McFeely: Bison Cruise Past Fordham, Air Force Test Awaits
Source: InForum Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
FARGO — The energy inside the Fargodome on Saturday was subdued compared to the raucous atmosphere of the season opener. That’s what happens when you go from a marquee FBS matchup against Jacksonville State to a Patriot League FCS opponent like Fordham. The Rams, ranked 106th out of 128 FCS teams in the Massey ratings, arrived as 41.5-point underdogs and left with a 38-0 loss and a $450,000 check. They were never in the game. Even the Bison players seemed to start slowly, perhaps still recovering from the emotional high of the previous week. Cornerback Marion Moore provided the most memorable moment when he intercepted a pass, returned it for a touchdown, and then executed a cartwheel and backflip in celebration. The play was a spark, but it also underscored the gap between the two teams. “We need more of that kind of enthusiasm around here,” Mike McFeely wrote, referring to a Fordham staff member who marveled at the fireworks and cannon shots after every Bison touchdown. While the defense continued its dominant run, the offense had a mixed afternoon. Quarterback Nathan Hayes was efficient, connecting with Jackson Williams and other targets, but the running game lacked the punch it showed against Jacksonville State. The Bison managed only 111 rushing yards early in the fourth quarter before backups took over, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. That was a concern given that Fordham had surrendered 287 yards on the ground to Colgate just a week earlier. Right guard Josh Magin was out with an injury, replaced by Coy Okeson, but the line failed to impose its will. “It seemed, gasp, a lot like 2025 in that regard,” McFeely noted. All eyes are now on next Saturday’s trip to Air Force, the Bison’s first-ever Mountain West Conference game. The Falcons crushed Duquesne 34-0, using 18 players to rush for 431 yards while attempting only five passes. Quarterback Liam Szarka completed three of those for 19 yards. The option attack is a unique challenge, and head coach Tim Polasek has been talking about this game since the conference invitation was announced in February. “Obviously, all of our attention shifts pretty fast here to the first Mountain West Conference game … and it’s a real formidable opponent,” Polasek said after the Fordham win. “I’m going to be honest with you, that’s where my mind’s at right now.” Cornerback Marion Moore confirmed that Polasek has been emphasizing the Air Force game throughout camp. “From the defense’s standpoint, a lot,” Moore said when asked how often the coach brought up the Falcons. The Bison defense has earned an A-plus through two games, but the offense gets a B. The passing game looks solid, but the run blocking must improve. A win over Air Force would set up an intriguing season, with a trip to Sacramento State followed by a sold-out homecoming against Wyoming. But as McFeely cautions, that’s getting way ahead of the chains. For now, the focus is on containing an offense that racked up 431 rushing yards. “This game is going to be a team game,” Polasek said. “We can’t make it all about what the defense does. It’s about how the offense responds and how we decide to go after them offensively. There’s a huge danger in a three-and-out because then there’s a good chance the defense has to defend 20-24 plays in back-to-back series. This is pretty cool.”
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North Dakota State’s transition to the Mountain West Conference has been one of the most anticipated storylines in FCS-to-FBS realignment. The Bison’s first two games have offered a glimpse of both their strengths and areas that need refinement. The 38-0 victory over Fordham was a textbook example of a team handling a lesser opponent, but it also revealed cracks in the offensive line that could be exploited by a disciplined defense like Air Force’s. The defense, however, has been nothing short of elite. Across two games, the unit has allowed zero points and has forced multiple turnovers. The size, speed, and length of the Bison defenders have made them a nightmare for opposing offenses. Marion Moore’s interception return for a touchdown was just the latest highlight in a defense that looks capable of carrying the team through tough matchups. The question is whether the offense can keep pace. Quarterback Nathan Hayes has been efficient, but the running game’s inconsistency is a concern. Against Fordham, the Bison averaged just 3.5 yards per carry against a defense that had been gashed by Colgate. That type of performance won’t cut it against a Mountain West opponent that is adept at controlling the clock and limiting possessions. Air Force’s option offense is a unique challenge. The Falcons ran for 431 yards in their opener, using 18 different ball carriers. The Bison defense will need to be disciplined, assignment-sound, and physical. One missed gap could lead to a 60-yard touchdown. The key will be for the offense to sustain drives and avoid three-and-outs, which would put the defense in a bind. That’s a point Polasek emphasized after the Fordham game. The Bison’s schedule is manageable early in the conference slate, but the Air Force game is a legitimate measuring stick. A win would validate NDSU’s readiness for the Mountain West and set up a potential early-season statement. A loss, while not catastrophic, would raise questions about whether the program is still adjusting to the jump in competition. Ultimately, this is a team with championship aspirations. The defense is championship-caliber. The offense has the pieces but needs to find consistency in the run game. If the offensive line can impose its will the way it did in the second half against Jacksonville State, the Bison will be a tough out. The Fordham game was a necessary tune-up, but the real season begins next week. The Bison have the talent to succeed, but the margin for error is shrinking. They’ll need to play a complete game to beat Air Force on the road in a late-night kickoff.