North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the top offensive player in FCS. (Photo by GoBison.com)
By Barry Bottino
Brock Spack’s introduction to North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton came in the fourth quarter of a 42-10 Illinois State home loss to the Bison last fall.
In relief of starter Cam Miller, Payton threw the ball once and carried it twice late in the game.
But it’s how he did it that wowed Spack.
“I’ve been high on him since the first time I saw him,” Spack said. “He’s a big, strong, guy. He has good speed and he’s a good athlete. He’s got all the arm talent to complete every pass that you can throw.
“He’s a real problem.”
On Saturday in a second-round FCS playoff game in Fargo, Payton will be Spack’s problem when the Redbirds (9-4) visit No. 1 seed NDSU (12-0) for a noon kickoff.
Last fall against ISU, Payton was facing a third down at 7 at NDSU’s own 6-yard line. His first pass was a 21-yard completion to a tight end across the middle.
On the next play, Payton faked a handoff on a zone read play and bolted through the Redbird defense untouched for a 73-yard rushing touchdown.
Payton is completing 71% of his passes this season and has thrown for 15 TDs and more than 2,600 yards. He’s also the team’s second-leading rusher (791 yards, 13 TDs).
This week, the first-year NDSU starter was named one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, given to the best offensive player in FCS.
“That’s well deserved,” NDSU head coach Tim Polasek said.
Dome sweet dome
The Bison are 38-1 in home playoffs games. On Saturday, they welcome Illinois State QB Tommy Rittenhouse, who will start his first career game in Fargo.
Rittenhouse said last week that he traveled to NDSU as a sophomore but did not play.
NDSU’s Fargodome holds 18,500 fans for football.
Polasek said this week that he hopes more than 15,000 fans fill the dome.
“I think that’s a difference-making crowd,” he said.
Road tested
The Redbirds are 6-1 on the road this season, including last weekend’s first-round win at Southeastern Louisiana. The only loss was in the season opener at FBS Oklahoma.
“It says that they’re a resilient group. Their leadership must be really strong,” Polasek said, specifically mentioning Rittenhouse and junior linebacker Tye Niekamp, the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Rested and … ready?
The Bison had a bye last week and were able to rest for a week.
But Polasek said Illinois State won’t provide a respite.
“There won’t be any easing into the playoffs or sliding in through the side door,” he said. “They totally understand the physicality of (the playoffs). If we don’t strap it up tight, these guys will knock us back. We’ve got to be ready to go.”
Tough times vs. NDSU
The Redbirds are looking to snap a 14-game losing streak against the Bison.
ISU’s last win in Fargo – where the Redbirds are 1-8 all-time – was in 2009, which was Spack’s first season as coach.
Since then, NDSU has won 10 of the last 14 national championships.
“It’s the No. 1 team in the country,” Spack said. “Everybody knows their reputation. They’ve set the standard for all of us in the Missouri Valley.”
Pass happy ‘Birds
Polasek said one of his biggest concerns is defending a passing game led by Rittenhouse (28 TDs, five interceptions) and featuring ISU’s all-time TD reception leader Daniel Sobkowicz (57 catches, 11 TDs) and MVFC Freshman of the Year Luke Mailander (35 catches, four TDs, 16.2 yards per reception).
“They’re getting more guys involved in the pass game now than when we played them last time (in early October),” he said.
In November against Indiana State, Rittenhouse completed passes to 10 different receivers.
“They have weapons on the outside, two outstanding backs, they’re getting the tight ends involved,” Polasek said. “At this time of year, you’d better be thinking about players over plays.”
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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