AJS

@forksandspoons nice post! I thought Antonio walked. Went through the picture, the only non-Senior / GR / 5th in the picture was Antonio Bluiett. This picture is missing Bennett Walker, John Butsch, Xavier Leigh.

Curious what others think. What's the magic # of impact players you can lose to the portal before it becomes detrimental to the following year? I always thought four. Not trending in the right direction.

Next 48hrs are crucial. Definitely too early, I would still argue it hasn't been that great of a start, but that can change if things remain quiet. We are getting to the point though where some thought is being put into the decision. Key guy(s) could (most likely will) still leave, but it'll feel more manageable. Not like they'll be an avalanche of guys. IMO. Week 1: Impact players / or those that will be going down a level (strictly wanting to play) Week 2: "Mutual"- More depth guys, more program driven Week 3: Very light (Christmas) Week 4: Uptick. Impact players that were influenced by outside parties

Both lost the same day

I’m only focusing on impact players.

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.

Luke Starcevic (Kindred, ND) I'm aware of his ranking nationally and his incredibly impressive list of P4 offers. I'm not saying this is likely, but to me this angle for UND actually plays. Stay home, play with your brother, play where your parents attended (both student athletes). Play in front of family and friends. Be a part of the rising of this program. Play early, dominate. Really sell that him and his brother could be a part of history. After two or three years, we'll help you pack your bags. You'll be celebrated when you portal out as an upper classman. Likely? No, but I think it plays.

Headings the only one missing?

Some keys offensively. Health of Fleming / Ziebarth. When was the last game both played? Fleming is WR1. The passing game is different when he's available (which last week he was not). Ziebarth can be such a great compliment to Seidl. Rotate the RB's, this will help Seidl as well! Play calling. Mix it up, spread the ball around (get the TE's involved!). Use high % passes. On the first 3rd and short do not either (1) Hand if off up the middle (2) Throw a 40-yard low % pass. When this offense was rolling, they were getting a lot of guys the ball and rolling 3 RB's. Also, weren't turning the ball over. Need FG kicker this weekend as well. As well as the defense played last weekend, if they perform the same offensively, they'll lose this Saturday. Feeling optimistic though. This offense could just be a delicate ecosystem. Build everything up around the QB, mix it up. They can do this.

Serious momentum with that second half. Defense is absolutely elite. This team just needs the offense to be average (plus FG’s). I know it looks really easy when you can run the ball, but Simon looked fine after the first couple series. They have a shot next weekend.

See @gfhockey response. I would say, why not both? I think there was a missed opportunity not adding let’s say $25 million to the new stretch goal for athletic scholarships. Btw, I don’t think UND is that far off. I would argue as of 2025, they are doing all the really difficult things extremely well. Campus, uptick in enrollment, athletic facilities. I do think athletic scholarships is a big need. Build the athletic endowment (believe UND’s is less 1/2 of NDSU’s). 50 million to 110 million. I want to see some fire, self promotion. Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise.