Kriesien was the difference-maker in the Lumberjacks' 29-20 victory at Weber State on Saturday. The junior ran for 126 yards on 24 carries and threw for another 125 yards and one touchdown on 11-of-20 passing.
Two weeks ago, Kriesien passed for 230 yards and nearly cracked the 100-yard plateau on the ground in being named the conference's offensive player of the week. On Saturday, NAU's double-threat dilemma belongs to the University of Montana as the No. 3 Grizzlies head to Flagstaff, Ariz., for a key league game.
After the game, the Standard-Examiner in Ogden asked if Weber State assigned a “spy” to contain the elusive Kriesien.
“We did,” WSU safety Ty Sparrow said reluctantly.
But it doesn't take the CIA or KGB to see “spying” didn't work.
“I was able to make a couple of moves early in the pocket and find some holes,” Kriesien told the Standard-Examiner. “I guess I just found a lane here and there.”
“You're not going to go out there and just drill people who are good players,” said Weber State coach Ron McBride. “You're going to have to make plays.”
Instead it was Kriesien making plays. Kriesien's effectiveness was never more evident than in the fourth quarter, when the Lumberjacks faced a third-and-9 and Kriesien ran 21 yards into Wildcats' territory.
“We knew what they were going to run,” McBride said.
“I mean, everybody in the stadium knew what they were going to run. It was obvious they were going to run quarterback draw and there was a hole big enough to drive 16 people through.”
Kriesien, a first-year starter, is third in the Big Sky in total offense and fifth in passing.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)