On and off the field, Daryl Brown has faced challenges since he arrived at UND.
And the redshirt freshman cornerback knows more challenges are on the way as No. 20 UND prepares for Saturday's game against Montana Western.
"I'm expecting teams to throw it my way because they know I'm the youngest one out there," Brown said. "But I like the challenge."
Brown, a 5-foot-10, 161-pounder from Plymouth, Minn., was up to the challenge last week at Southern Utah, where he sealed UND's 26-20 win with an interception in the end zone with 11 seconds to play.
Brown responded to a challenge a few minutes before the game-winning play.
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"Daryl got mad at coach (Benny) Boyd because he was going to put somebody else out there for the one-on-one route up top," UND coach Chris Mussman said of the game's final moments. "Daryl kind of pouted a little bit. So coach Boyd challenged him. Daryl said, 'Yeah, I'll stop him.' And then they talked about the double move by their receiver. Daryl was sitting right there on top of it and goes up and gets the ball."
Boyd, the Sioux cornerbacks' coach, told Brown that Southern Utah receiver Jared Ursua likely would use a hitch-and-go move against Brown. The Sioux cornerback, however, didn't bite on the move and was in position for the interception.
"I really love Daryl's competitiveness," Mussman said. "And he's like a little Lab puppy. He can run all day. You keep throwing that ball and he'll go chase it and bring it back. He's a great kid."
But there was some question whether Brown would play this season.
"He had some troubles this summer as far as academic stuff," Mussman said. "But he battled through that and we're fortunate to have him back on the field."
Brown believed he and his teammates in the secondary were challenged by UND coaches before the season started.
"Earlier this year, I heard coach Mussman and coach (Mike) Mannausau talking about how they felt our defensive backfield was our weakness this year," Brown said. "Every game, I feel I have to go out there and prove something so they get comfortable with me."
Brown is part of an emerging secondary that has turned in back-to-back solid performances. Twice at Fresno State, however, the Sioux secondary gave up long touchdown passes.
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But in back-to-back wins against Black Hills State and SUU, the secondary allowed only four receptions of more than 20 yards. Combined, Black Hills and SUU threw 77 passes at the Sioux defense.
"Our main goal is to not let anyone get behind us," Brown said.
Up next
Who: Montana Western at UND.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Alerus Center.
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
Records: UND 3-2; Montana Western 1-4.
Of note: UND ranks third in FCS rushing defense, allowing 66.2 yards per game.
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Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .
