(STATS) – No matter how much they prepare for playing in the Fargodome, many first-time opponents to North Dakota State don’t know what they’re getting into until they experience it.
They usually lose while doing so.
Delaware (2-1) is taking on defending FCS champion and No. 1-ranked North Dakota State (2-0) for the first time on Saturday, but Blue Hens second-year coach Danny Rocco and a few of his assistants know what to expect at the raucous Fargodome, having led Richmond there for a playoff semifinal in 2015.
The final score: North Dakota State 33, Richmond 7.
“It really is an extraordinary atmosphere,” said Rocco, who seeks his 100th career win in the difficult assignment Saturday.
“I think it’s probably pretty similar for any team that goes there. You have to play complementary football, you have to play a complete game and you’ve got to make yourselves hard to beat. The field position battle in the Fargodome is real. Field position for them is momentum and energy. You’ve got to be able to be on top of field position. Obviously, penalties, protecting the ball, negative plays – those are the kinds of things that just generate so much momentum for them in that environment.”
The decibel level gets high in the 18,700-seat Fargodome, so the Blue Hens began to prepare for it by pumping in noise at their indoor practice facility during preseason camp. The volume was taken even higher earlier this week to try to replicate the obstacle they will face when running their offense.
The game matches the two top conferences in the FCS in a rare regular-season meeting. Delaware from CAA Football is playing on the road for the first time this season, seeking to spoil North Dakota State’s Homecoming. But the FCS dynasty from the Missouri Valley Football Conference is 66-6 at the Fargodome since 2010 and has won 61 of its last 63 nonconference home games.
The Blue Hens resemble North Dakota State in their desire to use the power run to set up the pass and with having a physical, stout defense. Lefty quarterback Pat Kehoe was a surprise winner of the top job, but he’s responded with 735 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. Their defense ranks ninth in the FCS in yards allowed per game (226.7), not far behind the Bison in sixth place.
“The league’s obviously really good that they play in,” NDSU coach Chris Klieman said. “I thought it was interesting that Danny left a really good job (Richmond) to go to Delaware, which in his mind was a better job, which tells you a lot about the resources and recruiting area and some of those things that he feels comfortable with.”
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