NDSU/GSU post game articles

[Hansel]

Eagles couldn’t get in rhythm against dominant Bison team

http://www.bisonzone.com/index.cfm?page=article_full&id=142263

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern resurrected its football program in 1982, but until this fall, the triple option was the only offensive option.

Enter first-year coach Brian VanGorder, a former pro-level defensive assistant who has installed a pro-style offense. And in Saturday’s 34-14 loss to North Dakota State, the Eagles looked like a team with an offensive identity crisis.

“The rhythm of our offense again – I thought it changed from first half to second half,” VanGorder said. “Our defense might have something to do with that; it kept our offense off the field for a long time on different drives in this game. We just lost tempo, lost rhythm.”

Yet GSU (2-3) didn’t lose the lead until the third quarter.

The Eagles scored 14 points in the second quarter, more in that frame than NDSU’s previous four opponents combined. But in the second half, GSU’s offensive unit allowed more points than it scored

[Hansel]

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=142228

Undefeated record continues for Bison
STATESBORO, Ga. – The battle of football traditions started with North Dakota State in admiration of Georgia Southern. It ended the other way around.

The Bison took their eight Division II titles to one of the most daunting home fields in Division I-AA and handed the Eagles and their six national titles a 34-14 thumping.

“I look at North Dakota State, and that’s where we’re headed,” said Georgia Southern head coach Brian VanGorder. “They’re big and they’re strong and they’re physical. We had a hard time with those guys today.”

[Hansel]

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=142248

NDSU again makes most of first half

STATESBORO, Ga. – Another game, another last-second touchdown in the first half for North Dakota State.

For the third straight game, the Bison made use of all 15 minutes of the second quarter, this time in their 34-14 victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday afternoon.

Steve Walker’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Travis White with 9 seconds left capped a 15-play, 67-yard drive that pulled the Bison even at 14-14 at halftime.

“It says a lot about the poise and composure of our players,” NDSU head coach Craig Bohl said. “We work on it in practice but it’s difficult to replicate that. It’s a huge weapon for us.”

[Hansel]

http://www.bisonzone.com/index.cfm?page=article_full&id=142249

Heckendorf gives ’em heck
By Jeff Kolpack, The Forum
Published Sunday, October 08, 2006
STATESBORO, Ga. – North Dakota State receiver Kole Heckendorf is making a habit of getting in the middle of big plays. The sophomore did it again Saturday in NDSU’s 34-14 win over Georgia Southern.

Heckendorf broke a 14-14 tie in the third quarter with a 38-yard touchdown reception.

“We needed that,” Heckendorf said.

The play looked simple enough at the outset. He grabbed a pass from quarterback Steve Walker about 15 yards downfield, shook off cornerback Carson Hill and found himself with daylight down the left sideline.

http://www.in-forum.com/gfx/photos/full/200610081108walker.jpg

[Hansel]

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=142229
NDSU confident on third downs
By Terry Vandrovec, The Forum
Published Sunday, October 08, 2006
STATESBORO, Ga. – For the better part of two quarters, third down was practically a pick-me-up for the North Dakota State football team.

The Bison converted 11 of 14 third downs, including nine in a row, in a 34-14 victory at No. 21 Georgia Southern on Saturday.

And they weren’t generally moving the chains by the nose of the football.

[Hansel]

NDSU/GSU photo gallery here

http://www.in-forum.com/photography/gallery.cfm?id=724

http://www.in-forum.com/gfx/photos/full/bisongs3.JPG

[Hansel]

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/15707012.htm

Bison stuff Eagles
By Mike Brown
Telegraph Correspondent
STATESBORO - When it comes time for the Division I-AA playoffs to begin there will be 16 teams thankful the NCAA views North Dakota State as a transition team.

The No. 11 Bison are in their third year of a five-year transition from Division II to I-AA, and as a result aren't eligible for the playoffs.

Based on what they did Saturday afternoon in beating No. 23 Georgia Southern 34-14 before a stunned crowd of 13,982 at Paulson Stadium the Bison could challenge for the national title.

"They're a national championship-caliber team," Georgia Southern center Lance Wayne said. "Their defense is great. They play great assignment football. They know their job and they do it well."

[Hansel]

http://new.savannahnow.com/node/153189

Bison roll over Georgia Southern
Sports
Donald Heath | Sunday, October 8, 2006 at 12:30 am

http://cms.images.morris.com/savannah/mdControlled/cms/2006/10/07/106776410.jpg

Georgia Southern receiver Raja Andrews is stripped of the ball by North Dakota State's Joe Lardinois, bottom, and Mike Maresh during the third quarter of Saturday's 34-14 GSU loss in Statesboro. (Photo: Richard Burkhart)

Georgia Southern quarterback Travis Clark holds his head on the sideline after getting knocked out of the game during the fourth quarter of Saturday's 34-14 loss to North Dakota State. (Photo: Richard Burkhart)

Georgia Southern running back Chris Covington is surrounded by North Dakota State defenders as he tries to find some running room during Saturday's game at Paulson Stadium. (Photo: Richard Burkhart)



No. 11 North Dakota St. 34, No. 21 Georgia Southern 14

STATESBORO - For years, Georgia Southern's football program left opponents envious.

Eagles' first-year coach Brian VanGorder left Paulson Stadium on Saturday a little envious of 11th-ranked North Dakota State.

"Look at North Dakota State, that's where we're headed, big, strong, 300-pound offensive linemen, big defensive tackles. We had a hard time with those guys today," VanGorder said.

In VanGorder's multiple scheme, his inherited smaller Eagles didn't have much of a chance.

