AJS

https://millersports.areavoices.com/2016/12/07/und-football-turns-the-page-to-2017/ "Schweigert said the main areas of improvement he wants to see this offseason are at quarterback, offensive line and defensive back". No doubt, these were 3 of the main areas that held back UND from being a good to a very good / great team. QB - I think a JUCO backup QB should be the #1 priority this offseason. A guy that can play next year if needed, but can be sold on him being the guy the year following. Studsrud was inconsistent this year, but I think improved OL play will help Studsrud as much as it'll help the RB's OL - Went from very bad the first 4 games, to average. Starting the season with 4 new starters and really only a couple with experience, was tough. They improved a lot over the year. With 4 starters returning (plus 2 more that started), this group should really improve and should go from average to Good next year (Possibly Very Good, if Freshman really make a push for playing time) DB - Agree they need to work on the big play. Arnell returning would be big. I really like the secondary, who returns everyone. Holm / Hunt are extremely talented and I thought played well for Freshman this year. One thing I love about Bubba is how he just seems to get it, when it comes to pointing out the obvious and breaking down what they need to work on. I bring this up, because for years I've been frustrated with the way you can never really get any information out of the hockey coaches. Their power play is always embarrassing and you don't hear a word about it. We all notice something that needs to be worked on and Bubba brings it up, it's just really refreshing.

They were 6-5 last year.

UND played a stock FCS highlight video before the team was announced. The same one that NDSU will have to play this weekend. No team specific one that would pump up the crowd.

Adams now in the USHL point lead (5th PPG) and Kawaguchi 2nd BCHL (4th PPG)

The only changes I would make is putting both @USD and EWU at 50/50. USD was very competitive with NDSU and SDSU down the stretch and like UND return a lot, plus are at home. EWU on the other hand brings back their All-Conference QB, but lose their top 3 WR's who all had over 1,000 yards receiving and combined for over 3,500 yards.

Correct, but I'd agree Stockwell is a lock too on the left side. That would really say something about one of the freshman if they could beat Stockwell out as starting LT.

I think he was more getting at the competition for starting spots will be fierce in the Spring and Fall with Tobin, Mortel and Nguon all ready to compete for starting sports with the starters from last year. This is great news if the young guys can push starters for a spot in the starting lineup. The offensive line improved immensely throughout the year and with four starters returning (6 starting at least a game), plus 3 more pushing for starting spots, we will be in a very good place with the OL next year. Having a true 2-deep with possible little drop off from starters to back ups for the first time.

This was posted in the other 2017 thread, but is relevant in this one as well. http://millersports.areavoices.com/2016/12/05/und-football-what-returns-in-2017/ "There are some strong reports on the redshirting freshmen hogs, especially guard Ryan Tobin, tackle Noah Mortel and center/guard Nathan Nguon" We'll be following closely how these three develop over the Spring and Summer into Fall ball. Hopefully all three can push the starters and add quality depth. Miller wrote about the 4 biggest needs being OL, LB, Safety (Arnell redshirt being a big ?) and back up QB. It appears this might be the first year since Bubba has been here that unless a true freshman is too good not to play, that there won't be a need to burn multiple red shirts, because of depth issues. This is where UND wants to be at.

This is how I read it as well, he looked at the areas where UND will need to improve the most, given what they are losing / areas that were weaknesses this year. This is the information I'm most interested in as well. It's not as much fun to talk about as the 7 all-returning players, ect, but it's just as important. Couple things: Positive: "There are some strong reports on the redshirting freshmen hogs, especially guard Ryan Tobin, tackle Noah Mortel and center/guard Nathan Nguon." Negative: Arnell hardship. Isn't he back next year? Wouldn't that have been decided last year? I'm really confused. I noticed this year that sometimes he was listed as SR, others JR.

This is based off the Playoff edition game notes. Seniors as well as any duplicates (couple OL that were backing up more than one position) were removed, so nobody is on twice. The only change I made was put Stockwell in at starting LT, since he was not listed on that 2 deep and did start at that position for that game. 2016 was such a successful campaign which brought UND a 9-2 record, Co Big Sky Championship and #7 Seed. Looking it at objectively, I think they were a little overrated. They won games yes, but some in dramatic come back fashion and others by closer margins than they should have. They had major depth issues and injuries piled up. I still think they were a sure fire Top 15 team, which is why next year should be their best year by far at the FCS level. I don't ever remember so many players on the 2 deep returning. Off the list below, they need to fill 5 spots Offensively and 6 Defensively. What needs to happen for this team to be a Top 5 team next year? Who will be filling the vacancies?

The running into the punter was the most significant play of the game, in terms of momentum, and is the reason they lost. I agree that they could have made plays down the stretch that they didn't, that could have turned things around, but it didn't happen. None of those would have had to happen if 52 doesn't bull rush the punter for god knows what reason.

This. (Captain obvious statement coming up) Each year a player will progress, get stronger in the offseason, get more comfortable with different situations and the game slows down for them. Offensively this team had 1/2 of the core groups (OL, WR) that were basically seeing the field for the first time. With injuries, depth was spread very at times, this caused close games and inconsistency at time. All those players return (except Coe) with a year under their belts. They'll start next year with not only experience at every offensive position, but depth. This years team was good, next years team will be really good with the chance to be great (i.e. healthy Georges). They will be a team that should beat the average / above average teams by a couple TDs. Talent wise, they'll be Top 5 in the country.

It's all situational. The definitely were good enough on the drive you were talking about, the were getting 7 yards running up the middle every single first down. They were in field goal range on first down when the call was made. I agree if running up the middle wasn't working, but it was.

This. Cloyd is possibly the best player of last years class and they burned a year playing him on Special Teams and running a couple routes a game. Did he even have 5 catches on the year? Awful decision by the coaching staff.

