Story by
The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
After 'big improvement' in Valpo win, ISU opens MVFC vs. ranked Hawks
- Story byThe Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
- After 'big improvement' in Valpo win, ISU opens MVFC vs. ranked Hawks
Coming off a 39-16 victory over Valparaiso, Indiana State's football team is looking to win its third straight game Saturday against North Dakota with Louisville transfer Brady Allen at quarterback.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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The Sycamores held the Beacons to minus-7 rushing yards last Saturday with ISU coach Curt Mallory attributing that to getting off the field on third down.
"We had them backed up and we got a safety," Mallory noted. "Getting the ball back to our offense in that type of situation not only on third down, but when we got them back up, was a big deal. And that was a big improvement from Eastern Illinois to Valparaiso."
Alex Rose, a 6-foot redshirt junior linebacker out of Terre Haute South, said the Sycamores just can't flinch.
"In the highs and lows, we have to stay consistent," Rose said.
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While the Sycamores fell 46-17 last season at North Dakota, the last time the two teams met in Terre Haute in 2024, ISU upset then-No. 15-ranked North Dakota 35-31 on Nov. 2, 2024. That was one of three Missouri Valley Football Conference victories for the Sycamores that season and one of four victories overall.
One notable aspect that changed is the coach at North Dakota as Eric Schmidt led the Fighting Hawks last season after their previous coach stepped down following a less-than-stellar 2024 season when ISU defeated ND.
Saturday's game marks the start of MVFC play for ISU. Should the Sycamores pull off another win over No. 8/7 North Dakota (3-1), it would put them over .500 at 3-2. But it's a tall order and Mallory and players such as Rose and offensive lineman Justice Musser, a 6-5 redshirt senior know that.
Rose said at the end of the day, what matters is who will be able to sustain four quarters and play all three phases — offense, defense and special teams.
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Mallory called the MVFC the best conference he's ever been a part of top to bottom.
Regarding the Fighting Hawks, Mallory said they play extremely hard, extremely physical and have great length. How will the Sycamores combat that? Mallory said the main benefit they have is their depth.
"We're playing a lot of guys up front, we're giving guys opportunities at other positions, maybe the wide receivers, keeping guys fresh, but that's only going to help us throughout this conference run," Mallory said.
Mallory said North Dakota had to deal with Big Ten foe Nebraska in a 34-7 loss last weekend.
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"They're 3-1 for a reason and they're ranked in the top 10 and rightfully so," Mallory said. "This a very well-coached football team."
Looking at North Dakota, Mallory said offensively the Fighting Hawks run the ball very well and have two really good running backs and an outstanding quarterback. He complimented the whole team, particularly the wideouts. One aspect he said North Dakota has is size as he rattled off the 6-foot-plus mark for multiple positions.
Offensively for ISU, Musser said the Sycamores mostly focus on improving each week, noting how they hone in on little details and try to perfect their craft, including hydrating.
As far as tackling the Fighting Hawks' defense, Musser emphasized doing the little things. He said Mallory's message to the team last week was to go 2-0 and now it's to go 3-0.
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"One of the things I know an offensive lineman prides himself [on] is being able to move the person across from him in the way that you want him to move," Musser mentioned.
Schmidt said looking back on last season's victory over ISU, despite the 46-17 margin, the Sycamores looked like a top-level MVFC team. He noted ISU's B.J. Wuest and Keshon Singleton, whom North Dakota played against last season, and said they're high-end players.
Despite the change at QB for the Sycamores, Schmidt said his team's game plan defensively doesn't change much. However, he said Owens is maybe a little more unpredictable at times with explosive plays he can make.
As far as slowing down the Sycamores' receiving and rushing game, Schmidt said the Fighting Hawks need to be balanced when it comes to deploying their defense.
