Kolpack: Bison running game is running on fumes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — North Dakota State quarterback Nathan Hayes showed the battle scars of a Mountain West Conference football game when he walked into a makeshift interview room in a New Mexico administrative building adjacent to University Stadium. This is not a game for the meek. Hayes sprained his ankle in the first quarter, but came back. He overcame a toe ailment earlier this year. The kid is battling. It ain t easy trying to play quarterback on a team that can t run the ball. That was the difference in the Lobos 21-16 win that put them in sole possession of the league lead. The Bison are 6-2, but in search of a ground game answer if they want to get an invite to a quality post-season bowl game. Representatives from the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl were on hand after all. Those bowl folks may want to see more than 53 yards rushing that the Bison had against the Lobos. Fifty-three on 28 attempts. Those are numbers the NDSU defense used to do against FCS teams.