Once-surging North Dakota finds itself searching after a second straight comeback loss.
UND burst out the gates with a 4-1 record, the lone loss to four-time defending national champion North Dakota State in the first meeting between the in-state rivals since 2003. The streak included a 19-16 win over a ranked Portland State team in Hillsboro, Oregon. But a few significant injuries have played factors as North Dakota has blown fourth quarter leads two weeks in a row.
On Saturday, UND plays at Montana. The Grizzlies are also searching for answers after injuries have cost them Brady Gustafson and Chad Chalich, their top two quarterbacks. Montana is fresh off a bye week. UM lost to Weber State 24-21 in overtime at home, the first time WSU has won in Missoula since 1987.
UND tunnel run in the Alerus Center
Two weeks ago in Grand Forks, UND led Idaho State 31-15 following John Santiago’s touchdown run with a minute left in the third quarter. Behind a pair of touchdown passes by Michael Sanders, ISU scored 22 unanswered points to hand UND its first conference loss.
Last week in Ogden, Utah, UND led Weber State 24-10 with 12 minutes, 32 seconds left to play. WSU junior quarterback Jadrian Clark threw touchdowns to Tui Satuala (38 yards) and Cody Eyolfson (five yards) in the game’s final eight minutes as Weber State moved to 3-1 in Big Sky Conference play. WSU has won two games each of the last three seasons.
The past two weeks have seen a spat of key injuries hinder UND. North Dakota sophomore quarterback Keaton Studsrud suffered an ankle injury in the ISU game that cost him the start last week against Weber. In his place, junior Ryan Bartels completed just 9-of-20 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
The North Dakota defense has been menacing against the run this season. UND is allowing just 71 rushing yards per game. But junior inside linebacker Taj Rich suffered a season-ending ACL tear against Portland State. Sophomore safety Cole Reyes suffered an undisclosed injury against PSU and did not play against ISU or Weber. Zach Arnell, the other Week 1 starting safety, missed the past two games win an injury.
North Dakota’s strong start seemed like an affirmation of the plan Bubba Schweigert has been putting in place in his two years as head coach.
In the spring of 2014, Schweigert made his team start from scratch defensively.
UND linebacker Jake Disterhaupt/by Tyler Ingham
North Dakota relearned tackling fundamentals and a renewed sense of pride was instilled in the UND defense under the first-year head coach. The results were solid as UND led the Big Sky Conference in total defense and finished third in scoring defense. This spring, Schweigert’s attention turned to an offense that averaged just 15.9 points and 254 yards per game.
“We wanted to get better at what we’d like to be and that’s the team that runs the football,” Schweigert said in the spring. “We have to run the ball right at you even if you know it’s coming. That’s our goal. That’s the design.”
Despite the anemic offense that saw quarterbacks Joe Mollberg and Ryan Bartels go down with injuries, North Dakota was among the surprises in the league, hanging tough with Montana State and Montana while figuring out a way to win five games. UND ended the season with wins over Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado.
“Within our walls, we have high expectations for our program,” Schweigert said. “Our goal is to move our program to the top of the Big Sky. We feel we have the support and the momentum to do it.”
In the early going, the results were promising. UND ran the ball at will in a 24-13 upset win at FBS Wyoming. North Dakota shot out to a 2-0 start in Big Sky by rushing for 250 yards per game in wins over UC Davis (31-24) and Portland State (19-16).
QUICK HITS
Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Nickname: None
Founded: 1883. Founded on a strong liberal arts foundation, the school is still one of the top public research institutions in the country.
Enrollment: The school had 15,143 students and an endowment of $198.4 million.
Stadium: Alerus Center. Opened in 2001, the $80 million indoor arena seats 21,000. Last year, UND averaged 7,486 fans during six home games. In three home games this season, North Dakota is averaging 9,168
THE TEAM (2-2 in Big Sky, 4-3 overall)
The Coach: Bubba Schweigert. After 10 years away, the longtime UND assistant returned to Grand Forks before the 2014 season. Schweigert coached at UND from 1989 to 2003, including serving as the defensive coordinator for the 2001 Division II national championship season. The UND alum served as Southern Illinois’s defensive coordinator for six years leading up to last season, his first as a head coach. UND posted a 3-5 record in Big Sky play, 5-7 overall.
