11:30AM..... Miami Ohio-UAB
3:00.....Troy-UTSA
7:00.....Incarnate Word-North Dakota St.
3:00.....Troy-UTSA
7:00.....Incarnate Word-North Dakota St.
In the Bahamas Bowl, the winner will finish with a winning season. The other will go home with some extra sunshine and a losing record.
Miami (Ohio) will meet UAB in a battle of 6-6 teams in the first bowl game of the 2022 slate on Friday at 11:30 a.m. EST at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.
While the teams enter with matching records, that's where the similarities stop.
Miami is led by coach Chuck Martin in his ninth year, while UAB is in transition. This will be the final game that interim coach Bryant Vincent leads the Blazers before former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer takes the reins.
Dilfer said last week that he will be in the Bahamas for the game and will work with Vincent and his staff on whatever they need him to do.
"I plan on serving coach Vincent and this staff any way I can. I mean that. He is the head coach," Dilfer told the Tribune newspaper of Nassau. "I'm here to support him in the transition, to serve these young men, to serve this staff. I'm not joking -- if they send me on coffee runs, I'll go on coffee runs. ... I want to help them finish strong. I also hope to earn their trust as we go through this together, because great things are coming."
This game will mark the first-ever meeting between the Blazers and RedHawks.
UAB ended the regular season - its final run in Conference USA before transitioning to the American next year - with a 37-27 road victory over Louisiana Tech. The Blazers were powered by a rushing attack that racked up 414 yards and three touchdowns. DeWayne McBride led the way with 272 yards on 16 carries for a 17-yards-per-try average.
A junior, McBride was tapped as the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year this season. He leads all of FBS in rushing yards (1,713) and touchdowns (19). UAB has the nation's fifth-best rushing offense, averaging 243.1 yards per game.
Miami's defense is anchored by Ryan McWood and Matthew Salopek, each of whom has more than 100 total tackles this season. Brian Ugwu leads the team in tackles for loss with 9 1/2.
"I like going to bowl games where it's warm," Martin said. "For a lot of these kids and a lot of these families, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
This is the first time since the 2003 and 2004 seasons that the RedHawks have gone to a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. They are 6-5 all-time in bowl matchups.
UAB is 2-3 all-time in bowl games and has been bowl-eligible in six straight seasons but didn't play in one in 2020 because of a pandemic-related cancellation. UAB played in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl, losing 41-6 to Ohio.
Miami (Ohio) will meet UAB in a battle of 6-6 teams in the first bowl game of the 2022 slate on Friday at 11:30 a.m. EST at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.
While the teams enter with matching records, that's where the similarities stop.
Miami is led by coach Chuck Martin in his ninth year, while UAB is in transition. This will be the final game that interim coach Bryant Vincent leads the Blazers before former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer takes the reins.
Dilfer said last week that he will be in the Bahamas for the game and will work with Vincent and his staff on whatever they need him to do.
"I plan on serving coach Vincent and this staff any way I can. I mean that. He is the head coach," Dilfer told the Tribune newspaper of Nassau. "I'm here to support him in the transition, to serve these young men, to serve this staff. I'm not joking -- if they send me on coffee runs, I'll go on coffee runs. ... I want to help them finish strong. I also hope to earn their trust as we go through this together, because great things are coming."
This game will mark the first-ever meeting between the Blazers and RedHawks.
UAB ended the regular season - its final run in Conference USA before transitioning to the American next year - with a 37-27 road victory over Louisiana Tech. The Blazers were powered by a rushing attack that racked up 414 yards and three touchdowns. DeWayne McBride led the way with 272 yards on 16 carries for a 17-yards-per-try average.
A junior, McBride was tapped as the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year this season. He leads all of FBS in rushing yards (1,713) and touchdowns (19). UAB has the nation's fifth-best rushing offense, averaging 243.1 yards per game.
Miami's defense is anchored by Ryan McWood and Matthew Salopek, each of whom has more than 100 total tackles this season. Brian Ugwu leads the team in tackles for loss with 9 1/2.
"I like going to bowl games where it's warm," Martin said. "For a lot of these kids and a lot of these families, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
This is the first time since the 2003 and 2004 seasons that the RedHawks have gone to a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. They are 6-5 all-time in bowl matchups.
UAB is 2-3 all-time in bowl games and has been bowl-eligible in six straight seasons but didn't play in one in 2020 because of a pandemic-related cancellation. UAB played in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl, losing 41-6 to Ohio.
