When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Alerus Center.
Records: UND 1-2; Northwestern State 1-2.
Did you know?
Eight former Northwestern State players have been NFL Pro Bowlers. Nine ex-Demons have played in the Super Bowl and one -- Jackie Smith -- is in the NFL Hall of Fame. Two former Northwestern players -- Bobby Hebert and Mark Duper -- were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Just the facts
Team Web site: www.fightingsioux.com
On the radio/TV: The Fox (96.1 FM), Dan Hammer, play by play; Mike Berg, analyst; FSSN, Midco Sports Network; Fox College Sports (Atlantic); (Channel 27, GF).
Coaches show: The Fan (1440 AM), WDAY (970 AM), Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
TV coaches show: Sioux Sports Extra, Sundays, 10:35 p.m., WDAY (Channel 8, GF).
Schedules
UND
Idaho 45.........................................................UND 0
ADVERTISEMENT
Northern Illinois 23..........................................UND 17
UND 55............................Northeastern (Okla.) State 14
Today...........................Northwestern (La.) State, 4 p.m.
Oct. 2.......................................at South Dakota, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9.........................................Southern Utah, 4 p.m.
Oct. 23........................................at Cal Poly, 8:05 p.m.
Oct. 30..........................................Lamar, Texas, noon
Nov. 6.................................................UC Davis, noon
ADVERTISEMENT
Nov. 13.......................................at Montana, 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 20.............................at South Dakota State, 1 p.m.
Northwestern State
Air Force 65.........................................................Northwestern State 21
Samford 19............................................................Northeastern State 7
Northwestern State 17...................................................Tarleton State 14
Today............................................................................at UND, 4 p.m.
Oct. 2.................................................................McNeese State, 2 p.m.
ADVERTISEMENT
Oct. 9............................................................at Central Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Oct. 23..................................................................at Texas State, 3 p.m.
Oct. 30............................................................Sam Houston State, 6 p.m.
Nov. 6..................................................at Southeastern Lousisiana, 6 p.m.
Nov. 13..................................................................Nicholls State, 2 p.m.
Nov. 20.........................................................at Stephen F. Austin, 2 p.m.
By the numbers
9
ADVERTISEMENT
True freshmen that have played so far this season for Northwestern State. Last season, 14 true freshmen played for the Demons.
-19
Northwestern State's turnover margin during its winless 2009 season. Through three games this season, Northwestern is minus-3 in turnovers.
25
Tackles recorded by Sioux junior linebacker Dan Hendrickson through three games. He ranks first defensively for the Sioux. Last season, Hendrickson finish 15th in team tackles with 19 stops.
35.3
Yards averaged by Northwestern State through three games on its first offensive play from scrimmage. The Demons gained 49 yards on their first play at Air Force; 35 yards against Samford; and 22 yards against Tarleton State.
450,000
ADVERTISEMENT
Dollars Northwestern State expects to receive when it plays at LSU to in the 2011 season.
The edge
Offense
UND
After a forgettable performance at Idaho, UND's offense has produced points and yards the last two weeks. The Sioux gained 270 yards at Idaho but committed four turnovers. In games against Northern Illinois and Northeastern State, the Sioux racked up 334 yards and 509 yards, respectively.
UND's offense committed four turnovers at Idaho, but only two against Northern Illinois and none against Northeastern State.
Jake Landry's quarterback efficiency rating is at 117.03 as he has completed 47-of79 passes for 534 yards.
Defense
UND
Northwestern State has eight new starters on defense.
Defense remains UND's strength. The Sioux defense is led by Dan Hendrickson, whose 25 tackles have included some highlight-reel hits. And backup linebacker Mitch Goertz is second in team tackles with 14.
The Sioux continue to rotate a number of players defensively and the latest to contribute include redshirt freshman cornerback Chavon Mackey, who has 11 tackles. He started last week and likely will get another start today.
The key matchup will be UND's secondary against Northwestern's receivers, led by Bradley Brown (16 catches, 229 yards).
Special teams
UND
Sioux special teams have received a lot of praise so far.
But UND coach Chris Mussman said he'd like to see more improvement from the kick receive team, which has lost the ball twice this season.
UND's kicking, a question mark at the start of the season, has been solid as punter Brett Cameron is averaging 40.8 yards.
Zeb Miller is 3-for-4 on field goal attempts and his kickoffs have been deep for the most part.
3 questions for Jake Miller
Q. You knew there was a chance you'd play this season as a true freshaman but what were your emotions when coach Chris Mussman sent you on to the field last week?
A. I was nervous. I had a million emotions going through me. My heart was beating fast. But I just had to react. Guys were coming at me pretty fast. The holes close a lot faster than they used to (in high school). It was pretty nerve-wracking. And I took a couple of big hits. After the game, I had 16 (text) messages from my buddies and families across the state. It was pretty cool.
Q. Did UND coaches say whether you'd play as a true freshman when they recruited you?
A. Their main goal was to redshirt me all along to get me bigger and stronger.
Q. With Mitch Sutton doubtful for today's game, what you do expect your role will be?
A. It could expand. I'm willing to play wherever the team needs me. I'm willing to do anything to help us win games. I think we have a good chance of winning (today) and I'd like to get in on any opportunity I have.
Wayne's call
Last week: 3-1.
Season: 7-4.
UND 34, Northwestern State 21: The Sioux have health issues at running back. But they have a clean bill of health in every other area.
South Dakota 24, North Dakota State 14: Coyotes haven't won in Fargo since 1978. If the Yotes win, it may be another 32 years before South Dakota returns to Fargo.
Gophers 34, Northern Illinois 30: Gophers save coach Tim Brewster's job -- for at least one week.
Lions 16, Vikings 9: Vikes drop to woe-and-3. Even the Twins have a better offense.
Stats
2010 UND leaders
Rushing Att Yds Lg Td
Josh Murray 35 205 47 1
Jake Miller 11 76 39 2
Mitch Sutton 19 73 14 0
Brent Goska 13 71 34 1
Jake Landry 17 41 12 0
Passing Cmp Att Int Yds TD
Jake Landry 47 79 3 534 2
Brent Goska 1 5 0 7 0
Receiving No. Yds Lg TD
Greg Hardin 13 271 85 2
Catlin Solum 10 59 11 0
Ryan Dressler 7 71 43 0
Josh Murray 7 37 15 0
R.J. McGill 4 27 16 0
Total tackles -- Dan Hendrickson 25, Mitch Goertz 14, Ross Cochran 13, Kris Ankenbauer 12, Ryan Kasowski 12, Chavon Mackey 11, Broc Bellmore 10, Dominque Hawkins 10, Paul German 9, Ross Brenneman 9, Seth Stanchik 8, Garrison Goodman 8, Joel Schwenzfeier 8, Mitch Kudrna 7, Justin Belotti 6, Ty Boyle 6, Curtis Dublanko 5, Dominique Bennett 4, Devin Benjamin 4, Johnnie Daniels 4
Sacks -- Cochran 2.5, Damon Andrews 2, Brenneman 1.5, Hendrickson 1, German 1, Benjamin 1
