Two weeks into the postseason, NDSU was only challenged because of a slow start in their second round matchup. For as long as the team has been in the top few out of the 130 teams in the subdivision, it's still remarkable.
Like so many things that are remarkable but also common, it's almost taken for granted now - as shown by the attendance numbers for the two games they hosted.
I can't blame the people for not spending their hard-earned scratch when the games have so often been boring though. Paying even $10 for something that could be decided before halftime when it's available from home isn't appealing, and we are well past the point of those prices.
It's just a dichotomy worth thinking about
But the game included no such situation
To get it out of the way, Cam finished with his worst stat line of the season as Myles Redding made the best, late case for inclusion in a talent showcase and the Indianapolis test-fest. At all levels of competition we have seen receivers do far worse than Redding did in tracking and securing the pair of passes by Miller.
Credit where's it's due!
And Cam also deserves some for facing that adversity but seeming unfazed by it as he continued to execute against a solid Mercer defense. The only time he's finished with more passing yards was in the opener, with 70 of the 259 coming as Mekhi Collins broke-loose for 70 yards.
The ballyhooed third-yard sophomore had mostly been a non-factor this year but with the lights their brightest he showed up to be the only 100-yard receiver in the game. His previous high was four for 67 against East Tennessee. As was already suspected, Cole Payton will have a strong group of options to use next season and Collins appears to be ready for it right now.
It became much easier to be the best receiver on the field with the way the defense was limiting Mercer. 10 completions for 86 yards was all they could scrounge-up, spread between six guys. Bryce Lance was one catch shy of also out-gaining their whole team but he'll just have to settle for outscoring them!
The closest thing to a breakdown would be the lack of success after the hot start. Following their third touchdown to end the fourth possession they punted five times and had the second interception. Maybe it was just that they put the cruise-control on that early or maybe the Mercer coaching staff was able to adjust well enough to not have it be a 30 point hole at the half. If the latter is the case then Polasek and company will need to devise a way to avoid it because SDSU will be that much more prepared for what NDSU does.
That's a problem for tomorrow but the warning sign is evident today
Put a different way, the team still has a tomorrow so don't take that for granted!
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