iramurphy

For those of you going to game watch for Abe Winter former GF Herald and Bismarck Tribune Sportswriter who will be helping cover game for Herald today. He lives in Montana now and is still a big Sioux fan.

Sioux 34 Montana 27. Either Bartels or Mollberg in relief has a good day throwing to compliment Santiago and running game

That is a good point. I think right now they are trying to find help til Studsrud gets healthy. I'm not saying start Joe but if Studsrud struggles Joe can play.

Maybe he is as good or better. Who knows? Don't know unless he gets a chance. After the last two games the jury is still out with this staff. I like what they are doing overall but no way should we have lost the last 2 games nor struggled against Drake or Cal Davis or laid an egg with the Bison. We have to be patient but we have got to be getting better each week.

I'm not even questioning who is # 1, 2, or 3. I'm questioning when Studsrud is hurt and Bartels struggles why is Joe not an option. We can go back to last year but how do you compare? They didn't have similar competition We can make excuses for any of the 3. Interceptions by all three, 33% completions by Studsrud, less than 60% completion rate by the other two etc. we have moved on to this year. I want what is best for UND FB. I don't have blind faith in these coaches but I certainly supported and lobbied for Bubba. There is something not right about this situation. Bartels struggles, completes 45% of his passes and Rudolph won't consider using Joe? I get that Buuba isn't going to open things up and throw the ball. We have the makings of a good running game. I disagree there is no talent at WR. Just like my concern for slow development of the potential for all 3 QB's, I have a concern for slow development of our WR's. They need to improve their basic fundamentals so those fundamentals become good habits. We shall see this weekend. Best thing would be Bartels lights up the Griz and we will never know. If he struggles I certainly would like to see Mollberg back in there. He deserves at least that.

I know more about Joe's physical health and have a better understanding of his character and mental health than this coaching staff does. He has stayed upbeat and supportive of his teammates and Bubba.

Did he get any practice time this week? Joe is healthy and can play tomorrow. He has been ready every week. He hasn't been given much of a chance. He doesn't get reps in practice. I haven't spoken to him since early last summer. He has been very supportive of Bubba. People in GF close to the program who aren't afraid of offending the GOBC related he has been relegated to third team from the beginning of fall camp. I would hope he gets some reps in practice now with Studsrud hurt. Unfortunately the decision apparently is Rudolph's. I find it hard to believe Bubba would do this to a kid who was developing as Joe was and got hurt playing Sioux FB. I also find it strange that the coaches don't even discuss Joe as being in the mix. When Bubba was asked about Joe by the media, he avoided the question. This is the first time in the 45 years I have been associated with Sioux football they have done this to a guy. Gene Murphy is probably rolling over in his grave. Joe doesn't use drugs, he is an academic all conference and had a 4.0 last semester. He doesn't beat women (his girlfriend is the daughter of a Sioux FB All American). They treated the kids who had grade problems, legal problems and drug issues better than this. We should be winning FB games.

Watch this clip. This is what the coaches from Northern Illinois, NDSU, Minnesota, and Iowa saw in Mollberg. He can put the ball into tight spots and he can make plays under pressure. This is how he was playing when he got hurt. He can be a difference maker but he was still developing. We should have gone ahead with the FG. You don't need to be from DL to see why some want to know why when Studsrud is hurt and Bartels struggles they leave him on the bench.

This would show a lack of class no matter how you feel about Kelly. Fighters don't do childish crap like this. The fighters I fought with would make an appointment with the guy and go in and debate their point and opinion. It was embarassing last time that our students show such a lack of class and it would be embarassing this time. The NCAA forced UND to drop the name. Neither the state's Native American population, nor any of us, did enough to keep the name. Kelly was stuck with the consequences. You should have taken signs out to the reservations or taken signs to the tribal councils when we had the chance. Kelly was riding Broncos out in Wyoming or wherever the hell he was. The mission of UND and UND athletics is a hell a lot more important than whatever name we call ourselves. We blew our chance, because you and I, and others waited for somone else to do things for us. If you wish to look like a fool, do it yourself.

That is the only kind of iterceptions there are. All 3 guys have made them. Joe is the only one who hasn't thrown one this year of course.

