Arizona hosts perennial FCS power North Dakota State
North Dakota State (2-0) at Arizona (1-1), Saturday, 11 p.m. EDT (FS1)
Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
North Dakota State has been the premier Football Championship Subdivision program for more than a decade, winning nine of the past 11 national championships. It’s their first game against an FBS opponent in six years. The Bison have won six games in a row against FBS teams since 2010. They’ll go against an Arizona team that got a big win over San Diego State in the season opener but fell to Mississippi State last weekend.
KEY MATCHUP
Arizona QB Jayden de Laura threw three interceptions against Mississippi State. He needs to be better against the Bison, who have given up just two touchdowns through two games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Dakota State: DL Spencer Waege. He’s had a good start to the season with four tackles for loss in two games. The Bison defense has 17 tackles for loss and six sacks in lopsided wins over Drake and North Carolina A&T.
Arizona: WR Jacob Cowing. He’s already caught four touchdowns this season, including three in the season opening win. Cowing is a transfer from UTEP and part of the team’s much-improved offense.
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FACTS & FIGURES
North Dakota State has a 9-3 record against FBS opponents and has won six in a row since 2010, beating Kansas (6-3), Minnesota (37-24), Colorado State (22-7), Kansas State (24-21), Iowa State (34-14) and No. 11 Iowa (23-21). ... The Bison scored 21 points off turnovers in last week’s 43-3 win over North Carolina A&T. ... The Bison used 10 different ball carriers in the season opener against Drake and 11 against North Carolina A&T. ... Arizona’s Cowing has caught a pass in 34 straight games, which is the second-longest active streak in FBS. ... The Wildcats forced three turnovers against Mississippi State. Their defense forced just six turnovers during the entire 2021 season. ... Arizona has a 15-1 record against FCS teams. Their lone loss came to Northern Arizona last season.
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