The aura of Carson Wentz filled the Fargodome Saturday. Or at least, that is how I would describe the energy in the building.

As the lights dimmed and the giant video boards began to play highlights from the Iowa game, it hit me just how big the Iowa win was. The building was absolutely crazy, easily the loudest that I have heard it this season.

There was a certain intensity coming from the crowd. Was this stemming from the fact it was homecoming? Reactions from the Iowa game? Because it was the conference opener? Illinois State’s head coach’s comment about how the Dome “isn’t that loud?”

Personally, I put it down to homecoming. Speaking to some spectators in the student section, they said it wasn’t any louder than normal.

My ringing ears would say differently, given I was sitting in the opposite corner. At least for the first half.

Or, even more specifically, the second quarter. By no means was the first quarter quiet, but it just was not as loud as the second.

The big plays that sparked the Bison win brought the loudest cheers. It is hard to remember what thoughts ran through my head when the Bison forced a fumble when it looked like the Redbirds were going to score. I simply could not hear myself think.

That is expected when attending a game at the Fargodome. As a fan, there is only one way to know you have done the Bison football experience properly, leave with no voice and a headache.

Same goes for the Omaha Connection touchdown. Stick to RJ for 65 yards, and the crescendo of noise signals a Bison touchdown.

Let’s go back to Carson Wentz for a moment. It was public knowledge that he was back in town but he did a great job hiding up in the coach’s box. He easily could have gone down to the field and taken over the show, but he didn’t. Rather, he was down on the field before people entered the Dome, and met Cameron Winkler, an eight-year-old with spina bifida, down on the turf. More proof Carson is a classy fellow.

Then there was the second half. In all fairness, it was boring at best. Those who watch soccer know that when a commentator says that a game is a “midfield battle,” it means that it is boring. The second half was a midfield battle.

The drive chart says it all. Starting with the Bison’s drive to start the half, punt, punt, punt, punt, field goal, punt, missed field goal, punt, punt, turnover on downs, punt, turnover on downs, game over.

If you need to fall asleep, read that last sentence again.

There is nothing wrong with controlling a game, but then there is trying to kill a game though boredom. This did not come as a surprise with how the Bison defense front seven were playing, the Redbirds could not get a drive sustained. The Bison offense went back to the tried and true power run game that establishes control of a game. Good idea, but averaging less than four yards a carry does not provide entertainment.

At the end, the time of possession statistic looked like a normal Bison game. But when the realization comes that the teams were nearly tied in the statistic at half, it shows how much of the ball the Herd had in the second.

Sadly, a glance over to the student section showed it half full, and emptying at a decent rate. It is hard to say that there was no reason to leave but can the students just wait until the “start the buses” chant before leaving?