I saw at least two NDSU blocks in the back that went uncalled. And there was that ISU punt where NDSU should have had a penalty for either contact or trying to induce movement. So I have to agree, the officiating could have been better.
Still NDSU looked like a much better club than I could have imagined. Craig Bohl is a very good offensive coach. The NDSU running back Paschall looked great. If NDSU continues to play solid and cleans up a few small issues, I'm sure they will do better than last season.
I wish I could be as upbeat about my Cyclones. Hopefully next week will bring better perspective.
There was also Schwartz's fumble. The refs should have blown the whistle there. His forward progress was stopped and they let the play last about five seconds longer than it should have until, finally, the ball was stripped.
I also thought they could have looked at Reynolds' tippy-toe catch on the sidelines right before the half. I think he got both toes in bounds, but they didn't even review it. That could have made a big difference in momentum if we had made that first down, then run a few more plays, maybe even scored a TD right before half. At the very least it would have been a much shorter FG than the 57-yarder we eventually had to try.
But I definitely think the refs didn't do NDSU any favors either.
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