A couple of thoughts. The only turnovers are terrible turnovers. A bad pass is a bad pass whether it's picked or not. A fumble is bad whether it's turnover or recovered by us. Both our QBs have made some terrible passes and fumbled the ball. Both have made some very good passes and had some nice runs. Too often we are forgetting poor blocking, poor routes, interceptions on balls that should have been caught or knocked down. Whomever the QB is we need to protect him and it is past time for our receivers to still have trouble getting open, missing the ball, jumping offsides or running poor routes. I think our line and receivers are doing a better job than last year. They have enough talent to be part a of a team concept and success. At this point in the season we should know we aren't good enough to control the ball on the ground and dominate defensively. Bubba mentioned we need to open things up and I agree.

No, I responded to the comments as to whether or not he should get a shot. I understand Studsrud is out. Were he not, and if we are winning or if he is playing well, you stick with him. I said the same at beginning of season when he was named starter. I said "if Bartels struggles", Joe should get a chance. I don't believe our QB's have won games for us. We have won games with Studsrud at QB. We haven't won games because of him. He has done what asked of him and been adequate. We didn't pee a drop against the Bison and he struggled. We have beaten Wyoming, Drake and Cal Davis. 3 terrible teams. Nice win against Portland and he contributed in all of those wins. I'm talking about a dominant game by a QB where he either dominates as a runner or passer when nothing else is working. We haven't seen that from any of these guys yet. We've lost two games in a row cuz we couldn't protect 14 point leads in the second half. If our QB is struggling I would play any of the other three.

He has recovered from his Achilles injury and it has healed nicely. He wasn't able to participate in spring ball but he progressed through his therapy this spring. Participated in summer workouts. Came in at #3 this fall. I think that is understandable. He was nicked up this fall for a few days but not his repaired Achilles. At #3 he doesn't get reps in practice. I was simply commenting on the derogatory comment from another blogger. If Bartels struggles, then Joe has done enough to get a shot. With his ability as an athlete and his arm strength , it would be a mistake not to know if he can play. Potentially he is the guy who can win games for us even with the receivers we have. I'd like to know if he can do it. I believe he can.

Of course it would come up. Same if the roles were different except a couple of you folks only blame the oline problems or receiver problems when you look at Studsrud. Studsrud fits Bubba's philosophy of conservative, control the ball with a ground game, throw when you have to. He has done what he was asked. If you are satisfied with that, then he is your guy. An athletic running QB? That would be the USD or UNI guys and they throw better. Bartels ran the ball pretty well and has a better arm. Joe has the best arm and can also run the ball. Studsrud made the same poor throws Bartels did Saturday and he fumbled 4 times. Bartels is a less than average runner with a decent arm. The QB isn't losing these games for us, they just aren't winning them. Would Mollberg? Don't know, they decided last December he isn't part of their plan and they haven't given him a shot. If Bartels struggles, I would hope they would give him a chance. He was playing pretty well for us when he got hurt. Only one interception in his last three games and completing 64% of his passes. He has earned the chance to be next man up after the beating he took as a freshman and Soph. I support the coaches and program but if we can't help any of these 3 guys develop then we have a coaching problem for our QBs. Other programs develop kids. We seem to be having trouble developing our QB's and receivers.

That may or may not be true. Either way we should have won both games. We have enough talent to be in the games yet some think we don't have enough to win them. Doesn't make sense. Last two games were winnable with the kids who played. These kids need to learn to finish and they need to learn to win. Same with coaching staff.

Agree. If you pull a kids redshirt he needs to be good enough to help you. Olivera has shown promise. Smith's speed could be helpful at wideout and multiple sets to get him into space to utilize his speed. We need to play these guys to justify pulling red shirts. Too soon to tell. They both have shown promise and could help this year if they continue to develop.

There is a difference in having a bias and being clearly unable to be objective. I didn't know you were such a great judge of my capabilities. I have recommended kids to the coaching staff over the years and haven't been wrong yet. Every kid I told them wouldn't play didn't. Every kid I told them could play contributed and except for 2 linebackers whose careers were cut short, by concussions and family responsibilities, started. The kid they didn't go after started for the Vikings Saturday. Another kid they talked to but didn't offer, went to UND anyway and walked during spring ball and started 4 years. Let's not derail this thread. If want to debate you can PM me. Otherwise I wouldn't waste your time or others when this is about the season not my capabilities. I want the kid the best kid to play. We may disagree on who that is.

And that is why there won't be a change at QB

I get your point. I said at beginning of the season that if Studsrud was the pick, they needed to give him a shot without having to worry that his mistakes will get him pulled right away. I'd love to watch film with some of you guys over a couple of beverages and show you Hardin, Jackson and even Gollady dropped the ball. They were a better group than we have now but last year we were worse. I would also love to watch film of the QB play and the beating Mollberg and Bartels took for two years. Our running game and oline were not as good. Studsrud is the QB and he shouldn't have to worry about getting pulled. He needs to get better as a passer just like Mollberg and Bartels needed to continue to get better. I was just sticking up for the other two guys when a blogger makes a post that he or she thinks is funny but I thought disrespectful to the other two guys.

