The author and speaker, Simon Sinek speaks on the importance of a “worthy rival” in our work. He uses the examples of Microsoft vs. Apple in terms of technology and the USSR vs USA in the space race. The idea is that the competition and the quest to be the best makes both teams better. I believe that NDSU and SDSU are worthy rivals. Both programs go after the same recruits. Both programs aim to have the best facilities. Both programs believe they have the best coaching staffs. The list can go on and on. At one point a few years ago, I said I “hated” NDSU but I don’t believe that anymore. I have a ton of respect for NDSU and I love to beat them. I love following the players that committed to them over us and compare it to the player that we landed instead and vice versa. So no, I don’t hate NDSU. I’m glad they are our worthy rival and someone that we can measure up against.
The Jackrabbits are HOT right now and are winners of 5 straight since their loss at Oklahoma State. However, outside of UIW, there are questions about the quality of their opponents as both UNI and YSU look destined for bad seasons. There first big test since UIW will take place on Saturday in Fargo against the NDSU Bison in the annual Dakota Marker game. This trophy game has been played 20 times since the two programs announced their intentions to leave their little brothers behind and move to division 1 together. The series is an even 10-10 split and the Jackrabbits have won 4 straight Marker games and another in the 2022 National Championship.
NDSU made a coaching change last season with Matt Entz taking his coaching talents to USC and in stepped former offensive coordinator, Tim Polasek who pledged to bring back the toughness and discipline that characterized NDSU’s rise to the top of the FCS. So far he has said all of the right things. He has been more hands-on with the defense and is getting them to play with some toughness and passion that was missing early in the season.
Offense
Offensively, the Bison can play with some of the best. They can run the ball with authority and their QB, Cam Miller, is playing the best ball of his career. Similarly to the last few years, the Bison offense is putting up a lot of points (37.7 ppg) and is averaging 212 ypg rushing (4.7 ypc) and 232.4 ypg passing. That is pretty dang balanced! They are good on 3rd down and convert on 58% of their opportunities while also controlling the ball for 36 minutes per game. In the redzone they score on 89% of their opportunities and 27 of those 37 opportunities resulted in TDs. They have only tossed 1 INT and have lost just 1 fumble. However, they have allowed 10 sacks which is very uncharacteristic.
The offense is led by #7 Cam Miller (6-1, 212) and he is playing terrific but has an ankle sprain that is limiting his mobility at the moment. He has completed 76.6% of his passes this season for 1,504 yards and 12 TDs. He is also the third leading rusher for the Bison with 300 gross yards and 6 TDs. He isn’t the fastest but he is certainly fast enough and he is crafty and smart in how he operates in the pocket. His leg injury may certainly impact this part of his game on Saturday night. The Bison are still using some 2-QB formations similar to the last two seasons. #9 Cole Payton (6-3, 234) is as physically gifted as any player in this matchup. NDSU has primarily used him as a runner and there are some questions about his ability as a passer. Remember, it was his interception in the 2022 matchup that really turned the tide of the game. On the season he has 155 rushing yards (8.2 ypc) and 1 TD. His long run of the year is 73 yards and he was able to show off his elite straight line speed.
NDSU has returned to the approach with their running backs that helped them become an FCS power. They primarily use two guys and sprinkle in a 3rd along with some designed quarterback runs instead of trying to feed 5 different backs each game. Redshirt freshman, #25 CharMar Brown (5-11, 214) has enjoyed a solid first campaign. The Omaha prep standout has 544 yards rushing (4.7 ypc) and 7 TD. He only has 3 receptions but for 36 yards. Brown was banged up a bit during the SIU game so we’ll see how effective he is on Saturday night. Fargo graduate #8 Barika Kpennu (5-10, 209) is enjoying his first chance at extensive action and has 307 yards (4.7 ypc) and 2 TDs. He was banged up to start the season after a training camp injury but appears to be fully healed now. He also has 7 receptions for 64 yards (long of 40) and 1 TD through the air. The third back to see action is usually #28 TK Marshall (6-0, 208) who has seen his role drastically reduced this season. He is one of those players that SDSU “lost” on in a recruiting battle. At this point in their careers, I don’t think anyone would trade Amar for TK. On the season TK has 106 yards and 1 TD on the ground and has added 7 receptions for 132 yards (long of 48) through the air.
