ND-fan

I didn’t get to watch last two games but what I have seen so far this is very inexperienced team I have seen . Demers has experience but what I call betweener she plays center but little undersized and from last year she plays defense and rebounds well enough but she struggles offensively when she matched larger number 5s. Aumer works hard in all phases of game and is streak shooter but she is sometimes half step slow playing defense. Hughes is quick, smart player but again little undersized. Piekny and Mathern look to develop into better players but both need to develop both are sophomores. The other two playing significant minutes are true freshmen not good scenario but show a lot of talent. Same can be said for transfer most were highly regarded recruits but don’t have significant playing time. Then there is Miller girl appears to have talent and experience it showing up in the box scores. What I am seeing now from box score we are controlling boards and playing some defense, and they are hitting there free throw.The next step is for the team to cut turnovers can’t win games giving ball like we have. Finally these players are going to need to step up find shots they can make and gain some confidence in there shooting. From last years team that competed in summit conference tournament we have only one starter back in Aumer she was not star of that starting group. Demers was injured at end of the season so she was not part of last years run of team in tournament. Bernhard lost that team last year because we heard rumblings on team chemistry and administration didn’t address so we lost those nine players and then Bernhard resigned after we lost all those players this all left to Hutter trying to keep what you have left and find players for next year. Hutter had very little input on players that were here on last years team majority were recruited or committed before he signed up last year. What I saw his impact last years team was most prepared team Berhard ever at UND had but it still Bernhard team in she had her favorites not creating team concept or team chemistry. This is going to be long season and we will see how Hutter develops these young players if we progress and he is able to recruit more talent to add to this team he deserves chance to build a program even at Mayville his first three seasons we’re not that great but after that he had very good 11 seasons. Bernhard was given better program to start with and never came close to getting us better than little better than 500 seasons. In fact her tenure her winning percentage around 35% and nothing was done about it.

This tale of opposites for UND last year offense delivered pretty consistently but defense couldn’t stop opposing teams. This year the offense has sputtered large chunks of season especially against top tier teams. Jerry as quarterback is struggling right now and I hate to say it his youth is showing through right now and good teams are taking advantage of it right now. UND offense depends on quarterback to make right reads and be able recognize what defenses are throwing at us. This is why he didn’t get much playing time last year but he is going to be successful quarterback but we’re living through his growing pains. There are very few successful young quarterbacks in FCS and especially ones that are expected to throw ball number of times to make offense go. Everyone is going to blame offensive coordinator for Jerry’s problems but this is simple knee jerk reaction but this is more need of playing time and learning curve for both to get right plays called or that will work. Deep programs usually always have junior senior at quarterback and somebody like Jerry playing number of snaps as sophomore be leader when they become junior/senior. This old school was what Bubba was doing last year but sSchmidt looked saw upgrade in physical and athletic ability but quarterback is just not athletic ability it’s also the knowledge which just going to take time with Jerry. The problem with all this is now NLI money and ability transfer all hard work finding develop players you are constantly looking for players and developing new players hoping you retain enough to win championship. It could be worse we could be SDSU now three deep on quarterback plus number of other players.

I hate how we now have stats guys giving percentage on situationally on whether to kick ball or go for it. We have this in baseball now and far as I am concerned has ruined game. There’s something to playing longterm smart play in sports that has been done for years. This year two of bigger games we have went for it against very good teams and it has cost us dearly. The first was at Montana we had kicked field goals instead of going for it we would have won. Yesterday kicking field goals would have changed game also we would have been up 4 points changing how NDSu would have looked at going for it on fourth down because they wouldn’t have been looking at only needing a field goal to go ahead but would need to drive football for touchdown. I know if we make it and score we bury them and have all momentum but if we fail like we did gives them confidence they know can beat us because we’re not confident enough we can prevent them from scoring touchdown. Also puts pressure on them they have to travel length of field to beat us and we would still then be in position to beat them with only a field goal. I just think getting points is so important and maintaining momentum that we are scoring when we have the football coming away with nothing is worst thing. Finally it takes away from special teams confidence and puts all pressure on both defense and offense because I believe special teams account for at least 20% of wins in college football. That is my opinion but I am sure there number of other opinions but right now couple more wins look where we would be and where we would be setting up for the playoffs.

