The upset bid that UND fans were hoping for never materialized on Saturday. Boise State proved to be too much overall in their 42-18 victory over the Hawks.
The loss dropped the Hawks to 2-1 as they enter a well-timed bye week. Things don’t get much easier as they return from their bye to take on the #1 SDSU Jackrabbits down in Brookings on September 30th.
Let’s just call it like it is: the UND team that showed up Saturday wasn’t the same one we watched at home the first two weeks. Consistent errors were their downfall in a game that was certainly winnable if played cleanly.
The same scenario played out last year vs. Nebraska. Play well in the third quarter – play poorly in the fourth quarter. The Hawks had it down to 28-18 in the third quarter but couldn’t do much after the flurry of forced turnovers that led to two quick touchdowns.
Two dropped interceptions, missed XP, low snaps, the strip sack fumble right before the half were all issues. UND was driving inside the 25 yard line to potentially tie it with little time left before halftime and instead ended up down 21-6 heading into the locker room. That one hurt real bad.
Tommy Schuster did not play well. I have been his biggest supporter, even saying I don’t worry about him at all heading into a game. I still don’t. But he was off on Saturday. I do think the low snaps, along with Boise’s defensive speed were major contributors. Either way he just wasn’t as unflappable as he had been prior. He ended the game 17-29 for 142 yards and 1 TD.
Center Cade Borud had a tough day snapping. The freshman was snapping many of them at Tommy’s shins or even lower. This made Tommy go down to get it, taking his eye off the defense and throwing off timing on screen plays, etc. Borud has a bigtime future in this program so I am not concerned whatsoever but it is something that needs to be improved upon.
The UND offense only produced 183 yards of total offense (sacks reduced it by about 65 yards). That was by far a season-low. I don’t think UND will look that discombobulated again this season but still hate to see that low of an output.
UND was 4-13 on third down. Boise State was 10-14. BIG stat.
The pass protection struggled a good part of the day. Schuster was sacked six times (not all were OL fault but the pressure was noticeable).
I did like the way the inside running game got traction again this week. They were getting a minimum four yards a pop between the tackles. Not having Isaiah Smith certainly hurt (injury) but Luke Skokna ran the ball very well when given his chance. He is an bigtime energy guy for this offense.
Defensively, the Hawks tried to keep UND in it by forcing three turnovers, which was great to see. Forced fumbles and an INT were big plays that kept giving the Hawks offense a chance and sparked a ton of life into the sideline during the third quarter.
42 points was obviously way too many for an offense like that. Boise is good but not that good. Frustrating to see the game get out of hand and look so bad on the scoreboard.
Boise ended the day with 394 yards of offense.
Brady Stevens missed another extra point in this one and it forced UND to chase points all game. They kept trying to go for two and failed each time. I don’t know what needs to be done but this is getting ridiculous. UND doesn’t even try a field goal over 45 yards anymore and extra points aren’t a given, either.
For about 20 straight years in the mid-80’s to mid-2000’s UND had an all-conference kicker pretty much every few years. Guys that were automatic from 40 yards in but could hit the long one’s, as well.
Lately though it’s been a struggle and I know there is some chatter about why the laces are constantly being kicked (not rotated away from Stevens).
Our Twitter page addressed this last night and we have heard from multiple former kickers about it (both ways). One camp says the snapper should send it back there so it doesn’t need to be spun. Other say that is next to impossible to consistently do. I don’t give a damn what they do but get it figured out so Stevens has the best chance possible to make his kicks.
Photos courtesy of Russell Hons & UND Athletics