At wide receiver the Bison are LOADED and are finally realizing the talent that they have been adding to the room over the last 3 recruiting classes. #5 Bryce Lance (6-3, 204) has had a breakout season and has a team leading 35 receptions for 418 yards and 5 TDs. He also has 4 carries on end arounds for 31 yards and 1 TD. He has looked really good but he too was injured during the SIU game and is certainly not 100%. After Lance, there have been a handful of other players who have stepped up. #19 Chris Harris (6-3, 204) has emerged after three years of obscurity and has 13 receptions for 168 yards and 2 TD. Mankato West product #15 Mekhi Collins (6-4, 214) has 11 receptions for 170 yards and 3 TDs. The veteran of the room is #1 Braylon Henderson (5-9, 175) but he has been in and out of the lineup with injury. The Texas speedster also has 11 receptions for 111 yards. Sort of a wildcard in this mix is #3 RaJa Nelson (5-9, 189). He has only played in two games this season due to a groin injury. He played against Colorado, missed 4 games, attempted to play against UND, and did not play last week vs. SIU. He adds an element to the Bison offense with gadget plays and as a tough wide receiver. Sophomore #80 John Gores (5-6, 167) may be the smallest guy on the team but he has made some big plays for NDSU this season with 4 receptions for 77 yards and a TD.
The starting tight end for NDSU is one of the best in the FCS in #82 Joe Stoffel (6-4, 245). He has 17 receptions for 192 yards and 2 TDs. He’s just a really smart player that finds the soft spot in the defense. His backup is Buffalo transfer #88 Carson Williams (6-4, 246). He has just 2 receptions for 11 yards but he is developing into a really good blocker. NDSU still uses a fullback in many formations and #46 Truman Werremeyer (6-2, 246) is the starter. Obviously, he’s huge but he has also shown soft hands with 4 receptions for 29 yards. He has not carried the ball this season. His backup is #33 Logan Hofstedt (6-1, 238) who has been on this roster forever! At times, you’ll see him and Werremeyer on the field together. Standout fullback and long snapper Hunter Brozio is missing this season with a foot injury that may keep him off the field forever.
As usual, the Bison offensive line is plenty big and filled with quality and experience. From left to right they go:
- #74 Grey Zabel (6-6, 305, SR)
- #62 Griffin Empey (6-3, 295, RFr)
- #63 Trent Fraley (6-1, 299, So)
- #78 Jake Rock (6-7, 315, SR)
- #73 Mason Miller (6-7, 305, SR)
Zabel is the All-American, NFL hopeful for the Bison this season. He has played nearly every position for NDSU and has done a nice job at left tackle this season. Likewise, Miller has move around the formation in his time in Fargo but is doing a good job at right tackle this season. The interior is new for the Bison this season. Jake Rock has played sparingly in his previous 5 seasons but is now getting his opportunity to start. He has to be one of the tallest guards in the FCS. Empey and Fraley are both very talented and have improved each game this season.
Defense
After a slow start, the NDSU defense has really figured it out the last few weeks. In non-conference play they allowed 31, 3, 35, and 24 points but since entering MVFC play, they have allowed just 10 ppg. Opponents are finding some success through the air (195 ypg) but NDSU has been stingy on the ground yielding just 107 ypg rushing (3.9 ypc). NDSU has been okay on third down with opponents converting 43% of the time and has been tough in the redzone with opponents scoring just 82% of the time with 11/17 attempts resulting in touchdowns. NDSU has 14 sacks on the season with 4 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries.
The Bison run a lot of guys through on the defensive line but they are also dealing with some injuries. The star of the group is #53 Eli Mostaert (6-3, 289) on the interior. He is really quick and disruptive and has 23 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3 sacks, and 3 QBHs this season. The former All-American is having a strong final campaign. Next to him is #64 Jaxon Duttenhefer (6-2, 285) who has 7 tackles and a .5 sack. #91 Will Mostaert (6-2, 274), Eli’s twin, is a key reserve and he has 6 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 QBHs. #50 Kody Huisman (6-4, 283) is the other depth piece but he missed the SIU game with an elbow injury. Duttenhefer and Huisman have really grown up after being thrown into the fire when they were probably too young to be out there two years ago. They are developing nicely! With Huisman potentially out, I would expect #58 Keenan Wilson (6-1, 284) to see more time. In limited action, he has 5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks along with a forced fumble. The starting ends are #95 Dylan Hendricks (6-3, 249) and #56 Loshiaka Roques (6-3, 236). Hendricks is a very good pass rusher but he also went down against SIU and it didn’t look like the type of injury where you play the next week. However, on the season he has 14 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 Sacks, a forced fumble, and 3 more QBHs. Roques has 14 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, and 1 QBH. These two veterans have TONS of experience along the Bison defensive line. #55 Kole Menz (6-2, 237) has just 5 tackles and 1 QBH this year. However, sophomore #93 Toby Anene (6-4, 252) has had a bit of a breakout season with 10 total tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, and a forced fumble. He is a new face that I will be watching this week.
