BIG TIME, HERE WE ARE.... (updated 9-10-2005) The Measuring Stick    In a game that will certainly send ripples through the IAA football community, NDSU used a solid opportunistic defense to dominate the Northwest State Demons tonight on their home field in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The Demons had been rated as high as 4th in IAA polls. The Bison offense behind Steve Walker was effective enough to score three touchdowns and those along with a punt return for a TD from the great Shaman and an interception returned for a touchdown by Scotty Walters added up (along with the PATs) to the 35 NDSU points. The Bison lead 28-0 at the beginning of the 4th quarter when the Demons finally got on the board on a semi-broken play. The Bison almost instantly responded with a long kickoff return and a beautiful TD pass from Steve Walker to AJ Cooper to make the final score 35-7. A very strong Demon defense effectively stifled the very good NDSU running attack until the great Shaman broke off a 36 yard run late in the 4th quarter. It was Walker passing especially to Heckendorf and Cooper that tipped the scales in the Bison favor.    The Bison coaching staff has to be complimented on taking a young inexperienced team and preparing them to go to a distant foreign field and come away with a solid win against a very strong opponent. Shaman Washington almost certainly established himself as a premier kick and punt returner when he outplayed Toby Zeigler who is touted as the best returner in IAA. In what has to be a testament to Bison conditioning it appeared that although there was minimal substituting, they were still outplaying the home team (in the heat and humidity of Louisiana) at the final gun. Players of the Game    The BI Offensive Player Of The Game was AJ Cooper with his two long TD catches. Joe Mays with his 2 interceptions and a number of thundering hits was selected as the BI Defensive Player Of The Game. Holiday Vibes    Nick Schommer was ejected from the game for a helmet to helmet hit with the opposing quarterback. The loss to NDSU was the first home nonconference loss by NW State since 1994. Oct. 1st opponent Nicholls was narrowly defeated 35-31 by Indiana of the Big 10. Go Bison!! Bob H.