The North Dakota State Bison football team has moved up to the No. 1 ranking in both national polls for the first time this season, but it came with its costs.
On Saturday evening the Bison defeated their bitter rivals in the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (Then No. 1 now No. 3) 13-9 in front of a packed Fargodome. During the game multiple key players suffered injuries in junior backup quarterback, Cole Payton, and senior starting strong safety, Sam Jung.
During Tuesday afternoon’s weekly press conference head football coach, Tim Polasek, announced that both Payton and Jung would be out for the season. Payton suffered a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery. As for Jung, his season ending injury was a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
On the season Payton played in eight games and has completed 10 of 16 passes for 123 yards that includes two touchdowns and one interception. On the ground he tallied 21 carries for 164 yards and one touchdown. He was averaging 7.8 yards per carry. As of right now Sophomore, Nathan Hayes is listed as NDSU’s backup QB behind starting QB Cam Miller. It is unclear as to what packages if any will be implemented for Hayes with the loss of Payton.
Jung had started in all eight games so far this season for the Bison and is currently second on the team in tackles. His 35 total tackles (26 solo, nine assisted) only trail Logan Kopp’s team-leading 38 tackles (19 solo, 19 assisted). Head coach Tim Polasek mentioned that his communication of play calls and reading the opposing offenses will be a huge loss for the Bison defense the remainder of the season. Sophomore Darius Givance is now listed as the team’s starting strong safety with junior Ryan Jones the backup. Additionally, redshirt freshman Jaylin Crumby is the starting free safety on the two deep with Jones listed at the backup.
No. 1 North Dakota State (7-1, 4-0 MVFC) will visit Murray State (1-6, 0-4 MVFC) on Saturday, October 26 with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
