NEW GAME - NEW FOCUS

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:55 am

NDSU - What do some of you know about this team? What style of O and D do they run? (Please don't tell me more flex/option .. please). Looks like they dominated the Weber game. Anyone go to that game and watch?

WYOBISONMAN · Post by **WYOBISONMAN** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:43 am

I watched it on the internet. NDSU has a very dominant Defense. Look out for #20 Craig Dahl at SS....he raises hell as does Joe Mays #8 at Linebacker. Bobby Babbich #2 at corner and Kole Zimmerman #28 can also make major headaches for the offense. The Bison blitzed the heck out of Weber and pounded the QB. It seemed as if he was always running from something. I have not seen a Defense that constantly puts this kind of pressure on a QB for a long time. They are very good at what they do. An interesting stat is that so far this season the Bison defense has outscored the opposition offense 3 TD to 2!

Offense for NDSU is where most of the holes from graduation occured. Also NDSU suffered a terrible pre season injury in the WR position and lost veteran reciever Travis White for the season (fortunately he will medical redshirt and be back next year). That being said the Bison Offense is really coming together and getting it done. Much of that can be credited to the leadership and cool game demeanor of Soph QB Steve Walker #11. Walker is not a long passer, but has a great deal of poise and a good head on his shoulders. I believe he has only thrown one interception in his entire carreer at NDSU. Young Kole Heckendorf #9 is a redshirt freshman that has stepped up to fill the shoes left empty by the loss of Travis White and he has done a heck of a job. Walker will also go to Marques Johnson #6 and TE Andy DelaBarre #85.

When NDSU decides to run the ball, HB Kyle Steffes #23 from Dickinson ND is tops. Shamen Washington #1 is also an effective back that combines small size and tremendous speed and agility. Also look for Mark Moore #22 to make some yards as well.

When it comes to kickoff and punt returns no one is more deadly than Shamen Washington. He returned punts for TDs against both NW State and Weber State.

There you have it......That is a little run down on who does what for NDSU and what to look for on Saturday........

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:58 am

Thanks WYOBISON for the info. I think this week MSU needs to take the shackles off Lulay and let him do his thing a little more out there (run/roll/pass). He is not a 5 step drop pocket passer that is for sure. He tends to be a rolling/rythym type QB etc. I would also like to see the NO HUDDLE some this year to take some steam out of the defense/blitz so that they are on their heals. That is where it seemed we had teams reeling last year is when we did that.

From the sounds of it though, it sounds like NDSU is not an option team this year? So that is good news if that is for real. I hate the option

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:07 am

WYO,

Don't you guys realize that the more Big Sky teams you beat, the less likely it is that we'll let you in???

amsterbison · Post by **amsterbison** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:08 am

NDSU doesn't pass much (59 passes in three games) and doesn't gain a lot of yards - the team runs first and mixes in high-percentage passes. NDSU's QB just doesn't seem to make mistakes - 17 touchdowns versus 1 interception in his short career. The offensive line is young and a little beat up but they have done well so far. Running backs are very good and the Bison have some speed at wideout.

On defense, NDSU hasn't faced a team that has a legitimate QB yet and it'll be interesting to see if they can limit the damage from the Bobcat offense. NDSU's defense is good but they are no Cal Poly (yet). If the Bobcats can stretch the field, it might expose some weaknesses that have been hidden so far. NDSU corners are smart players but not gifted with blazing speed.

Some teams strike like a cobra but NDSU is more of an anaconda... they just keep squeezing.

WYOBISONMAN · Post by **WYOBISONMAN** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:12 am

El_Gato wrote:WYO,

Don't you guys realize that the more Big Sky teams you beat, the less likely it is that we'll let you in???

I know.....it worried the hell out of me.....

This game will be no blowout......Amsterbison is very right in his statements.

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:14 am

WYOBISONMAN wrote:
El_Gato wrote:WYO,

Don't you guys realize that the more Big Sky teams you beat, the less likely it is that we'll let you in???

I know.....it worried the hell out of me.....

This game will be no blowout......Amsterbison is very right in is statements.

i just hope you dont add a bobcat to your list of big sky teams you beat