AJS

Before the year started, when I made predictions this was one of two games (along with Washington), where I felt UND didn't have a chance. After watching UND's first two games, I believe this is a true coin flip type game and one that UND absolutely can win. The reasons I'm optimistic is UND has a very good FCS front 7, I don't believe that SHSU will be able to do much on the ground at all. UND's secondary is the weak link, but they took a giant step from 1st half Game one to 2nd half game one and into game two. They may be the weak link on this defense, but as an FCS unit, I think they are average (with the ability to be above average as they continue to gel). Overall, I really do like UND defensively. Offensively, the O-Line has held their own and UND should be able to get the ground game going. As disappointing as 8 was against Washington, hopefully that was a good learning experience for him. SHSU isn't Washington, UND will have more success through the air. The offense which will obviously be better this week, will in turn keep the defense more rested, so they won't wear down like they did in the 4th against Washington. If this team can put it all together (which they haven't yet this year), they will win on Saturday. This is such a big game, not only for the season, but overall for this football program in general. The big talker today as it should be is injuries. Does this look correct, these are guys either reported by UND360, limited last week, were hurt or didn't play. Should be good to go Oliveira Blubaugh Probable Lenny Nelson Lawrence Questionable Larson Harris (DT) Tobin Waletzko Won't Play Nyguin Gordon Greibel At a minimum UND needs all the 'should be good' and 'probably' guys to be ready to go along with at least one of the guys listed as 'questionable'. As good and important as Harris / Larson are, the depth is definitely better with those two positions than it is on the O-line. Anyone I'm missing? Anyone that should be moved to another category? When you look break it down like this, knowing they aren't any long term injuries, the situation although far from ideal isn't actually that bad. That's assuming the Top 4 are ready to go (especially Oliverira and Blubaugh).

What was the injury situation? I know Larson / Blubaugh were both dinged up, but hopefully nothing too serious.

Agreed, as good as it gets.

Before I completely turn the page to week 2, my overall thoughts: Offensively The two biggest positives for me were Rudolph and Ketteringham. Some of the new packages are definitely a step in the right direction and Ketteringham has the arm to stretch the field and make all the passes. The total points scored of 35 itself wasn't impressive, but they played pretty methodical in the 2nd half, which I was fine with. You had a fumble and a couple missed field goals which ended up costing points, plus with how the defense shut MVSU down in the 2nd half, they didn't have to play fast and score as often as they could have. Looked more of a try to bleed the clock type deal. Was able to play the 2nd string later in the 4th as well. It's tough given the competition to really grade their performance, but I am optimistic that this unit has the potential (bigger playbook / QB play) to be an improved unit over what we've seen in recent years. Need to improve: Drops and although they played well, the offensive line needs to continue to improve, because they won't see a defense that poor the rest of the year. B- Defensively They secondary was flat out terrible in the first half, especially the CB position. They were coming in blind and made the adjustments in the second half, but still, Holm / Harris have enough talent where it was still inexcusable. The one thing to note is not only did they play better in the second half, basically shutting down MVSU, but out of any positional group, Holm / Harris would have had the most "rust". Again, it's tough to grade, but overall I'd give them a C. Need the secondary to play better, although I do believe the CB group overall is solid and will play much better as the year goes on. I like the front 7. Special Teams Definitely mental right now for the freshman kicker, he appears to have an ok leg, so I'll wait a couple more games to hit the panic button. Punting was in the same spot where it was his first college action. Overall, I'm happy that they played MVSU the first game. I'm not sure how they would have done against a quality opponent, but they were able to work out some kinks. Defensively, night and day difference between the 1st and 2nd half which is very encouraging.

