SiouxFan4Life

First of all the sioux defense will be one of the better in d2 for sure. And I dont doubt the most exciting in the country. I see a lot of records that will be broken next year. I think Jamaal Franklin will hit the field with a vengance, after having to sit out for a season. I also see Adam WOlff having a big impact. He is a tremendous player and Im not sure if him not seeing the field, was totally a fault of his own. Watch out who ever we play

WEll looking to the defensive side: At nosegaurd I obdviously see Shane Duscher coming off an honorable mention season will start, but I see Jordan Muro getting his share of snaps. At the Ends Jason Peterson and Troy Newhouse will start and should provide more of a pass rush threat than last year (Momerack was but Smith just ate up space), and Adam Wolff and Gruchalla will push. Also I see Alex Cadwell getting a bit of time, though not much and I heard that they might move both olb recruits Richter and White to End as well. At Inside Linebacker the lock is of course Digger Anderson, but I like Erich Halstenson as well, and I dont see a dramatic drop off. At weak inside I think Dan Ullspberger getting the nod over Jake Nordiq but again not much of a drop off, I just see Dan as one that makes big plays. At Outside Linebacker Im confused. We saw two weakside linebackers start all season. With new coaching Im not sure how that will be effected. Dahlen is coming off of an all-conference season, and Hermes is a senior, and Brook Maier is a junior. But Steve Brennan (who had a hell of a national championship game) I think is a force, and I wouldnt be surprised to see him starting by the season time. Also Babingon-johnson had a very impressive freshman season, but also missed 2 games for behaviour. If he gets things squared away I could see him making a push as well. In the secondary I see Brandstead finally starting and showing maybe he is the best safety on the team, but Danny Gagner has been phenominal all his career. The corner situation is also interesing . Manke is a senior, and Hoffschneider is coming off of starting the whole season and having a up and down, but mostly productive year. But Jamaal Franklin is back and he has the size, and speed. Also Donovan Alexander will push for time, and Michael Greenwood. Clearly are defense is in good hands, and will I think be the most dominant D in the country maybe in Sioux History!!

I guess Ill be the first to start. Offensively, I could see a few situations. Running back spot I assume would be Wistoff and Rohland with Strouth and Christenson on deck. At reciever it looks to be Ranson, Johnson, and Grossman with Groeschol and Presthus being the first subs in. As far as the O-Line is concerned I dont know. Will Hendrickson be the center with Kuper, and Barry at Gaurds. THat leaves Hoffelt and Buisker at tackles. I dont know maybe Bonnett and Bronson will try to compete. At quarterback I guess John gets the nod, lets just hope he continues to improve. Does anyone see any other possibilities?

I wonder with all the coaching changes that have gone on, what changes will be made in the starting line-ups. I am going to put time into this thinking and Im interested to see what people think as well. Offensively I see the biggest spots open on offensive line and recievers. Defensively we have a lot that I could see changes at. ANy input is appreciated

When will next years schedule be decided. I recall earlier this year people saying we were going to play a much better non conference schedule this next season. I would like to see Grand Valley State in the regular season, along with teams Like Northern Alabama, Carson-Newman, Pitt State. Lets get some home, away things linned up . Loosing a rivalry with NDSU, SDSU. Lets start a trophy game with Pitt State, and Grand Valley State. That would be huge, any other ideas as to whom we should play.... or who we might play

THe starting o-line will probably be hendrickson,kupe,smith,buisker, and hoffelt. The starting D-Line will be Duescher, Peterson, and Newhouse, with WOlff and Muro getting time at nose and end. Our starting recievers is more interesting to me. With Josh Ranson, not many of you got to see him play but he redshirted the year we won it all and he transfered and now came back. He is like a Lueck with more consistent catching. He isnt as tall, but just as fast, and exciting. Jeff Webber is a very polished reciever, with Caleb, Grossman, Alkins if he returns,Van Dyke, and Presthus and Ott will all see time. I look for Lee Groeschol to push Bowenkamp at QB, and make some plays happen

I wonder how any coaching changes could change the depth chart for next year. I would say defensively the only definate starters returning are Digger,Gagner, Duescher, and probably Manke. Other then that The weak and strong outside backer spot is up for grabs in my mind. Brennan had a good season, and especially one hell of a game in alabama. I see he , Brook Maier, and Tony Hermes fighting for the nod. Weakside between all-conference returnee Tyler Dahlen, and Bab-Johnson things could be a fight there also. The defensive end spots are in the air. Though I would see Newhouse, and Peterson definately starting. Inside next too digger, its between Ullsperberger and Nordik, and I like Dan!! And I see Hoffshneider and Franklin fighting for that other corner spot. With Gagner and Brandstead deep. That could be a scary defense, and I dont see many spots with a weak player.... Actually I dont see any!!!!

