The Game Vitals
Game Time – 4:00CT – Potato Bowl
Opponent – South Dakota Coyotes. Alerus Center – Grand Forks, ND
Game Notes – UND South Dakota
TV – Midco Sports Network, Fox College Sports
Radio – UND Radio Network
Online Streaming – WatchBigSky
Spread – North Dakota -4.5. Total =49.5
South Dakota Breakdown
— Offense = Spread, Up-Tempo, No Huddle
— Defense = 4-3
Offensively – USD brings a similar offense to what Bob Nielson was running last year at Western Illinois. The key cog obviously is Minnesota Gophers transfer QB #15 Chris Streveler, who is a big threat in the running game and is the leading rusher for USD with 256 yards and 4 TDs. The junior has thrown for 290 yards and 5 TDs. Multiple wide receiver sets are the norm in 10 and 11 personnel groupings. The Yotes will run many variations of plays off the jet sweep motion. Designed QB inside run plays complement their zone read running game and blocking scheme.
Last week’s game against Weber State was bizarre. The USD offense stormed back from being down 21-0 early in the first quarter and 42-21 entering the 4th to ultimately win their home opener in double overtime in front of 8,114 fans at the Dakota Dome. Streveler did a good job in the downfield passing game on fade and corner routes and took advantage of poor coverage and/or execution by the WSU defense and ended up with 4 TDs passing in the game.
In their season opening 48-21 loss to New Mexico, the USD offense ran 64 plays for a total of 323 yards. In their come from behind 52-49 win against Weber State last week, they ran 106 plays and had 491 total yards. We understand the number of plays last week is a result of the early turnovers and short fields for WSU, but 106 plays is astonishing.
The UND defense will be without Austin Cieslak this week up front. Other than that, for the most part UND is healthy on defense. This group, especially the front 7, will be the deciding factor in this game. They need to control the line of scrimmage early and make USD try beat them in the passing game in 3rd and long situations while still containing Streveler in the pocket. Senior running back #21 Trevor Bouma is a physical runner and has accounted for 189 yards rushing himself.
Defensively – The Coyotes are a base 4-3, Tampa 2 style of team. They don’t appear to bring a ton of pressure but more rely on some twisting/stunting up front. They will bring pressure with their linebackers at times, however.
In their first two games the Coyote defense has given up an astounding 48.5 pts/game. Their offense didn’t do them any favors last week vs. Weber State in turning it over three times on the their first three possessions, resulting in 21 points. But, they still gave up 28 more.
USD was gashed by run-heavy New Mexico for 428 yards in the season opener and Weber State ran for 160 more last week. There is room to run on this defense.
The strength of the Coyote defense is the linebackers. This group is led by #32 Jet Moreland, who has amassed 20 tackles and 1 TFL through the first two games. Moreland is a rangy, athletic linebacker who will need to be picked up by the OL when USD decides to bring pressure. LB #43 Jim Litrenta is their second leading tackler with 16.
This unit as a whole is not nearly as good as the Stony Brook or Bowling Green defenses that UND saw in Weeks 1 & 2. The secondary appears to be a weakness in run support, which bodes well for the UND running game.
North Dakota Keys to Win The Game
- Slow down QB Chris Streveler. The USD offense likes to spread you out only to run the ball. They want to create lanes through spacing and allow Streveler and Bomba to slice through those holes repeatedly. UND needs to make Streveler sidestep and weave by clogging up his initial lane. This gives the secondary time to react up and fill the holes.
- Tackle the quick passes. Much like Bowling Green, USD likes to keep you honest by throwing quick slants, hitches, etc. This slows down the rush and keeps the secondary back. React up, tackle it, and make them snap it again. Those plays don’t hurt you.
- Contain USD QB Streveler in the pocket, especially on 3rd and long passing situations. You can bet we will see some run/pass options for him on 3rd down and at least a handful of QB draws. It will be interesting to see if UND uses a “spy” on certain situations to help with that.
- Make USD throw the ball more than they want to.
- UND offense: establish a running game early and often. Control the clock.
The Prediction
An early Santiago homerun in the running game would do wonders for the home-opening Potato Bowl crowd and for confidence along the UND Offense. Both teams want to run first, then pass. The line of scrimmage will determine the outcome of this game. We think the advantage goes to UND on both sides.
UND is without a doubt up against it right now heading into this game. 0-2 and knowing there is very little margin for error. We expect them to play accordingly now that they are finally back at the Alerus Center for their home opener. No Sitting Bull on the line this time but it is still a long and storied rivalry. Should be fun!