After watching last nights game, plus feelings coming into the season, concerns are WR, Secondary, O-Line, Special Teams WR: Had a really bad game as a group, as many dropped balls as I can remember. Guys with the majority of the drops mainly Toivonen / Wanzek are sure handed. I do think this group overall is solid, but they are more on my list as a segue to the second bullet point. Secondary: As bad as this group was in the 1st half, they cleaned up basically everything in the 2nd half. I'm not saying this positional group isn't the weakness of the defense, because it is, but I'm optimistic that they will improve. As others have pointed out, Harris (missed entire year due to injury) and Holm (missed most last year due to injury) absolutely were going to have some rust. I'm not saying these two will be the best CB tandem in the FCS, but they both have been pretty good CB's at the this level. Those two will get better, there's no doubt about that. They were missing a starting safety as well. Still needs to improve, but I think they will. O-Line: Tough to tell based on opponent. Given how young the line is, they will improve throughout the year Special Teams: Kickoff coverage much better in 2nd half, not ideal for kicker to go 0-2 (after going 0-2 in Fall camp scrimmage). Who got the most reps at RT yesterday? I know Waletzko got in pretty early, but did he play the majority of the game?

After watching both halves, I do think UND didn't really know what to expect from the opponent, or guessed wrong. I realize how bad MVSU is and how bad the first half was for UND. Taking everything into account, if these two teams played next week, it would be a a much more lopsided game. After last year, I have to hang onto the positives.

Like I mentioned, tale of two halves, the DB's didn't give much in the 2nd half. Holm we know is solid did get picked on and Harris was over a year since he played last. It's tough to cover against a 3 step drop when you're on an island. Nice adjustments by Schmidt in the second half.

This post is going against the grain and will be completely optimistic: Definition of the tale of two halves, I thought overall once adjustments were made the second half UND looked good on both sides of the ball Ketteringham looked good WR's won't drop as many as they did tonight Like they did in the secondary, the kick off coverage was good in the 2nd half Solid pass coverage all game Running game picked up as the game went on I get it, it was a bad first half, but once adjustments were made the game wasn't close. The opponent was terrible, but there are things that they can build on.

This is a very good point and could definitely point to a potential positive outcome with "opening the playbook" this year offensively. During this coaching staffs era, not only did they have (1) Terrible depth at the QB position until this year, but also (2) Limited abilities with Studsrud as far as the deep ball (lack of speed outside didn't help). Of course the system isn't going to change this year, but with (1) True Depth (2) Bigger Arms, I wouldn't be surprised to see an offense that is harder to defend. Zimmerman not starting against Montana was ridiculous, but it also shows based on practice they didn't think he was better than Heidelbaugh (obvious statement). That also showed up to that point that they didn't think they had an option B, so the entire game plan that year was going to be conservative. Coming into fall camp knowing they have depth, they can game plan around it and not an offense where they have to be conservative, because if Studsrud went down (as we saw in previous years), the team was basically screwed. I'm excited for this year with the depth at QB, the return most of the WR core, but add the RS Freshman class (Greibel, McKinney), who will give you another dimension with more speed and a guy like Maag. I'm with @BarnWinterSportsEngelstad I think we could be pleasantly surprised this year on the offensive side of the ball.

My updated list: 1. Jaxon Turner 2. Noah Mortel 3. Ryan Tobin 4. Jordan Canady 5. Alex Cloyd By breakout season, if they were in a league, I'd hope for some sort of All-Conference recognition for these 5.

Neither were eligible, Hlinka was 01’s

I'd be shocked if we didn't hear about it today, this is the last day before classes start and they have an off day tomorrow. Come Wednesday they are basically a week out.

Pretty sure the All-American prospects game is all about draft year.

To start, I thought Zimmerman played pretty well in his limited action last year. I'm sure with another summer under his belt he will be improved starting this year. That being said, I hope it's Ketteringham, because that means he's the best QB on the roster (take your Heidlebaugh / Zimmerman Montana game shots). He was a solid QB at Sac State who was terrible when he was there (2-9 his Sophomore year). By all accounts he can make all the throws and will give UND that deep ball ability they haven't had in a while. I also hope the QB battle isn't as close as it sounds and that'll only serve UND better this year with Ketteringham hopefully being safely in the Top 1/2 of Big Sky QBs.