UND92,96 Posted on Dec 16 2003, 03:40 PM QUOTE (Verk62 @ Dec 16 2003, 03:20 PM) ...in the past UND has not alway put all the best players on the field. Most but not all. IT seems to me that UND doesnt play the best players. I felt that Josh Brandstead and Danny Gagner were the best 2 safeties. Stratton never came up and made a hit, missed many tackles, and never made the big play, unless it was handed to him in a gift basket. THats tottaly a reflection of the coaches and there style. WIth Tibesar, I saw Ullspberger in when it counted and big plays but Nordiq always started. Thats keeping your older guy happy and playing talent when its there time.

I wouldnt hold my breath on Tom Dosch moving up if Schwaggert got the job. I think by many he is considered the worst of the coaching staff followed closely by some Grad Assistants. I have heard of many players that are not fond of him. Tibbessar however I have only heard the greatest things about. I believe looking at the Inside Linebackers that we have had speaks to his coaching, and look at his career. He is a players coach. I heard Schwaggert was eyeing the Jamestown job. If mussmab leaves for Duluth, and Schwaggert leaves to Jamestown, things could be very different in Grand Forks

I dont see the sioux having a problem against the Lakers. Everytime I post , people say dont get ahead of yourself, and blah blah blah. There is a thin line between cocky and just a knowledgeable confidence. I think the sioux can hold Grand Valley State to under 7 points. There passing game rivals that of a juniour high team,and there run game is pretty basic. WEre too deep in the season to take them for granted, but I think we burry them early. What a way to end the season, with a decisive victory over the defending national champs. I guess were still lucky

I know all of you out there have been waiting to hear,but............The next football game for UND will be........ In the Alerus center..... Where else did you think?? This is huge. The sioux's magic definately festers in the best dome in the midwest. We play a good northern alabama team, but it wont matter. Were rolling all the way to florence, and how many people said we wouldnt even be good this year. You know why the big improvement. The recruiting class we got after we won the national championship last time. I look forward to the class that we will get this time. Hey if this is the cycle I can live with it. 5-6, national championship. But I dont see us going 5-6 again. Were rolling. We we get to florence, break out your victory cigars boy....

My prediction The "special teams" of UND will win the game, because they are comprised of just that special players. Pitt State wont handle what goes on on 4th down. Which will carry over into 1st through 3rd. Its our house, and the visitors will learn soon enough, that we dont like company.

If the game doesnt sell out, or if people stay at home to watch the game....... so what. The biggest wins of the year came when everyone left anyway. St.Cloud. As long as the parents, the faithful are there it wont matter. No one gave this team a chance, and especially after the Mesa State loss everyone was ripping the team again. Well for those of us who believed along with the players... welcome to the bandwaggon. The sioux will win regardless because the players and coaches have known what its like to have no one believe in you except the ones that matter. Prediction... same as it was this time last year(Ive been saying it since last thanksgiving). Sioux rock Florence. 2 national championships and 2 conference titles in 3 years, damn it feels good. Looks like recruiting wont be a problem again

Not that it really matters, but I just cant seem to understand. How is UND 11th in the National Poll with only one loss. Yet Pitt State and Central Missouri are ranked ahead of us. What gives. It seems we still dont get any respect. Especially when our one loss was to a team everyone said was bad.......yet they are 17 in the poll. THey have an 8-1 record, and they are ranked number one in the west regional poll. On top of that we beat three teams that are either still in the poll(NDSU is second in the regional poll and like 13 in the national) Omaha who is in the top 10 of the regional poll, and 24 in the national poll, we knocked them off again, and St.Cloud who was predicted to win the conference. Looks like we still will be ranked 11 after we win the national championship game.

How does the regional poll work. I mean as far as games for the playoffs. We would play the 4 seed first round, then the winner of the 2-3 matchup? After that would we play the west? I ask this because Its a good chance we could play MEsa State since they are 2 in the west poll. Does it go midwest, west or not? I also believe that we will play north dakota state again. Never fear sioux fans, well show why the nickel is in North Dakota to stay.

