Illinois State was supposed to be a good test
Winning by 34 on the road has become commonplace for the herd
What is there left to say about the Bison football team? They show up, they dominate and they go home. They do this over and over and over again. The victim of the Herd’s dominance this time was the 10th ranked Illinois State Redbirds. The Bison got up early and never looked back, securing their 5th win of the year 37-3.
Per usual, the defense was next-level elite. The Bison defense has now gone seven straight quarters without allowing a touchdown to a top-10 team. The Herd forced three fumbles, recovering one. The Bison also lived in the Redbird’s backfield notching four sacks and nine tackles for loss.
The offense did what it had to to. Trey Lance remained one of the most efficient passers in the country going 12-15 for 189 yards and three touchdowns. The Bison ground game feasted all day long.
Eight different Bison got carries on the day. Senior Ty Brooks totaled 109 yards on just nine carries while scoring a touchdown. Adam Cofield led the team with 15 rushes, also notching a touchdown on the ground.
The Bison came out fresh off their bye and ready to roll. If this was supposed to be the year NDSU regresses, then the rest of the nation is in trouble. Not just this season, but for the next few years as well.
The Herd is now 1-0 in their journey for another Missouri Valley championship. Illinois State looked to be one of the Bison’s biggest in-conference competitions, but if that’s what the Valley has to offer than this will be a snooze-fest.
Now the Bison get to head back home for a couple weeks. The University of Northern Iowa Panthers come to Fargo for next week’s homecoming match. The Panthers have actually been one of the few teams to give the Herd troubles in recent years.
The Panthers were able to defeat Youngstown State in their conference opener. It is safe to say UNI will not be razzed by the Bison mystique, but the Herd may just be too talented to drop a game at home to an un-ranked foe.