#15/16 South Dakota State @ #20/21 Northern Iowa
Most likely this will be the Game of the Week in the Valley. Normally two top tier Valley teams battling it out in the Dome this weekend. Both teams will be ranked in the top 20 in the polls and both are looking for a huge win to bolster their playoff resume and conference positioning.
So let's get down to it, shall we!?!?
The Enemy: Jackrabbits of Brookings, SD. They hold a 4-2 overall record with a 1-1 in the conference. They lost not just the game to Missouri to open the season but one of the best QBs in the conference and country in Austin Sumner, to a broken foot. He will most likely not be available for this weekends game. His backup, Zach Lujan (SO.) is an Alaskan-bred QB that transferred from a dinky school in California. His stats in relief this year have been quite interesting. He is 96 for 159 for 1359 yds and 10 TDs and 7 INTs. He avgs. 226 through the air a game. He is 4-1 as a starter for the Jacks.
The real show, however, is what we all know and should expect. ZACH ZENNER. A senior RB, conference leader in like 100000 categories it seems. UNI has had his number the last 3 years as he has only scored 1 TD on the ground against us in his career. In his career against UNI he has rushed 60 times for 270 yds and 1 TD. (4.5 yds per carry and 90 ypg). This season he has rushed 149 times for 938 and 7 TDs. He is a great athlete and it will truly be interesting to see how good our defense is against this great back.
In comparison DJ against the Jacks has rushed 56 times for 225 yards (4ypc, 75 ypg) and a TD but also has 11 receptions for 112 yards as well.
The Jacks top passing threat is WR Jake Wieneke. He has 27 receptions in 6 games for 521 yards (86 ypg, 19 ypc) and 6 TDs. Their second leading receiver also has 27 receptions on the season for 374 yds and 3 TDs. Name is Jason Schneider.
The Panthers will counter with their big 3 of Vereen, LeMaster and Johnson. Vereen has 5 TD catches on only 16 receptions this season, while Vereen LeMaster and Johnson are all avg. 47.5-49.5 ypg.
The Bunnies come in avg. 28 ppg and giving up just 23. The Cats avg. 31.5 a game and give up just 18. At home though, the Cats have been stout, avg. 48 points a game and giving up just 7 (garbage 7s at that).
The Bunnies are -5 in turnover margin while the Cats are +4.
The second quarter continues to be the Panthers key quarter as they have scored a whopping 90 points in the frame this season.
UNIs downfall outside of passing/coaching or what have you; 3rd down conversions. UNI is 34 for 98 on the season (34.6%) SDSU is 33 for 77 (43%). Another key for UNI will be in the Redzone or the Go kick it Zone. UNI is an astounding 26 of 27 in the redzone (96%) but of those only 12 are TDs. They have shot themselves in the foot time and time again on first and goals and with inept play calling at times...3 pointers aren't going to cut it. Definately not now in the brutal part of the schedule. SDSU has been more efficient with TDs in the RZ. The Jacks have only scored 17 times out of 23 (74%) , but of those 17 scores, 12 are TDs.
This game has the makings of a hit em, grind it out, last team with the ball is going to win kind of game. The big keys will be for UNI to keep moving the sticks. The longer Zenner is not on the field, the better chances we have. Pressure the young QB. He has thrown 7 picks in 6 games. Don't lose coverage on their big two WRs. Keep Zenner in check. He can have a 150 yd day as long as he is going 35 carries like last year. Honestly with our defense this year...I really don't see him breaking 75. Dead honest. Avoid stupid penalties, especially in the redzone and keep the crowd loud and into it! The Casual fan may see this as a oh we're 3-3, but for us die hards...we definately know how huge this game is. Don't let up!
Prediction: Really to close to call. If we can do 3/4 of the keys to the game, UNI should have the ability to take home the win. You got the best kicker in the country if needed!
Panthers squeak one out. 21-17.
Most likely this will be the Game of the Week in the Valley. Normally two top tier Valley teams battling it out in the Dome this weekend. Both teams will be ranked in the top 20 in the polls and both are looking for a huge win to bolster their playoff resume and conference positioning.
So let's get down to it, shall we!?!?
The Enemy: Jackrabbits of Brookings, SD. They hold a 4-2 overall record with a 1-1 in the conference. They lost not just the game to Missouri to open the season but one of the best QBs in the conference and country in Austin Sumner, to a broken foot. He will most likely not be available for this weekends game. His backup, Zach Lujan (SO.) is an Alaskan-bred QB that transferred from a dinky school in California. His stats in relief this year have been quite interesting. He is 96 for 159 for 1359 yds and 10 TDs and 7 INTs. He avgs. 226 through the air a game. He is 4-1 as a starter for the Jacks.
The real show, however, is what we all know and should expect. ZACH ZENNER. A senior RB, conference leader in like 100000 categories it seems. UNI has had his number the last 3 years as he has only scored 1 TD on the ground against us in his career. In his career against UNI he has rushed 60 times for 270 yds and 1 TD. (4.5 yds per carry and 90 ypg). This season he has rushed 149 times for 938 and 7 TDs. He is a great athlete and it will truly be interesting to see how good our defense is against this great back.
In comparison DJ against the Jacks has rushed 56 times for 225 yards (4ypc, 75 ypg) and a TD but also has 11 receptions for 112 yards as well.
The Jacks top passing threat is WR Jake Wieneke. He has 27 receptions in 6 games for 521 yards (86 ypg, 19 ypc) and 6 TDs. Their second leading receiver also has 27 receptions on the season for 374 yds and 3 TDs. Name is Jason Schneider.
The Panthers will counter with their big 3 of Vereen, LeMaster and Johnson. Vereen has 5 TD catches on only 16 receptions this season, while Vereen LeMaster and Johnson are all avg. 47.5-49.5 ypg.
The Bunnies come in avg. 28 ppg and giving up just 23. The Cats avg. 31.5 a game and give up just 18. At home though, the Cats have been stout, avg. 48 points a game and giving up just 7 (garbage 7s at that).
The Bunnies are -5 in turnover margin while the Cats are +4.
The second quarter continues to be the Panthers key quarter as they have scored a whopping 90 points in the frame this season.
UNIs downfall outside of passing/coaching or what have you; 3rd down conversions. UNI is 34 for 98 on the season (34.6%) SDSU is 33 for 77 (43%). Another key for UNI will be in the Redzone or the Go kick it Zone. UNI is an astounding 26 of 27 in the redzone (96%) but of those only 12 are TDs. They have shot themselves in the foot time and time again on first and goals and with inept play calling at times...3 pointers aren't going to cut it. Definately not now in the brutal part of the schedule. SDSU has been more efficient with TDs in the RZ. The Jacks have only scored 17 times out of 23 (74%) , but of those 17 scores, 12 are TDs.
This game has the makings of a hit em, grind it out, last team with the ball is going to win kind of game. The big keys will be for UNI to keep moving the sticks. The longer Zenner is not on the field, the better chances we have. Pressure the young QB. He has thrown 7 picks in 6 games. Don't lose coverage on their big two WRs. Keep Zenner in check. He can have a 150 yd day as long as he is going 35 carries like last year. Honestly with our defense this year...I really don't see him breaking 75. Dead honest. Avoid stupid penalties, especially in the redzone and keep the crowd loud and into it! The Casual fan may see this as a oh we're 3-3, but for us die hards...we definately know how huge this game is. Don't let up!
Prediction: Really to close to call. If we can do 3/4 of the keys to the game, UNI should have the ability to take home the win. You got the best kicker in the country if needed!
Panthers squeak one out. 21-17.
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