MAC member Northern Illinois University(10-3) – UND’s 2nd opponent of the 2010 season – goes for it’s 11th victory of the season tonight against one of UND’s 2011 opponents in WAC member Fresno State(8-4). The two teams are playing in the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho on the “smurf turf”. This is obviously NIU’s first game since head coach Jerry Kill headed to the Big 10 to take the University of Minnesota job. In NIU’s last game, they lost the MAC championship game to Miami, Ohio.
One of the bright spots this year was UND’s play against this very talented NIU team in Dekalb, IL where UND lost a close game 23-17 and were on the verge on going for a game-winning TD when Greg Hardin dropped Jake Landry’s pass at the 4 yard line with 5 seconds remaining.
It will be interesting to preview what problems Fresno State will present UND next season in their matchup in Fresno, CA. Head Coach Pat Hill always has his teams prepped well and the Bulldogs are always a very well-coached team in all facets of the game. Fresno’s o-line is huge and their running game is definitely their strength. Although senior left-handed QB Ryan Colburn is no slouch either. Thankfully UND won’t have to deal with him next season.
Should be a great game tonight.
