September 12, 2025 • 27 mins
The NDSU Bison are on a roll! Beating Tennessee St 59-3, they're crushing it and it shows in the standing why they're #1 in the nation at the FCS level. Up next is SE Missouri St, it's the Bison homeopener in Fargo. Our own Tj breaks it down for us.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
We're now do the Bison Bits with TJ. Jeff. Good morning,
good afternoon, good evening, wherever and whenever you are listening
to this, it is Bison Bits and I'm your host, TJ.
Good to have you on board with me for this.
(00:27):
I think episode five I don't even remember. All I
know is were in week three in our beloved Endyushue Bison.
We're in Nashville last week to what I think is
a disappointing crowd. I don't think there was more than
seven or eight thousand people in Nissan Stadium, home of
the Tennessee Titans. Bad turnout, but the Bison win. Really
(00:49):
an ugly blowout game, A game that was forty five
nothing at the half. Bison roll on fifty nine to three.
They've given up just three points in two games and
have scored somewhere near ninety seven points I believe, if
my math is correct, in two games. Not a lot
(01:10):
to talk about, But a couple of things about this
game I really want to bring up is in Tennessee
State's defense, they only had one starter playing. That started
last year when Eddie George took the job at Bullying Green.
Of course, last year he was the head coach for
Tennessee State. When he took the job at Bullying Green,
he took a lot of his assistants and a lot
(01:30):
of his players with him. Now, how Bowling Green is
doing this year, I honestly don't know. I don't pay attention,
but it really makes it tough for Tennessee State. They
wanted to see how they gauge against a team like NDSU,
and I don't know if they'll want to ever reschedule
advise it again. Oh a couple of notes too. I
owe an apology to DJ Scott, running back for our
(01:52):
beloved advisor last week. I said for some reason he
was from James Madison. He is a transfer portal guy
from Kanasas State, and why Kanessas State did not use him,
I do not know. This young man is definitely has
a future. He had eight carries for twenty nine yards
last week which resulted in a touchdown. He also had
(02:12):
a touchdown, so I thought that was great and he
has a bright future for NDSU. So I apologize for
getting your school wrong. Dj, I know you're listening. Friday morning,
we learned that Chris Harris, speedy wide receiver, had a
foot injury, and I wrote on my notes, I'll tell
who knows how long. Some people thought it could be
(02:34):
all season, but now we found out in the Monday,
which starting to be a Tuesday press conference. At least
that's what I found it coach Politics press conference on Tuesday,
is that it's not that serious. Sounds like a Planner
fasci itis situation. And I would say, hell, if he's
wearing Nike shoes, throw them out, even under armor shoes,
(02:54):
which probably they are now because of the contract. Throw
him out and go get new balance. If you're allowed
that that should work. Ask Carlos Carrera how that worked out.
But he was seen before the game and a scooter
on the sideline. People were pretty concerned. It's Planner fast shius.
So give him a couple of weeks of rehab and
(03:15):
maybe he'll come back after North Dakota States bye week.
A little bit about the game, I brought up that
you're gonna see the Bison maybe not run Cole as much,
and they were very run heavy in the first half,
but not as much with Cole Payton. Cole Payton only
had five carries the whole game for twenty one yards.
They leaned on other guys. Barrika Penu had ten for
(03:38):
fifty seven and three touchdowns, Money Miles Mitchell, the freshman
out of Chicago six carries for fifty three yards, that's
an eight point eight yard per average clip and a
Tuddy DJ Scott eight for twenty nine as I mentioned
in a touchdown, and then Cortez Grant later in the
game five for twenty three that's four point six yards.
Cole had five for twenty one, Owen Johnson three for eight.
(04:00):
Trade Drake came into the game third string. Trade Drake
had won for two. Overall, the Bison had thirty nine
carries for one hundred and ninety one yards. That's about
five yards a clip. But they're very run heavy and
I think that's that's good, and not as heavy with
our man Cole Payton because they're gonna need him. But
they need to learn more about this running back group
(04:20):
they have right now. And I mentioned Trade Drake's name
third string quarterback. Actually the fourth quarter we saw him
looking at the passing stats Bison as a team or
sixteen to twenty three for two for to two, two
touchdowns and a pick, and that came from Nathan Hayes
when he completed it across the middle and the ball
(04:41):
got stripped away. It was good play by the Tennessee
State d back, but Cole Payton thirteen of sixteen for
one to sixty six in a touchdown. Extremely efficient, especially
in the zone. When Tennessee State dropped back into the zones,
they keep an eye on Peyton. He just found guys
open in the in the little holes and the little
bubbles that zone defenses can create. Very very efficient. I'm
(05:04):
gonna tell you right now, Cole Peyton. We all wondered how,
and I said this too. It was I said that,
God dang it. I said this on Facebook on a
Bizon fan page. I was always more curious about how
he'll command the huddle and how he'll command the offense
and run it. If I hadn't any doubts, I'm completely wrong.
He has done wonders with this offense. He's so calm,
(05:28):
so poised. He knows exactly what he needs to do
when he's under center.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Great job.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
He played about the first half and Nathaniel Hayes. Nathan
Hayes came in. He was two or six for seventy
two touchdown, beautiful touchdown in the third quarter down. The
scene down the right side, great arm. He has a
bright future as a quarterback. Should be within DSU. I
would think, I maybe the transferporter will get him. Time
will tell and then trade Drake one of one for
(05:59):
four yards, just getting his feet wet, and that's great.
I commend Tim Poulisek coach Paulisek for getting Drake some action,
getting his feet wet, getting him out there, getting him
up the game speed, getting him up the playing game speed.
I really commend that, and I think that's great that
he got out there. So buy isn't looking pretty good there.
(06:19):
I'm gonna quick go over the wide receiver stats. McKay Collins.
He had the beautiful sixty eight yard touchdown from Nathaniel
Hayes one for sixty eight, Bryce Lands three for forty six.
Reyes Kessel. He's an up and coming young man too
at tight end one for forty one. Finn Diggins had
three catches. That's great to see that. Finn Diggins at
(06:41):
three for twenty eight. Rajah Nelson still steady three for
twenty four in another touchdown.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
He just knows how to get open.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
We need to talk about him more as Missouri Valley
conference play opens up because especially in big games, and
you've got one coming in a few weeks against USD.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
He could make some big plays.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Carson Williams two for twenty three, Pennu had won for
four yards, Logan Concklan had one for four yards, and
jet Zabel Graysabel's older brother one catch for four yards.
So not too bad overall. Going over to the defensive
side for North Dakota State, and I said his name
last week, I've said his name before the season started,
(07:20):
but Elijah Wayne, the freshman tackle from Omaha, was absolutely destructive.
He was in the backfield many times, ripping up plays,
getting quarterbacks to throw too soon, plugging up holes, making plays. Remember,
Elijah Wayne was supposed to go to South Dakota State,
changed his mind at the last minute and ended up
(07:44):
in Fargo.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And you know, thank the football gods for that.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Because he I mean, I still don't even know if
he really grasps what he's doing yet, but he's he's
wonder He's gonna he could be a freshman Newcomer of
the Year out Tennessee State. Through eight of eighteen for
sixty one yards and an interception. They threw three wide receivers,
and it didn't matter if it was Jonathan Palmer who
(08:13):
was five or thirteen, Brian McNair two of four, Caleb
mccreey one of one. I mean, they could not. They
just weren't really good passers. Tennessee State rushed twenty eight
times for seventy yards. That's two and a half yards
per clip. Two of the carriers ball carriers are both
quarterbacks actually average negative yards and wide receiver. The one
(08:35):
we were kind of worried about. We wondered about, Tyson Edwards,
was a big guy for them last week or the
week before in their opening win. He had one catch
for sixteen yards. Brock Montgomery was another big gun, two
for fifteen. They did nothing, absolutely nothing. It was absolutely
there's a butt kicking from the get go. Donovan Woollen,
(08:58):
who I've talked about, He's got so much talent on linebacker.
He had a pick six from thirty four yards out.
They've done so many things well so far in two games,
and I get it, you're not dealing with much. You're
dealing with the Citadel who won by the way last week,
and now you have Tennessee State. A couple of things
(09:18):
that disturbed me third down efficiency. Tennessee State was one
of thirteen, had one hundred and thirty one total yards
in the game. Oh, let's see what's really bothering me,
and it is third down efficiency. The Bison were three
of nine on third down. Now, granted, I don't believe
they had a lot of third downs until the second half,
(09:40):
truth be told, the politic brought that up too. It
doesn't matter if it's first string or a second string
or third string. You're out there to compete and you
have a job to do it. You have to do it.
Three of nine did not work for Polisek. I don't
think it's great. They need to get that better, even
if the reserves are in there, they need to be
(10:02):
more efficient, excuse me, on third down. So I'd like
to see that that is something that Polosek was not
overly thrilled about. We'll get to his press conference here
in a little bit. Time of possession Bison were at
thirty three thirty seven compared to twenty six twenty three
for Tennessee State, and that was pretty much an ugly game.
(10:22):
I love watching the Bison win, but that was boring.
They took control early and there was not much. There
was just not much left. So that is what it is.
In a nutshell, Bison get a big win. Tim Poulsek
coach Poulosek, I should sing hand his presser and he
(10:45):
talked about something that I think is really interesting that
I myself was thinking.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
And it seems to.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Be that under his regime, and correct me if I'm wrong.
Under his regime, his teams start off pretty fast. They
come out with a lot of intensity right off the bat.
And he complimented his team about He says he's not
really big on compliments. He's more about letting them know
(11:16):
that that is that is great. You went out and
did it. You went out and did what you needed
to do. I bet you can do it again. Keep
doing it. And his team start out fast. He's talked
about it. That's one of their objectives as a team
to start out fast. And that is one difference between
his teams and coach matt Ends's team. And matt Ends
(11:38):
had the opportunity to meet him once. Seems like he
seemed like a good guy. Did not like the media.
I don't think all that much, but I think he
treated his program well, His treated his players wonderfully. He was,
he's a good person. His teams could start off really flat.
There was many a Bison game where they would go
three and out, give up a score, go three and out,
(12:00):
then maybe get a stop and then kind of get
the ball rolling, which would put you into the late
first quarter, sometimes not till second quarter.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
The un D.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Game a few years ago was a great example that
where they fumbled the opening kickoff or they excuse me, no,
they gave up the opening kickoff for a touchdown and
they just couldn't get the ball rolling. They did it
against USD that year at homecoming. They were just so flat,
especially on offense. This Bison team is different. Their offensive
(12:29):
lines firing off the ball, the defense has completely taken over.
The running backs break a Pendo is a whole different runner.
He's hitting and going forward and bouncing off tackles and
breaking tackles. It's something we didn't see much of him
last year doing. Polsick mentioned, he really thinks that's great.
He appreciates that his teams are getting off to a
(12:49):
fast start, and he is absolutely right because they are so.
That was one thing in his press conference that I
wanted to remember. I was in the middle of my
real job, So I really wasn't in a situation to
take notes, but I thought that was very, very important
that he brought that up. And so the Bison are
(13:13):
pretty healthy. Cut a couple of things, but they're pretty healthy,
and coach Paul Sick's excited to be home. There's a
lot going on, new uniforms, raising the banner. There's some
question that are the Bison players even going to be
allowed out for the raising of the banner, which I
think happens at two twenty for the two thirty kickoff.
(13:34):
Paul Sex says, I don't want anything to do with
the national title last year.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
That's last year.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
So the fans will enjoy it. I don't think the
Bison will be out for it. I think they'll come
out afterwards. But they got the new uniforms home opener.
There's a lot of media, a lot of hoopla. I
know Poulsek doesn't like that. That party doesn't like He
just wants to get through it and focus on his
next opponent, which is Southeast Missouri State. That's right, south
(13:59):
East Missouri State. They're one and one on the season,
and they had a rough one to start off. They
lost to Arkansas Arkansas State Red Warriors. The RedHawks lost
Arkansas State forty two twenty four in Week one that
was on the road. But last week they put up
(14:20):
thirty against North Alabama. They won thirty twenty one against
North Alabama. And there's some there's some things that need
to be brought up here because it was brought up
by our good friend Tom Izzo, and Tom I thought
made a really really good point. And same with his
just sidekick, Jeff Colepak. They have this podcast that breaks
(14:42):
down the game for the week coming up, and they
talked about they were excited that Southeast Missouri State's going
to bring an offense that can actually move the football.
They're gonna bring an offense that can that can that.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Can pressure you.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
And they have a quarterback with one of the coolest
names I've ever His name is Jacks Leatherwood, number twelve.
He's six foot eight, folks, six foot eight, one of
the few quarterbacks that can easily see over the line
of scrimmage to pick up his reads, pick up his receivers,
heck of an arm. He threw for two hundred and
(15:17):
twenty five yards last week. He was twenty one to
thirty three with two touchdowns, no interceptions. So they're bringing
a pretty good offense into the Fargo Dome. They rushed
for over four yards of carry. They rushed for one
hundred and fifty six yards on thirty nine thirty nine attempts,
and so they've they've got some real good athletes receiving wise,
(15:38):
they have a young man by the name of cam
Pedro who had four for eighty two and a touchdown
with along fifty five last week, So they can throw
the ball down the field. They had a long run
of fifty one yards. I had to relook at the stats.
Cole Rubble, not Barney, but Cole Rubble two for fifty
four rushing. He had a run of fifty one. They
(16:00):
have the ability to make some big plays. Very traditional
offense in the sense of what you're seeing in today's
football landscape. So that's nothing, nothing revolutionary there. But they
got an offensive line that can hold out.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
They can move the football.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
So the Bison, after two weeks of seeing quarterbacks or
teams with quarterbacks not really be able to throw the
ball very well at all, they're going to jump right
into the fire with Jack's leatherwood. I think that was
one of the coolest freaking names you're ever going to hear.
I was looking at some of the some of the stats.
(16:41):
They do commit some penalties, and they do have a
couple of turnovers yesterday on our last Saturday on fumbles,
but they're bringing something accomplished now. Defensively, I'm not sure
what you're going to get out of them. North Alabama
put up some yards or excuse me, they put four
(17:02):
hundred and forty yards against Southeast Missouri State. Southeast Missouri
State against Arkansas State the week prior gave up forty
five points. I'm not sure you're gonna see on defense,
but you're finally gonna see an offense that I think
has the ability to move the ball. And we'll see
what this younger, revamped defense is because let's face it,
graduation hurt in some key positions. We might actually see
(17:26):
the d backs get pushed. That might be something new
to watch the d backs because the Bison d backs
have had zero problems because the defensive line has had
such a good push, creating sacks, creating early throws, et cetera.
We're gonna see how that defensive backfield can get pushed
and we'll see what that that front four of the
Bison will do. They've had they've had their way, but
(17:49):
that might come to an end, I mean, not completely
come to an end. I still think it's gonna be
a Bison win, but maybe they're gonna They're gonna have
to work a little bit harder.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
We'll see.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
I know coach Polisick wants to see some competitiveness. I definitely,
he definitely sees that it's got to be hard from
a coaches standpoint to evaluate what the hell you really
have when you've played two inferior opponents, What do you have?
(18:21):
What are you seeing as a coach other than obvious
you know, footwork, pad level, holding onto the ball, penalties?
What do you have? So that'll be an interesting that'll
be interesting. I think Saturday and I will be there
for the home opener. They're giving away replica championship rings.
I hope on one of the first three thousand because
(18:41):
I'll get one. That would be so sweet. I'd love it.
But we'll see what the fargo. There are tickets some available,
some of the real nosebleeds I think in the end
zones for sure, and then some on the sideliners. I
would guess there's probably three four hundred tickets left. But really, folks,
if you want to go to a Bison game, you
can sit anywhere in the Fargo Dome and the seats
are really good. They're not bad at all. It'll be
(19:03):
just fine. But there are some seats left. Should be
a good atmosphere, a good crowd. Home opener is always exciting,
should be really fun to be there for the home opener.
I'm pumped for it, and we'll see what NDSU does
on Saturday. I was gonna mention something else that oh
(19:30):
one thing coach Polisik mentioned, and I'm gonna get to
a couple of things before I move on. Coach Polisik
had mentioned how he loves his kicking game. He was
asked in his press conference, what are you pleasantly surprised with?
