North Dakota State Set to Tackle Another Challenging Schedule in 2007 (Part Two)
8/13/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
North Dakota State completed the 2006 season with a 10-1 record under the direction of head coach Craig Bohl, including an 8-0 record against NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly I-AA) schools and a 29-24 win over Mid-American Conference member Ball State.
The Bison went 4-0 to win the Great West Football Conference championship ? the program's first league title since 1994 when NDSU was a member of the Division II North Central Conference.
NDSU was ranked No. 5 in The Sports Network and CSN Coaches final Top 25 polls. The Bison lost 10-9 to bowl-participant Minnesota of the Big Ten at the Metrodome.
North Dakota State averaged a school record 16,377 fans over five home games at the Fargodome and ranked No. 7 in FCS attendance. The Bison were 5-0 at home last season and stand 20-3 over the four seasons since Bohl has arrived in Fargo.
However, that was last year. And the focus of the offseason workouts has been toward the 2007 season that features a new set of challenges. Here's a look at the defense and the special teams.
DEFENSE
The Bison defense held nine of 11 opponents to 100 yards or less rushing during the season. NDSU was fourth in rushing defense (67.2 ypg), eighth in scoring defense (13.4 ppg), ninth in total defense (253.64 ypg). North Dakota State's defense was also tied for 22nd in sacks (2.45 spg).
However, there was something missing.
"We were disappointed with our takeaways last season and that's something we've emphasized this spring," said Bohl.
"While our stats with our scoring, running and passing we're good, we could have been more explosive. It comes down to putting more explosive players on the field and we're doing that."
One of the top linebacking units in the FCS led by senior Joe Mays will look to change that this season.
Linebacker
Three of the top four tacklers for North Dakota State return and probably with no surprise they're all located at the linebacker position.
A first team all-conference pick last year, senior Joe Mays (5-11, 245) is back at middle linebacker. Mays and junior Ramon Humber (5-10½, 220) tied for the team lead with 67 tackles, while junior Mike Maresh (6-0½, 232) added 56 tackles.
"Traditionally, we've looked at our defensive line as our strength but the thing that jumps out this year is the experience of our linebacker corps," said Bohl.
"In the Tampa 2 system, those linebackers are the ones that make the system go. It's the same thing with Tampa Bay and Derrick Brooks and Chicago with Brian Urlacher, it's the same with us and Joe Mays."
There's a talented group of athletes behind that trio including redshirt freshman Matt Anderson (6-2, 221), sophomore Tyler Henry (6-1½, 219) and sophomore Matt Kittelson (5-10, 217), who will find their way on the field.
Defensive Line
The push upfront is important and while the Bison need to find a replacement for defensive tackle Justin Frick, there's plenty of competition for playing time on the defensive line.
"We feel solid about our defensive line. Mike Fairbairn (6-2, 290, So.) has gained some strength in the offseason. Joe Lardinois (6-4, 255, Jr.) was a capable player last year and has gained some strength," said Bohl.
"Christon Dallas (6-3, 260, Sr.) and Nick Compton (6-0, 245, Jr.) are battling it out at defensive end and Michael Brown (5-11½, 274, Sr.) played some last year so we're solid up front."
Also pushing for playing time are Bryan Reimers (6-1½, 235, So.) at defensive end Matthew Gratzek (6-2, 275, RFr.) at defensive tackle and Ryan Schuttloffel (6-5, 305, So.) at nose guard.
The Secondary
Despite the departure of three-time all-conference performer Craig Dahl, North Dakota State's secondary returns a number of players with a great deal of playing time.
"Our secondary corps is solid," said Bohl.
"There's a lot of guys who have played a lot of football out there. We feel solid about our secondary."
Free safety Nick Schommer (5-11, 193, Jr.) has started the past two seasons and is looking forward to assuming a leadership role in the defensive backfield.
"Nick continues to improve. He's very aggressive and plays the game fast. He's an excellent hitter and a natural center fielder," said Bohl.
"He has a tremendous break on the football and clues in on the quarterback. He gets a great break and plays with a great passion. His aggression is really coming out now because he has a full understanding of what we're trying to do. It'll be fun to see him compete this year."
Schommer picked off three passes last season including one returned for a touchdown. Strong against the run, he has six interceptions in 20 career starts. Schommer will be backed up by senior Sam Boraas (5-11, 194).
There will be a new strong safety as talented sophomore Kyle Belmont (5-10½, 193) looks to springboard off a solid performance in the spring. He was pushed by redshirt freshman Cyrus Lemon (5-10½, 192), who will find a way to contribute.
"At the corners, we have three players who played quite a bit with Nate Agbetola (5-8, 174, Jr.), David Earl (6-0, 184, Sr. and Richard Bowman (5-8, 173)," said Bohl.
"While we lack depth there, we have some quality players who can both man-to-man and zone."
Agbetola and Bowman both have played since they were true freshman. Bowman recorded a key interception against Cal Poly. Earl has developed in a solid player. Junior college transfer John Richardson (5-10, 190) is expected to provide depth.
Special Teams
Street & Smith Preseason All-American punter Mike Dragosavich (6-5, 215, Sr.) only punted 30 times in 2006, but it was for an average of 46.2 yards per punt ? tops in NCAA FCS. He landed 14 punts inside the 20 and had seven touchbacks. Dragosavich had a season best punt of 67 yards.
"Our punter wasn't used a whole lot last year, which is a good thing. He's certainly a weapon and I have to believe is one of the best punters in all of Division I," said Bohl, who believes Dragosavich is an important weapon in the Bison arsenal.
"In my mind, he deserves a lot of preseason recognition. Once you see his ability, he's an excellent punter and in my mind, has a professional career ahead of him in punting. He's honed in his skills as far as placing the ball, hanging it, all the things you look at in a seasoned punter."
Dragosavich led the league in punting and earned first team All-GWFC honors this season.
"Drago" is the program's all-time leader in punting average (44.3 ypk), and has spotted 50 punts inside the 20 and recorded 24 touchbacks on 131 career attempts. In his spare time, he also is the holder for PATs and field goals.
Sophomore Shawn Bibeau (5-11, 215) hit the ground running... or kicking in this case. Bibeau set a school record for most field goals in a season in leading the team in scoring with 92 points.
"Our place kicker Shawn Bibeau has a strong leg. He's developing his accuracy and working on his trajectory," said Bohl.
"He's a good kickoff guy and being a freshman, we put him in some tough positions last year and certainly there's a promise that he'll continue to improve."
An unsung hero is the long snapper is sophomore Jeff Curtis (6-2½, 232), who turned in a consistent performance.
The return of junior Shamen Washington (5-6, 150) has one set of coaches smiling and the other group fretting.
Washington is considered one of the top kick/punt returners in the country. He is averaging 13.2 ypr on punt returns and 23.9 ypr on kickoffs. Two punts and a kickoff have been returned for a touchdown.
Washington was sideline by a knee injury last year, but could be returning to form.
"Shamen is a guy that two years ago, had an electrifying season. He's recovering from a knee injury.," said Bohl.
"It'll be interesting to see how he looks coming back from summer conditioning. When he's at 100 percent, he's uniquely gifted. He's certainly a weapon."
Then add Majeski, who averaged 27.4 ypr and was No. 4 in NCAA Division I FCS in kickoff returns last season.
The Outlook
Bohl and the North Dakota State coaching staff are itching to get started. They believe they just scratched the surface in 2006.
"If you look at building a football team, you look at quarterback, really solid... Next thing you look at is defensive line, potential... Next thing is special teams and the elements are all there. Then you go into to offensive line, etc.," said Bohl.
"So, there's potentially a really good team but our level of competition has really changed. It'll be interesting to see what our Sagarin rating will be."
