Midwestern Hawk

Lets be honest, at this point, we would never recruit a LB built like Ratelle, he was a self made freak. You obviously have a connection to that group and that is fine. They were good and Ratelle was great, especially for his size. When the offense can't sustain drives, at some point it doesn't matter who is on D. Much different game when the O is controlling the clock and the defense has a lead.

This years team beat both conference co champs and SIU who was also an NCAA qtr finalist. im not saying the 2015 team wasn’t good, it was good. The linebackers were good and it should have been in the playoffs IMO.

Would have and could haves, but the answer is yes. Even so, we beat the number 1 seed and both co champs.

This is a serious comment? One of these LB crew won the conference, and won an NCAA playoff game, did you forget already? You did mention "results on the field".

With all due respect, Rich is listed at 230 and Ratelle at 250 in the media guide. On the average, this years lbers are 1.5" taller and 2.5 lbs lighter per guy. Not sure how they would be considered "too small"?

? WHO?

I like it!

Kind of surprising. May be the toughest to replace by fall.

Yep. He got beat to hell and just kept comin', impressive toughness for sure.

Schmid: 20-27 for 209 yards and 3 tds, 13 carries for 54 yards Heide: 11-22 for 107 yards and a pick, 2 carries for 1 yard. SDSU was better at the other 21 positions.

SDSU went from a QB who could run and throw to a QB who could do neither. Schmid was a warrior.

SDSU struggling after delay.

SDSU up 7-0 in a pouring rain. Gronowski out hurt.

The national championships, P5 victories and high draft choices have given NDSU a national name brand. Obviously it’s not in same level as P5 heavyweights, but it’s impressive nonetheless.; As for UND football and the university, the window is open now. Bubba ad the boys need to step through it, and the success this spring season will be foundational.

I understand and somewhat agree. To me the biggest two stats from the last 3 games were we were 1-2 and had the ball for 23:23 vs NDSU, 30:55 vs MSU, and 21:38 vs JMU. Some of that TOP problem is on the D vs NDSU and JMU, but even in a game in which the defense dominated, the offense struggled sustaining drives the last 3 qtrs vs MSU.

Tommy/Danny would never throw the first SDSU pass vs us with a safety helping over the top. It's a decision likely made by Danny. The pass I amde the comments on was Maag double move vs MSU, that was also only a 35 yard pass in the air, not 50 yards. Neither team is in the finals without their QB, just ask NDSU about QB play. Take out Tommy first qtr vs MSU(6-6 for 144 yards, 2 TDS) and the last 3 games he is 36-64 for 435 yards with 1 td and 3 picks plus 4 carries for 18 yards. IMO opposing defenses have figured out how to stop our O, especially when Otis has only 13 carries a game. Tommy is a good QB who functions really well as a game manager. I think a national championship is the goal, IMO a game manager won't cut it. You think SDSU is in championship with Cam Miller, Zeb Noland or Tommy? To me that a very real question.

Completely agree. A running QB is so tough to defend. Game changer for SDSU vs SIU. Gronowski make the only guy left miss and its a TD.

Both those passes were designed to take the top off the defense. You are correct, on that day we were better.

If we get the lead vs JMU I think we likely win.

Nope. Tommy didn’t even attempt the first throw all season. Safety over top, 50 yard throw. Nope.

QB is an absolute stud. IMO he is the difference. Schmid running was difference for SHSU yesterday too.

No. Here are 2 big pass plays vs us. Our present QB can't make those throws. The first one is a bit under thrown.

No.

As UND football fans, going into the fall, expectations and excitement should be at an all time high. It has been a “different” season, but IMO, Bubba and everyone associated with the football program have brought us to the level we have been working towards since taking the plunge to FCS. A share of MVFC championship, a very high national ranking, and a win against a national finalist(likely to be a win vs national champion). We are easily among the top 10 teams this spring and likely top 5. We still need to beat our nemesis to the south but I am confident it will happen very soon.

Looking that way.