And I think most people were gonna think it was
the offensive line because they've been able to move freely
around and mix and match people and they haven't missed
(19:50):
a beat. Or the defense that's been really good. That's
really supposed to be the strength of that team. He
said he's really loved his kicking game. Strong leg from
Eli Osik, who hit one from fifty eight in practice
to the punting game. Good long kicks, good hangtime, those
are good coverable kicks. He's really been happy with with that,
(20:11):
and that's something he talked about before week one about
they've got to play better. They got to get good kicks,
they have to get better kickoffs, they have to get
better puns, they got to cover better. He's not like
how poor they were last year at that so so far,
he's been really happy with that. Now, in a topic
that was brought up that's has nothing to do with
(20:34):
the play on the well, it kind of does not
like an indirect situation with the play on the field,
Colepak and our friend Don Mizzo talked about the future.
The FCS is not good. It's not good. Probably the
best game last weekend was South Dakota State in Montana State,
(20:56):
and Montana State should have won that game. In my opinion,
they had really subpar quarterback play. STSU did not have
very good quarterback play. I'm assuming that would get better
as the season goes on, But who knows. Maybe Chase
Mason for STSU, maybe he's not the world's greatest quarterback.
(21:17):
As South Dakota State.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Wants to tout. I don't think he is.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
But the FCS as a whole is not real good
outside of you know, the even the Big Sky Conference.
Once you get through Montana State, Montana, maybe Idaho this year,
there's a lot of averagingus there. The Missouri Valleys always
(21:41):
going to be good with four or five teams, and
then after that it tapers off a little bit. But
outside of that, there is really no solid FCS football,
whether it's the whole Ohio Valley Conference, the Colonial Conference, gosh,
I forget some of the conference's name. The IVY League
could bring this competitive nature once they get themselves set
(22:03):
to start integrating into the playoffs system for the FCS,
But the Ivy League doesn't wander too far outside of
their own conference. But there isn't a lot of good play.
And how is that going to affect this question was
brought up, how is that going to affect the Bison
scheduling games down the road, Because if you look at
(22:27):
NDSU football as a business, you're not going to sell
a lot of seats, and that's where a lot of
your revenue comes in because people in the seats, concessions, tailgating, renting, tailgating, spots,
et cetera. If you can't fill that dome, I mean,
if you've got I mean the Citadel's coming to North
(22:51):
to Fargo. I think in two years that's not going
to be much of a game. You see, Davis just
signed a home and away agreement with NDSU, and they're
gonna come here in twenty whatever, twenty twenty eight, twenty
twenty nine, I don't remember. UC Davis is a very
average program. They're not great, They're average. They don't have
(23:13):
great facilities.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
I mean, ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
There's no competitiveness for North Dakota State right now. And
I would throw Montana State in South Dakota State into
that mix and in some guards Montana. We'll see what happens.
Montana plays und this week. That should be a really
interesting game out in Montana. The Bison having a hell
of a time. Nobody from the FBS wants to schedule them.
(23:40):
They have Oregon twenty next year. That might be next
year out on the West coast, and that's only because
the contract was signed years ago and they had to
cancel that game because of COVID, and so they rescheduled it.
And by the way, that was the year they only
played one game because of COVID and then Trey went
(24:01):
to the NFL. If they would have had that season,
Oregon was on the rebuilding.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
The Bison were stacked.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
That year that they didn't didn't really they didn't get
to play that fall and the Bison would have dominated
because when spring hit, Trey left, a couple other guys
didn't play quite a few.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
It really hurt the team.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
But that being said, the bisonmself to go to Oregon
next year and no, that'll be, that'll be.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
That could be an ugly game for North Kota State.
I don't know, could be tough.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
But outside of that, North Dakota State can't find an
FBS opponent. They can't find an FCS opponent that has
any talent. Scheduling is getting to be a mess. And
if you look at the business model for NDSU, they
they've got to get some competitive games in the Fargodome.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
It's great to have destination games. We all love them.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
I was at Arizona a couple of years ago. That
was a that was a great time. God, there was
probably more people wearing Bison greening old tail gating there
were Arizona perhaps but they've got to find they have
to rectify this. And it's not FCS's fault. It's not
any of the other conferences. It's it's the NCAA is
(25:14):
probably with their transfer portal. The transfer portal sucked out
the talent from all these schools at the FCS level,
and unless you have a huge collective where you can
fight off the FBS dollars, and most schools don't at
the FCS level, you're gonna it's gonna be a struggle.
(25:34):
It's gonna it's gonna be a heck of a struggle.
And North Dakota State knows what that's all about. They've
lost so many players to the portal. Hopefully, with the
news that has come down this week, there's only gonna
be now one portal window. There used to be two,
one in April and one in January. There's now just
a ten day window in January, which will help as
(25:58):
spring practice rolls around in April. You don't have to
worry about losing guys wondering how are you going to
recruit to fill that in? How do you go through
the portal to grab anyone else? Hopefully the single window
will be fine. My only problem is it's the first
week in January where teams like NBSU is getting ready
for a championship game. If they make it that far,
(26:19):
it'll that could affect who comes and plays in.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
The championship game.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
I wish it was a week later, but I think
because of school enrollment that may throw that off a
little bit. I'm guessing, but that's the way it's going
to be. So there's only one one portal window. Hopefully
that'll help teams like North Dakota State, South Dakota State,
Montana and Montana State, und et cetera, and even USD.
(26:44):
And by the way, they are in big trouble in
Vermilion zero to two and they getting pushed around a lot.
They are really struggling.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
They lost.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
There's a transfer portal problem there that really hurt that team.
But North Dakota State's got some things to worry about.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
And it's not that easy to It's not that easy.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
To just get a conference. It doesn't work that way.
