LAS VEGAS — Tim Polasek called Nathan Hayes questionable Tuesday, Oct. 27, with an ankle sprain before North Dakota State’s home game against UTEP at the Fargodome. That was the coach’s assessment at his news conference, ahead of the conference availability report. He said the struggling offense needs its starter if Hayes can play.
“We're not playing good enough on offense right now,” Polasek said during his Tuesday news conference. “So if our starter's available and he can play, we've got to play him.”
Hayes injured his ankle in the 21-16 loss at New Mexico, missed a series, then returned. He had already dealt with a toe problem before the loss at UNLV. The injuries have arrived during NDSU's most demanding stretch of its first Mountain West season, with the Bison losing two of three after a strong start.
Polasek expects Preston Brown and Trey Drake to be ready, and he said the approaching bye will not be the determining factor if Hayes can play. “Nathan Hayes, I believe, still gives us the best chance to be the best we can be,” the coach said.
That assessment is as much about the offense around the quarterback as it is about Hayes. NDSU ran for 53 yards on 28 carries at New Mexico. It also failed on 10 of 15 third downs. The Bison need first-down gains that keep them from asking an injured passer to make a difficult throw after two running plays go nowhere.
NDSU averages 159.5 rushing yards per game despite its 53-yard afternoon in Albuquerque. Polasek’s criticism addressed the blocks and calls behind that result. He said the staff had been slow to change familiar concepts when injuries removed tight ends or backs who had previously carried out those jobs.
“More five-yard plays would be great,” Polasek said. On the opening possession at New Mexico, DJ Scott lost four yards and gained three before Hayes’ interception on third-and-11. The offense had reached an obvious passing down before its quarterback made the decision Polasek would later criticize.
Polasek said his linemen usually recognize whom to block. He singled out missed aiming points, overrunning defenders and one incomplete block among six or seven players as ways a properly called run can die in the backfield.
Tight end Kaden Zenzen missed New Mexico after an oblique or rib issue worsened before kickoff. Tackle Ryan Babatz was probable for UTEP but still had to show he could practice; Griffin Empey left the New Mexico game with a wrist injury. Those injuries affect the protection and blocking Hayes would have if he returns.
Brown gives NDSU a runner who knows the system. Polasek said the sophomore was confident with shifts and cadence and had taken substantial practice work during two years in the program. He wants more evidence about which passes Brown processes well under live pressure. Brown has completed one of four attempts for four yards this season. Drake has completed three of four for 35. Neither sample establishes what a full start would look like.
“I think we've got to have Preston and Trey Drake ready to go,” Polasek said. The staff needs to tailor the game plan to the reads each backup can handle.
Hayes' own decisions have been costly. He threw five interceptions in the losses to UNLV and New Mexico, and his opening-possession interception in Albuquerque wiped away the game plan the Bison wanted to use. Polasek said he would have preferred a third-down punt to that throw. He wants his quarterback to move to an outlet when the coverage takes away the first expected read.
Hayes finished the New Mexico game with two touchdown passes, but the interceptions were too expensive in a contest decided by five points. The Lobos' Austin Brawley returned one 56 yards for a touchdown.
NDSU allows 250.1 yards and 12.5 points per game, with 12 interceptions. At New Mexico, Ray James made 11 tackles and intercepted a pass, while Gavin Sell had 10 tackles, including five for loss. The defense allowed two offensive touchdowns; Brawley’s interception return supplied the other seven points. Polasek’s preference for Hayes comes with a responsibility to keep the offense from undoing those stops.
The workload is another reason the injuries matter. Polasek compared the snap totals of current starters with players in past seasons and found increases of roughly 65 to 95 plays for some, another full game's worth of contact. Tight games have left fewer chances to substitute younger players after the third quarter. His staff has adjusted practice for that added workload.
UTEP is 1-6, but Polasek warned against reading the schedule as permission to ease up. The Miners have faced Oklahoma, Michigan and other demanding opponents, and their multiple defensive fronts and run pressures threaten the same blocking mistakes that stalled NDSU in New Mexico. He also expects UTEP's tempo and shifting formations to challenge the Bison defense.
NDSU hosts UTEP at 2:35 p.m. Central Saturday on MW+ and WDAY's statewide ABC stations.