AJS

Bringing my list over. Retention is the 1a priority of a coaching staff entering the offseason. Here’s my “must keeps”. 1. Rucker 2. Seidl (Portal) 3. Fleming 4. Vig 5. Eckheart 6. Deng 7. Becher 8. Olagbaju (Portal) 9. Thaden 10. Noland 11. Henry 12. Buxa 13. Devereaux Any obvious ones I'm missing? Was Bluiett part of the Senior recognition?

I know I'm not breaking any news here, but although you can't officially enter until January 2nd, the portal is unofficially open. What I mean is I don't think you'll see a key player announce on January 2nd. Everyone will know who is / isn't before the window opens. Tough to see two key players who seemingly were gone regardless. Always my least favorite week of the year. Just hope for no news.

@Siouxperman8 certain players, no doubt. It's why NDSU with 2 million + to play with won't be able to keep everyone. Hypothetically, losing high-end / key contributors over 50/60k is tough. I would think the two guys that have entered so far, won't be getting 6 figures. Hoping for the best. Not a great start so far. Few quiet days and things will look better.

I'll never fault the players. Continuously frustrated with the effort to fundraise for the collectives (both 701 & 1883). A few years ago when NDSU started their collective they called an emergency meeting with donors, coaches, players. This year, they raised over $600K in a day during their very public day of giving / collective push. Currently have over $2 million. UND is not even close. Two different leagues. So little effort put in from UND side. Will NDSU lose guys? Yes. Let's count impact players that portal out between the Dakota schools and see where UND finishes. Retention (IMO) is the most important step. Currently: UND - 2 SDSU - 1 NDSU - 0

Not good. The portal comes for every team, but it has to be manageable. Things can go off the rails fast. Two key guys in two days. Not great.

Next year. Sept 19 @ Nebraska Need a game August 29, not ideal having it be a road game already having a 1H to 2R non-conference, but w/ St Thomas being Home Sept 5, it’s doable.

We better be. Crucial getting to 12.

It would be incredibly unlikely Deng would leave with his brother coming in next year. Similarly you would think a local guy like Vig would be safe. I’ll add as you don’t want to take those for granted. Retention is the 1a priority of a coaching staff entering the offseason. Here’s my “must keeps”. 1. Rucker 2. Seidl 3. Fleming 4. Vig 5. Eckheart 6. Deng 7. Becher 8. Olagbaju 9. Thaden 10. Noland 11. Henry 12. Buxa

Can I get a Top 7 “must retain” list?

Win the portal! I trust Schmidt and this programs trajectory. Clearly issues offensively that will need to be addressed. Retain retain retain

Sitting this one out as well. I’ll need to give it a few days / weeks.

Beyond embarrassing. Feel for the defense.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/university-senates-last-meeting-of-year-reflects-on-unds-2025-achievements-next-years-enrollment-growth

The best-case scenario at the QB position is Jerry is available to play and plays well. Since ISU-B it hasn't been all bad. Last week was really rough, but I thought he overall was pretty good against SDSU. Along with others, I've felt it hasn't been entirely Jerry and the play calling hasn't helped. I would lean towards Simon on Saturday. For the reason that I would trust the play calling more. The OC is in a major rut with Jerry and the majority of the time (2nd half), it hasn't worked. Predictable, at the same time Jerry has been pressing. Bad situation. Run the ball (none-RPO), high % throws, cut the deep throws in 1/2. IMO, that's the best bet for the offense to be successful. We're more likely to see that with Simon.