North Dakota State Bison
Overall Rank: #26
#4 Missouri Valley
North Dakota State Team Page
2010 Record: (9-5, 4-4)
2010 Postseason: FCS Playoffs
Coach: Craig Bohl (61-30 at North Dakota State, 61-30 overall)
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: D.J. McNorton, RB, 1,559 yards
Passing: Brock Jensen, QB, 950 yards
Receiving: Warren Holloway, WR, 698 yards
Tackles: Preston Evans, LB, 95
Sacks: Coulter Boyer, DE, 10.0
Interceptions: Marcus Williams, CB, 4
North Dakota returns a bulk of their players that made a nice run last year in the FCS Playoffs. However, they created some luck in the process. This was a team that had an average defense when it came to total yards allowed, yet they only gave up 18.21 points per game. The offense was average at best, but still scored more than they should have. The difference was that this team created turnovers and took advantage of field position. There is certainly skill involved in that, but recreating a 9-5 season for a team that allowed about 40 more yards per game than they gained is not likely.
Strengths:
The defense created a slew of turnovers and they very well could again this season, with such a strong defensive line forcing the opposition to make mistakes. End Coulter Boyer tallied 10.0 sacks last season and freshman Cole Jirik added 7.0 more. Scott Stoczynski is another experienced end, but redshirt freshman Kyle Emanuel could end up in the starting spot opposite of Boyer. No matter who starts, the end positions are deep and talented. The interior of the line is pretty inexperienced with four underclassmen likely seeing a majority of the playing time. That may be an issue for the run defense. However, linebackers Preston Evans and Brandon Jemison led the Bison in tackles last year and will help out the front line in that regard. Matt Anderson and Josh Gatlin seemed like they made a big play every time they touched the ball. But the secondary still returns plenty of productive players. Daniel Eaves is the leader of the unit and sophomores Colten Heagle and Marcus Williams are only getting better with experience.
Weaknesses:
Quarterback Brock Jensen split time as a starter during his freshman campaign. This was a very poor passing team by North Dakota State standards, but at least Jensen did a good job of avoiding interceptions. Unfortunately, he only completed 45.0 percent of his passes and that number must improve or the passing attack will be quite ineffective. The good news is receiver Warren Holloway is back after leading the team with 49 receptions for 698 yards and five touchdowns. Reed Duchscher will have to step into the other starting receiver spot. If another receiver fails to emerge, Jensen will have to look to D.J. McNorton out of the backfield. McNorton was second on the team in all major receiving categories in 2010, but he is also the workhorse. On the year he carried the ball 280 times for 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns. The offense will again run through McNorton, but getting a consistent passing game will make life much easier for McNorton.
The Bottom Line:
The offense should be better than it was in 2010. The defense could be better, but it is unlikely that they will allow a mere 18.21 points per game again this season. It is not fair to say that North Dakota State was lucky to win nine games last season, but everything seemed to go right for the Bison in 2010. Capturing that magic again will be tough and now the skill and experience of this team will have to shine in order for Coach Craig Bohl’s team to make it back to the playoffs.
Projected Postseason: none
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 174.29 (35th in nation, 7th in conference)
Passing Offense: 153.00 (96, 9)
Total Offense: 327.29 (78, 9)
Scoring Offense: 25.43 (50, 7)
Rushing Defense: 172.43 (88, 5)
Pass Defense: 188.93 (41, 5)
Total Defense: 361.36 (69, 3)
Scoring Defense: 18.21 (7, 1)
Turnover Margin: 1.07 (7, 1)
Sacks: 2.57 (19, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 2.43 (83, 8)
Madness 2011 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#129 Danell Miles
