Behind the Numbers: Polasek Provides Pure Emotion in Shutout

FARGO, N.D., -- Tim Polasek said he woke up Saturday morning and got a good workout in.

Though North Dakota State's third-year head coach attempted all week to treat this like it was just another game, he finally admitted to the world Saturday night that it wasn't.

"I can tell you this: it wasn't like my hair was standing up on the back of my neck, but you knew it was a big deal," he said, referring to the first game inside the Fargodome against a Mountain West opponent. "The tailgate energy, and the energy around the community, was pretty first class."

The fiery head coach said all the right things during his weekly press conference and coaches show, praising his three-year stint as the offensive coordinator at Wyoming. Still, the fact remains: He was passed over when his mentor, Craig Bohl, called it a career after the 2023 campaign.

Jay Sawvel, the team's defensive coordinator, instead landed the role of heir apparent on the high plains.

For 11 days, Polasek played the role of his play-caller. His task was to "open up" the offense. Instead, he answered his phone. The area code read: 701. It was from Matt Larsen, the athletics director at NDSU. Polasek also called Fargo home from 2006-12 and again from 2014-16.

The program wanted him. It was a no-brainer.

Polasek led his squad out of the home locker room Saturday, a shaky camera following his every move as he made his way down a long cement hallway. It had the appearance of a WWE wrestler making his way to the ring, his entourage following closely behind.

The main lights went out on the sold-out crowd of nearly 19,000. Call-phone lights, along with the team's intro video, illuminated the playing surface.  AC/DC's Thunderstruck blared from the overhead speakers. Smoke and fire shot up from the turf.

Enter Polasek and the Bison.

The 47-year-old, encouraging the ruckus, pumped his fists, clapped his hands and flailed his arms, as he greeted each player running out of the tunnel.

It was obvious this one meant more.

He said there was no "extra juice" for his players, adding that's just how his team operates. For him, though, the emotions came flooding in.

"I came out running; a couple fans requested I do that," he said with a smile. "But, that was pure. That was really. I knew that there wasn't going to be any (empty) seats in there, and that they were going to participate today. I was excited about that.

"We really challenged this football team, you know, to play a complete game."

That all but happened, rolling to a 28-0 blanking of the Cowpokes.

"It's like competing against your brother," Polasek added. "You never want to lose against your brother."

Here are some other stats from Wyoming's third loss of the young season:

31

That's the number of victories Polasek has in Fargo since his arrival in the winter of 2024. He's lost just three times in that span. Sawvel now falls to 9-20 overall and just 5-12 in Mountain West play.

8

That's how many first downs Wyoming's offense picked up over four quarters at NDSU. Bart Edmiston punted seven times. It was that kind of day for this much-maligned offensive unit.

2-of-11

That's the Cowboys' success rate on third down inside the raucous Fargodome. The visitors entered this Week-5 matchup converting just 17-of-45 opportunities after starting the season 0-for-11.

0-of-2

Wyoming didn't convert on either fourth-down try against the Bison, dropping to 2-of-6 in that category this fall.

49

That's the number of plays the visiting offense ran on Saturday. For NDSU, that number sits at 70. The latter also owned the time-of-possession battle, 33:13-26:47.

1

The Cowboys turned the ball over one time in Fargo. That came on the very first play from scrimmage when Tyler Hughes was picked off by linebacker Donovan Woolen. The Bison scored a touchdown five plays later on an 8-yard scamper by QB Nathan Hayes. While the turnover battle did end up even, the Cowboys couldn't capitalize on a forced fumble deep in NDSU territory in the third quarter.

2022

That's the last time Wyoming was shutout. It came in the regular-season finale at Fresno State. Jordan Mims rushed for three touchdowns and the Bulldog defense allowed just 191 yards of total offense in that 30-0 laugher.

11

Polasek said earlier in the week that Steven Perez plays the game the "right way." The young linebacker tallied a career-high 11 tackles Saturday afternoon, including one for loss. Ethan Stuhlsatz, playing with a right-ankle injury, finished with 10 stops.

5-of-14

It was a forgettable day at the office for Hughes, whose stat line read like that. He threw for only 52 yards and, of course, tossed that early interception. He already has five of those in as many games. He only had three all of last year during his final season at William and Mary.

50

The Cowboy offense never eclipsed 50 yards in any single quarter on Saturday, including rolling up a grand total of only 25 in the second quarter. NDSU had 180 in that same frame.

50

Speaking of the number 50, Wyoming only crossed midfield twice all day, one via a fumble deep in Bison territory.

3

That's the number of explosive plays the visitors managed in Fargo, meaning runs for more than 10 yards and throws over 15. Midway through the fourth quarter, Hughes connected with wideout Charlie Coenen on a 16-yard hookup. Hughes had a run of 14 in the first quarter -- which fittingly was negated by a blind-side block -- and Markell Holman finished with a 14-yard dash in the third.

13

That's the number of missed tackles the Cowboys had on Saturday, according to Pro Football Focus. Safety Jones Thomas and cornerback Therman "Boogie" Williams were both charged with two.

79

Not known for his wheels, 6-foot-3, 228-pound Hayes rushed for a team-high 79 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys.

9

Woolen didn't only impact the game early, picking off that Hughes pass on the opening play, he also tallied a team-high nine tackles, including 1.5 for loss.

18,586

NDSU sold this game out weeks ago. It was homecoming in Fargo and the initial Mountain West home game.

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