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North Dakota State @ Northern Iowa, 2012

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110 Comments
by
Kent
, 09-29-2012 at 02:56 PM (2621 Views)
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa--I am at the UNIDome today to see the top ranked NDSU Bison visit the UNI Panthers. NDSU comes into this game undefeated at 3-0, while UNI sits at 1-3. It is a beautiful upper 70s/lower 80s day right now and would be a great outdoor game today but we are inside the dome where a near capacity crowd is expected.

This is the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for NDSU, while UNI plays their second league game. UNI is coming off a loss at Youngstown State in a high scoring game with the Penguins winning 42-35.

This game almost is a must win for UNI for any playoff hopes for the Panthers. NDSU, on the other hand, will hope to stay atop the national rankings with a win where it would set up a great matchup with the undefeated Penguins in Fargo next week. YSU is ranked #3 in some polls and has an off-week.

NDSU has given up just over four points per game on defense so it will be a key area in this game to see if the UNI offense can muster more offense than NDSU's prior oppenents.

UNI quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen has looked good in his games thus far despite being a freshman. The Panthers were in both of their games against Big 10 teams in Iowa and Wisconsin, as well as last week against YSU.

I believe Panther running backs David Johnson and Carlos Anderson will have to run the ball to keep the NDSU defense from keying on the pass.

UNI's defense I believe has shown some vulnerability to the run and that plays into the NDSU's game plan on offense. Sam Ojuri and John Crocket are the one-two running punch for the Bison. Quarterback Brock Jensen has also played well in the passing game in leading a balanced attack.

NDSU defeated UNI last year in Fargo for the first time in the two program's Missouri Valley history after losing the first three in the series.

UNI is also a little banged up after playing the two Big 10 teams but it is a little unclear even just before kickoff who will be out there for the Panthers. NDSU is relatively healthy aside from losing All-American canidate safety Colton Heagle and sat some players last week when the Bison won easily over Prairie View A&M.

The first couple of series to me will be key. If NDSU is up early, they will likely take the crowd out of the game. But if the game is close, this will be an advantage for the Panthers.

Having seen both teams in action earlier this year, I think this game will be close but I can't overlook that NDSU has not lost a road game since losing the Division I quarterfinal contest in 2010. The Bison know how to play on the road and fell they will come out with the victory today. But it will likely be under a touchdown difference.

We shall see. I can't wait until kickoff.

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  1. Kent's Avatar
    NDSU has won the coin toss and will defer to the second half. UNI will get the ball first to start the game.
  2. Kent's Avatar
    The students in front of me have their keys out--having been in the UNIDome before, this is a tradition.
  3. Kent's Avatar
    Wes Smith returned from the endzone but only get to the UNI 19.
  4. Kent's Avatar
    David Johnson with a nice catch over the middle for a 8 yard gain, 2nd & 2 on 1st down.

    Johnson is not so fortunite on the second handle of the ball--losing 1.

    3rd & 3 from the UNI 26--false start on UNI.

    3rd & 8 from the UNI 21--nice knockaway by the Bryan Shepard on a pass from Kollmorgen.

    4th & 8--Kyle Bernard punt--fair catch by NDSU's Ryan Smith at the NDSU 35.
  5. Kent's Avatar
    Smith with a catch from Jensen for 7 on the 1st down play.

    NDSU in a hurry up mode. 2nd & 3 catch by Trevor Gebhart to the UNI 41.
  6. Kent's Avatar
    1st & 10 from 41 UNI--Gebhart with a catch for 7.

    2nd & 3 from UNI 34. Gebhart with another nice catch to the UNI 23.

    NDSU has done nothing but pass thus far.
  7. Kent's Avatar
    1st from the UNI 23--First run by Sam Ojuri for three.

    2nd &7--UNI 20--Ojuri runs for five

    3rd & 2 from the UNI 15--(big play for UNI in my opinion here).
  8. Kent's Avatar
    Ojuri gets the first down to the UNI 11.
  9. Kent's Avatar
    1st & 10 --UNI 11 Gebhart on a reverse loses 7 (not sure why the Bison ran this).
  10. Kent's Avatar
    2nd & 17 play --catch by RB John Crockett for just five.

    3rd & 12 --UNI 13 --Jensen's pass too long for Zach Vraa.

    4th & 12 --30 yard FG by Adam Keller is good.

    NDSU 3 UNI 0 7:29 left in the 1st qtr.
  11. Kent's Avatar
    Smith returns the KO to the UNI 27.
  12. Kent's Avatar
    Leevon Perry jumps offsides to give UNI a free five yards.

    1st & 5 --UNI 33 Brett LeMaster with a catch on the left sideline out to the UNI 42.

    1st & 10--UNI 42-- Terrell Sinkfield with another catch on the left side to the NDSU 47.
  13. Kent's Avatar
    David Johnson with a big run up the middle to the NDSU 34.
  14. Kent's Avatar
    Carlos Anderson with the run this time up the middle for 6.

    2nd & 4 at the NDSU 28 Pass too high for Johnson.

    3rd & 4 --Big play here for the Panthers to keep this drive going.
  15. Kent's Avatar
    Johnson stuffed by the NDSU front four for just a two yard gain.

    4th & 2 from the NDSU 26--45 yard FG from Tyler Sievertsen is no good.

    NDSU takes over. We have 4:30 left in the opening qtr.
  16. Kent's Avatar
    NDSU 1st & 10 at their own 27. Long pass attempt to Vraa goes too long--a lot of pushing on the play but there is no call.
  17. Kent's Avatar
    2nd & 10 play--John Crocket gets 13 out to the NDSU 40.
  18. Kent's Avatar
    Vraa with a catch on the left sideline with a nice run after the short catch.

    1st & 10 at the UNI 45.
  19. Kent's Avatar
    Crockett gets just 3 on the 1st down play.

    2nd & 7 from the UNI 42 Gebhart with a 6 yard catch to set up a pivotal 3rd down in this game.
  20. Kent's Avatar
    3rd & 1 from the UNI 36 -- time out NDSU.

    We have 2:08 left in the 1st qtr with NDSU leading 3-0.
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