![]() But that’s just a typical 2020 season and we are in a very atypical year. History tells us that any 2020 playoff is more likely than not to feature at least one quarterback that started the season as a backup. In 2014, Ohio State went all the way to third-string quarterback Cardale Jones to pull out a title run. One year earlier in 2016 it was Hurts that entered the season as a backup at Alabama only to quickly take the starting job and lead the Tide to the playoffs. In 2017, a backup true freshman Tua Tagovailoa saved the day at halftime for Alabama to beat former backup Jake Fromm of Georgia. "We drew up that play at the beginning of the week and as soon as he called that play, I'm like 'All right!' And then that happened.In a typical college football season, the backup quarterback is a big deal - at least it should be if you want to contend for championships of any kind.ĭuring the 2018 season, Clemson rode its freshman backup Trevor Lawrence into the playoffs and Alabama needed backup heroics out of Jalen Hurts to sneak in. I just think I didn't see him," Patterson said. It was costly when Patterson lobbed a soft pass directly to safety SJ Brown II for an easy pick. NDSU could've simply powered the ball into the end zone, given its offensive line's dominance, but instead chose to get cute. Patterson threw his first interception of the season on an ill-advised toss into the end zone on a jump pass. There were a couple of miscues against Towson. TIght end Josh Babicz and fullback Hunter Luepke were both targets of deep downfield throws against Towson. The Bison try to spread the wealth by throwing to running backs, tight ends, receivers and fullbacks. "I just kind of wish I could throw them all the ball, but I just try to keep them up knowing that they'll all get their shot and when they do get their shot they have to capitalize on it," Patterson said. North Dakota State's Christian Watson hauls in a 67-yard touchdown reception against Towson at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Maryland, on Saturday, Sept. Patterson throws a good ball and, with an array of players who can run and catch it, he exhibited regret Saturday night that he can't get it to everybody. He showed wonderful touch on a 31-yard toss down the middle to Kobe Johnson and impressive arm strength on a 12-yard out for a first down to Braylon Henderson. The bomb to Watson on NDSU's first possession was just one of several good throws Patterson made with his limited opportunities. He opens up the playbook a lot for us, being able to do so many things." He's a 240-, 250-pound QB who can run that thing right down their throat. I think he fits in our offense perfectly," said Bison receiver Christian Watson, who was the recipient of a perfectly thrown 67-yard touchdown pass from Patterson on Saturday. He's done what's been asked of him, including running the ball himself when needed. Patterson hasn't been required to throw much because the Bison have so thoroughly subjugated their opponents. NDSU is averaging an FCS-best 348.3 rushing yards per game, including 328 against a Towson defense that was allowing 107 yards on the ground before the Bison's offensive line obliterated the Tigers' front seven. Will it matter? Not if the Bison can run the ball like they have through the first three games. ![]() The Fighting Hawks bring pressure and blitzes from all over the place. The difficulty will be bumped up in NDSU's next game, Oct. The Bison haven't faced urgency offensively, nor have they seen the more complex defenses they'll see in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, where teams are well-schooled in NDSU's tendencies. It's helped that NDSU physically overwhelmed its first three opponents, all of whom ran generally basic defenses. Build some confidence and, as the season progressed, keep adding wrinkles and up the degree of difficulty. This is, of course, how the run-based Bison prefer things and, perhaps, how offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl and quarterbacks coach Randy Hedberg envisioned breaking Patterson into NDSU's scheme during the nonconference portion of the schedule. ![]()
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