Bison notebook: More injuries to key players for NDSU

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Injuries to key players continued to mount for North Dakota State in its 21-16 loss to New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 24. "We're pretty nicked up," Bison head coach Tim Polasek said. Quarterback Nathan Hayes suffered a left ankle injury in the first quarter when he was tackled near the Bison sideline by Lobos linebacker Mercury Swaim. Hayes was helped off the field and missed NDSU's next series, but returned for the subsequent series after having his ankle heavily taped. Second-year quarterback Preston Brown replaced Hayes. Starting left guard Griffin Empey injured his right wrist in the first half. He was on the sidelines in the second half not wearing pads with an ice pack on his wrist. Empey was replaced by Nate Tastad, who is listed as the backup left tackle. Starting left tackle Ryan Babatz didn't play after being listed as questionable on the game day availability report required by the Mountain West Conference. Noah Stommes took his pla