8 things to know about UND's opponent Indiana State
Oct. 26—GRAND FORKS — The UND football team returns to the Alerus Center on Saturday in hopes of redemption after losing handily at Northern Iowa last weekend.
The Fighting Hawks return to the friendly confines of the Alerus Center to face Indiana State, a winless team in 2023 although the Sycamores have shown signs of progress.
Indiana State has struggled to punch the ball in the end zone but the Sycamores' offense has controlled the clock.
Over the last four games, the Sycamores have won the time of possession battle.
The Sycamores put together a dominant 39:58-20:02 time of possession edge against Northern Iowa, marking the largest in the Curt Mallory coaching era.
Against Murray State, Indiana State held an edge of 34:37 to 25:23. Against Illinois State, Indiana State held an edge of 31:24 to 28:36. Against South Dakota, Indiana State held an edge of 35:10 to 24:50.
Indiana State wide receiver Harry Van Dyne, a redshirt senior, posted at least 80 yards in three consecutive games earlier this season against Ball State, Murray State and Northern Iowa.
His 296 receiving yards over 18 catches during the stretch were the most by an Indiana State wide receiver since Dante Hendrix posted 333 yards in a trio of games in 2022 against North Dakota State, Youngstown State and Illinois State.
Van Dyne posted his first 100-yard receiving effort against Murray State after hauling in 10 catches for 122 yards.
He also became the first ISU receiver to post double-digit receptions since Dante Hendrix posted a 10-catch, 83-yard, two-touchdown game back on Nov. 13, 2021, against Southern Illinois.
Although Justin Dinka has become Indiana State's go-to running back in recent weeks, Plez Lawrence made a little bit of history against Murray State as the redshirt freshman running back made his first collegiate start.
The Kokomo, Ind. native posted a career-high 29 carries for 203 yards and added three touchdowns in the Sycamores' 30-28 loss to the Racers.
Lawrence became the first MVFC freshman running back to surpass 200 rushing yards in a single game since South Dakota State's Pierre Strong Jr. went for 253 and three touchdowns against South Dakota in 2018. He also became the first ISU freshman to break 100 rushing yards since Shakir Bell in 2010 (146 vs. Illinois State).
Indiana State has shuffled its quarterbacks this year with injuries playing a factor.
The Sycamores have thrown just three touchdown passes and have been picked off 11 times.
Starting quarterback Cade Chambers, who didn't play in the second half last week against South Dakota, is 56-for-85 for 589 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions.
Elijah Owens, who played in the second half against the Coyotes, is 15-for-34 on the season for 197 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The Sycamores rank last in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in red-zone offense and hold one of the FCS' worst ratings (119th of 122 teams ranked).
Indiana State, despite holding a winless record, has had moments of competitiveness.
The Sycamores were nipped 30-28 at Murray State in late September.
A week later, the Sycamores recovered an onside kick against Northern Iowa with a chance to win or tie late in the game.
But Chambers was intercepted at the 2-yard line as he threw a jump ball to Van Dyne.
Last week, South Dakota and Indiana State were tied at 3-3 at halftime before the Yotes pulled away for a 17-3 win.
The last win for the Sycamores came last season, a 21-0 victory over Western Illinois, a team on a long losing streak of its own.
Playing indoors is nothing new to teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with domes in Grand Forks, Fargo, Vermillion and Cedar Falls.
But Indiana State is coming to Grand Forks for the first time and head coach Curt Mallory is making his first appearance at the Alerus Center.
"There's no way of preparing for it without an indoor facility," Mallory said. "We'll get there early and walk around. Some of our guys have played in domes but some haven't. I have been to all the domes except this one. The team is excited. We know it'll be loud."
At his weekly press conference, Mallory said he and UND coach Bubba Schweigert have struck up a friendship since the Fighting Hawks joined the league.
"We didn't play them the first couple of years in the league, but I saw them on film a lot," Mallory said. "I could see how tough and well-coached they are and how disciplined they are. Then we saw it first-hand last year.
"They're talented. It starts with quarterback Tommy Schuster. He's a great player. He makes things happen with his arm and his legs."
UND's diverse run game overpowered Indiana State in Terre Haute last season.
Tyler Hoosman ran 15 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Hoosman is now gone but Red Wilson added seven carries for 77 yards and Isaiah Smith tacked on seven carries for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Indiana State was led by Evan Olaes, who ran seven times for 71 yards including a 57-yard run. Olaes also was 2-for-5 passing for 7 yards.
Chambers was injured in the first quarter.
The game was the first-ever meeting between UND and Indiana State.
