The Jacks play the Fighting Hawks on Saturday at 1pm at the Alerus Center! This is an intriguing matchup because the Jackrabbits are getting healthy while the Hawks are stumbling after a solid start. Consecutive losses to YSU and Indiana State would make any fanbase question their team but a WIN vs. the Jackrabbits would certainly lift spirits and strengthen playoff hopes in Grand Forks. This team is playing for their season and will be fired up to show they are still a really good team.
What to Watch
Alerus Center Magic
Yes, it has been well documented that weird stuff happens in the Alerus Center and the Fighting Hawks go from a pumpkin on the road to a gladiator at home. The officiating can be strange, the building can be loud, and the bounces just seem to go UNDs way. The team must manage that emotion and if the Jackrabbits start fast, we think we see UNDs morale plummet. So that should be the goal… start fast and keep the pedal to the metal.
#605Hog’s Time to Shine
The Jacks can dominate the line of scrimmage in this one. UND surrenders 163.6 yards per game on the ground and SDSU runs for 243.9 per game. If the Jacks can control the ball, UND will struggle because they prefer not to be a quick hit type of offense. The Hog’s have the opportunity to grind the front 7 down for UND. If they do, it will be a long afternoon in the Alerus Center for the Hawks.
Turnovers
The Jackrabbits MUST take care of the ball on Saturday. UND’s season is on life support and any extra boost that the Jackrabbits give them will only make them believe they can win. The Jacks have done a better job as the season has gone along taking care of the ball. This week is the week to have ZERO turnovers again. UND’s QB will throw some interceptions, the Jacks secondary and backers just have to catch it. This is basic football, take care of the ball and force some turnovers. The win should follow.
Make Special Teams Special Again
The Jackrabbits special team unit has not been great since the NDSU game. Prior to that, they were awesome! We all praised them on our shows, and in the blog. What happened though? UND is notorious for fake punts and trick plays. Bo Belquist has been an excellent put returner this season and their coverage units are good. The kick returners need to communicate, the snaps and holds need to be sharp, and the field goals need to go through the uprights. This is the week the Jacks special teams NEEDS to step up and right the ship.
Match-Ups to Watch
Dalys Beanum vs. WR #1 Bo Belquist
The best cornerback in the MVFC meets the best wide receiver. Belquist has been so dang good for UND but has struggled overall in his four career games against SDSU posting 17 receptions for 191 yards and 1 TD. Belquist is having a HUGE season and has 48 receptions for 754 yards. Beanum has had a quieter season but teams just aren’t throwing his way very often. This will be a fun one to watch!
Sam Hagen vs. OLBs #34 Josh Navratil and #27 Lance Rucker
Hagen should be plenty familiar with Navratil and Rucker from his time at UND. Navratil is a terrific outside linebacker while Rucker is new to the lineup. Navratil has 5 sacks and 5 more QBH to his credit and Rucker has 2 sacks and 3 QBH so far this season. Hagen has been rotating with Marcus Hicks so they will both have to be ready. We’re sure Hagen spent plenty of time in practice lined up across from these two so he may have some insight on their strength and weaknesses and they have the same for him. UND can be attacked through the air but that means that Mark needs time in the pocket. This is a bigtime matchup!
Jarod DePriest vs. Center #62 Ben Buxa and Right Guard #51 Caleb Olson
Buxa and Olson are new to the starting lineup this year and have been up and down for much of the season. DePriest has been who we expected and is certainly able to dominate when given the chance. This may be the week when DePriest shows off his elite quickness and makes a number of plays in the backfield. Want to disrupt an offense? Win on the interior.
Adam Bock vs. QB #6 Simon Romfo
Bock has played really well this season and appears to be back to his All-American self. Romfo has shown he is capable as a passer and a runner. Bock will be responsible for the cat and mouse game with Romfo of making sure the defense is aligned, ready, and disciplined so that Romfo is not able to extend drives with his feet. Romfo will likely win a few of these battles at times but we think Bock will win the war.
Go Jacks!
Alex, Ben, Brendan, Chad, Dallas, and Matt
