UND Football Fan

To be the best, need to beat the best.

Especially if Simon was playing hurt. Maybe I missed it, when did he get hurt last Fall or was it after season?

If there is not a standout by end of the week, my guess Javance or Jerry starter and Simon backup. My logic is if they are all about the same, go with the one that will be back next year.

That was my take because for the past few years of defensive and road troubles, it was my option which does not mean much. Another way to look at it, it’s another way of saying, we need to get stops on 3rd and 4th down or not let a mobile QB kill us on defense or be sharp on blocking, pass run reads or solid special teams or put teams away when we get up early. Basically the perfection on the details lead to better things. That is was great teams do.

He never said last regime directly, he said players need to know how to “work hard” by pushing themselves through it. As a fan the past several years when things don’t go right, like what you said through last year the team did not handle adversity especially on the road. The one exception was our road win against a decent Youngstown State team in 2022. The year Schmidt left we were ravaged by injuries on the D-Line amd we maxed our 4 games on several Red shirt D-Line and got massacred up front against Eastern Washington. Also massacred at Idaho State. That being said, Schmidt worked under Kalen and Schmidt brought his guys in for his staff, it needed new people and ideas. I am hoping he utilized what he learned under Kalen and it translates well at UND. He has utilized the portal better than we have in the past and the incoming class appear best in D1 era on paper. 1st season I expect better overall play and playoff spot, year two compete as equals to the Dakota schools. (This year could happen, it will be up to the defense which is Schmidt’s)

He said it was a closed scrimmage today. So my guess is no.

Yes, but at least he acknowledged it. If asked, he probably would given a “politician like answer” with a non answer. I do like what Schmidt said (indirect jab at last regime) about teaching the players about “work hard” or effort/hande adversity is.

He also mentioned Jerry should have seen the field more during our lopsided wins and losses.

I believe overall team depth has improved with the additions. Many times our lack of depth showed in games in the past. If our depth, speed and fundamentals improve on the defensive side this season, I believe we can get to 8 wins.

I also think with Schmidt, we won’t have a starting QB play extended minutes in a blowout win or blowout loss. That perplexed me last season. Schmidt says Iron sharpens iron. Can’t do that with reliance on just one piece of iron. Competition doesn’t end in Fall camp, it is year round throughout your career. That’s what winners do.

I always felt we should of had Spirit Lake input only. We are North Dakota not North Lakota, so Dakota Sioux nation vote should have mattered in my opinion.

What is refreshing about this recruiting season is the agressiveness in going after the talent (new facilities is huge) but going after talent not only in region but outside of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. (Schmidt’s staff with diverse connections is paving the way) Our past staff seemed to settle on the Old DII model and creating diamonds in the rough which is fine taking a chance or two in a recruiting class, but it’s difficult to build and sustain depth by recruiting multiple kids like that. (College football it seems players need to be ready no later than 2nd year to help keep depth) Offense seemed to do that (survived the exodus of O-Line and still competed however I know a certain position could of played more in our one sided wins/loses), defensively we were exposed especially second half of season because of lack of skill/talent/fundamentals like tackling. Besides coaching that is the difference (depth) between a consistent 5-7 win season depending on schedule to a consistent team that gets 9-11 wins a year. Schmidts staff is a breath of fresh air North Dakota needed, looking forward for a competitive and exciting season this Fall! Sorry for the wordiness, I have not posted about football in a while.

Great Finish for Ethan Thomas!

And ranked 5 going into disc tomorrow.

This is awesome!