THis is a big game. I look for this to be a game in which the defense sets the tone, winding up the regular season, and heading into the playoffs. If they can keep Omaha under 100 yards total rushing, I think it will be a huge statement for anyother team that will try to run the ball against our 3-4 which no one seems to know how to handle. I look for Digger to have a big game as usaul. Also look for Hoffschneider , Brandstead, and Gagner to have big games, they all played well against Mesa. I expect Dahlen, Babington-Johnson, Ullsberger, and Halstenson also to have big games. This will be a team defensive victory. I think youll see some with tackles, some with sacks, some just doing there assignment, and some getting interceptions, some forcing fumbles, but definately all 11 will be big.

I was in the game in mankato, and I noticed Babington-Johnson on the sidelines in street clothes(red and blue might I add, which are not team colors). Does anyone know why, or how long he is out?I dont recall him getting injured,

THis is my taking on the game. The sioux defense has been improving in large steps in every quarter since the Mesa State Game. Were seeing a more balance of playing time, and guys are starting to step up. St.Cloud does not have the WR talent of Newberry , so Im not concerned about our corners. Heckendorf, is good because he has set in his mind, he throws to this spot, at this certain time. The sioux did a good job of covering up there blitzes against auggie. (Even as a fan, I could usualy tell which side they were blitzing from). How well they do this against the Huskies will be the determining factor on the season. The blitzing in correlation with the dropping will need to be effecient on saturday. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure. Hitting the quarterback at all available opportunities, even on interceptions . Offensively we need to run, run , run, and run effectively. Eat up that clock, and wear down that defense, so that our defense is fresh against that offense. Roland will be key, as will Schwenzfire in my mind. Teams might be keying when Strouth comes in the game. In proper balance, Ahlers , Lueck, Johnson, Stattleman, Grossman will need to have the game of their lives. If not all of them, atleast one or two. Glass will be on the big stage, and Personally I think he will win the game. Special Teams: This must be in the victory column for the sioux, in order to add another one in the victory column. Kickoff, KickReturn, Punt, Punt Return, Field Goal, and Field Goal Block. Im excited about these the most because a lot of our young explosive players( Wolff, Brennan, Greenwood, Charles, Babington-Johnson, Brandstead, Gagner, Ullsberger,Schmitz) are out there. I look for this to be a sign that the future as well as the present look bright for the followers of Grand Forks. My final score: UND(aka UNDefeated in conference!!!!!! )16- SCSU-3

Just to remind you, UMD lost to SOuth Dakota if Im not mistaken 10-7. SO I really dont understand

