Idaho State and UND will contrast in their offensive strategy – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS – The Idaho State football program was once marketed as the “Throwin' Idahoans” during its run to the Big Sky Conference championship in 1981.

The current era of the Bengals is not far from that nickname. The program finished just 3-8 in 2023 but boasted the best passing offense in the FCS.

The 2024 Potato Bowl matchup at the Alerus Center will feature a stark offensive contrast, with No. 10 UND and Idaho State beginning Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Bengals, who play a variation of the run-and-shoot offense popularized in the NCAA by Hawaii and Washington State, have continued to show a penchant for the passing game this season under new head coach Cody Hawkins – the son of veteran college football coach Dan Hawkins.

Hawkins knows that he will soon be confronted with the stylistic opposite of his offense.

“(UND) is going to try to hold it forever,” Hawkins said. “They have so many different plays and attacking strategies that it's hard to deal with.”

The Fighting Hawks are still getting used to their new starting quarterback Simon Romfo and are struggling to develop a vertical passing game, but they have the 11th best running attack in the country thanks to a balanced workload of Gaven Ziebarth, Isaiah Smith, Sawyer Seidl and Romfo.

UND ranks second in the FCS in time of possession, allowing a 23-play, 88-yard drive lasting over 12 minutes against Iowa State. The Hawks also kept the ball mostly in check in the second half against then-No. 4 Montana last week, not allowing the Griz to get a second-half first down until their final drive of the game.

Hawkins said the key is to get it right first time.

“I think the biggest thing is trying to create negative plays on early downs and down range,” he said. “They're so big that it's hard to do that. You have to attack those gaps with a good cushion and find ways to create negative plays. If they run three yards on first base, they run three yards on second base and then keep running. They're so physical and solid at the point of attack. For some reason, even against Iowa State, they move the pile. Iowa State didn't stop it until they went in the box. If we do that, we're going to be more exposed on the perimeter than Iowa State. That's why there's so much emphasis on creating negative plays. We also just have to do a good job of being efficient on offense.”

UND offensive coordinator Isaac Fruechte said his offensive line, which includes four new players making their first start in 2024, is playing with the right mentality.

“Physical, downhill, mean,” Fruechte said. “That makes up for a lot. Plus, I think they do a great job because they're great leaders. They trust their eyes and what coach (Trevor) Olson teaches them.”

“They've been physically strong the last two weeks and we need to keep that up. That's because of their leadership and hard work in the weight room. (New UND strength coach Derek) Stein has done a great job with them.”

Undefeated tight end Jaden Norby said the group of players senses long drives ahead.

“The best thing is that the group looks to each other and guides each other,” said Fruechte. “It means more when it comes from a Seth Anderson or a Simon Romfo or a Quincy Vaughn. That's the attitude and mentality we want.”

WHO: Idaho State ranked 10th UND.
Where: Alerus Center.
When: 1pm, Saturday.
TV/Streaming: Midco Sports/ESPN Plus.
Radio: 96.1 FM.