The journey to Texas has 11 pre-scheduled stops with only one break between now & late November. There will be twists, turns & trouble along the route but through it all the Herd will progress. Following each game that progress will be analyzed. As great as the destination is, enjoy the weekly pit stops along the way!
If you want to talk about the quarterbacks, that's on a different page. As important as they are to success, the QBs were third, at best, this Saturday.
For all the questions about Code Green that were in the ether, they proved to be the story of the game. Over seven first half possessions by Maine, the defense gave up 90 yards, zero points. You can't get much better of a recipe for success than that!
Cole Wisniewski developing into a ball-hawking safety just two games into his time at the position will get plenty of analysis this week - and understandably so. The soundness of the domination that NDSU put on Maine without it happening in many other ways (sacks, fumbles, touchdowns) is just as worthy of attention. Can't always count on being in the right place at the right time and getting the right opportunity to make a momentum-swinging play, but shutting down the opposing offense is an ever-present opportunity. Only time will tell whether Eastern Washington & Maine manage to make the playoff field but both seem like plausible options. Even if they don't prove to be it was good experience for the young defense. With sure-fire playoff teams on the horizon they will need to continue mastering those fundamental elements.
The ball-carrying facet of both quarterbacks' game got the silver medal to them throwing the ball. With four scores & 170 yards on the ground by Miller & Payton that will happen every time. Without that production it may have been a much closer contest and they are just one week removed from TaMerik Williams coming three yards shy of 100 so it could be a matter of Roehl going with the hot feet. It certainly will serve as a reminder for all future opponents of what the two QBs can do, in the unlikely event that a reminder was needed. Unlike the progress that has been shown with their passing, that much usage shouldn't become a trend though. If we get late in the season and the running back stable gets depleted again, sure, have the two run wild. In game two of a hopefully 15-game season, the hits that they took are reckless and the exertion is foolish.
The only other thing that really needs mentioning is that Griffen Crosa continues to be nails every time he lines up for a kick, this time going 8/8. With the big-picture still in view, he is a proven weapon for the roster and should be recognized & appreciated as such!