The Jackrabbits (7-2, 4-1) head north again to take on the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota (5-4, 2-3) on Saturday.  UND is coming off of two troubling losses to YSU and Indiana State and simply has not looked very good in MVFC play after a strong non-conference performance.  However, we know that UND is a much better team at home (5-0) than on the road (0-4).  To emphasize that point, here are simply their points forced and points allowed averages.  At home they are scoring 44.6 ppg and are allowing just 23.6 but on the road they are scoring just 22.75 ppg and allowing 34.5.  Yes, part of that the the quality of opponents have hosted vs. who they have played on the road but a 22 point swing in points scored from home to road is wild!  Currently, the Fighting Hawks need to win two of their net three to have a shot at the playoffs and with upcoming games vs. USD and at Illinois State, they will have to play their best.

Offense

The offense wants to run the ball and they do so to the tune of 205 yards per game (4.8 ypc) while throwing for 182.22 passing yards per game.  They have tossed 6 interceptions, lost 3 fumbles and surrendered 14 sacks.  On 3rd down they convert on 50.41% of their opportunities.  In the redzone they have scored on 90% of their opportunities while 67.5% have been touchdowns.

The Fighting Hawks surprised many in August when they named #6 Simon Romfo (5-11, 190) their starting QB over #11 Jerry Kaminski (6-2, 200) and Trey Fenney, who left the program after the announcement was made.  This drama all took place after 4 year starter Tommy Schuster chose to enter the transfer portal.  Romfo has shown that he is capable at times and at other times he has looked the part of a first year starter.  Romfo has completed 61% of his passes for 1,612 yards and 14 TDs to 6 INTs.  Romfo is also a good runner and he has 318 gross rushing yards and 3 TDs.

On the ground, they have a trio of high quality running backs that they utilize.  #28 Gaven Ziebarth (6-0, 205) is a punishing runner for his size and he has 454 yards (3.9 ypc) and 8 TDs.  The leading rusher on the team is #29 Isaiah Smith (6-0, 210) and he provides some juice.  He has 562 yards (7.3 ypc) and 7 TDs on the ground and 5 receptions for 134 yards and 2 TDs through the air.   #20 Sawyer Seidl (5-10, 165) is a redshirt freshman who has really flashed this season with 377 yards (5.0 ypc) and 2 TDs on the ground and 5 receptions.   UND does utilize a fullback and starts #44 Mason South (6-2, 240).  He does not have any carries but does have 1 reception for 12 yards.

The Fighting Hawks still have one of the best wide receivers in the FCS on their roster in #1 Bo Belquist (6-1, 185).  He has been so good since stepping foot in Grand Forks and this year is no different.  He leads the team in receptions, yards, and TDs with 48 receptions for 754 yards and 9 TDs.  He really does it all and has the ability to take any pass to the house.  The Jackrabbit defense will have to tackle well.  UND has a trio of other receivers who have stepped up this season.  #10 Caden Dennis (6-2, 180) is second on the team in receptions with 24 for 190 yards and 1 TD.  #84 Nate Demontagnac (6-2, 195) is second on the team in yardage with 209 and also has 1 TD.  #80 Nick Kupfer (6-3, 200) has 18 receptions for 165 yards and he had a few really nice catches against Indiana State.  The tight end spot belongs to the criminally under utilized #4 Quincy Vaughn (6-4, 260) who has just 3 receptions for 29 yards.  Vaughn, a former QB, still moonlights as a short yardage QB and has 12 carries for 20 yards and 2 TD.  He has not attempted a pass this season but this could be the week.

The offensive line had to replace 3 starters from last year (including Sam Hagen) but does still have some real quality in this group.  From left to right they go:

• #67 Liam Becher (6-6, 310, SO)
• #73 Jack Kuntz (6-4, 320, SR)
• #62 Ben Buxa (6-3, 300, R-FR)
• #51 Caleb Olson (6-2, 290, SO)
• #71 Seth Anderson (6-4, 300, SR)

Defense

The UND defense continues to play a 3-4 defense.  Again, this defense allows just 23.6 ppg at home and 34.5 on the road.  They are allowing 163.6 ypg rushing and 197 per game passing.  They have forced 7 interceptions, recovered 7 fumbles and have 17 sacks!  They send pressure from every level of the defense and their linebackers are really experienced and very good.  When opponents reach the redzone they have scored 92.3% of the time with 76.9% being touchdowns.