I couldn't get stats before 2006 but Manke completed 69% of his passes, 19 TDs, 6 Ints with a QB efficiency of 152. Of course I don't know what I'm talking about so why don't you ask Weston Dressler. Had nothing to do with where he was from, he was a very good QB. He was very smart, got through his reads quickly and could reads defenses. He is no longer eligible so let's have you reread my post. I didn't call for Studsrud to be replaced. I answered the question as to why people are discussing the QB play. I may be from DL so I have the advantage of seeing both of these guys through high school. Give Mollberg time to throw and you will see what the colleges coaches who recruited him saw. He also ran the veer and the spread . He also was maybe our best tackler on defense. The kid can play. If you don't see the potential then although you may not have a home town bias I don't think you are a very good judge of talent. I support what Bubba and his staff are doing but it doesn't mean fans including me can't question or disagree with play calling, personnel moves or strategy

Why don't you leave Mollberg out of it. Your happy face might be interpreted as mocking someone. The interceptions thrown the last 2 weeks and the ball into the hands of the Bison defender who dropped it, the poor pitch and the 4-5 fumbles are what people are concerned about. Mollberg took a beating for us for two years as a freshman and sophomore and in his last 3 games completed 64% of his passes with only one interception. You think if we keep winning and shut down opposing passing attacks, Reyes We couldn't run the ball, our oline wasn't playing well and our receivers dropped passes, didn't attack the ball and struggled to run routes. These are excuses that seem valid this year even though we have a better oline, better running game and improved receivers. He has been relegated to third team since he got back and seldom gets reps in practice. Studsrud is only a Sophmore but so were Mollberg and Bartels. Mollberg and Bartels were condemmned for similar mistakes with less of a supporting cast. Studsrud's mistakes are attributed to his inexperience, dropped passes, less than stellar oline play. Mollberg won't see the field this year. Bartels might but only if Studsrud gets hurt and we don't want that. Studsrud may be faster than the other two, and he has run the ball well the last two weeks. There is no way we make a change as long as we are winning. We need to win the next two before we get into the meat of the schedule. I don't know about Ryan but Joe believes in what the coaches are doing and is complimentary about Keaton. He doesn't complain. I'm sure he would like to be playing but it doesn't look like he will get a chance. Let's hope Studsrud gets protection, develops as a passer and we keep improving our running game. If we can play pass defense we should be able to compete in every game. I do agree with those who see the need for a better passing attack. We need to accept the fact that the coaches are not going to replace Studsrud unless he is either hurt or he throws 4-5 interceptions per game for a couple games in a row. Bartles and Mollberg better be ready cuz they will only get one chance.

You are correct, thanks. I even knew that and still typed it wrong. Dave was from Detroit Lakes. He was a hell of a high school athlete. I believe that hit changed his career and he transferred to Concordia.

Leclair played against Montana, Momtana State, NDSU, USD, SDSU, UNI, Arkansas State and UNLV. He was a Linebacker in a 5-2 defense and dominated. He was 6' 3" and 225 lbs and when he hit someone they felt it. NDSU was ranked #1 and had a 30 some game unbeaten streak and the LeClair led defense held them to -18 total yds. AC only touchdown was on an interception pick 6. LeClair hit Steve Nelson so hard that the entire stadium was in awe and Nelson was done. I think he transferred to Concordia to finish his career. Arkansas State was ranked #1 when we played them and Montana was a ranked and had one of the biggest olines in the country at the time. LeClair dominated from sideline to sideline. I've seen all of these guys and there was none better. An All -American, He was drafted by the Bengals and went on to a 10 yr NFL career, Bengals team Captain and pro bowler. The competition was DII but that was today's FCS teams, and teams like Nevada, Boise State, UNLV, San Siego State etc. Certainly better completion than Drake, Wyoming and Cal Davis. Note I said none better. That means each one of these guys dominated in their era. Most dominant in my mind is LeClair. You had to double team him if you wanted to run and he could defend the pass. The other guy at Linebacker was Don McLean who was one of the toughest nastiest LBs in the country. He was an Honorable Mention All- American. Program was in shambles in 1969. Conference runner up in 1970 and conference champs in 1971. One of the reasons I'm not on board with all the excuses about playing young guys and it takes 4-5 yrs to turn a program around.