'Necks' offensive struggles continue
Dan Jacobson
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Sports
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The Bison came out of the gates strong, returning the opening kickoff 65 yards.
The opening drive was led by senior running back Pat Paschall, who scored on a 17-yard sweep.
Western's defense would not allow another score until late in the fourth quarter.
The 'Necks responded on their first offensive drive by reaching the Bison's 31-yard line, but redshirt freshman quarterback Wil Lunt made his first mistake of the game as he was intercepted by junior defensive back Cyrus Lemon off a tipped pass.
The interception came at a crucial point in the game as the 'Necks did not see the red zone again until the fourth quarter.
Lunt struggled throughout the contest as he was sacked seven times and fumbled twice, in addition to his one interception.
Bison redshirt sophomore kicker Ryan Iastram missed a 46-yard field goal after North Dakota State drove to the Western 29- yard line on its next drive.
Western was unable to capitalize on the defensive stop when Lunt fumbled on a sack. The Bison regained possession on their own 29-yard line.
The 'Necks' defense held strong, forcing a three-and-out. On fourth down, the Bison again attempted a field goal but missed wide right from 38-yards out.
At the start of the second quarter, the 'Necks sustained a drive of more than 50 yards but were stopped on a fourth down conversion attempt when Lunt was sacked.
The seven sacks forced by North Dakota Sate tripled their season total in one game.
"Wil can throw the ball very well, so we need to let him throw," said head coach Mark Hendrickson. "There's no doubt that the pressure on the quarterback, especially in this type of game, which ended up being a low scoring game. Those pressures ended up being critical. We always want Wil to get the ball off because he throws it real well."
It was the fourth quarter when Western's offensive began to show signs of life. In the opening drive, the 'Necks drove 76 yards to the Bison's 10-yard line.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
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posted 11/03/09 @ 3:53 PM CST
Quote:
"Wil can throw the ball very well, so we need to let him throw," said head coach Mark Hendrickson. "There's no doubt that the pressure on the quarterback, especially in this type of game, which ended up being a low scoring game. (Continued…)
Harry Tuttle
posted 11/03/09 @ 9:35 PM CST
"Wil can throw the ball very well, so we need to let him throw"
I am not sure if anyone on the team does anything "very well" at this point. Without a doubt there is a problem here. (Continued…)
Fire Van Alstine !
posted 11/04/09 @ 12:26 PM CST
The problem with Western football for the last 2 seasons can all be dumped on Athletic Director Tim Van Alstine's doorstep.
In 2008, he allows Coach Don Patterson to return to the team for the last 4 games of the season. (Continued…)
Alumni Jim
posted 11/04/09 @ 1:18 PM CST
I've seen two games this year. I attended the game at NIU and watched the SIU game on t.v. The quarterbacks both looked good in the games I saw. Unfortunately, they were the only players who looked particularly good. (Continued…)
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