I thought we showed our youth tonight making poor decisions and taking poor shots plus I can see rushing our shots. Demers also tried to much carry team offensively late in game instead of working ball in and kicking it out. Also thought refereeing called a lot of carring basketball which created several turnovers only thing calls were equally bad both ways. We need to develop more post play from one of new players can see this will priority in pre conference season. Bottom line though the loss of number of players show we are in rebuilding mode and this is going to continue with five or six seniors on the team. The loss of talent we had on last years team if they had returned we had chance to push SDSU this year but that’s over now we have to build with girls we have now. On paper we look to have added players that can again develop into quality team but it’s going to take time. I expected some better 3 point shooting but has to come from players having confidence in their shooting and getting themselves set up to take shots they know they can make. Hutter and his staff a lot of work to teach and work finding to bring out strengths in this team. My hope by end of season we can make run at some of teams in the conference.

Yesterday number of teams struggled to win or lost so what is up and I think we have reached mid season part of the season where all teams are playing banged up and opponents are taking advantage of these weaknesses. In FCS replacements we see usually fall off in number twos and threes but in number FCS teams these reserves are freshman and sophomores they get better as they play especially on top teams. We saw this couple season go with SU we beat them but they became better team by end of the season. I think we can get better and hopefully we get couple players back. I don’t think SU will not be up for us if they beat us they are assured of going undefeated for the season and will play at home for the playoffs. If we beat them like I have said before it’s going to take perfect game by us and they giving up couple plays like turnover or special teams score. The sad thing about yesterday’s loss pretty much puts us on road for the playoffs when we could have been home until semifinals.

This was team loss and team I bet you was more than focused on SU this coming everyone thought we would beat this team. I don’t care what anybody thinks but instead of taking care of business we got distracted and South DAkota came out punched in the mouth further throwing us off our game. Coaches can say and get on players but if team get distracted there’s not much you can change coaches and player almost got it back but that has been difference between us and SU they have enough talent to come back game like this. That is why they have won like they have. We have enough talent to beat them but we will need nearly perfect game. We’re far ahead of where I thought we would be in first year but I still think our time is coming in next couple of years if we can retain our players and our coaching stafff.

I see our transfer from South Dakota announced she tore her ACL so I wish her healthy recovery always devastating news for athlete. Addison Klosterbuer we will look forward to seeing you next year and again our prayers for quick and healthy recovery.

To much looking ahead thinking about SU by players thought they had this won.

What is it when we get to South Dakota we start playing stupid we’re beating our selves. Making dumb plays and taking stupid penalties getting beat on special teams. I thought we had turned corner on this but it’s back.

I have question why doesn’t grand forks ever gets high school football playoffs at alerus I see Fargo Dome has both nd and MN section playoffs this year. I would think having one of these events would be good for Grand Forks and I would think UND would like it too having good high school teams right in town to watch and recruit possible new players right here without traveling.

Are we getting some people back from injury?

I am expecting improvement this year and that would be confirming my expectations and there is just different atmosphere than in past there is more willingness to get community and team together and responses from the coach at Summit media day was more positive and spelled out what we’re program goals and what he expected from coaching staff and players. I like he having night to get fans to come out meet the team. This is such change from last few years there has been so much contact with fan base in last few months it’s breath of fresh air for the program.

Does full time practices begin this week? I thought I read some where this was beginning week practices and start of the season of basketball. Also are they having Summit kickoff for the basketball season like last year.

I think reason for discontent is we’re having same experience on the road as before we’re close to winning but still loosing. New coach and number of new players and promise of new way doing things right things would fall into place. Yes the team I s better than last year and yes we missed extra point but We did kick Field goal later but passed two end of second quarter with us just hitting one of these all other things on here would have been forgotten because we would come out with road win. I blame this loss on the head coach getting away from what he said would do we do continue do fundamentals until we get it right. He lost faith in his teams kicking team instead of following through on fundamental coaching take points available on the road especially when your up. This I hope was teaching moment for him as head coach confidence comes from head coach when you do this to your kicker it just gets worse. This not NFL where you go and get another kicker week to week it’s one or two believed in at beginning year you chose. Last year kicker did good job and on short sample size you can’t be going away from him and the fundamentals. This what I thought would be Schmidt’s strength just doing fundamentals and playing smart football and I still think he h as making of good coach but has to learn he is now head coach needs to make fundamental decisions and know when to take a risk like going on fourth down.

This loss is on coaching decision of not taking points in the first half. When on road always take points available especially when your up. I will like to see Schmidt come out now take responsibility for this loss it will tell me a lot on the future of this program and what he is trying to instill. He didn’t follow through on consistency of sound principals in coaching at end of first half not only did he make mistake once he repeated the same mistake for sure cost us home field if we make playoffs or worse we don’t make the playoffs with this loss if this would have been Bubba he would probably been gone for next week.

Should have have kicked two field goals in first half get points on the road. Just needed one of them.

Very difficult to get division I top tier teams to schedule away games to come to lower mid major teams they don’t want to risk loss. Even getting mid majors to get home and away scheduled is difficult to find schools that will travel and play here. The two SU’s are getting better responses because their programs are higher rated now so loss on the road by traveling team doesn’t hurt their power rankings later in the year. We just need to elevate our program more by winning and some of this will improve but it always be difficult to get away from some of smaller college games it happens all over the country. It’s even worse at men’s level look how close it came last year when Alabama came here and got out here with close victory they do not want to take risks like that from top division I programs. It would be great for basketball because would increase viewership I believe but these schools want to build this elite brand playing small midmajors doesn’t fit into that plan.

I hate to make this prediction KState 42 UND 3. Just think the offense struggles today they shut down our run game and then struggle with passing game when we’re long in yards on third down. Defense plays a little better than last year but with offense struggling they will be on field to much. I hope I am way off on this but I kind think this is going to happen.

Under theme thread and discussion has happened in last few days I think the worry about what we are going to finish at is the bottom line on quarterback choice. Jerry is choice if you’re looking at building program in future if you believe he can become quarterback that can develop into top flight quarterback in his junior and senior seasons. The problem then is we’re going to go through transition period this year where we are going experience growing pains and probably loose couple of games we should have won. If he is falling short on his development then we will see Johnson another Sophomore quarterback who by coach believes can be also quarterback of the future. Schmidt will be insulated on going this approach and if heat gets to high he will just jettison offensive coordinator from previous coach and higher his person giving time to build the program. The 6 and 6 mark is probably mid point what are season can be. We could end up anywhere from 4 and 8 to 8 and 4 this year. If you look at this team we have talent and have recruited future talent but overall we are young team with a not much proven talent in skilled positions other than running back. But our running game will be dependent on quarterback play to create passing game as well supplement the running game if we are going to be successful. With this thought we may need all three quarterbacks because I think our quarterbacks are going to take beating to create passing game. Look at last year Simon took quite pounding and we still had two good receivers in Boe and Smith out of back field. This year it going to take some time for our receivers to figure out how to be productive. We haven’t even talked about new defense and is short on depth in key areas now to implement that defense. I hate to say it but 6 and 6 maybe what will be improvement over last year and especially with our schedule this year. Not what people may want to hear and maybe I am wrong on where I think where this team is at but I think this why were picked to be seventh in conference.

I don’t like that Kstate has played and we haven’t and in they lost they can correct some of mistakes and they are motivated now to make statement. Second Schmidt probably has made mistake in that he hasn’t made decision on quarterback before week before game time. After money spent on Johnson he must have wanted new quarterback but why wait this long in naming quarterback. To me this team needed leadership and now we’re we have no true leader with leaving competition so called open. The quarterback is probably most important leader on the team and leaving this open we now have offense has to jell around quarterback in last week of practice. To me it’s okay to have competition but this should have been settled week to ten days ago even if it costs you quarterback. I may be wrong on this but when you have quarterback controversy is never good for team at what ever level your playing at becomes distraction to the team. I hope I am totally off on this but I am worried about this. Third I hope we don’t come out beat up and loose couple players on game that will not figure into us making playoffs like following games that follow which could by end of the season may mean getting playoff spot.

