Sunday’s first football game in the history of North Dakota had a church element. Bison huddled in midfield for his usual prayer time after the game.
At this point, the crowd of 6,578 people at Gate City Bank Field were on their way out after a 25-7 victory over Youngstown State. It was not the electric offensive show that fans have seen over the years.
But it was a victory.
And that’s what counts in the debut of Bison’s quarterback, Zeb Noland.
“I went into the heap and smiled, called the first move and you absorbed everything,” he said. “I know that when you play at Fargodome you can smell the almonds when you are running out of the tunnel. I didn’t take it for granted, I absorbed everything and it was nice to have enough fans to have a good crowd. “
North Dakota state quarterback Zeb Noland fires a pass at Youngstown State’s Jaison Williams at Fargodome on Sunday, February 21. David Samson / The Forum
It was not the full dome of previous years, but we are going to take anything in the COVID-19 world.
It was Noland’s first real action since the middle of the 2018 season in Iowa, and there was certainly rust. If anyone forgot, it’s 2021.
Playing as a quarterback is not like riding a bike, so for those who wait for the second coming of Carson, Trey or Easton, calm down. It may take some time.
It is a difficult act to follow, this position of defender in the NDSU. Brock Jensen won three national FCS titles. Carson Wentz was the starting QB for two more. Easton Stick has three title rings and, of course, Trey Lance has planned a 16-0 season in 2019.
“There are some moves that I wish we had back,” said coach Matt Entz of Bison. “I think there are some things that we could make launching easier.”
Noland has a strong arm and has shown it a few times. There was also this nugget: with a new coaching staff and a new coordinator, Bison had no real idea of what to expect from Youngstown’s defense.
A correctable false pause: the junior receiver, Christian Watson, did not exist in the passing game besides receiving a penalty for interference in the pass. Watson did a nice 30-yard jet sweep in the fourth period which led to a touchdown that put the game aside, but ended the game without any reception.
“It’s the first game and it’s one of those things, we’re going to start clicking even more,” said Noland. “When you’re running the ball so effectively, and you’re getting three or four yards per pop, it’s really hard to make a smaller percentage of the shot over the top when you can just pass it back and keep moving the chains. Let’s start clicking on it and go deeper. “
Cole Jacob was the main target with three receptions for 28 yards. Noah Gindorff had two receptions, including one that kicked off a touchdown in the first quarter that gave Bison the lead forever.
“We did it for other people,” said Entz. “Of course, everyone knows who (Watson) is with the escape of 2019. He is a big threat in the wide receiver, but he can also carry football and run with him. We will continue to find different ways to use our talents. “
Noland finished 9 of 18, going for 74 yards. Not good. He also didn’t make any glaring mistakes, like an interception or a disaster.
And to be fair, NDSU has not gone into much of the manual. Bison played in a basic way, putting the game in the hands of the running backs and the offensive line, instead of in a QB in his first Bison start.
“There are some bids that you would like to have back,” said Noland. “It was good to be out there, to get into the flow of things. I know it sounds crazy, but I really enjoy watching the running backs run. “
That, they did. Kobe Johnson had 114 yards and a touchdown and Jalen Bussey showed his speed with two goals.
In addition, the NDSU had to make an informed prediction about the type of defense the Youngstown state would launch against them. Bison looked at the Penguins’ defense team and dug up the tape at their previous schools.
Entz said that NDSU even examined some Division III games.
“We just went into it with an open mind,” said Noland. “Take a four-down plan and a three-down plan and move on. It takes a lot of preparation and details, but I feel that everyone in the attack fought this week and took it very seriously. “
And this week ended in victory. Call it good.