It just doesn't work that way. To go find a conference,
you have to be invited. Geographically. North Dakota States in
a tough spot. Travel expenses can get a little out
there and it's really difficult, so just think about that
(27:26):
as the season goes on. And from that standpoint, that's
about it for today. It'll be a home opener and
we'll talk about it next week.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Appreciate your time, thanks for taking your time, and until then,
thank you for listening, and take care of yourself and
each other. I'm teaching buys and bits.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Bye bye,
We're now do the Bison Bits with TJ. Jeff. Good morning,
good afternoon, good evening, wherever and whenever you are listening
to this, it is Bison Bits and I'm your host, TJ.
Good to have you on board with me for this.
(00:27):
I think episode five I don't even remember. All I
know is were in week three in our beloved Endyushue Bison.
We're in Nashville last week to what I think is
a disappointing crowd. I don't think there was more than
seven or eight thousand people in Nissan Stadium, home of
the Tennessee Titans. Bad turnout, but the Bison win. Really
(00:49):
an ugly blowout game, A game that was forty five
nothing at the half. Bison roll on fifty nine to three.
They've given up just three points in two games and
have scored somewhere near ninety seven points I believe, if
my math is correct, in two games. Not a lot
(01:10):
to talk about, But a couple of things about this
game I really want to bring up is in Tennessee
State's defense, they only had one starter playing. That started
last year when Eddie George took the job at Bullying Green.
Of course, last year he was the head coach for
Tennessee State. When he took the job at Bullying Green,
he took a lot of his assistants and a lot
(01:30):
of his players with him. Now, how Bowling Green is
doing this year, I honestly don't know. I don't pay attention,
but it really makes it tough for Tennessee State. They
wanted to see how they gauge against a team like NDSU,
and I don't know if they'll want to ever reschedule
advise it again. Oh a couple of notes too. I
owe an apology to DJ Scott, running back for our
(01:52):
beloved advisor last week. I said for some reason he
was from James Madison. He is a transfer portal guy
from Kanasas State, and why Kanessas State did not use him,
I do not know. This young man is definitely has
a future. He had eight carries for twenty nine yards
last week which resulted in a touchdown. He also had
(02:12):
a touchdown, so I thought that was great and he
has a bright future for NDSU. So I apologize for
getting your school wrong. Dj, I know you're listening. Friday morning,
we learned that Chris Harris, speedy wide receiver, had a
foot injury, and I wrote on my notes, I'll tell
who knows how long. Some people thought it could be
(02:34):
all season, but now we found out in the Monday,
which starting to be a Tuesday press conference. At least
that's what I found it coach Politics press conference on Tuesday,
is that it's not that serious. Sounds like a Planner
fasci itis situation. And I would say, hell, if he's
wearing Nike shoes, throw them out, even under armor shoes,
(02:54):
which probably they are now because of the contract. Throw
him out and go get new balance. If you're allowed
that that should work. Ask Carlos Carrera how that worked out.
But he was seen before the game and a scooter
on the sideline. People were pretty concerned. It's Planner fast shius.
So give him a couple of weeks of rehab and
(03:15):
maybe he'll come back after North Dakota States bye week.
A little bit about the game, I brought up that
you're gonna see the Bison maybe not run Cole as much,
and they were very run heavy in the first half,
but not as much with Cole Payton. Cole Payton only
had five carries the whole game for twenty one yards.
They leaned on other guys. Barrika Penu had ten for
(03:38):
fifty seven and three touchdowns, Money Miles Mitchell, the freshman
out of Chicago six carries for fifty three yards, that's
an eight point eight yard per average clip and a
Tuddy DJ Scott eight for twenty nine as I mentioned
in a touchdown, and then Cortez Grant later in the
game five for twenty three that's four point six yards.
Cole had five for twenty one, Owen Johnson three for eight.
(04:00):
Trade Drake came into the game third string. Trade Drake
had won for two. Overall, the Bison had thirty nine
carries for one hundred and ninety one yards. That's about
five yards a clip. But they're very run heavy and
I think that's that's good, and not as heavy with
our man Cole Payton because they're gonna need him. But
they need to learn more about this running back group
(04:20):
they have right now. And I mentioned Trade Drake's name
third string quarterback. Actually the fourth quarter we saw him
looking at the passing stats Bison as a team or
sixteen to twenty three for two for to two, two
touchdowns and a pick, and that came from Nathan Hayes
when he completed it across the middle and the ball
(04:41):
got stripped away. It was good play by the Tennessee
State d back, but Cole Payton thirteen of sixteen for
one to sixty six in a touchdown. Extremely efficient, especially
in the zone. When Tennessee State dropped back into the zones,
they keep an eye on Peyton. He just found guys
open in the in the little holes and the little
bubbles that zone defenses can create. Very very efficient. I'm
(05:04):
gonna tell you right now, Cole Peyton. We all wondered how,
and I said this too. It was I said that,
God dang it. I said this on Facebook on a
Bizon fan page. I was always more curious about how
he'll command the huddle and how he'll command the offense
and run it. If I hadn't any doubts, I'm completely wrong.
He has done wonders with this offense. He's so calm,
(05:28):
so poised. He knows exactly what he needs to do
when he's under center.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Great job.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
He played about the first half and Nathaniel Hayes. Nathan
Hayes came in. He was two or six for seventy
two touchdown, beautiful touchdown in the third quarter down. The
scene down the right side, great arm. He has a
bright future as a quarterback. Should be within DSU. I
would think, I maybe the transferporter will get him. Time
will tell and then trade Drake one of one for
(05:59):
four yards, just getting his feet wet, and that's great.
I commend Tim Poulisek coach Paulisek for getting Drake some action,
getting his feet wet, getting him out there, getting him
up the game speed, getting him up the playing game speed.
I really commend that, and I think that's great that
he got out there. So buy isn't looking pretty good there.
(06:19):
I'm gonna quick go over the wide receiver stats. McKay Collins.
