What to Watch: NDSU

 

1. Start Fast

The Jackrabbits have started fast and scored on their opening possession in 4 of their 5 games this spring.  They will need to do the same thing this week and it can't be just an opening score.  The Jackrabbits need to score multiple times in the first half which will force the Bison offense to chase points, something they are not built to do.  Likewise, the defense needs to force a 3-and-out early in the game.  The Bison defense just isn't as deep as usual in the linebacker corp and in the secondary due to graduation and the transfer of All-MVFC corner Josh Hayes.      

2. Play "Even" on Special Teams

The Bison special teams has been excellent this spring.  The Jackrabbit special teams unit has struggled and failed to provide a consistent performance.  We're not asking the Jackrabbit special teams to "win" their third of the game but they do need to play even and they absolutely cannot allow a momentum changing play like a kick or punt return for touchdown (The Bison have one of each this season).  The Jackrabbit punt coverage team will be bolstered by the return of Thomas Motzko.  

3. Gardner vs. Watson

The one-on-one matchup that we're watching is Jackrabbit All-MVFC cornerback Don Gardner vs. All-MVFC wide receiver Christian Watson.  Gardner and Watson are both physical players who use their hands well.  The Bison will try to get Watson the ball on deep shots, across the middle and on jet sweeps.  He only has 11 receptions this season but has made them count with 292 yards this spring!  Don has an INT, 2 PBU, and 2 passes defended this spring.  It should be a great matchup to watch! 

4. Turnover Zeb

The Jackrabbit defense has forced 9 interceptions in 5 games games!  On the flip side, NDSU QB Zeb Noland has tossed 6 interceptions and had a handful more that should have gone the other way on just 99 attempts.  This Jackrabbit defense is excellent at capitalizing on passes that are tipped or thrown errantly.  If the Jacks can add a couple more interceptions to their total it would go a long ways to securing the victory. 

5. The Red Zone

Another weird stat from this spring is that NDSU struggles in the red zone.  They have scored on just 72% of trips into the red zone and just 50% of the time are coming away with touchdowns.  On defense they have allowed scores on 12 out of 12 visits and touchdowns on 10 of those.  Conversely, the Jacks have capitalized on 17 of 18 with 12 touchdowns.  Opponents have reached the red zone vs. the Jacks 16 times but have just 7 touchdowns and 11 total scores to show for it.  This may be great stat to watch on Saturday!

6. Control the Trenches 

All of these other points are really for nothing if #6 doesn't happen.  The Jacks have to win at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.  That is where Dakota Marker games are won and lost.  The offensive line has to create holes in the running game and protect Mark when he drops back to pass.  Likewise, the defensive front seven has to stop the Bison power running game that has been very successful over their past two games since the return of Hunter Luepke.  In passing situations, the defensive ends need to pressure Nolan into bad decisions and the interior lineman and linebackers need to be aware of the dangerous Bison screen game.  

As always the Marker game is a HUGE matchup with major playoff implications.  We cannot wait for Saturday at 2:30pm to get here!

Go Jacks!

Kyle, Dallas, Ben, Brendan, Chad, and Matt