What to Watch: UND

As all of us shared on the podcast this week that we are excited for this matchup.  UND is new and unfamiliar (at least recently) we know that they were a D2 powerhouse and Dallas recalls only beating them once in his career. It was fun to scout them and watch their tape.  As Coach Stig has said in his interviews this week, they are no slouch and need to be taken seriously.  

1. UND Eye Candy and Trick-er-ation

UND loves the trick play, the jet and orbit motions, they bring in a run first quarterback, they move their running backs all over the formation.  All of this is certainly a lot for the defense to prepare for and to be aware of on a play to play basis.  The defense will need to communicate from level to level and ensure that all assignments are covered.  Offenses like this may be gimmicky at times but it is often like a chess game where one play is setting up another play three possessions down the road.  The defensive coaches have likely spent the week preaching communication and playing assignment sure football. 

2. #605Hogs vs. UND front 7

It was apparent that SIU went into Grand Forks wanting to run the ball. They maintained some semblance of balance in the first half but losing their starting quarterback and turning the ball over 5 times wrecked that plan.  The UND defensive line is smaller than what the Jacks usually face in the MVFC but they are quick, tough, and actively trying to dislodge the ball.  The Jacks will need to run the ball well on early downs in order to stay on schedule and keep the 3rd down attempts at a manageable distance.  This will *hopefully* prevent the UND defense from sending their exotic blitzes and keep them honest against the run. Furthermore, having 300+ pounds of #605Hog leaning on you all game has to get tiring at some point.   

3. Turnovers

The Jacks had two fumbles against UNI.  UND forced five turnovers against SIU.  The Jacks will need to take care of the ball as UND is actively looking to force fumbles and make interceptions.  On the flip side, we think there are opportunities for the Jacks to intercept errant UND passes whether it is from the starting or reserve quarterback.  UND was lucky against SIU that a few passes were not intercepted.      

4. Keep eating those Peas & Carrots

Last week we talked about how the Jackrabbits need to stop the run on first and second down (boring but good for you) and for the most part they did and it put UNI in comfortable positions on 3rd down.  UND had over 200 yards rushing against SIU.  They ran the ball well throughout the game but especially in the second half when Otis Weah unleashed some demoralizing runs and embarrassed SIU defenders.  If the Jacks slowdown Weah, Skokna, and Gee on early downs we love the defenses chance to get off the field and get the ball back to the offense.  

5. Don Gardner vs. Garrett Maag

On the podcast Matt compared Maag to Jake Wieneke.  Later in the week, so did Coach Stig, so Matt must not have been too crazy.  He is a big physical receiver that can go up and make plays on the ball and make contested catches.  He may not have the same top end speed as UNI's Isaiah Weston but he is a pretty complete wide receiver.  Don had two penalties called against him last week but played Weston well overall until he left the game due to injury.  We look for Don to rebound from the penalties in week one and play a good game against Maag.  

6. Growth of Gronowski

Mark played well in his first collegiate start, in a challenging place to play, and against a very good opponent.  For his efforts, he earned MVFC Newcomer of the Week.  Did he miss some throws? Yep.  Do we think he can play better?  Absolutely.  However, the game winning drive he helped orchestrate and his play in the first half give us confidence that he can do more.  UNDs defense will be a challenge and a different kind of challenge then we saw in week one.   Does Mark settle in a bit more now that his first start is out of the way and can he find some touch and a bit more accuracy?  We surely think so. 

7. Cut out the penalties

This is one that always drives us crazy.  Last week the 9 penalties for 80 yards were not okay.  They came from all phases of the game and were head scratching in some instances.  Kick out of bounds, false starts, not trusting technique are all things that can be cleaned up.  

Go Jacks!

Ben, Brendan, Dallas, Kyle, Matt