The linebackers for NDSU are certainly a point of contention of Bison fans. Will linebacker #43 Logan Kopp (6-1, 220) appears to be the one player they all agree is playing really well. He leads the team with 32 total tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT, and 1 PBU. In the middle is #36 Nick Kubitz (6-3, 229) and he has 16 tackles, 1 INT, and 1 QBH. He has split time this season again with #47 Luke Weerts (6-1, 221) who has 8 total tackles. Weerts was injured last week and his status is unknown. At the SAM position is #11 Oscar Benson (6-1, 215) who has 19 tackles. Benson has seen his playing time decrease this season and he is being challenged by #14 Enock Sibomana (5-11, 206). He has 9 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 PBU. A super sub is #0 Marcus Gulley (6-3, 227) who transferred in from Minnesota State Moorhead prior to the 2023 season. He is 3rd on the team with 23 tackles, 3 PBUs, and a forced fumble. #32 Austin Altepeter (6-2, 226) has turned some heads when given the opportunity this fall. He has 9 tackles, a sack, and 2 PBUs in limited action. #52 Nathaniel Staehling (6-2, 235) was starting to see some additional playing time but he is also injured and missed the SIU contest.
The secondary’s biggest loss occurred prior to the season when safety #31 Cole Wisniewski (6-4, 218) was ruled out for a majority of the season with an injury. The Senior All-American is a terrific player and made things work on the back end. After searching for the right pieces for much of the non-conference schedule it appears that NDSU has found the right pairing. The much maligned #35 Sam Jung (5-11, 192) has moved to strong safety and he is playing the best ball of his career and is tied for the team lead with 32 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBUs and 1 forced fumble. It seems that Jung was just miscast as a free safety. Opposite him is #9 Darius Givance (6-3, 209) who has also played well since being inserted into the starting lineup. He has 5 tackles, 1 TFl, 1 INT, and a PBU. #27 Ryan Jones started at the strong safety position against Colorado and just didn’t appear comfortable. He has 12 stops on the year.
The cornerback group continues to evolve for NDSU but right now is being led by #10 Marcus Sheppard (5-10, 189) who has 13 tackles, 1 INT, and 1 PBU. He had an up and down first season after transferring in from Bowling Green but has provided some more consistency this year. The team brought in Cornell transfer #24 Anthony Chideme-Alfaro (6-2, 197) to start opposite Sheppard but he is being pushed by #4 Jaylin Duffie (5-11, 169). Chideme-Alfaro has 13 tackles and 2 TFL on the season. Duffie has 17 tackles and 2 PBU. #18 Jaquise Alexander (5-10, 175) has played in just 4 games but he has 6 tackles and a PBU after being the primary sub last season.
Special Teams
The NDSU special teams is solid again this season with excellent place kicking being provided by #39 Griffin Crosa. He is 7 for 8 on the season with a long of 45 yards. They are using their kick off specialist, #38 Eli Ozick for some of the longer attempts and he is 2 for 4 from 50+ yards. Ozick also has 49 kick off attempts with 41 resulting in touchbacks. He has kicked 2 out of bounds. I would be shocked if NDSU kicked to either Angel Johnson or Kirby Voorhees after how they have performed this season. The 4 times that opponents have attempted to bring the ball out this season they have resulted in just a 13 yard average.
The punter for NDSU is again #41 Kaedin Steindorf. He has a terrific average of 47.4 on 14 punts. He has a long of 71, and forced 2 to be faircaught, landed 4 inside the twenty and has 6 that have traveled 50+ yards. However, he does have 4 touchbacks. Opponents have returned 3 of his punts for 75 total yards but 66 of that came on one return.
The primary kick and punt returner for NDSU has been #81 Jackson Williams (5-11, 177) a true freshman out of Omaha. He has 10 returns for 266 yards with a long of 55 yards. He also has 6 punt returns for 82 yards and 1 TD (67 yards). #28 TK Marshall has taken a kick return 44 yards. #80 John Gores has 5 punt returns for a 15.1 yard average. The Bison have also blocked one punt this season.
Prediction
The series between these FCS titans has been incredible. Both teams are very good again this year and loaded with talent and experience. Back in August I predicted NDSU would win this game and I am still standing by it.
NDSU 24- SDSU 23
Go Jacks!
Matt