I think we’re seeing that reason it taking time is that each of candidates have strengths but not what they are totally looking for in quarterback. Romfo has mobility, can run and can throw adequately in scheme of the offense and has shown leadership and appears others on offense .can buy into but his size limits him in making certain pass plays because changes on how he delivers the pass, Johnson new quarterback from San Diego looks part and has ability to run footballl but has struggled in throwing accuracies and learning the offense. Probably this will get better with time but does he get time to develop I think as season goes along but Schmidt wants to win now to build this program quickly keep momentum going forward. Kamiski the board favorite that has look of traditional quarterback and has the tools throw the footballl. He has shown improvement since last year but the question can be Mobil quarterback that can run footballl create plays himself with his legs and not turn the footballl over and stay healthy. I think he gets playing time but this will determine how much time he gets. He also willl need to get offense behind him and can be leader of the offense. Sulik is in development year I believe his time to come is in the future unless we have number of injuries. I think beginning of the season we will see reps for each of top candidates but will depend on how each of these games goes and how each of quarterbacks are performing. Schmidt will need to get one or two victories to be able to make the playoffs so that will also determine quarterback playing time. The early part of schedule this team needs to win these games and can not afford to give away game on building quarterbacks for the future several of these teams should be wins but we have struggled in past with them so we may not get people in like they might like.

I have question Romfo had surgery for his throwing arm so how much it affected him last year in his throwing as the season went along. Second will offensive line be improved over last year in pass protection or are we looking at never year where quarterback have to be Mobil enough to create offense when they are in pass situations like last year. Our most proven receivers are running backs right now but we are going need receiving core where somebody steps becomes go to receiver ideally we get couple of them making this step. We also need find TE that can be part of the passing game. The best part on offensive side we have quality at running backs right now and with this should help us develop the passing game.

If that is case he should be hands down next quarterback but if that he has been best like you say there has to be reason for him not being quarterback. I don’t know I just trust our coaches put best athlete out on the field they are ones evaluating talent. I expect that what will happen this year and I believe it also happened years before even with different offensive coordinators we had our best talent on the field to run offense we are running.

I think the question should be I haven’t heard or at least put forth in great deal what kind of offense are we going to run under Schmidt. Each of quarterbacks have strengths and weaknesses as quarterbacks. Last year we had offense that required movement from quarterback and was expected to be runner which Romfo fit the most he was not drop back in the pocket quarterback. The other two leading quarterbacks are more traditional quarterback sitting in pocket or moving pocket to hit receivers running their routes. What I see we have now no proven wide receiver that will be threat to go too last year we had Bo at least to go to for the quarterback. I look to our running backs probably going to be our first choice at least starting the season. The offense this year will start from running backs and then quarterback to make play off when he doesn’t handoff trying to find open player or pull down ball create something running . The determining factor quarterback hasJerry or Jack improved enough to excel under this system. I just don’t see where we have made big changes on offense for coming year we have added few transfers but will they make impact will not know until season begins. I think also deciding quarterback who will be how they effective are in using the TE in offense with our quality running backs we have and good offensive line to exploit our running game. My expectations is will see big improvement on defensive side of team and if offense can be similar to last year we could have very successful season.

I am optimistic this is going to be Turing point for the program I see it in philosophy from coach on down to the players there is emphasis on working together as team and putting together team concept of doing fundamental efforts to bring about winning. Under Mallory she believed in star concept of dominate player with couple highly complimentary players and this was also very similar to Brewster philosophy. I also think we’re going to see much different style of basketball and team better prepared for their opponent actually using scouting report to prepare the team for their opponent. The big thing after that is can we implemented changes when other team makes adjustments can we make changes to deny them ability to beat us. This what Johnston at SDSU does so well and his ability recruit top players out of this region. I also like to see openness of what is happening in the off season for the team it is refreshing and allows fans to be part of process to in team development. This is refreshing difference and is good for creating interest in the program.