AJS

Let's start taking a look at different positional groups. Offensively as we all know, it starts on the O-Line. Every positional group is clearly important, but this is the one that has the biggest trajectory on the success of either unit. Couple questions: How would you grade their performance last year? What are the realistic expectations for next year? My take: They were the #1 concern coming into last year and I think it's safe to say they exceeded expectations. My overall grade would be a C+. They dominated against weaker competition, seemed to falter like the rest of the offense at the end of the year. I don't know how much of that can be attributed to (1) Terrible QB play (2) Play calling - tough to look good when teams can stack the box. Anyways... 2019: Tackle: They return 3 players who are "starters". Mortel (JR): Only played two games, because of injuries, but was their #1 Tackle starting the year. When healthy, he's a rock solid LT. Helgren (JR): Started every game but one at RT, first year starter. Waletzko (SO): Started 5 games as a True Freshman, first year starter. Others: Russo (JR), played in a few games. Who are some others to watch? I feel good about the 3 guys who started last year, is Russo ready to take the next step? The tackle position was young last year, no upperclassman. They have a solid core coming back, if those three can improve and you get another player or two in the mix, this could be a talented, deep group. Guards: Lose one Senior, return 2 players who are "starters" Tobin (JR): Two year starter, solid LG Nguon (JR): Although he was used mostly as a tackle, he can play all positions and will be used as a Guard this upcoming year. Others: Hergel (RFR), Who are some others to watch? Center: Rooney (SR): Started every game last year. UND has 6 Offensive lineman returning that either played or have played (Mortel) enough reps that we know what to expect. It's a solid nucleus and given their age (5 of the 6 underclassman last year), there is a lot of room for growth. Is this the first year of the D1 era that they can have what I would "true depth". That would mean 4 players who aren't true returners to fill the depth chart (2 G's, 1 T, 1 C), who are ready to step in when injuries happen and they can hold their own. My expectation is for this group to take a step forward. They should grade out at a minimum of a B after next year.

That's the shot of optimism I needed going into next year @geaux_sioux @UND-FB-FAN. Even with the wheels coming completely off at the end of the year, the offense showed me enough throughout the year that with the right coaching / game plan they could be a pretty solid unit going forward.

Their execution is close to flawless. Their O-line is so dominant it makes it dare I say easy to be a positional player. You can't be one dimensional at the college level, but it's so important to get a QB that is multi-dimensional. I would take Stick and his legs, even if he can't make all the throws over a pocket passer who isn't mobile. A guy like Stick doesn't grow on trees, but as we've all noticed, the QBs that continually give everyone (as we've seen with UND) the most problems are guys that can evade the rush and run the ball. UND needs to recruit those type of guys at the QB position.

Preliminary round has completed at the World Junior A tournament (4 games). Canada West plays the USA in the second semi-final game tomorrow. Blaisdell: 4G 1A 5 points (Tied tourney lead in goals, tied 3rd in points) Bast: 1G 2A 3 points Pinto: 1G 1A 2 points Rizzo: 1A 1 point Frisch: 1A 1 point Miller: No points

There's reason for some excitement in the future, of next years potential freshman class, you have the following: This is under the assumption that the four forwards who we know signed NLI's come in and they bring in two defenseman (Frisch / Bast) 5 of the 6 taking part in the World Junior A tournament (other being member of the NTDP who aren't eligible) All 6 are expected to be drafted (looking like 4 of the 6 in the first four rounds) All 6 True Freshman (5 with 2 years of junior experience, Frisch with one) 3 of the 4 freshman averaging over PPG currently as Seniors in HS (Caulfied is just off that pace, but playing for NTDP)

Not that it wouldn't be a good idea, but does anyone know if that's a realistic option? I'm really excited to watch him develop.

I don't know how this train ever stops, it really does defy all logic. As long as they are an FCS Program they'll win Championships at least 4 out of every 5 years. We are really in uncharted territory, since this isn't how sports (at least at a relatively high collegiate level) work. They'll never drop off and nobody at the FCS level has a chance to catch them. Side note: I would have called this post preposterous a couple years ago, since like I mentioned, nobody stays on the top forever...until now.

Do we know how many Seniors are on their O-line?

Damn, so close.

The big question is can NDSU go 100% on 3rd downs / score every possession in the 2nd half?

Jump Around going into the 4th? They are original.

Everyone knew this was coming, nobody was stopping this team. What’s going to be really fun is fast forwarding to next when they replace 24 Seniors and we’re watching them boat racing whoever they play in the semis next year.

Hell of a job by SDSU's defense to step up after the TD.

I cannot wrap my head around what SDSU was doing on that Shepard play, incredibly bad defense.

