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The Purple and the Bison, each did the improbable (to put it mildly) in less than 24 hours. While the color is typically the preference, when a team overcomes a 98% loss likelihood they get the top billing!

For all three games this season Cam Miller has surpassed expectations and firmly affixed himself amongst Jensen, Wentz, Stick & Lance in the plaza of greats, because MT. Rushmore is too small.

318 yards, air & ground, and three total scores. And when the pressure was the greatest the only thing he couldn't seem to do was keep his helmet from coming off. While he has long been in a tandem with Cole Payton the coaches didn't toy with not having their best option on the field as they continued to struggle with ETSU. Whatever doubts and questions may remain about him for some, that choice by Polasek has to factor in.

Even as the rushing attack continued to find some success they didn't bring in the Swiss Army Knife of the offense to make that aspect better. That could be a warning sign for when the pressure continues to mount or it could have just been a game-script decision - time will tell.

Charmar Brown, Barika Kpeenu and TK Marshall combined for 27 carries, 167 net yards and one TD by TK. That group may still be short one or two bodies but if they can produce like that during much of the conference slate then it will be a pick-your-poison offense.

That will be even more true if Mekhi Collins' night proves to be the tip of the iceberg and not an aberration. Bryce Lance is clearly the main target but along with an ascending John Gores, Collins would make it a nightmare for defenses.

Sort of like what Jaylen King did for ETSU

His numbers are far less than I would have guessed but he and running back Bryson Irby gave the Bison defense fits all evening. But one week removed from the glorified scrimmage against Tennessee State, the scare may be good for the team! Since it happened in a winning effort all the better - but as the coach said afterward, it's not going to be a pleasant week for the guys and the defense will wear much of that.

It may come across like excusing making, because that's one way to frame-up reasons, but the departure from their routines may have played a role in the performance. Maybe every once in a while NDSU should have later games other than the odd week 1 FBS competition. Not going to hold my breathe on that but it may have made a bit of a difference. The rest of the way they will have their normal day games so it's speculation that isn't going to further impact.

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The Purple also turned some heads Sunday as they mostly dominated the last representative from the National Conference in the Championship. It's been said that under O'Connell the identity of the team has been offense. With the guys they've had, there isn't much legitimacy to the contrary but now the Flores portion of the roster is every bit as capable of controlling the game flow.

It couldn't be more timely as the top options for Sam Darnold continue to dwindle. It's already reaching the point that the visit by Houston may come down to whether Will Reichard can make every opportunity or not in a low-scoring affair.

That's the future's problem though

In the recent past, Darnold made himself some more money

Ty Chandler showed that he can be a very capable second option along side Aaron Jones

And before going out from a knee to his leg, Jefferson showed why he's the standard-bearer for contracts.

That's a lot reduced to very little, but the defense made it possible for that to be enough to get to 2-0.

With five sacks for the second game to start the season, with four guys accounting for the take downs each time, the coordinators and head coaches are likely to start adding extra protection to the offensive fronts. Which would have the desired effect of making things easier for the other six or seven guys. In turn, the defensive staff may have an ace up it's sleeve for when that adjustment is made. As tricky as Flores has proven to be during his time with Minnesota, he's got layers of schemes just waiting to be unveiled!

And we get to watch it all happen from 2-0!!

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The other college teams made their own good memories this week with Moorhead State winning in walk-off fashion against Duluth while Concordia bounced all the way back from their lackluster start to stomp Pacific Lutheran 31-3!

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From football to futbol, NDSU has lost four of their last five matches with the other finishing as a scoreless tie. They were competitive in all but one but with just one tune-up remaining before conference action commences, they have work to do.

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Concordia may be no more satisfied with how their season is going but the Cobber women are on a three-match heater with 12 goals scored against just one allowed as they begin MIACtion Wednesday.

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The week also included the end of the Redhawks run. They forced a win-or-go-home game three in Winnipeg but the pitchers duel ended with them down a pair of runs. With the Right-sizers on a slide toward their own end, the Summer Game is all but over until 2025.

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Quite a week for the Fargo area sports scene