UTSA quarterback Frank Harris will return for a seventh season at the school, but his immediate focus is on achieving a program first.
The No. 25 Roadrunners will face No. 24 Troy on Friday in the Cure Bowl at Orlando, Fla., in a matchup of programs with 10-game winning streaks, tied for third nationally behind Georgia (15) and Michigan (13).
The Roadrunners (11-2) control games with their offense while the Trojans (11-2) are sturdy on defense.
Harris was named Conference USA Player of the Year this season by passing for 3,865 yards, 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He thought about his future and decided returning to the school in San Antonio was his best option. He's hoping to provide the program's first bowl win this week.
"I'm not going to lie. At first I had no desire to come back," Harris said. "I've been here for a very long time, but I thought about it and prayed about it. It was best for me to play one more season and see how it plays out."
Harris has passed for 9,158 yards, 73 touchdowns and 21 interceptions during his career. He also has 1,808 yards and 24 scores on the ground.
He's the prime reason why UTSA ranks 12th nationally in scoring offense (38.7 points per game) and ninth in total offense (486.1 yards per game) entering the program's fourth-ever bowl contest.
The Trojans will look to slow the Roadrunners with a defense that ranks eighth in scoring defense (17.5) and is tied for 19th in total defense (325.3). Troy has 39 sacks as it seeks to notch its fifth consecutive bowl win.
The defense features linebacker Carlton Martial, who has 121 tackles and was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and also earned first-team all-conference honors for the fourth time. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Martial holds the FBS all-time record of 563 tackles and also has 10 1/2 sacks, eight forced fumbles and six interceptions in his career.
Offensively, Gunnar Watson has passed for 2,705 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Kimani Vidal is the leading rusher with 1,059 yards and nine scores.
The Trojans' losses were to Ole Miss (28-10 score) and Appalachian State (32-28).
"We're going to Orlando with the intention of winning a football game, but we're also going to make sure that our players have a great time and are rewarded for a championship season," said Troy coach Jon Sumrall.
UTSA's losses were to Houston (37-35 in triple overtime) and Texas (41-20).
The No. 25 Roadrunners will face No. 24 Troy on Friday in the Cure Bowl at Orlando, Fla., in a matchup of programs with 10-game winning streaks, tied for third nationally behind Georgia (15) and Michigan (13).
The Roadrunners (11-2) control games with their offense while the Trojans (11-2) are sturdy on defense.
Harris was named Conference USA Player of the Year this season by passing for 3,865 yards, 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He thought about his future and decided returning to the school in San Antonio was his best option. He's hoping to provide the program's first bowl win this week.
"I'm not going to lie. At first I had no desire to come back," Harris said. "I've been here for a very long time, but I thought about it and prayed about it. It was best for me to play one more season and see how it plays out."
Harris has passed for 9,158 yards, 73 touchdowns and 21 interceptions during his career. He also has 1,808 yards and 24 scores on the ground.
He's the prime reason why UTSA ranks 12th nationally in scoring offense (38.7 points per game) and ninth in total offense (486.1 yards per game) entering the program's fourth-ever bowl contest.
The Trojans will look to slow the Roadrunners with a defense that ranks eighth in scoring defense (17.5) and is tied for 19th in total defense (325.3). Troy has 39 sacks as it seeks to notch its fifth consecutive bowl win.
The defense features linebacker Carlton Martial, who has 121 tackles and was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and also earned first-team all-conference honors for the fourth time. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Martial holds the FBS all-time record of 563 tackles and also has 10 1/2 sacks, eight forced fumbles and six interceptions in his career.
Offensively, Gunnar Watson has passed for 2,705 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Kimani Vidal is the leading rusher with 1,059 yards and nine scores.
The Trojans' losses were to Ole Miss (28-10 score) and Appalachian State (32-28).
"We're going to Orlando with the intention of winning a football game, but we're also going to make sure that our players have a great time and are rewarded for a championship season," said Troy coach Jon Sumrall.
UTSA's losses were to Houston (37-35 in triple overtime) and Texas (41-20).
RedHawks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
RedHawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 bowl games.
RedHawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in December.
RedHawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Bowl games.
RedHawks are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
RedHawks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
RedHawks are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 non-conference games.
RedHawks are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
RedHawks are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
RedHawks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
Blazers are 13-5-1 ATS in their last 19 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Blazers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in December.
Blazers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.
Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.
