WDAY’s Dom Izzo spoke with NDSU head coach Tim Polasek ahead of their matchup against ETSU.
This Saturday, North Dakota State will compete against a Southern Conference team for the ninth time. The NDSU football team arrived in Johnson City, Tennessee around 4 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, marking a historic occasion as it’s the first time in the 128-year history of Bison football that they will play in Tennessee.
Head coach Polasek is preparing his team for this unique challenge. “The challenge is the time zone a little bit; it’s crucial for the guys to know when to get to bed and relate it to central time,” Polasek said. “I think waking up ready to win is key. It’s a long day with a 5:30 kickoff.”
ETSU head coach Tre Lamb anticipates a large crowd for the highest-ranked team ever to play at Greene Field. Polasek mentioned that they practiced for a loud atmosphere. “We didn’t focus deeply on crowd noise like we did against Colorado. It’s important to recognize that a packed house with community and student support adds to the challenge. We should embrace this environment; it’s exciting for our kids to play in front of a full crowd, whether it’s 5,000, 10,000, or 50,000.”
Polasek emphasized that while a quick start isn’t essential, it can significantly impact the game. “Earlier in my career, I’d say we needed a quick touchdown. A productive drive with three to four first downs helps settle into the game, particularly on the road, and if you’re effective with the run game, it can quiet the crowd.”
NDSU has a perfect 8-0 record against Southern Conference teams, having defeated ETSU in the 2021 quarterfinals and securing wins over teams like Georgia Southern, Wofford, Samford, and Furman.
The series with the Buccaneers was established in 2022, right after the playoff matchup. ETSU will visit Fargo again on Sept. 5, 2026 for the season opener.
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