GRAND FORKS - The University of North Dakota has yet to establish its identity this season on the football field.
Northwestern State (La.) has yet to truly identify the nature of its team as well.
The answers won't come Saturday when the teams meet at the Alerus Center. But the Sioux and Demons should get a better indication as to where they're headed.
The game will be UND's first against a Division I Football Championship Subdivision program this season. The Sioux opened with Football Bowl Subdivision opponents Idaho and Northern Illinois before playing Division II Northeastern State (Okla.) last week.
As a third-year FCS program, the Sioux want to use the game as a gauge to see where they're at and where they're headed.
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"If we come out and play a sound game, we should be happy where we're at," UND linebacker Paul German said. "Hopefully, it'll give you guys (media) a better gauge of what to expect, especially with our tendency to be a rollercoaster team, which we were last season."
The remainder of UND's schedule will be against FCS opponents, making Saturday's game somewhat of a barometer for the rest of the season.
Northwestern State is
1-2 after beating Division II Tarleton State last week, a win that broke the Demons' 13-game losing streak. The Demons played Air Force to open the season, losing 65-21, before losing to FCS opponent Samford in Week 2.
Like UND, the different levels of competition for Northwestern this season are over as well.
"We beat the team we should have and fell short against the others," Sioux linebacker Dan Hendrickson said. "This game should be a little bit more of a level playing field."
If last season's game is any indication, the Sioux will meet a Southland Conference team with ample speed and athleticism.
"I remember going down there and being amazed how athletic the Demons were," German said. "It was a one score game and that's the type of game we have to expect this week. We know it'll be physical and we know they have some guys who like to get out into the open field and make some plays."
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But the Sioux have made upgrades this season in speed and athleticism as well.
Northwestern State coach Bradley Dale Peveto has noticed the difference.
"We're playing a very good football team, one that I've seen get better every week," Peveto said.
The Demons had the statistical advantage last season against the Sioux, who won 27-20. Northwestern outgained UND 439 yards to 264, yet trailed the entire game.
"We won the statistical battle but we've all been around long enough to know that statistics are for losers," Peveto said.
Nelson is the sports editor for the Grand Forks Herald
