UND Football Senior Defensive Edge Rusher Lance Rucker Previews Saturday’s Game Against Illinois State

(KNOX) – The No. 11/15 ranked UND Football team returns home this Saturday to host No.10/9 Illinois State at the Alerus Center. The Fighting Hawks are 6-4 and 3-3 in MVFC play, and will play it’s fourth straight top 10 opponent. Illinois State is 7-2 this season with a 3-2 record in MVFC play.

Last week, UND lost at No.4 Youngstown State 31-28, despite leading 21-7 and 28-14. UND would allow a go ahead touchdown on a 4th and 19 play with 2:04 left in the fourth quarter. Senior Defensive Edge Rusher Lance Rucker explains what the team learned the most from last Saturday’s loss.

Rucker has played in three straight games after missing a majority of the season with a foot injury. He says he was able to develop into more of a leader for the team.

When Rucker was an underclassmen, he says he learned a lot about how to be a leader from two former teammates.

Last season, he had a breakout year with 64 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. In three games this year, he has recorded 11 tackles, with 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He determined to build off what he’s done.

Rucker expects this Saturday’s game to be a physical matchup, as Illinois State’s offense is top 15 in the country for third down conversions, fourth down conversions, and first down offense. The Redbirds are number three in third down conversions. Illinois State is also number one in the country for redzone defense. He says Head Coach Eric Schmitt continues to preach hard work on a week by week basis in order to get ready for an opponent.

UND is 4-0 this season at the Alerus Center. Rucker says he and the team are thrilled to be at home for the first time in nearly a month.

This will be the second to last game of the regular season. UND is one bye next Saturday, and the Fighting Hawks will finish the regular season at home on November 21st against Southern Illinois. Rucker says he’s not worrying to much about FCS playoff implications, and is focusing on the season one game at a time.