Craig Bohl has been saying it since the day he arrived at North Dakota State. Recruiting starts in state and the Bison can win NCAA Division I football games with North Dakota athletes playing significant roles.
More vindication came last Saturday when running back Tyler Roehl from West Fargo set a school single-game rushing record against a Big Ten Conference team. His 263 yards keyed a
27-21 victory at the University of Minnesota.
NDSU improved to 7-0 and on Monday retained its No. 1 ranking in the Football Championship Subdivision coaches' poll. Roehl's effort was talked about on ESPN's SportsCenter on Saturday and he is up for USA Today's Player of the Week, an online poll by fans that closes at noon today.
"That's pretty good recognition from a North Dakota player," Bohl said.
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The issue came to the forefront last week because of a scheduling question. Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster continued his stance of not wanting to play an FCS team. He said he would prefer scheduling teams in areas that the Gophers recruit.
Some NDSU players took that as to mean the state wasn't good enough to produce Big Ten players.
"I think our players certainly feel like they're Division I football players and I feel like they're Division I football players," Bohl said. "Other people may not and that's OK if they don't want to go to Carrington or New Rockford or some of these places. We're happy that they're here."
NDSU did its offensive damage - 585 yards of total offense - with Roehl, tight end Jerimiah Wurzbacher from Fargo, fullback Tyler Jangula from Williston, fullback Lee Vandal from Rolla, center Zach Harrington from Carrington, right tackle Keith Buckman from Belfield and receiver Alex Belquist from New Rockford.
Roehl, however, got the headlines.
A fullback his first two years at NDSU, he's taken advantage of a decision by the Bison coaches to move him to tailback in the offseason. Bohl said Roehl has always had good speed, but he's exceeded expectations with his cutting ability and vision.
Against the Gophers, he took a swing pass on NDSU's third play of the game, broke two tackles and ran away from the Gophers secondary to the end zone.
"That was an explosive play," Bohl said. "Here's a product of North Dakota and I know coach Brewster said they don't feel like they should be recruiting North Dakota. I think Tyler Roehl is a pretty good football player."
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Roehl also had runs of 33 and 68 yards.
If there was any question before the season of his speed, it's been answered.
Kyle Steffes, NDSU's starting running back the three previous years, ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash for professional scouts last March. Bohl said Roehl's 40 time is between 4.4 and 4.5.
"Many times, people look at a fullback and say he probably can't run very fast," Bohl said. "He' always clocked out fairly well. He's improved his speed since he's gotten here and he certainly utilizes that."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546.
Kolpack's NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com
Stay-at-home recruits Jeff Kolpack 20071023