He had the beautiful sixty eight yard touchdown from Nathaniel
Hayes one for sixty eight, Bryce Lands three for forty six.
Reyes Kessel. He's an up and coming young man too
at tight end one for forty one. Finn Diggins had
three catches. That's great to see that. Finn Diggins at
(06:41):
three for twenty eight. Rajah Nelson still steady three for
twenty four in another touchdown.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
He just knows how to get open.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
We need to talk about him more as Missouri Valley
conference play opens up because especially in big games, and
you've got one coming in a few weeks against USD.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
He could make some big plays.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Carson Williams two for twenty three, Pennu had won for
four yards, Logan Concklan had one for four yards, and
jet Zabel Graysabel's older brother one catch for four yards.
So not too bad overall. Going over to the defensive
side for North Dakota State, and I said his name
last week, I've said his name before the season started,
(07:20):
but Elijah Wayne, the freshman tackle from Omaha, was absolutely destructive.
He was in the backfield many times, ripping up plays,
getting quarterbacks to throw too soon, plugging up holes, making plays. Remember,
Elijah Wayne was supposed to go to South Dakota State,
changed his mind at the last minute and ended up
(07:44):
in Fargo.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And you know, thank the football gods for that.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Because he I mean, I still don't even know if
he really grasps what he's doing yet, but he's he's
wonder He's gonna he could be a freshman Newcomer of
the Year out Tennessee State. Through eight of eighteen for
sixty one yards and an interception. They threw three wide receivers,
and it didn't matter if it was Jonathan Palmer who
(08:13):
was five or thirteen, Brian McNair two of four, Caleb
mccreey one of one. I mean, they could not. They
just weren't really good passers. Tennessee State rushed twenty eight
times for seventy yards. That's two and a half yards
per clip. Two of the carriers ball carriers are both
quarterbacks actually average negative yards and wide receiver. The one
(08:35):
we were kind of worried about. We wondered about, Tyson Edwards,
was a big guy for them last week or the
week before in their opening win. He had one catch
for sixteen yards. Brock Montgomery was another big gun, two
for fifteen. They did nothing, absolutely nothing. It was absolutely
there's a butt kicking from the get go. Donovan Woollen,
(08:58):
who I've talked about, He's got so much talent on linebacker.
He had a pick six from thirty four yards out.
They've done so many things well so far in two games,
and I get it, you're not dealing with much. You're
dealing with the Citadel who won by the way last week,
and now you have Tennessee State. A couple of things
(09:18):
that disturbed me third down efficiency. Tennessee State was one
of thirteen, had one hundred and thirty one total yards
in the game. Oh, let's see what's really bothering me,
and it is third down efficiency. The Bison were three
of nine on third down. Now, granted, I don't believe
they had a lot of third downs until the second half,
(09:40):
truth be told, the politic brought that up too. It
doesn't matter if it's first string or a second string
or third string. You're out there to compete and you
have a job to do it. You have to do it.
Three of nine did not work for Polisek. I don't
think it's great. They need to get that better, even
if the reserves are in there, they need to be
(10:02):
more efficient, excuse me, on third down. So I'd like
to see that that is something that Polosek was not
overly thrilled about. We'll get to his press conference here
in a little bit. Time of possession Bison were at
thirty three thirty seven compared to twenty six twenty three
for Tennessee State, and that was pretty much an ugly game.
(10:22):
I love watching the Bison win, but that was boring.
They took control early and there was not much. There
was just not much left. So that is what it is.
In a nutshell, Bison get a big win. Tim Poulsek
coach Poulosek, I should sing hand his presser and he
(10:45):
talked about something that I think is really interesting that
I myself was thinking.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
And it seems to.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Be that under his regime, and correct me if I'm wrong.
Under his regime, his teams start off pretty fast. They
come out with a lot of intensity right off the bat.
And he complimented his team about He says he's not
really big on compliments. He's more about letting them know
(11:16):
that that is that is great. You went out and
did it. You went out and did what you needed
to do. I bet you can do it again. Keep
doing it. And his team start out fast. He's talked
about it. That's one of their objectives as a team
to start out fast. And that is one difference between
his teams and coach matt Ends's team. And matt Ends
(11:38):
had the opportunity to meet him once. Seems like he
seemed like a good guy. Did not like the media.
I don't think all that much, but I think he
treated his program well, His treated his players wonderfully. He was,
he's a good person. His teams could start off really flat.
There was many a Bison game where they would go
three and out, give up a score, go three and out,
(12:00):
then maybe get a stop and then kind of get
the ball rolling, which would put you into the late
first quarter, sometimes not till second quarter.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
The un D.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Game a few years ago was a great example that
where they fumbled the opening kickoff or they excuse me, no,
they gave up the opening kickoff for a touchdown and
they just couldn't get the ball rolling. They did it
against USD that year at homecoming. They were just so flat,
especially on offense. This Bison team is different. Their offensive
(12:29):
lines firing off the ball, the defense has completely taken over.
The running backs break a Pendo is a whole different runner.
He's hitting and going forward and bouncing off tackles and
breaking tackles. It's something we didn't see much of him
last year doing. Polsick mentioned, he really thinks that's great.
He appreciates that his teams are getting off to a
(12:49):
fast start, and he is absolutely right because they are so.
That was one thing in his press conference that I
wanted to remember. I was in the middle of my
real job, So I really wasn't in a situation to
take notes, but I thought that was very, very important
that he brought that up. And so the Bison are
(13:13):
pretty healthy. Cut a couple of things, but they're pretty healthy,
and coach Paul Sick's excited to be home. There's a
lot going on, new uniforms, raising the banner. There's some
question that are the Bison players even going to be
allowed out for the raising of the banner, which I
think happens at two twenty for the two thirty kickoff.
