GRAND FORKS — A week ago, the University of North Dakota defense's biggest obstacle against North Dakota State was handling the dual-threat capabilities of Bison quarterback Trey Lance.
The 6-foot-3, 221-pound freshman ran a team-high 16 times for a team-high 95 yards and two touchdowns.
As the Fighting Hawks turn the page to No. 24 Sam Houston State and a 4 p.m. Saturday kickoff at the Alerus Center, UND expects to see another quarterback running threat from the Bearkats.
Sam Houston State, of the Southland Conference, is expected to rotate two quarterbacks for the third straight week.
Sophomores Eric Schmid (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) and Ty Brock (6-4, 210) have split time for the Bearkats, with Schmid carrying more of a dual-threat label.
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Schmid has run 12 times for 59 yards and three touchdowns through two weeks.
"It should be a tough task for our defense, and I'm looking forward to the gameplan for this week," UND safety Jordan Canady said.
The Hawks expect to see a bit of a different offensive look from Sam Houston than during UND's 24-23 win in Huntsville, Texas, last season.
Sam Houston quarterback Mike Dare, who led the way for the Bearkats in 2018, wasn't a running threat and struggled against the Hawks' defense. Dare was 20-for-31 for 201 yards passing and no touchdowns and was sacked five times.
Dare's preseason injury this year opened the door for Brock and Schmid.
Sam Houston, ranked No. 5 in the STATS FCS poll when UND knocked off the Bearkats last year, appears to be back to its high-flying offense, which sputtered through a 6-5 season in 2018. Sam Houston's hurry-up offense ran 95 plays in Week 1.
In a 39-31 loss at New Mexico to open the year, Brock threw for 258 yards and a touchdown, while Schmid threw for 185 yards and a score.
"They like to let it loose," Canady said. "We'll have our hands full. It'll be a different defensive gameplan from last week. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, we can get some turnovers."
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Canady, a junior from New Berlin, Wis., thinks the Hawks are ready to turn the page following a 38-7 loss at rival NDSU.
"It's Week 2 and there's a long season to go," Canady said. "NDSU is a tough team, hats off to them and they played a great game. But we'll bounce back and be ready to go."
