Top-ranked North Dakota State wary of Weber


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OGDEN — North Dakota State football is a program that is used to winning, a lot.

The Bison are three-time defending national champions, and the team is currently the top-ranked team in all of FCS football. Also, for the fifth consecutive season, NDSU defeated an FBS opponent, as the Bison took down the Big-12’s Iowa State with a 34-14 victory.

All in all, the Bison are a proud champion, and they are playing like it as they prepare for an FCS non-conference matchup with the Weber State Wildcats. The Wildcats, coming off a 45-14 loss to No. 19 Arizona State, are hosting a top-ranked FCS team for the first time since 2002, and they will have their hands full with NDSU.

There was some changeup for the Bison after the end of last season, as long-time coach Craig Bohl left for Wyoming. So, just like Weber, the Bison have a new coach in Chris Klieman, who was the school’s defensive coordinator the last two seasons.


North Dakota State defeated Iowa State of the Big-12 conference, 34-14, in the season's first week.

NDSU’s game plan for beating Iowa State was to run the ball effectively, and the Bison effectively rushed for 298 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Running back John Crockett was named National Player of the Week with three of the rushing touchdowns. Additionally, their quarterback, Carson Wentz, completed 18-of-28 passing attempts for 204 yards. Also, the Bison forced two turnovers, with both coming on interceptions. Defensive end Kyle Emanuel was named the FCS National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

With all that in mind, Klieman said his team has a tough task ahead of them in Weber.

“We don’t know a lot about (Weber),” he said. “They played Arizona State, which is a really exceptional football team, and so it was difficult to be able to tell (about them). But, I think they’ve got some talented kids; they’ve got a new coaching staff, so we’ll have a big challenge come Saturday.”

On the other hand, Wildcats coach Jay Hill said stopping the Bison is a tough task, especially with the physicality they bring.

“They definitely look like the No. 1 team in the nation,” he said. “They’re three-time defending national champions, and there’s a reason. The biggest reason is they’re physical and very disciplined. As you watch them, they knock people back and they’re always in the right spot.”

While Weber is prepared for a physical grind, Klieman said the Wildcats’ athleticism is what worries him most, at all positions.

“Offensively, they’ve got a couple of really good wide receivers,” he said. “They’ve got the transfer quarterback from BYU (Billy Green) who I think throws it exceptionally well, and I was really impressed with their front. So, our defense will have their hands full.

“Their defense just moves in and out of different fronts. We’ve got to make sure that we’re prepared for an odd front and an even front, and be able to make sure that we can make our adjustments, whether that be picking things up on the blitz or picking things up on the run game.”

Klieman also said he is concerned about playing in the Utah environment.

“We’ve got to go in the road again, in a little different environment,” he said. “This time we’re playing a night game, so we’ll sit around a little bit longer on Saturday. That’s a challenge that our guys will face, and to play back-to-back road games to start a season is difficult.

“We’ve got to make sure we don’t have a game two hangover, and I don’t anticipate that our guys will let that happen.”

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