GSU suffered its worst home loss in nearly 12 years as the Bison dominated the second half and defeated the 21st-ranked Eagles 34-14 in a non-conference matchup.

[Hansel]

http://new.savannahnow.com/node/153212

Eagles defense can't get the Bison off the field

Georgia Southern notes

STATESBORO - Several times, the Georgia Southern Eagles had North Dakota State right where they wanted them.

In a third-and-long situation.

Maybe that's right where the Bison wanted to be.

These visitors came prepared, even erecting fans blowing a mist on this 64-degree Saturday afternoon at Paulson Stadium.

And NDSU converted 11 third-down situations during a 34-14 victory over Georgia Southern.

"You can attribute that to our game planning and also our quarterback (Steve Walker) - he's really a poised player," Bison coach Craig Bohl said. "In a closely matched game like this, it's usually going to come down to either turnovers or third downs."

During the Bison's second touchdown drive, Walker scrambled 12 yards to pick up a third-and-10, hit Kole Heckendorf on a 17-yard crossing route to convert a third-and-12 and found Travis White on another crossing route for a touchdown on third down.

The touchdown tied the game 14-14 with 9.4 seconds left in the half.

"It was a big momentum swing," GSU linebacker John Mohring said.

NDSU scored the final 20 points in the second half.

"Their big offensive line held us out and gave them time, and coverage-wise we just weren't as aggressive as we need to be," GSU coach Brian VanGorder said. "We were a little bit passive, keeping the ball in front of us, and we don't want to play defense that way."

[Hansel]

http://new.savannahnow.com/node/153211
The Bison too big and strong for Eagles

STATESBORO - Georgia Southern fans like traditions.

Georgia Southern coach Brian VanGorder likes changing traditions.

These cultures have collided in Paulson Stadium three times this season.

Paulson's an apt venue. The most hallowed of Southern traditions lies heavily on the bowl-shaped, brick-ringed confines of this place.

Paulson, fans will tell you and stadium signage will verify, is "Our House."

Erk Russell built this house, and six national champions have changed cleats here.

Losses here used to be rarer than sushi; wins as regular as the tides.

You can change the offense, change the motto, change the uniforms, even change the (radio) channel.

But you need to protect the home front.


Tradition doesn't help GSU against North Dakota State

[Hansel]

http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2400&ATCLID=638943

No. 11 North Dakota State Dominates Second Half in 34-14 Victory over No. 21 Georgia Southern

STATESBORO, Ga. -- No. 11 North Dakota State outscored No. 21 Georgia Southern 20-0 in the second half and scored the last 27 points in the Bison's 34-14 victory before a crowd of 13,892 at Allen E. Paulson Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7.

North Dakota State is off to its first 5-0 start since 2000, when the Bison went 7-0 to begin the year.

After a scoreless first quarter, the two teams scored touchdowns on the first four possessions of the second quarter. Georgia Southern (2-3) got on the board first with a 1-yard TD run by running back Chris Covington to make it 7-0.

The Bison responded on the ensuing drive when quarterback Steve Walker scored on a 2-yard TD run to tie the game at 7.

[DaGriz]

I still don't understand the rationale behind not letting teams that move up a division participate in the playoffs. If you can play and beat top 25 teams you be able to play in the playoffs. xidiotx Nice win this weekend. Hopefully somebody has video footage.

[X-Factor]

wow, NDSU held GSU to 4 rushing yards in the entire second half. Looks like we found out who won the battle between rushing offense and rushing defense.

[gsu01]

You guys act like you won the championship.

[Hansel]

You guys act like you won the championship.
uhh no- just posting articles

[X-Factor]

You guys act like you won the championship.

no...this isn't even close to the toughest game on our schedule, but after hearing smack all week long about how the GSU offense was going to run circles around and over our "slow" hogs from the North, I think 34-14 and 68 yd rushing allowed speaks for itself. Both teams obviously have alot of potential.

[No_Skill]

no...this isn't even close to the toughest game on our schedule, but after hearing smack all week long about how the GSU offense was going to run circles around and over our "slow" hogs from the North, I think 34-14 and 68 yd rushing allowed speaks for itself. Both teams obviously have alot of potential.

Not to split hairs, but it was 65 yrds on 32 attempts. :thumbsup:

[GABison]

Hansel, you are the man! Thanks for the links.

[eaglesrthe1]

You guys act like you won the championship.

I've watched championship teams numerous times. I'm not talking about just in championship games, but over the course of many seasons. The team I saw in Paulson stadium on Saturday might not be able to make the playoffs, but they are championship caliber. :nod:

And I'm not talking about the Eagles.:cool:

P.S. At least they didn't tear down the goalposts after defeating a team with a losing record. That's what App St would have done.

Just before they trampled our pizzas.:nod:

[BisonBacker]

I've watched championship teams numerous times. I'm not talking about just in championship games, but over the course of many seasons. The team I saw in Paulson stadium on Saturday might not be able to make the playoffs, but they are championship caliber. :nod:

And I'm not talking about the Eagles.:cool:

P.S. At least they didn't tear down the goalposts after defeating a team with a losing record. That's what App St would have done.

Just before they trampled our pizzas.:nod:
Thanks for the kudo's eaglesrthe1. I look forward to your trip up to Fargo in 09.

[texcap]

I've watched championship teams numerous times. I'm not talking about just in championship games, but over the course of many seasons. The team I saw in Paulson stadium on Saturday might not be able to make the playoffs, but they are championship caliber. :nod:

And I'm not talking about the Eagles.:cool:

P.S. At least they didn't tear down the goalposts after defeating a team with a losing record. That's what App St would have done.

Just before they trampled our pizzas.:nod:

You forgot to mention the window of the team bus!:smiley_wi