Sep 26, 2008 - 04:05:19 CDT
GRAND FORKS (AP) - University of North Dakota cornerback Drake Otto spent the second half against Idaho State watching the Bengals mount a furious comeback.The Sioux senior didn't want to watch, but he had no choice after suffering an ankle injury in the second quarter.
As he stood on the sidelines, Otto watched Idaho State's receivers repeatedly test freshmen Sioux cornerbacks Dominique Hawkins and Kenny Watkins.
"They played their tails off out there," Otto said. "They learned some valuable lessons. They got good experience and that'll help more than anything."
The Sioux, who led 31-7 early in the third quarter, managed to hang on and beat Idaho State 38-35.
The two freshmen corners will be tested again Saturday at Southeastern Louisiana, an NCAA Division I FCS program that likely has more speed than Idaho State.
Otto's availability will be key to UND's pass defense in Hammond. He leads the Sioux with six pass breakups this season and is an important member of the defense. Against Idaho State, Otto was involved in six tackles during the Bengals' opening drive, which ended with a missed field goal.
After the stop, UND scored and held the momentum until the Bengals mounted the comeback.
Otto's injury has forced UND to alter its defensive personnel during practice this week.
"We'll have to cover our bases better this week and make sure we get some other guys some reps at the corner spot so we can spell Drake, Kenny and Dominique," UND coach Chris Mussman said. "The reality of it is that we may have to get some other guys in there. We're a little thin.
"Maybe (safety) Kris Ankenbauer takes a few reps at corner," Mussman said. "Maybe Mitch Kudrna takes a few reps. And Carl Hanson will have to step up in there, too."
Southeastern is 2-2, with losses coming at Mississippi State (34-10) and Louisiana Tech (41-26), both Division I FBS programs.
"They'll try and throw it around," Mussman said. "They're very athletic, and I look at them and see a team that is probably a little bit faster than Idaho State."
Southeastern is averaging 263 passing yards per game. Against Louisiana Tech last week, the Lions completed 33 of 60 passes for 377 yards.
Mussman said Southeastern also can run the ball.
Running back Jay Lucas has a shot at becoming the school's career rushing leader this season. However, through four games, Southeastern is averaging only 69.5 yards.
"They played Mississippi State, an SEC team, and Louisiana Tech, so you don't know what you can take out of those games," Mussman said. "That was a different speed for them. But from what I saw, they played extremely well against Mississippi State."
Regardless of UND's health in the secondary, the game will come down to making plays, Otto said.
"We've been in this situation before," he said. "You have to have the mentality that it will be on our shoulders and we'll have to make the plays. If they do make catches, you have to punish them with good tackles."
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