#Tidbits- One of the keys for the UMC offense is sustaining drives and continuing to move the football. In the first eight drives of Saturday's game against Bemidji State, UMC had just two first downs with
Tra Hearns at quarterback as they struggled to move the ball.
Nathan Cole came in on the last drive and led the Golden Eagles to two first downs on the drive as UMC started to move the ball. UMC however found themselves in to a big of a whole down 34-0 at half and would fall 41-7 to their rival from 88 miles down the U.S. Highway 2.
- The Golden Eagle defense has done a better job in recent games of forcing turnovers. The Golden Eagles forced three turnovers at home against Bemidji State last weekend and in their previous home game against No. 1
Minnesota State, UMC forced three turnovers, as well. The Golden Eagles' defense will look to continue to put their offense in good position as they look to win the turnover battle.
- UMC has struggled to stop the run this season as they are giving up 301.2 yards per game on the ground with 23 rushing touchdowns allowed. Bemidji State showed this weakness as they put up 298 yards on the ground led by 155 yards from back-up running back Gena Adams. The Golden Eagles gave up over 300 rushing yards twice this season to No. 1 Minnesota State University and Wayne State College (Neb.). Their best performance in the ground came came against Upper Iowa, limiting the Peacocks to 214 yards. UMC will look to slow down Northern State this weekend.
- UMC has had several true freshmen and redshirt freshmen make an impact this season and continue to improve. On defense, redshirt freshman
Ali Alkhatib, a strong safety, is third on the team with 35 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble. Fellow redshirt freshmen
Dion Wallisch and
Chuck Lofquist are also starters. In addition, true freshmen
Bubba Cook and
Conner Finnestad are having major impacts on the game, mostly off the bench.
Offensively, redshirt freshmen
Triston Richert is among the leading receivers on the team, while guard
Noah Lee has been a staple on the offensive line. True freshmen
Rodney Stewart and
Lincoln Tappe have made an impact on the passing game, while true freshmen offensive linemen
Duke Smith and
Kolby Castillo have both earned starts. In the kicking game, long snapper
Zach Greenberg and punter
Stephen Day have been staples.
- UMC continues to search for a more of a running game as they are averaging just 60.8 yards per game.
Dre Person has been the leading rusher for UMC with 62 carries for 205 yards, while
Harold Halcomb, III has also shown signs with 50 carries for 130 yards. The Golden Eagles had just 43 yards rushing against the Beavers last weekend.
- Northern State struggled playing against the NSIC South as they went 0-4, but the Wolves have bounced back with wins over MSU Moorhead and Minot State in the NSIC North.
- The Wolves have been more reliant on the pass this year on offense as redshirt freshman Kyle Lavand leads the way. The Northern State offense is split about 60/40 in favor of the pass this season. Lavand is 108-of-177 for 1,073 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He has relied a lot on his tight end Conner Doherty this season. However, last weekend he got back-up Zech Culbreath involved with four receptions for 104 yards and a 68-yard touchdown. Doherty has 341 yards receiving and one touchdown. Zachery Barber and Tyrrell Anderson have also been top targets. In the ground game, Northern State has relied on Nicholas Truen, who has 87 carries for 419 yards and four touchdowns.
- Defensively, the Wolves are giving up 386 yards of offense per game. The Sioux Falls rushing attack exposed some weaknesses earlier this season as they gained 274 yards on the ground against Northern State.