Blazers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Blazers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-0 in RedHawks last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Under is 7-0 in RedHawks last 7 games in December.
Under is 6-1 in RedHawks last 7 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in RedHawks last 7 non-conference games.
Under is 5-1 in RedHawks last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in RedHawks last 5 bowl games.
Under is 4-1 in RedHawks last 5 Bowl games.
Under is 8-2 in RedHawks last 10 neutral site games.
Under is 7-2 in RedHawks last 9 games overall.
Under is 15-5 in RedHawks last 20 games following a straight up win.
Over is 6-2 in RedHawks last 8 Friday games.
Under is 6-2 in RedHawks last 8 games on fieldturf.
Under is 43-18-1 in RedHawks last 62 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-0 in Blazers last 4 games overall.
Under is 4-1 in Blazers last 5 Friday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Blazers last 5 bowl games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Blazers last 5 Bowl games.
Over is 5-2-1 in Blazers last 8 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Blazers last 7 non-conference games.
Over is 5-2 in Blazers last 7 games on fieldturf.
Over is 7-3 in Blazers last 10 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
RedHawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 bowl games.
RedHawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in December.
RedHawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Bowl games.
RedHawks are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
RedHawks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
RedHawks are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 non-conference games.
RedHawks are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
RedHawks are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
RedHawks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
Blazers are 13-5-1 ATS in their last 19 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Blazers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in December.
Blazers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.
Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.
Blazers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Blazers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-0 in RedHawks last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Under is 7-0 in RedHawks last 7 games in December.
Under is 6-1 in RedHawks last 7 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in RedHawks last 7 non-conference games.
Under is 5-1 in RedHawks last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in RedHawks last 5 bowl games.
Under is 4-1 in RedHawks last 5 Bowl games.
Under is 8-2 in RedHawks last 10 neutral site games.
Under is 7-2 in RedHawks last 9 games overall.
Under is 15-5 in RedHawks last 20 games following a straight up win.
Over is 6-2 in RedHawks last 8 Friday games.
Under is 6-2 in RedHawks last 8 games on fieldturf.
Under is 43-18-1 in RedHawks last 62 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-0 in Blazers last 4 games overall.
Under is 4-1 in Blazers last 5 Friday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Blazers last 5 bowl games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Blazers last 5 Bowl games.
Over is 5-2-1 in Blazers last 8 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Blazers last 7 non-conference games.
Over is 5-2 in Blazers last 7 games on fieldturf.
Over is 7-3 in Blazers last 10 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
last 5 games overall.
Roadrunners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Roadrunners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in December.
Roadrunners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. S-Belt.
Roadrunners are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Roadrunners are 13-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Roadrunners are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Roadrunners are 19-9 ATS in their last 28 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Trojans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Trojans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Trojans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games in December.
Trojans are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Trojans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Trojans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Trojans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.
Trojans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 Bowl games.
Trojans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Trojans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. CUSA.
Over is 3-0-1 in Roadrunners last 4 games in December.
Over is 5-0 in Roadrunners last 5 non-conference games.
Over is 10-1 in Roadrunners last 11 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Roadrunners last 6 Friday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Roadrunners last 5 vs. S-Belt.
Over is 6-2 in Roadrunners last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 12-5 in Roadrunners last 17 games overall.
Under is 14-6-1 in Roadrunners last 21 games following a ATS win.
Over is 7-3 in Roadrunners last 10 games on grass.
Over is 8-0 in Trojans last 8 bowl games.
Over is 8-0 in Trojans last 8 Bowl games.
Over is 8-0 in Trojans last 8 neutral site games.
Under is 7-1 in Trojans last 8 games on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Trojans last 5 games in December.
Under is 10-3-1 in Trojans last 14 non-conference games.
Under is 5-2 in Trojans last 7 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Under is 21-9 in Trojans last 30 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Roadrunners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Roadrunners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in December.
Roadrunners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. S-Belt.
Roadrunners are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Roadrunners are 13-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Roadrunners are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Roadrunners are 19-9 ATS in their last 28 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Trojans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Trojans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Trojans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games in December.
Trojans are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Trojans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Trojans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Trojans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.
Trojans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 Bowl games.
Trojans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Trojans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. CUSA.
Over is 3-0-1 in Roadrunners last 4 games in December.
Over is 5-0 in Roadrunners last 5 non-conference games.
Over is 10-1 in Roadrunners last 11 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Roadrunners last 6 Friday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Roadrunners last 5 vs. S-Belt.