(13:34):
Paul Sex says, I don't want anything to do with
the national title last year.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
That's last year.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
So the fans will enjoy it. I don't think the
Bison will be out for it. I think they'll come
out afterwards. But they got the new uniforms home opener.
There's a lot of media, a lot of hoopla. I
know Poulsek doesn't like that. That party doesn't like He
just wants to get through it and focus on his
next opponent, which is Southeast Missouri State. That's right, south
(13:59):
East Missouri State. They're one and one on the season,
and they had a rough one to start off. They
lost to Arkansas Arkansas State Red Warriors. The RedHawks lost
Arkansas State forty two twenty four in Week one that
was on the road. But last week they put up
(14:20):
thirty against North Alabama. They won thirty twenty one against
North Alabama. And there's some there's some things that need
to be brought up here because it was brought up
by our good friend Tom Izzo, and Tom I thought
made a really really good point. And same with his
just sidekick, Jeff Colepak. They have this podcast that breaks
(14:42):
down the game for the week coming up, and they
talked about they were excited that Southeast Missouri State's going
to bring an offense that can actually move the football.
They're gonna bring an offense that can that can that.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Can pressure you.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
And they have a quarterback with one of the coolest
names I've ever His name is Jacks Leatherwood, number twelve.
He's six foot eight, folks, six foot eight, one of
the few quarterbacks that can easily see over the line
of scrimmage to pick up his reads, pick up his receivers,
heck of an arm. He threw for two hundred and
(15:17):
twenty five yards last week. He was twenty one to
thirty three with two touchdowns, no interceptions. So they're bringing
a pretty good offense into the Fargo Dome. They rushed
for over four yards of carry. They rushed for one
hundred and fifty six yards on thirty nine thirty nine attempts,
and so they've they've got some real good athletes receiving wise,
(15:38):
they have a young man by the name of cam
Pedro who had four for eighty two and a touchdown
with along fifty five last week, So they can throw
the ball down the field. They had a long run
of fifty one yards. I had to relook at the stats.
Cole Rubble, not Barney, but Cole Rubble two for fifty
four rushing. He had a run of fifty one. They
(16:00):
have the ability to make some big plays. Very traditional
offense in the sense of what you're seeing in today's
football landscape. So that's nothing, nothing revolutionary there. But they
got an offensive line that can hold out.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
They can move the football.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
So the Bison, after two weeks of seeing quarterbacks or
teams with quarterbacks not really be able to throw the
ball very well at all, they're going to jump right
into the fire with Jack's leatherwood. I think that was
one of the coolest freaking names you're ever going to hear.
I was looking at some of the some of the stats.
(16:41):
They do commit some penalties, and they do have a
couple of turnovers yesterday on our last Saturday on fumbles,
but they're bringing something accomplished now. Defensively, I'm not sure
what you're going to get out of them. North Alabama
put up some yards or excuse me, they put four
(17:02):
hundred and forty yards against Southeast Missouri State. Southeast Missouri
State against Arkansas State the week prior gave up forty
five points. I'm not sure you're gonna see on defense,
but you're finally gonna see an offense that I think
has the ability to move the ball. And we'll see
what this younger, revamped defense is because let's face it,
graduation hurt in some key positions. We might actually see
(17:26):
the d backs get pushed. That might be something new
to watch the d backs because the Bison d backs
have had zero problems because the defensive line has had
such a good push, creating sacks, creating early throws, et cetera.
We're gonna see how that defensive backfield can get pushed
and we'll see what that that front four of the
Bison will do. They've had they've had their way, but
(17:49):
that might come to an end, I mean, not completely
come to an end. I still think it's gonna be
a Bison win, but maybe they're gonna They're gonna have
to work a little bit harder.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
We'll see.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
I know coach Polisick wants to see some competitiveness. I definitely,
he definitely sees that it's got to be hard from
a coaches standpoint to evaluate what the hell you really
have when you've played two inferior opponents, What do you have?
(18:21):
What are you seeing as a coach other than obvious
you know, footwork, pad level, holding onto the ball, penalties?
What do you have? So that'll be an interesting that'll
be interesting. I think Saturday and I will be there
for the home opener. They're giving away replica championship rings.
I hope on one of the first three thousand because
(18:41):
I'll get one. That would be so sweet. I'd love it.
But we'll see what the fargo. There are tickets some available,
some of the real nosebleeds I think in the end
zones for sure, and then some on the sideliners. I
would guess there's probably three four hundred tickets left. But really, folks,
if you want to go to a Bison game, you
can sit anywhere in the Fargo Dome and the seats
are really good. They're not bad at all. It'll be
(19:03):
just fine. But there are some seats left. Should be
a good atmosphere, a good crowd. Home opener is always exciting,
should be really fun to be there for the home opener.
I'm pumped for it, and we'll see what NDSU does
on Saturday. I was gonna mention something else that oh
(19:30):
one thing coach Polisik mentioned, and I'm gonna get to
a couple of things before I move on. Coach Polisik
had mentioned how he loves his kicking game. He was
asked in his press conference, what are you pleasantly surprised with?
And I think most people were gonna think it was
the offensive line because they've been able to move freely
around and mix and match people and they haven't missed
(19:50):
a beat. Or the defense that's been really good. That's
really supposed to be the strength of that team. He
said he's really loved his kicking game. Strong leg from
Eli Osik, who hit one from fifty eight in practice
to the punting game. Good long kicks, good hangtime, those
are good coverable kicks. He's really been happy with with that,
(20:11):
and that's something he talked about before week one about
they've got to play better. They got to get good kicks,
they have to get better kickoffs, they have to get
better puns, they got to cover better. He's not like
how poor they were last year at that so so far,
he's been really happy with that. Now, in a topic
that was brought up that's has nothing to do with
(20:34):
the play on the well, it kind of does not
like an indirect situation with the play on the field,
Colepak and our friend Don Mizzo talked about the future.