THE OFFENSE
Offensive line, average size: 6-5, 314 pounds — Despite 6-foot-6, 315-pound senior captain Brandon Anderson being banged up, the UND offensive front is one of the most powerful and productive in the Big Sky.
John Santiago
The group still has 6-foot-5, 310-pound right tackle Sean Meehan, who will make his 31st straight start on Saturday in Missoula. Senior Colton Boas is a two-year starter at center.
“We’ve gotten bigger and that’s intentional,” Schweigert said in the spring. “We felt that we needed a bigger body type to win Big Sky championships.”
John Santiago, running back, 5-9, 170, freshman — Many thought UAB transfer Jawon Arrington or returner Kyle Norberg would be the go-to running backs, but it’s been the true freshman who came to UND as a wide receiver who’s shouldered the load.
Santiago has rushed for more than 100 yards in five of sevens starts this season. He has 754 yards on 132 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and he’s scored seven touchdowns.
Keaton Studsrud
Keaton Studsrud, quarterback, 6–1, 195, sophomore — Junior Joel Mollberg started all last season before a severe leg injury ended his season with four games to go. Bartels filled in before a shoulder injury cost him the rest of his sophomore season as well.
UND had to scramble. Schweigert elected to pull the redshirt from Studsrud, who struggled initially before leading UND to two straight wins down the stretch. Studsrud completed just 34 percent of his passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns against six interceptions.
During the off-season, Studsrud emerged as the man under center. In six starts this fall, he has completed 52.5 percent of his passes for 745 yards and seven touchdowns against three interceptions. He has rushed for 213 yards and three scores, including 107 and a score in a 19-16 win over Portland State. His status for Saturday is unknown.
THE DEFENSE
Will Ratelle
Will Ratelle, middle linebacker, 5-11, 255, senior — When the All-Big Sky accolades came down the pipe, it could be assumed most at UND were shocked. Ratrelle, one of the best downhill linebackers in the league on the conference’s top statistical defense, was the lone player to earn any recognition.
Despite registering 106 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, six quarterback hurries and three pass breakups, the burly senior garnered just honorable mention All-Big Sky recognition last fall.
“Will had a good, solid year for us,” Schweigert said. “He’s a team captain and our leader. We need another big year from him.”
This season, Ratelle has carved out a candidacy for league MVP honors during the first half of the season. The ripped captain leads UND with 68 total tackles, including 37 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks.
Brian LaBat
Brian Labat, outside linebacker, 6-3, 235, junior — In Schweigert’s blitzing, high-pressure 3-4 defense, the outside linebackers are of paramount importance.
“We play not as much size on defense because we want to run to the football,” Schweigert said in the spring. “Playing a 3-4, that means you have to rotate a lot and we need more depth behind those guys so we don’t get worn down.”
LaBat and senior Dayo Idowu are two of the most athletic outside guys in the conference. Last season, Idowu had nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks among his 61 stops. Labat had 12 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks among his 49 tackles. This year, Idowu has five tackles for loss and two sacks among his 20 tackles while LaBat has six tackles for loss and two sacks among his 18 tackles.
Cole Reyes
Cole Reyes, safety, 6-2, 220, sophomore — Reyes likely would have played as a true freshman in 2013 but a broken hand cost him the season. Last fall, he returned to health and had a solid year in his first season as a starter. The big, rangy player had 59 tackles, five tackles for loss, an interception and five pass breakups last season.
“The key for Cole is consistency because he really has the ability to make a lot of big plays,” Schweigert said. “I think sometimes last year we forgot it was his first year playing. We think he can be a top guy in the league.”
This year, Reyes’ health has been a key. He has 35 tackles, six tackles for loss and two pass breakups for a defense allowing 337 yards per game.
Photos courtesy of North Dakota Athletics. All Rights Reserved.
