Article

Mavs' rush defense looks to rebound against UND

Fighting Sioux average more than 555 yards per game

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Mens Sports

Following Tuesday afternoon's practice, Minnesota State head coach Jeff Jamrog told his team he was looking forward to playing No. 2 North Dakota Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium.

Chalk that up as a first.

The No. 2 team in the nation? An offense averaging well over 500 yards per game? A rushing offense that is among the elite in all of Division II? Didn't Nebraska-Omaha just rush for 380 yards on the same Mavericks defense that will suit up Saturday against UND?

Jamrog will be the first to say how dynamic the Fighting Sioux offense is.

"Right now, they are putting up some unbelievable numbers," Jamrog said. "This late in the season, to be averaging 555 yards of offense, and 319 rushing yards ... that's incredible."

UND, normally a team known for its defense, has put up staggering numbers offensively. They have outscored their opponents 231-80 through five games (average final score of 46-16). They have over 1,000 more rushing yards than their opponents and a more than 1,300 total yardage advantage.

North Dakota quarterback Danny Freund is 71-of-102 for 1,152 yards, 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions. That's a passer rating just a tad north of 200.

But that's not all.

Ryan Chappell (no relation to MSU's Tory Chappell) has rushed for 964 yards on 98 carries this season and nine touchdowns. That's 192 yards per game and an astonishing 9.8 yards per carry.

So, how in the world could the Mavericks possibly be excited?

"Our guys on defense want to rebound," Jamrog said. "They are looking to get back to playing the kind of defense they normally can play.

"We need to get back to the basics. It's going to be a fun challenge."

MSU's defense will get some help in the form of personnel against UND. Defensive end Telema Bobmanuel, who missed the UNO game with an injured ankle, said he will play Saturday. Starting strong safety Mike Hinton will also return after missing the last four games due to personal reasons.

Both players bring size and experience to a defensive group that already has plenty of speed.

According to Jamrog, however, the problem last week was not related to being overmatched physically or bad scheming, but simply guys not following their assignments every play.

"That's a correctable mistake, though," Jamrog said. "There are some games where you just get dominated up-front, but last week wasn't one of them."

Offensively for the Mavs, the status of running back Tory Chappell and wide receiver Omaar Balton is unknown. Balton separated his shoulder against UNO while Chappell is still recovering from a sore ankle. He did not play last week in Omaha.

MSU turned the ball over three times last week, including a critical 81-yard fumble return for score during the second quarter. If the Mavs continue that scoring drive, the halftime score may have been 17-14 instead of 24-0.

That fact was not lost by Jamrog or starting quarterback Ben King.

"When we turn the ball over, it really puts our defense in a bind," King said. "We did last week against Omaha and it hurt us."

MSU has enough offensive firepower to survive a shootout style game with UND, as long as they keep their turnovers in check.

"When we get rolling its tough for teams to stop us," King said. "We put up 250 yards in the third quarter last week. "

King played another stellar game, completing 37-of-64 passes for 424 yards and two touchdowns.

But it was his fumble deep in UNO territory that gave Omaha a 21-point lead.

"If I don't turn the ball over right there, it's a different game," King said.

Even if Balton is lost for any amount of time, it couldn't have happened to a better position. MSU has perhaps the deepest set of receivers in the conference.

Junior college transfer Donte Shackelford was impressive again last week, hauling in seven passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. He even lined up at halfback.

Damian Turner, Marcus Hansen and Chris Nowlin also caught passes from King, as did Jeff Fielder, the tight end who continues to impress this season. Last season, the senior from Salina, Okla. caught only one pass. So far in 2007, Fielder has caught 14, including seven at UNO. LaTroy Dinkins made his first reception of the season Saturday, but has a bright future. If Balton is to miss significant time, Dinkins may be the prime beneficiary.

Saturday's game against UND will be the final time the two teams will meet as conference opponents. MSU will move to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference next season while North Dakota jumps to Division I.

Kickoff from Blakeslee Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor