 yards. Shepherd may also be the player the Bison use on the end around as he has 3 carries for 10 yards. The aforementioned tight ends, Wentz and Illies are also threats in the passing game having caught 6 and 12 passes on the season good for 3 combined TDs. No other Bison receiver has over 10 catches on the season.
Defense
The Bison defense is on a historic pace. They only allow 10.1 ppg and have only allowed 12.2 ppg in MVFC play. Furthermore, they have allowed a combined 30 points in the second half of games this season. They play a standard 4-3 defense but are able to provide tremendous pressue on opposing quarterbacks through their front 7. They have recorded 27 sacks and have 23 more quarterback hits. This pressure has led to 14 interceptions forced. They also have held opponents to just a 28% 3rd down conversion rate and 46% touchdown rate in the redzone.
The Bison are strong at every level but we will start with their defensive line. Even after losing All-American Greg Menard in fall camp due to injury this unit is particularly strong. #95 Caleb Butler (6-3, 244) has registered 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 6 additional quarterback hits. At the opposite defensive end position is #94 Stanley Jones (6-3, 245) who has 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. #91 Derek Tuszka has played significant minutes this season and has 18 tackles and 3.5 sacks. On the interior the Bison feature #99 Nate Tanguay (6-4, 291) and #63 Aaron Steidl (6-2, 288), #69 Blake Williams and #90 Grant Morgan (6-4, 283). These three don't have a ton of tackles this season but they can penetrate and disrupt the action or eat up blocks and allow the linebackers to make plays.
At linebacker the Bison return All-American #49 Nick DeLuca who is one of the top defensive players in the FCS. On the season he has 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. He is just always around the ball and makes big plays at big moments. At outside linebacker #45 Levi Jordheim has 35 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. The other outside linebacker will likely be #1 Chris Board who is returning from injury. Board has 21 tackles this year. In the second half, the Bison linebackers will be bolstered by freshman #42 Jabril Cox. Cox will sit-out the first half due to a targeting penalty that was called in the second half against UNI. On the season he has 38 tackles and 3 sacks. If Board is not ready to go, #55 Aaron Mercadel may make his first collegiate start. This year Mercadel has 20 tackles and 1 sack in limited action.
The secondary was the unit that most outside observers thought was a weakness of the Bison. However, this group is just as strong as the others. Cornerbacks #23 Jaylaan Wimbush and #21 Jalen Allison have been around the block and are big time players. Wimbush has 19 tackles on the year and zero interceptions. I'm not sure if this opponents not testing him or if he is just locked up and shutting down opposing receivers. Allison has 23 tackles with 1 INT, and 5 passes defended. The safeties are major play makers. #5 Robbie Grimsley is an outstanding player with 30 tackles and 4 interceptions on the season. #3 Trey Dempsey is back for his senior year and has 22 tackles and 5 INTs. The third safety #6 James Hendricks has 4 INTs for the Bison along with 26 tackles. This is certainly an active group! The most passing yards they have allowed this season are 188 against Youngstown (Nathan Mays at QB) and 185 against Western Illinois.
Special Teams
The Bison special teams units are always solid. 2017 is really no different. The kicking duties are handlied by junior #36 Cam Pedersen who is 8-12 on the season with a long of 40. He has had two kicks blocked and is only 1-4 from over 40 yards out. Pedersen has kicked off 44 times but only has registered 8 touchbacks. I'm curious how much of this is by design to allow for the coverage team to get down the field and make the tackle inside the 20. He has kicked the ball out of bounds 5 times on the season. Again, how much of this is trying to directional kick and pin the returner in the corner? Having not watched every minute of every Bison game this season, I do not know. The punting duties are handed by #19 Jackson Koonce. Koonce has a 40 yard average on only 24 attempts and has landed 7 inside the 20.
The return game doesn't see a lot of action as there have just been 12 returns on the season. Bruce Anderson has a 26 yard average with a long of 64 yards. Ty Brooks had 3 returns last week with a 28.7 yard average and a long of 41. I would hope that the Jacks just choose to kick it out of the back of the endzone and not give these guys an opportunity at a return. Darrius Shepherd has 12 punt returns on the season for a 5.8 average.
Predictions
Last week I hedged my bet and made two predictions. Option B proved to be correct. The Bison are tough in all phases. I feel like the Jacks are performing strong and will provide a great test for the Bison. If the Jacks do win, they will have to play their best game of the season. The last few marker games in Brookings have been disappointing for Jackrabbit fans, but I think this year the Jacks retain the Marker. Jacks win 30-27.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
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