The FCS is not good. It's not good. Probably the
best game last weekend was South Dakota State in Montana State,
(20:56):
and Montana State should have won that game. In my opinion,
they had really subpar quarterback play. STSU did not have
very good quarterback play. I'm assuming that would get better
as the season goes on, But who knows. Maybe Chase
Mason for STSU, maybe he's not the world's greatest quarterback.
(21:17):
As South Dakota State.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Wants to tout. I don't think he is.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
But the FCS as a whole is not real good
outside of you know, the even the Big Sky Conference.
Once you get through Montana State, Montana, maybe Idaho this year,
there's a lot of averagingus there. The Missouri Valleys always
(21:41):
going to be good with four or five teams, and
then after that it tapers off a little bit. But
outside of that, there is really no solid FCS football,
whether it's the whole Ohio Valley Conference, the Colonial Conference, gosh,
I forget some of the conference's name. The IVY League
could bring this competitive nature once they get themselves set
(22:03):
to start integrating into the playoffs system for the FCS,
But the Ivy League doesn't wander too far outside of
their own conference. But there isn't a lot of good play.
And how is that going to affect this question was
brought up, how is that going to affect the Bison
scheduling games down the road, Because if you look at
(22:27):
NDSU football as a business, you're not going to sell
a lot of seats, and that's where a lot of
your revenue comes in because people in the seats, concessions, tailgating, renting, tailgating, spots,
et cetera. If you can't fill that dome, I mean,
if you've got I mean the Citadel's coming to North
(22:51):
to Fargo. I think in two years that's not going
to be much of a game. You see, Davis just
signed a home and away agreement with NDSU, and they're
gonna come here in twenty whatever, twenty twenty eight, twenty
twenty nine, I don't remember. UC Davis is a very
average program. They're not great, They're average. They don't have
(23:13):
great facilities.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
I mean, ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
There's no competitiveness for North Dakota State right now. And
I would throw Montana State in South Dakota State into
that mix and in some guards Montana. We'll see what happens.
Montana plays und this week. That should be a really
interesting game out in Montana. The Bison having a hell
of a time. Nobody from the FBS wants to schedule them.
(23:40):
They have Oregon twenty next year. That might be next
year out on the West coast, and that's only because
the contract was signed years ago and they had to
cancel that game because of COVID, and so they rescheduled it.
And by the way, that was the year they only
played one game because of COVID and then Trey went
(24:01):
to the NFL. If they would have had that season,
Oregon was on the rebuilding.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
The Bison were stacked.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
That year that they didn't didn't really they didn't get
to play that fall and the Bison would have dominated
because when spring hit, Trey left, a couple other guys
didn't play quite a few.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
It really hurt the team.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
But that being said, the bisonmself to go to Oregon
next year and no, that'll be, that'll be.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
That could be an ugly game for North Kota State.
I don't know, could be tough.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
But outside of that, North Dakota State can't find an
FBS opponent. They can't find an FCS opponent that has
any talent. Scheduling is getting to be a mess. And
if you look at the business model for NDSU, they
they've got to get some competitive games in the Fargodome.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
It's great to have destination games. We all love them.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
I was at Arizona a couple of years ago. That
was a that was a great time. God, there was
probably more people wearing Bison greening old tail gating there
were Arizona perhaps but they've got to find they have
to rectify this. And it's not FCS's fault. It's not
any of the other conferences. It's it's the NCAA is
(25:14):
probably with their transfer portal. The transfer portal sucked out
the talent from all these schools at the FCS level,
and unless you have a huge collective where you can
fight off the FBS dollars, and most schools don't at
the FCS level, you're gonna it's gonna be a struggle.
(25:34):
It's gonna it's gonna be a heck of a struggle.
And North Dakota State knows what that's all about. They've
lost so many players to the portal. Hopefully, with the
news that has come down this week, there's only gonna
be now one portal window. There used to be two,
one in April and one in January. There's now just
a ten day window in January, which will help as
(25:58):
spring practice rolls around in April. You don't have to
worry about losing guys wondering how are you going to
recruit to fill that in? How do you go through
the portal to grab anyone else? Hopefully the single window
will be fine. My only problem is it's the first
week in January where teams like NBSU is getting ready
for a championship game. If they make it that far,
(26:19):
it'll that could affect who comes and plays in.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
The championship game.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
I wish it was a week later, but I think
because of school enrollment that may throw that off a
little bit. I'm guessing, but that's the way it's going
to be. So there's only one one portal window. Hopefully
that'll help teams like North Dakota State, South Dakota State,
Montana and Montana State, und et cetera, and even USD.
(26:44):
And by the way, they are in big trouble in
Vermilion zero to two and they getting pushed around a lot.
They are really struggling.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
They lost.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
There's a transfer portal problem there that really hurt that team.
But North Dakota State's got some things to worry about.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
And it's not that easy to It's not that easy.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
To just get a conference. It doesn't work that way.
It just doesn't work that way. To go find a conference,
you have to be invited. Geographically. North Dakota States in
a tough spot. Travel expenses can get a little out
there and it's really difficult, so just think about that
(27:26):
as the season goes on. And from that standpoint, that's
about it for today. It'll be a home opener and
we'll talk about it next week.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Appreciate your time, thanks for taking your time, and until then,
thank you for listening, and take care of yourself and
each other. I'm teaching buys and bits.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Bye bye,
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