Sycamores fall in overtime thriller at North Dakota, 36-33

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State travels to No. 17/15 North Dakota on Saturday afternoon as the Sycamores hit the road to the Alerus Center this weekend. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Fighting Hawks is set for 2 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.

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Northern Iowa 27 Indiana State 20

North Dakota 0 Northern Iowa 27

I have to at least pretend that we have a chance. I was in Fargo earlier today and they just received their first snow of the year. Grand Forks is a couple of hours north of there, but UND also plays in a dome like NDSU, so the cold weather won't hurt or help us.
 

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Less than 30 minutes from kickoff.

Months ago, the opinion was that ISU's conference schedule was weaker because it missed both SDSU and NDSU. While the SDSU part of that forecast has held true, today the Sycamores play UND which gained a convincing victory over NDSU a few weeks ago. So much for forecasting.

Cade Chambers left last Saturday's home game with his right arm hanging loose and motionless. He never returned and spent the second half on the sideline w/o a helmet. For much of the first half, ISU again controlled the clock and was methodical on offense moving the ball, but ultimately only scored a single field goal in what was a 3-3 tie.

In his place freshman Elijah Owens had several moments where he moved the team and looked capable despite being thrust onto the field unexpectedly. But again, gaining yards between the 20's is only the first step to putting points on the board when explosive plays are a rarity.

The biggest disappointment to me in the second half came when ISU trailed 10-3 and had a first and goal at the 6. On first down, in a single back set, Korbin Allen blocked over left guard and the QB followed for a 3-4 yard gain and it was 2nd and goal at the 3. For reasons known only to the coaching staff, ISU went empty backfield in an obvious passing formation and got called for holding putting it back on the 13. It never recovered and went for it on 4th down failing to convert. After knocking the defense backward on first down, I would have gone with a one or two back set and used a lead blocker again on a quick hitter. I know it goes against the grain of the comments on the board about lack of creativity, etc; however, make the opponent stop you where you are having success and you avoid the probability of a holding call. And if the defense is selling out inside, pull the ball and run the QB on a bootleg or similar.

My other pet peeve is that ISU seldom throws to its tight ends and sometimes uses them as mis-direction blockers with abysmal effectiveness. The logic of this escapes me; however, I do often see it on television. I do believe we have a number of physically gifted tight ends and would love to see more focus on their use in the offense.

Anyway, today is again both a physical and mental test for this team. No one enjoys being 0-7. Last week, I wanted to see how the team came out after that blasting at Illinios State. It responded well and could have won. Today, it faces a comparably talented opponent but on the road. Can it find a way to finish off drives with TD's?? We shall soon know.
 

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DyedBlue said:
Less than 30 minutes from kickoff.

Months ago, the opinion was that ISU's conference schedule was weaker because it missed both SDSU and NDSU. While the SDSU part of that forecast has held true, today the Sycamores play UND which gained a convincing victory over NDSU a few weeks ago. So much for forecasting.

Cade Chambers left last Saturday's home game with his right arm hanging loose and motionless. He never returned and spent the second half on the sideline w/o a helmet. For much of the first half, ISU again controlled the clock and was methodical on offense moving the ball, but ultimately only scored a single field goal in what was a 3-3 tie.

In his place freshman Elijah Owens had several moments where he moved the team and looked capable despite being thrust onto the field unexpectedly. But again, gaining yards between the 20's is only the first step to putting points on the board when explosive plays are a rarity.

The biggest disappointment to me in the second half came when ISU trailed 10-3 and had a first and goal at the 6. On first down, in a single back set, Korbin Allen blocked over left guard and the QB followed for a 3-4 yard gain and it was 2nd and goal at the 3. For reasons known only to the coaching staff, ISU went empty backfield in an obvious passing formation and got called for holding putting it back on the 13. It never recovered and went for it on 4th down failing to convert. After knocking the defense backward on first down, I would have gone with a one or two back set and used a lead blocker again on a quick hitter. I know it goes against the grain of the comments on the board about lack of creativity, etc; however, make the opponent stop you where you are having success and you avoid the probability of a holding call. And if the defense is selling out inside, pull the ball and run the QB on a bootleg or similar.

My other pet peeve is that ISU seldom throws to its tight ends and sometimes uses them as mis-direction blockers with abysmal effectiveness. The logic of this escapes me; however, I do often see it on television. I do believe we have a number of physically gifted tight ends and would love to see more focus on their use in the offense.

Anyway, today is again both a physical and mental test for this team. No one enjoys being 0-7. Last week, I wanted to see how the team came out after that blasting at Illinios State. It responded well and could have won. Today, it faces a comparably talented opponent but on the road. Can it find a way to finish off drives with TD's?? We shall soon know.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more on the TE usage. Design solid plays around them and it's pretty much 5-6 guaranteed yards a pop, too.

I've also said it Mallory's entire tenure... where are the slants? With how run oriented we are, teams often load the box yet corners still play off so there will be areas where receivers can get to quickly (minimize pass rush) and then let them try to make plays in open space. The fact Dakota Caton doesn't have 50-60 catches a year when he is perfect for this role with his speed/agility is nuts.
 
Great protection there! Yet receivers can’t get open forcing Chambers to scramble and seemingly hurt his ankle
 
End of First Quarter: 0-0
ISU goal line stand turns away UND. A fourth down fumble on the three was recovered by UND in endzone but by rule the ball returned to the three and turns over to ISU.

Two first downs after starting on the three finished out the quarter. The UND announcers commented repeatedly on the speed and aggressiveness of ISU's defense and also how the first quarter flew by.

Chambers is playing and just ran for a first down on a scramble on a 3rd and 5 play.
Need to keep possessing the ball, avoid turnovers and finally get points on the board.
 

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Bobbyk60 said:
What a break! Man, we need a long drive to give our defense a rest.
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About that. Offense is just so unimaginative. Guys have to be gassed even though they're busting their ass.

Field position game is about the only thing happening right now.
 
That Flea Flicker was a total failed bit. That QB gave up as soon as he got the ball. Need another long drive.
 
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