With London in the mix, that should shore up the RB situation. It'll take a step back, given who they lose, but should still be a strong unit next year. The way I look at it, there's two huge holes that need to be addressed before next season. (1) QB Position - Yes, they return all 4 QBs on the roster, but 8's play down the stretch has me concerned. I just don't think he can be the guy next year. They are going to need one of the others to step up, my hope is Boltmann shows he can be the guy. (2) Nose guard - I hope this coaching staff's #1 goal this off season is bringing in at a minimum one guy, hopefully two.

I was thinking about this today, can someone explain to me what happened to the offense the last two weeks of the year? They went from a serviceable unit at worst, sometimes looking pretty good for large portions of the game for the majority of the season, to possibly the worst offense in the FCS the last two weeks. How does that happen?

Most NDSU playoff games are over before they begin. Games like this, where the opponent has a puncher's chance, they need to catch the breaks in the game. The kick catch interference was a bad call, which like you'll see time and time again will never go against NDSU. That was a potential game changing play. Instead NDSU gets the ball at the 30 and it's light out from there. It's gotten a lot less frustrating over the years, now these games are just a given. You have to be able to make plays to beat them, since they'll never have an off night in the playoffs, no team in FCS is capable of it (one team was, one year). Can't wait to watch Lance Moore eclipse Easton Sticks play over the next four years!

Game over.

Correct. As others have said, great job by the coaching staff, this was one of the two positions that were big question marks coming into next season. This has solidified that position, him being a sophomore next year is an exclamation point on top of the get.

I love it, the more league teams within driving distance the better.

World Junior A Update: Going into the final day (Canada West has played their 4 preliminary games, every other team will play their 4th today), Blaisdell leads the tournament in goals (4) and is tied for the lead in points with (5). Strictly looking at points, Bast (3 points in 4 games) and Pinto (2 points in 3 games), seem to be holding their own as well.

Craig Button's updated top 62 has: 46. Blaisdell 53. Pinto 59. Caulfield

World Junior A: Blaisdell - 2G 1A 3P (3GP) Bast - 1G 2A 3P (3GP) Pinto - 1G 1A 2P (3GP) Rizzo - 1A 1P (3GP) Frisch / Miller - 0P (3GP) The point leaders are at 4, so a great showing so far from Blaisdell / Bast so far.

At the break UND is 9-7-1 (3-5-0 in conference) and 16th in the PWR. Positives: Scheel: .913 SV%, but if you exclude one game against Western he's at a .923 SV%. If you take away own goals it would be even better. What has impressed me the most is his positioning, the guy always is in control. Being just a freshman, UND will be in great hands for years to come. Defensive Core: We knew they would be solid and deep going into the season and they are. Based on expectations, I would say Kierstad is the guy that has stuck out the most in a good way. He'll be an all-conference player before his time is done at UND. Senden: This guy is the ideal 4th line player, love what he brings. Negatives: Forwards: Overall, they've been the least effective group that UND has had in 20+ years. That being said, their injury situation has been ridiculous and when healthy, they will improve. Special Teams: Again, probably the worst overall (PP / PK combined) that UND has had in 20+ years. The PP is already a lost cause, but I liked the way the PK played down the stretch. That will be better in the 2nd half, we just need to hope that it can play at the level where it ends out canceling the PP. Overall, they realistically are only a game off of where I thought they'd be (10-6-1). Their non-conference record is solid and they played about even (- for Bemidji series, + going 3-0 against Big Ten). The Western Michigan series at home is only series you highlight on the conference portion. Looking ahead: You start with two crucial non-conference games against a bad Canisius team (on the road). Like UAA, those are the last truly "must sweep" weekends of the year. Their second have conference schedule opens and closes with two series against the two worst teams in the NCHC in Omaha and CC, which I like. You split the home / away weekends with the tough portion of you schedule (SCSU / UMD at home), (Denver / Western) on the road. If I were to hand pick those four series, the two I'd want at home would be SCSU / UMD, since I believe those are the two best teams. It's been a roller coaster first half, but believing two things (1) Special Teams can't be worse (2) Overall scoring can't be worse, I think this team has a great opportunity to have a better second half than first half and I think we'll see them in Fargo for the regionals.

Someone recently posted the PP stats from years past and as we all know, it's never been good, that being said, the PP this year is on a entirely different level. It's hard to comprehend how it's this bad. I can confidently say, if they didn't practice it at all and the coaching staff said to the team, you guys figure it out, it wouldn't be any worse. It's not that they just don't score, it kills the momentum they have every time. Here's a guarantee, there will be a couple games in the second half where they will go something like 3 for 5 and 4 for 8, probably against Canisius and Omaha which will somewhat save the overall percentage (from being in the bottom 10 in the country). Others have said it, but it's the timely PP goals that you really need. Not the two they got in in a 6-2 loss to Western.