Starting off this post like my last, this was a 9-2 team that shared the conference title and was awarded a seed. Looking at the depth chart, they bring back a lot of all conference players, plus a great quality of depth (beyond the 2 deep chart). Although they had a great record, they had a very favorable schedule which played into their record. Not only who they played, but getting the tougher opponents at home. They had trouble putting away teams and playing complete games. I'm not trying to take anything away from this team, but want to look at what needs to be done for this team to take the next step. Might not be regular season record wise next year, but a team that is better overall. My question is what areas do they need to improve in next year to be better? Where did the struggle this year? A couple I've thought of O-line play: This group improved throughout the year, they had to replace 4 starters last year and was the main reason for a sluggish start. Next year they return 9 of 10 on the depth chart. DBs: Improved this year, lead the nation in INTs, but still were shaky. It seemed most teams could throw at will on them whenever they wanted. They return everyone including Reyes and Harris. Is the answer Hunt and Holm just need another year under their belt? Same with Arnell? QB Depth - Do they have anyone besides Keaton who can come in and play well if needed? JUCO transfer to backup? Special Teams: Worst in FCS, will improved depth help out, new coach? Outside of their linebacker core, they don't have a position where they need a wholesale change like O-line was this year (harder group to replace). What's exciting is each year there seems to be less and less major holes on the team. With what they have returning, I truly believe they'll have what it takes to be a Top 5 team in the country and a legitimate title contender. *How in the hell is their Bye week the last week of the season again?

The only offensive play call of the night, given what was happening that didn't make sense was the reverse, other than that I thought he called a good game. Any offensive troubles tonight could be placed solely on the WRs. As a group they had by far their worst game of the season. Stanley, Toivanen and Wanzek couldn't catch anything. Everything that happened tonight would have been negated if UND didn't have the worst special teams at the FCS level. It cost them their first game as well as their last. I'll never be able to wrap my head around why they brought pressure on the punt they had interference on. I can live with a defensive break down, or a questionable offensive call, but what can't be accepted is what took place on that play.

http://www.undsports.com/pdf9/5116807.pdf Page 14

The way the season ended hurts, they lost a game they shouldn't have, but man should next year be fun. This was a 9-2 team that won a share of the Big Sky title and was a seed in the playoffs that brings 7 players recognized by the Big Sky back. QB - Studsrud (SR) Heidelbaugh (SO): All eyes on Heidelbaugh, he needs to become a reliable backup. RB - Everyone returns OL - 9 of the 10 players on the 2 deep return. Losing Coe hurts, but you can't ask for much more with depth returning WR - Georges is the big ?, they return their top 4 receivers in Stanley, Toivanen, Wanzek and Mercer. Georges would make this a very, very good corps TE - Lose Mathewson, but will be a much better unit with Cloyd getting a year of experience, he's going to be very good Overall, this should be a very good unit. I'd like to see them try to get a JUCO backup if they don't think Heidelbaugh can take the reigns if Keaton gets hurt. Depth at every other position will not be a problem. They lose 4 of 23 players on the last two deep chart (includes Bartles, Reed) DL- Lose Noah Johnson, but return a very deep group that was one of the best in FCS LB - This is the position hit hardest, but still have O'Brien, and really liked what Rodgers and Lawrence brought as Freshman DB - Return their starting 4 which include two Big Sky all First teamers, one being the Big Sky DPOY. Hunt and Holm will only grow as they both played huge minutes as Freshman Lose 5 of 22 players on the last two deep chart On paper next year should be the best team UND has had. Any redshirt freshman that should make impacts next year?

Agree with all of this besides Keaton, I actually think he played pretty well, besides Mercer and Fiedler nobody else could catch the ball. Toivonen, Stanley and Wanzek are as sure handed as FCS receivers get and they couldn't catch anything tonight. They all dropped easy receptions over and over. The problems UND has had the entire year ended up all coming to bite them at the end. Bubba needs to make changes with the Special teams unit. Them bringing pressure in that situation is unthinkable with anyone that has two brain cells to rub together. The blocked punt was a mess, multiple Richmond players could have blocked that one. On offense you are running the ball down their throats, but decide to do a reverse which made no sense and that ended up losing 7 yards, costing the team at least 3 points. The secondary also needs to get better, too many big plays. I hate calling for coaches jobs, but Rudolph and the Special Teams coordinator need to go.

The Herald's numbers definitely make sense now, after seeing basically the entire section of 202 open up as well as a lot of 203. Current count - 3032 tickets available = 7129 non-student tickets

Final update for the night, currently 2829 available tickets on Tickemaster (now include opposing seats in 217) 12,283 Capacity, take away students 2122 and 2829 still available, puts it at 7332 non student tickets sold. W/ question being lower 202.

I was thinking family members in the lower section of 202 and I think that's the case. There hasn't been any available the entire time. I don't know why that would be counted differently, but I don't think those totals (or Richmonds allotment) were in the Heralds 7500. *There was just a ticket dump in lower 217, so it appears all Richmond didn't sell are now available. They sold 216 which isn't bad.

Is the lower section of 202 reserved for anyone? If it is and none of those are sold than the Heralds numbers would make a little more sense.

Interesting, I really wasn't even close with my math last night. With the student totals he has in the article, I would have thought 8,000 currently. What's the deal with opposing fan tickets? When do the ones they don't use usually get released?

3115 as of 11/29 2780 left currently (not counting student / opposing team tickets), if sales continue, by tomorrow night another 300 would empty everything left in sections 202-208. Capacity - 12,283 (Per Wiki) Since we don't know student totals, let's just count them for 0 (2122 seats), Opposing section 0 (437 total lower 217), Remaining 2780. It looks like they have sold 6944 non-student / opposing fan tickets so far.