The Game Vitals
Game Time – 7:00 CT
Opponent – Weber State Wildcats @ Stewart Stadium, Ogden, UT
TV – None Radio – 100.3 (Grand Forks)
Online Streaming – EverSport
Spread – WSU -2.5 Total = 43
Weber State (3-3) Breakdown
— Offense = Spread, Shotgun/Pistol. 3 WR’s.
— Defense = 4-3
Offensively, the Wildcats will look a bit like Portland State. They like to line up in the shotgun and employ 3-4 WR’s to spread out the defense. However, they want to run the ball if at all possible and be a ball-control type of team. On the year they are about 50/50 run/pass as far as yards go but have over 50 more rushing attempts.
Weber State is averaging 19 pts/game on offense and 311 total yards of offense. 153 of that is on the ground. They are not a dynamic offense but are a solid, physical unit that wants to win a game with all three phases.
#10 Jadrian Clark (6’3”-230) is a dual-threat type of quarterback. They like to use him much the same as UND uses Keaton Studsrud. QB power, Boot, etc. Clark will take off running at the first sign of pressure with some of that due to throwing too many interceptions early in the season. He is 75-157 for 776 yards and 4 TD’s on the season. Clark has thrown 6 INT’s.
Clark scrambling is going to be a major part of this game. The UND front seven must stay disciplined in the scheme to have someone around at all times once he feels pressure.
RB #13 Eric Wilkes is the home-run hitter for the Wildcats. The former track champion has ran for 397 yards in 2015 but has the ability to break one at any time. The UND front seven must put together another solid effort up front vs. Wilkes to make him stutter at the line of scrimmage vs. shooting through a huge hole.
The offensive line is a strength of this Weber State team. They are an experienced unit with 2 seniors and 2 juniors. When watching them they appear to just be a well-coached unit that doesn’t make too many mistakes. Nothing flashy but they aren’t asked to be, either.
The UND defense is probably going to be without safety Cole Reyes again this week. But, this matchup is better for UND’s two safeties, William James and Jawon Johnson, as they are better vs. the run and simpler passing games.
The UND secondary is going to need to defend the home-run ball vs. Weber State. CB Deion Harris needs to forget about last week and step up as the Wildcats will take their shots down field to try and stretch the defense. They are not a quick passing team like ISU.
Defensively, Weber State is a base 4-3 team. They do bring a bit more pressure out of their 4-3, especially on third down. Weber is giving up 27 pts/game and 381 yards of total offense per game. 174 of those yards are coming on the ground, which bodes well for the UND offense.
The strength of the Wildcat defense appears to be it’s safeties. #2 Cordero Dixon is the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week. #8 Josh Burton is second on the team in tackles and also has an INT.
The front seven for Weber is solid all around. Once again, no real high end players but a bunch of blue-collar guys that play the scheme pretty well. This group played very well last week vs. Montana in their upset win over the Griz.
From everything we have seen and heard it appears that QB Ryan Bartels will be getting the start this week. Keaton Studsrud did not practice this week, which tells us something is going on with his ankle.
The good thing is Bartels now had a chance to get his mind altered to “starter-mode” in practice this week. The same goes for OC Paul Rudolph in that he is able to tailor his game plan for Bartels, as well.
Look to see a lot of RB John Santiago and RB Brady Oliveira. This game will be played much like the Portland State game. Tough, physical and low-scoring. The UND offensive line needs to win this game on Saturday. They also cannot rely on Bartels to take off running for first downs like Studsrud did when the pocket collapsed.
We are hearing there is a really good chance that WR Clive Georges will be back on the field out in Ogden. This is good news as UND needs a speed guy out there to run the jet sweeps and possibly stretch the field for QB Ryan Bartels.
North Dakota Keys to the Game
- As usual, run the ball. This week it is even more important due to the possible loss of Studsrud. UND needs to control the game up front and let Bartels get in the flow in his first start in more than a year.
- Tackle well. Weber is a simpler offense than Idaho State was and doesn’t have near the weapons. Play tough up front and tackle in space.
- Punter Mitch Meindel needs to let a few bombs fly in that thin Utah air. When Meindel is on it really makes things tough for the opposing offenses to have to go 80-90 yards vs. this UND defense.
- The UND cornerbacks need to redeem themselves this week. Harris, Irvin-Sills, and Carter had a tough go of it vs. ISU. Clear the cache and go out and make plays vs. Weber State. WR #1 Cam Livingston is a dynamic player and will get his share of looks vs. UND. Maybe mix in an interception?
- For some reason this UND team has looked more comfortable on the road this year (minus NDSU game). They played fairly clean games at Wyoming and Portland State. Hold on to the ball young RB’s, move the ball methodically, and punt it deep when you need to.
Prediction
UND 22
WEBER STATE 19