In the middle of their defense they have two big nose guards in #90 Craig Orlando (6-3, 285) and #93 Elijah Beach (6-3, 305) that they rotate frequently.  Orlando has 22 total tackles, 4 TFL, and 2.5 sacks.  Beach has 10 total tackles and 2 TFL.  Their defensive ends are good players but I question their fit in the 3-4.  #95 Myles Terry (6-3, 245) has 14 total tackles while #91 Jack Teiken (6-4, 250) has just 6 tackles and 2 TFL.  Terry was a D3 All-American at Mary Hardin-Baylor last season. You will see #89 Kaden Vig (6-5, 260) and #32 Dylan Boecker (6-2, 225) play a number of snaps and they have combined for 14 tackles.

I do really like the linebacker corp for the Fighting Hawks and they have the talented duo of #36 Malachi McNeal (6-0, 220) and #59 Wyatt Pedigo (6-0, 230) in the middle.  The whole design of the defense is to funnel everything to these two and it’s just part of the reason why they each have a team leading 55 total tackles.  McNeal has 6 TFL while Wyatt has 5.  They each have two sacks and have combined for 4 PBUs and 8 QBH.  #42 Kason Kelly (6-2, 230) also sees plenty of action on the inside and he has 27 tackles and a TFL.  At outside linebacker they have #34 Josh Navratil (6-2, 235) who has had a very good career.  He has 39 total tackles, 7 TFL, 5 sacks, 5 more QBH, and 2 forced fumbles.  The Jackrabbit tackles will have their hands full with him.   Opposite Navratil is #27 Lance Rucker (6-3, 225) who has 26 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 PBU and 3 QBH along with a forced fumble. #50 Riley Gerhardt (6-2, 225) is a good depth piece and has 17 tackles and 2 sacks along with 2 more QBH.

The defensive backfield certainly has a new feel to it this year with a number of different faces.  #23 Devin Hembry (6-2, 190) stepped into a starting role this season after being a key reserve in 2023 and he is fourth on the team with 28 tackles and a team leading 2 INTs and 8 PBU.  Starting opposite of him is #22 Anotonio Bluiett (6-1, 200).  He is also new to the starting lineup but has 24 tackles and 4 PBUs.  The key reserve is West Virginia State transfer #28 Avery Scott (6-1, 195) and he has 13 total tackles and 2 INTs.

The safeties are #9 Tyler Erkman (6-1, 200, RFR) and #33 Jett Sutton (6-0, 205).  Erkman has 25 total tackles, 1 INT, and 2 PBU.  Sutton has 15 total tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, and 2 PBU.  Sutton played a bit last year on special teams but this season is Erkman’s first collegiate action.  #39 Jonnie Wiltshire (6-0, 190) and #4 Jy Martin (5-10, 185) are two transfers coming in from Dodge City Community College and West Virginia State and they have provided some experienced depth as Erkman and Sutton have grown into their roles.  Wiltshire has 26 tackles and 2 forced fumbles while Martin has 14 total tackles and an INT.

Special Teams

The UND special teams is solid in 2024.  The kickoff and punting duties belong to #85 Luke Silvernale.  On kickoffs he is averaging 61.1 yards per kick on 25 attempts.  Much like SDSU, they are attempting to pin opponents deep in their own territory because he has just 5 touchbacks and has landed 5 out of bounds.  Opponents are averaging just 21 yards per kick return with a long of 53. On punts, he averages just over 40 yards per kick with a long of 51.  He has forced 10 to be fair caught, landed 12 inside the 20, and booted 2 50+ yards, all while only having 2 touchbacks.  On the 9 punts that have been returned, opponents are averaging 6.88 yards per return (55 total yards) but 21 of them came on a single return.  On field goals, #53 CJ Elrichs handles the responsibilities and is 12 of 14 on the season.  He has a long of 47 yards but both of his misses have come between 30 and 39 yards.

The return game features the dangerous #1 Bo Belquist at punt returner.  On 8 attempts he has 103 yards (12.88 ypr) but 66 came on a single return.  The Fighting Hawks have used a variety of guys at kick returner with #20 Sawyer Seidl leading the way with 9 returns for 237 yards (26.33 avg).

Prediction

I think this game has the chance to be a real barn burner if UND comes out of the gate hot.  It will be important for SDSU to start fast in this one and crush UNDs spirit and keep the Alerus Center crowd out of it.  I think we will see UND attempt to blitz Mark and make him uncomfortable in the pocket.  It will be up to him to take care of the ball and for the receivers to make clean catches on hot routes.  I liked how the Jackrabbits got the tight ends involved last week and I think they do it again.

Jackrabbits 38- Fighting Hawks 13

Go Jacks!

Matt