Surprised Mancinelli didn't get an invite, but a great showing for UND recruits. This has to be the most they've had invited to this game. Very interested to see Pinto's development, had a great year last year and was someone nobody was talking about when he committed. Could turn out to be a very good find for the coaching staff.

This. I'm on the pretty opposite side of the spectrum on this game in particular, because I don't really think UND has a shot. Far from impossible, but just can't picture them going down and beating them type deals. That being said, if they can be competitive, I think that's a good sign for the rest of the year.

I look it as a good thing, the roster UND has right now is very thin with upperclassman at O-Line (5 Total Junior / Seniors). I think the Sophomore O-Line class is very good, a "building block" type of O-Line class. You'll have 3 starters this Fall from that class who are all good players and two solid "depth guys". The reports are very encouraging from this freshman class, it's an absolute must to stack back to back strong classes in that unit.

Just for the sake of conversation and to dig even further into my list of concerns: My hope for fall camp at a minimum would be for the following to emerge. O-Line: Feel fine with Mortel, Tobin, Rooney, Aplin & Nguon. Need at a minimum one guard and one tackle to emerge as a real quality depth player, Safety: Need Lenny / Canady to be the guys and adequate starters. At a minimum one quality back up. OLB: Need one guy to be a solid 4th (after Palmberg, Turner, Lawrence) D-Line: Need two of the freshman to be ready from Day 1

Going off the Pre-Fall depth chart.

Looking at the positions and quality depth (solid 2-deep), would this be fair: Set QB, RB, TE, WR, ILB, CB Concerns O-Line, D-Line, OLB, Safety To break down the concerns (biggest to smallest): O-Line: Biggest concern right now, considering the question on the right side of the line. Very, very young group. Safety: Along with O-Line, this has been the other position of concern for a while now. OLB: Palmberg, Turner and Lawrence is a good start, but worried about Gordon being on the 2-deep D-Line: Best "starters" out of the concerns, the depth is young, but talented

He’s at the top of the “X Receiver” on the Pre-Fall depth chart.

http://southland.org/news/2018/8/9/football-southland-conference-announces-tv-selections-for-first-four-weeks.aspx Conference play kicks into full gear on September 15. Week 3 features Nicholls-McNeese on Cox Sports Television, which will be available on ESPN3 outside CST territory. ESPN+ will carry Northwestern State-Lamar and Central Arkansas-Southeastern Louisiana. ESPN3 will have exclusive coverage of Abilene Christian at Houston Baptist, while Sam Houston’s home game vs. North Dakota will be available on ESPN3 throughout most of the country. KXMB will carry the game in the Bismarck market, while other local affiliates in the Dakotas will be announced closer to game time. Great news!

https://fightinghawks.com/news/2018/8/9/football-fall-camp-notebook-vol-7.aspx My favorite line: *No real news on the injury front, which is good news. Nathan Nguon is back to participating as the offensive line looks to shore up its rotation. There are a few spots up for grabs that OL Coach Luke Knauf will have to sort out. Nguon was left off the initial depth chart, because of injury, where will he fit in? I would guess starting RG (currently Aplin / Blair). Regardless, UND really needs to stay healthy at that position. Will the depth chart be updated during Fall camp, or not until the week of the 1st game?

More information on Halliday's decision: http://www.inforum.com/sports/hockey/4483297-top-prospect-stephen-halliday-says-comfort-und-coaches-led-commitment

Brad with a great breakdown of UND Recruit destinations for 2018-19: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/?p=113053 What I find amazing is of the 18 current recruits UND has, only two recruits who have graduated High School (both +1), everyone else is either a Senior in HS this year or younger. There's going to be a lot of junior experience in this group as well. Happy that Schmaltz and Pinto are both playing for their respective USHL teams. *Anyone know if anything happened to Stratton (WHL guy who played BCHL), Brad didn't include him on the list and he's also not listed on Heisenberg's site.