Over is 6-2 in Roadrunners last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 12-5 in Roadrunners last 17 games overall.
Under is 14-6-1 in Roadrunners last 21 games following a ATS win.
Over is 7-3 in Roadrunners last 10 games on grass.
Over is 8-0 in Trojans last 8 bowl games.
Over is 8-0 in Trojans last 8 Bowl games.
Over is 8-0 in Trojans last 8 neutral site games.
Under is 7-1 in Trojans last 8 games on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Trojans last 5 games in December.
Under is 10-3-1 in Trojans last 14 non-conference games.
Under is 5-2 in Trojans last 7 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Under is 21-9 in Trojans last 30 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
UAB 7-0
UAB 10-0
Incarnate Word, winner of the highest-scoring FCS playoff game ever (66-63 at Sacramento State in the quarterfinals) takes its show on the road once again when it attempts to knock off North Dakota State Friday night. The 6 p.m. CT kickoff will be televised on ESPN2 and will start a historic game deciding whether NDSU returns to Frisco one win away from its tenth national championship since 2011.
The Bison have won FCS titles under Craig Bohl, Chris Klieman, and Matt Entz; Entz can move one victory closer to his third “chipper” as a head coach this week.
Meanwhile, UIW is in the midst of its deepest postseason run in school history. Head coach G.J. Kinne, who is outgoing for FBS Texas State, will be succeeded by current associate head coach and wide receivers coach Clint Killough, a UIW football alumnus. In the meantime, though, the Cardinals will have Kinne at the helm in search of their first win over NDSU. The teams’ only prior meeting was a nonconference regular-season matchup that saw ESPN’s College GameDay come to Fargo in 2014.
Fresh off allowing 63 points to Sac State, Incarnate Word’s defense faces questions about its readiness for the North Dakota State rushing offense (269.1 YPG) that buoys a relatively old-school approach to averaging just over 400 yards in total offense. UIW could use a defensive touchdown like the one scored by Kelechi Anyalebechi on his 55-yard fumble recovery in the fourth quarter last week. Anything goes for a visitor trying to tip the scales in its favor in the Fargodome in late December.
One element to weigh is the overall health of NDSU, which has been hit with a slew of injuries. On offense, the injury bug now includes RB TaMerik Williams, who was taken out of the quarterfinal win vs. Samford. Williams appears on this week’s Bison depth chart beneath Kobe Johnson; if he can go, it is an appetizing matchup, as playoff opponents go, anyway, vs. the nation’s 55th rushing defense and No. 54 total defense.
NDSU was met with ample physicality on the part of Samford in that game’s early stages, and it took the better part of two quarters for the Bison to assert their usual selves. It’s safe to say that the defending national champs desire a faster start on offense Friday, in their run-game bread and butter or otherwise, to be first to set the tone while defending QB Lindsey Scott Jr. on drives of…
This is the main event. Scott is arguably burning as the FCS’s brightest star. He now gets the brightest lights of a standalone semifinal at NDSU on national TV.
The attention is earned, as Scott’s 4,404 yards and 59 touchdowns this season are uncanny. Coupled with a subdivision-best passing efficiency at 207.02, the numbers relay the talent on display as Scott tossed the game-winning touchdown to Taylor Grimes in Sacramento with under 30 seconds in regulation.
UIW’s FCS-leading 53 PPG, spearheaded by Scott, pitted against NDSU’s defense, amounts to one of the best strength-on-strength scenarios of not only this season, but likely in multiple playoffs. Incarnate Word might just be the most threatening matchup on offense for North Dakota State, outside of South Dakota State, since 2016 James Madison.
The Bison have to like their counter, though, carrying the country’s fourth-ranked passing defense, scoring defense, and total defense into the battle with Scott and top pass-catchers Grimes and Darion Chafin. In this “final four” situation, expect NDSU’s home field to turn back up a notch, too. The fans in green and gold will show their appreciation for landing a home semi as the third seed by the decibel count.
Even with the hearty acknowledgment of Scott’s heroics, after traveling a long distance from San Antonio for a second straight week, let alone being against FCS playoff history’s odds in Fargo, UIW could use a boost to its offense by earning some moments of plus-field position.
One route to this could be the Cards’ punt return game, which checks in at No. 15 nationally with 13.56 YPR. UIW also has three punt return touchdowns in 2022, matched only by Montana and Stephen F. Austin in the top 15.