I thought it might be interesting to look at the defensive statistics. We have guys starting and playing most of the game that arent being nearly as productive as some guys who havent been getting half the time.TOTAL TACKLES UA-A TOT UMC MSC NEW Digger Anderson LB.. 17-12 29 2-0 6-12 9-0 Hoffschneider....... 12-7 19 3-2 4-5 5-0 Danny Gagner LB..... 11-7 18 3-0 4-7 4-0 Shane Duchscher DL.. 7-6 13 3-1 1-4 3-1 D. Ullsperger LB.... 4-7 11 1-0 1-5 2-2 Troy Newhouse DL.... 6-5 11 1-0 0-3 5-2 Josh Brandsted DB... 5-5 10 2-0 2-5 1-0 Ryan Manke DB....... 6-3 9 - 1-3 5-0 Jake Nordick LB..... 5-4 9 2-0 2-4 1-0 Jeff Momerak DL..... 6-1 7 2-0 2-1 2-0 Babington-Jhnsn..... 4-3 7 2-1 1-0 1-2 Tony Hermes LB...... 2-4 6 1-1 0-2 1-1 Josh Muro DL........ 3-2 5 - 1-2 2-0 Tom DeSautel........ 3-2 5 1-0 1-2 1-0 Brook Maier LB...... 1-4 5 - 0-4 1-0 Tyler Dahlen LB..... 4-1 5 - 1-1 3-0 M. Greenwood SS..... 4-0 4 3-0 - 1-0 Eric Halstenson LB.. 2-2 4 1-1 0-1 1-0 Steve Brennan....... 4-0 4 2-0 1-0 1-0 Adam Stratton DB.... 1-2 3 - 0-2 1-0 Adam Wolf DL........ 3-0 3 2-0 - 1-0 Jason Peterson DL... 3-0 3 1-0 DNP 2-0 Lee Smith DL........ 2-1 3 1-0 0-1 1-0 Matt Nelson LB...... 1-1 2 1-0 0-1 DNP Will Kusler DL...... 0-2 2 - 0-2 - Sam Schmitz LB...... 2-0 2 1-0 - 1-0 ThomasLoegering..... 0-1 1 - 0-1 DNP John Bowenkamp...... 1-0 1 - 1-0 - Caleb Johnson....... 1-0 1 DNP DNP 1-0 SACKS UA-A TOT UMC MSC NEW Troy Newhouse DL.... 1-3 4 - 1-1 3-12 Jeff Momerak DL..... 3-0 3 1-8 - 2-11 Jake Nordick LB..... 1-1 2 1-10 1-2 - Babington-Jhnsn..... 0-2 2 - - 2-7 Jason Peterson DL... 1-0 1 - DNP 1-7 TACKLES FOR LOSS UA-A TOT UMC MSC NEW Digger Anderson LB.. 4-0 4.0 - 1.0-3 3.0-9 Jeff Momerak DL..... 4-0 4.0 2.0-12 - 2.0-11 Troy Newhouse DL.... 1-4 3.0 - 1.0-2 2.0-12 Jake Nordick LB..... 2-1 2.5 1.0-10 1.5-4 - Danny Gagner LB..... 2-0 2.0 1.0-9 1.0-4 - Hoffschneider....... 1-1 1.5 0.5-4 1.0-3 - Josh Muro DL........ 1-0 1.0 - - 1.0-5 Babington-Jhnsn..... 0-2 1.0 - - 1.0-7 Brook Maier LB...... 1-0 1.0 - - 1.0-1 Eric Halstenson LB.. 1-0 1.0 1.0-1 - - Jason Peterson DL... 1-0 1.0 - DNP 1.0-7 Tony Hermes LB...... 0-1 0.5 0.5-4 - - Tyler Dahlen LB..... 0-1 0.5 - 0.5-1 -

I was excited to see a lot more of the younger players get involved in the game. If the sioux use there balance of depth to theur advantage than nothing is out of reach. The offense still makes me nervous at times, yet the whole team is definately making strides.

I heard the game on radio. I think the sioux have all they need they just need to play more balanced and use there best players. The ball offensively should always be in Ahlers,Stattelmans,Lueks hands, tossing in with Mielke, and we should always be able to pass. Rolands running style doesnt always suit who we play. It was good to see Schwenzfire get some carries. COmmittee is right as far as the running game. And from what I heard Bowenkamp sliding during a crucial stage in the game speaks to how UND's attitude reflects leadership. Though he is no Kelby, heart is all we ask for, and I feel that was a sign that things need to be changed. That was the perfect opportunity to spark the offense by showing some Balls. Defensively we just need to keep playing tough, if guys arent coming out strong, why leave them in, it seems we have young players in the wings that are ready to contribute, its seeming like we need to give them a chance. Just my thoughts.

I know that considerable gains were made this winter and spring. How are things going this summer. Who is standing out in the weight room, are we having any scrimmages or 7 on 7, who isnt down here for the summer. When is the official start of football practice and when do the players have to report?

Im not sure, I think he might be done but the signs given are un clear. As far as the rest of our d line, we should be solid. Lee Smith, and Jeff Momerack are the starters I believe with Troy Newhouse , Matt Nelson, and Jason Peterson fighting for the next chances. Momerack should have a good season with his strength and Smith is a nice change up along with Peterson with there build and ability to Batt down balls and clog up passing lanes. Nelson was an LB but maybe this will work better for him. I think he can handle the strength, and Newhouse is quick and just a balls out type of player who should make a huge impact. After them we have Erlandson, Gruchalla, and Wolff. At the nose spot we have Shane Doescher, and Josh Muro, and John Kruger. Which gives us legitimate depth, and I believe a nice range of strengths to mix things up with.

What do you see our recieving depth looking like. WIth Travis Lueck and Ahlers returning, plus Caleb Johnson who could be the best reciever overall, and Willis Stattelman who has great hands and body, but lacks break away speed. Dan Grossman is an extremely talented reciever and would be great lined up next to Johnson, and Jamel Alkins also has good build and speed, but I have heard that his hands are circumspect. Add in our two freshman Thomas Logering and Alec Van Dyke, we show depth. But obdviously everyone cannot play at once. Who do you see on the other side of John Bowenkamps passes the most?