Past & Present

All or Nothing

Pass or Fail

Right or Wrong

Good or Bad

Pass or Punt

Get it?

👍

Ladies & gentleman, NDSU has found a quarterback!

The struggles had been there but I do find it ironic that the yank comes when he started to have some cohesion with Christian Watson. Ultimately the mistakes and the limitations of his game proved to be too much for the coaches.

And now it's Cam Miller's time.

Can't help but appreciate that he came in while the last starter was in the building. The past & present collided as an under-tone of the afternoon.

With the heart of the schedule ahead of the team he won't have much of a cushion. But he showed today that his mobility adds a necessary dimension to the offense so the coaches will have to work double-time to make sure he's ready. And his back-shoulder connect with Watson was as good as any throw that Noland made in the 3+ games of action so he may be more ready to start than anyone knows.

For now, let's just enjoy the feeling!

That goes for Jayden Price as well! The sophomore from Kansas saved the game before it needed to be. That's what I call efficiency! You could say that he's the other player to secure a role today. He also added a TFL so he isn't just a specialist this season.

It was one of seven tackles-for-loss by the defense, with two being full-fledged sacks by Logan McCormick & Lane Tucker. Dom Jones added an interception on a day which could have had three by the home team, so that's less efficient. But they more than made up for it with a first quarter that finished with Illinois State at sub-zero yardage. The Birds had seven drives with less than five yards gained which is precisely half their possessions! That is as good of proof as you will find of a defense on a mission!!

I can't move on without giving a shout to the best punter in the country. Four of his five covered more than 50 yards and all of them were past the 20, with one touchback. The end zone is beyond the 20 so touchbacks count for that. His longest was 59. So yeah, he was dealing again this week!

Now for the other side

Quarterbacks aren't replaced willy-nilly so I think that pretty much speaks for itself.

What his replacement signifies is the only obvious negative from this one.

And with what Miller showed it could prove to be a blessing in disguise!

Until the next one!