GRAND FORKS — At the start of the season, the UND football bye week didn't seem to time well as the second-to-last regular season week of the year.
The late bye makes for a grueling stretch of games. Yet, now that it's arrived, the timing almost feels advantageous.
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After improving to 7-4 with a 49-21 win over Illinois State last Saturday, the Fighting Hawks don't play this week before finishing the regular season at home against Southern Illinois.
"Everyone kind of needs it right now ... let the bodies heal," said UND linebacker Mike Devereaux, who was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Player of the Week on Monday after a career-high 13 tackles against the Redbirds.
Fighting Hawks head coach Eric Schmidt said the bye week is going to be important for players taking the field recently at less than 100 percent health.
"Obviously, the defensive line is hitting and banging every day, so it's good for them to take time here with shoulders and knees," Schmidt said. "There are probably four or five skill guys on either side of the ball that are probably at 65, 70, 80 percent. Adrenaline and toughness are getting them through on game day.
"Football and this team m...