Of course, to receive punt return opportunities requires earning stops on defense, which is an area in question for the Cardinals. While the shine is on Scott, he will be asked to lead another shootout if NDSU isn’t punting much Friday evening.
On the Bison’s special teams, their unit came up big while scoreless with Samford when Spencer Waege blocked the Bulldogs’ 34-yard field goal attempt. NDSU has had just one of its own kicks blocked all season, assisting in its 89.8% red zone offense (eighth in the FCS).
The Bison have won FCS titles under Craig Bohl, Chris Klieman, and Matt Entz; Entz can move one victory closer to his third “chipper” as a head coach this week.
Meanwhile, UIW is in the midst of its deepest postseason run in school history. Head coach G.J. Kinne, who is outgoing for FBS Texas State, will be succeeded by current associate head coach and wide receivers coach Clint Killough, a UIW football alumnus. In the meantime, though, the Cardinals will have Kinne at the helm in search of their first win over NDSU. The teams’ only prior meeting was a nonconference regular-season matchup that saw ESPN’s College GameDay come to Fargo in 2014.
Fresh off allowing 63 points to Sac State, Incarnate Word’s defense faces questions about its readiness for the North Dakota State rushing offense (269.1 YPG) that buoys a relatively old-school approach to averaging just over 400 yards in total offense. UIW could use a defensive touchdown like the one scored by Kelechi Anyalebechi on his 55-yard fumble recovery in the fourth quarter last week. Anything goes for a visitor trying to tip the scales in its favor in the Fargodome in late December.
One element to weigh is the overall health of NDSU, which has been hit with a slew of injuries. On offense, the injury bug now includes RB TaMerik Williams, who was taken out of the quarterfinal win vs. Samford. Williams appears on this week’s Bison depth chart beneath Kobe Johnson; if he can go, it is an appetizing matchup, as playoff opponents go, anyway, vs. the nation’s 55th rushing defense and No. 54 total defense.
NDSU was met with ample physicality on the part of Samford in that game’s early stages, and it took the better part of two quarters for the Bison to assert their usual selves. It’s safe to say that the defending national champs desire a faster start on offense Friday, in their run-game bread and butter or otherwise, to be first to set the tone while defending QB Lindsey Scott Jr. on drives of…
This is the main event. Scott is arguably burning as the FCS’s brightest star. He now gets the brightest lights of a standalone semifinal at NDSU on national TV.
The attention is earned, as Scott’s 4,404 yards and 59 touchdowns this season are uncanny. Coupled with a subdivision-best passing efficiency at 207.02, the numbers relay the talent on display as Scott tossed the game-winning touchdown to Taylor Grimes in Sacramento with under 30 seconds in regulation.
UIW’s FCS-leading 53 PPG, spearheaded by Scott, pitted against NDSU’s defense, amounts to one of the best strength-on-strength scenarios of not only this season, but likely in multiple playoffs. Incarnate Word might just be the most threatening matchup on offense for North Dakota State, outside of South Dakota State, since 2016 James Madison.
The Bison have to like their counter, though, carrying the country’s fourth-ranked passing defense, scoring defense, and total defense into the battle with Scott and top pass-catchers Grimes and Darion Chafin. In this “final four” situation, expect NDSU’s home field to turn back up a notch, too. The fans in green and gold will show their appreciation for landing a home semi as the third seed by the decibel count.
Even with the hearty acknowledgment of Scott’s heroics, after traveling a long distance from San Antonio for a second straight week, let alone being against FCS playoff history’s odds in Fargo, UIW could use a boost to its offense by earning some moments of plus-field position.
One route to this could be the Cards’ punt return game, which checks in at No. 15 nationally with 13.56 YPR. UIW also has three punt return touchdowns in 2022, matched only by Montana and Stephen F. Austin in the top 15.
Of course, to receive punt return opportunities requires earning stops on defense, which is an area in question for the Cardinals. While the shine is on Scott, he will be asked to lead another shootout if NDSU isn’t punting much Friday evening.
On the Bison’s special teams, their unit came up big while scoreless with Samford when Spencer Waege blocked the Bulldogs’ 34-yard field goal attempt. NDSU has had just one of its own kicks blocked all season, assisting in its 89.8% red zone offense (eighth in the FCS).
UAB 10-6
Missed Xtra point
Missed Xtra point
Halftime
UAB 10-6
UAB 10-6
UAB 17-13
