NDSU Bison and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Face Tactical Contrast

Two distinct football cultures collide as the North Dakota State Bison bring their ground-heavy scheme to face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

For a program that produced two top-three NFL draft picks in quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Trey Lance, offensive coordinator Dan Larson remains true to his background with fullbacks and tight ends. The Bison have rushed 59.8 percent of their plays this season, leaning heavily on a four-back rotation anchored by Myles “Money” Mitchell and DJ Scott.

Protecting the pocket is an offensive line collectively known as the “Rams.” Left guard Griffin Empey recalled joining the group as a walk-on freshman four years ago.

Hawaii Football Final: UH vs. North Dakota State Preview Show — KHON2 News

“To be a Ram is something special. Your freshman year, you’re wondering: ‘How can I do this better? What do I need to do?’ Most of that comes with working hard and learning how to be a Ram. Once you do that, it allows you to play at these high levels and be a part of this rich history, said Griffin Empey, [FCS All-American guard], told Honolulu Star-Advertiser.”

Opposite that relentless NDSU ground game stands a Hawaii offense engineered by quarterback Micah Alejado and defensive minds seeking new ways to counter power schemes. Safety Matagi Thompson noted how position coach Nick Locher trains the secondary using karate wooden boards to build hand strength for stripping the ball.

“It’s like karate wooden boards. We strike the boards. It keeps our hands stronger. It makes our fingers stronger. My coach comes up with the craziest stuff. He studies from the greats, like Coach Saban, said Kona Moore, [Senior Safety], told Honolulu Star-Advertiser.”

With special teams threats like Jackson Williams—who returned a missed field goal 100 yards for a touchdown against Nevada—and reliable targets like Titan Lacaden, who has caught 29 passes in a row, the matchup sets up a sharp tactical contrast between NDSU’s punishing physicality and Hawaii’s explosive perimeter speed.