jdub27

The University as a whole is in one of the strongest positions it has ever been in. That needs to continue to work its way into the athletic on-field performance. Don't think you can say the former about any other research institution in the state.

Arguing against strawmen is a different category I guess.

Either you trust the staff (coordinators, position coaches) feels they are putting the players that give the team the best chance to win or you don't. Personally I'd prefer they ignore pedigree, recruiting rankings, where players are from and scholarship status and instead focus on who is actually performing and executing the best in practice and during games.

They must have had some sort of plan with two DL in front of him, must have thought they would need to clear out more bodies than normal? But when the DE's get around the corners as fast as they did while Q is looking where to go, it is a bit of a calculated risk that almost blew up. Assuming there was a reason they went away from the tried and true that pretty much works every time but no clue what that might be.

Something, something, ESPN2, something, something, probably millions of viewers...

It was stated by Tom Miller in the article he wrote about it. 2 year extension in 2022.

There was around 50.

You don't think a change in S&C coach is a significant change in trying to find ways for improvement and something specifically that isn't "placing all the weight of their decisions on the new facilities"?

I thought the team looked ready to go against ISU. Despite the first play, where the defensive guys were in the exact right position and then being down 7 points after 2 plays, they played tough the whole game. Comparative scoring is what it is, but UND played them tougher on the scoreboard than Arkansas State (significantly), Houston and Baylor. They are up to the #9 team in the country at this point. No explanation for the NDSU game. We needed to start fast, didn't and everything unraveled from the opening kickoff. Still settled in a little and had a chance to get back in it and then literally fumbled that away on the first play of the 2nd half.

Good take. Also, getting a chance to compete for the job as a RFr is more than he would get most places. I think people are forgetting that he's been on campus for less than 18 months, not a whole lot of QB's who are seeing the field at that age. Also guessing the staff has set very clear expectations with him on what he needs to work on and that the QB is the same as any other position. Show you can do it better than the guy in front of you when the lights aren't on and you'll get your fair shot.

Glad you're such an insider for the Ag tech. That doesn't change that the official reason is that he injured his shoulder against Missouri State. Plenty of articles out there outlining it and stating exactly that, including the Forum, KVRR and NDSU's own page. Considering after a few weeks, they had packages installed for him, it seems pretty likely that was the actual case. He was an effective runner and did well in those packages after his shoulder healed up a bit. Weird that they would hold him out of practice when he wasn't hurt, just benched though?

That and he hurt his shoulder, which was the official reason he was pulled. Never got his job back.

NDSU didn't pull their injured starting QB up multiple scores in Carbondale this weekend against a team that didn't threaten to score much (3 points and less than 200 yards of offense) until there was 3:36 left in the game.

If that happens (based on what I think you are assuming with losses to USD and SDSU, with both games at the Alerus Center so far from guaranteed), then UND will likely have 4 losses, with 1 to an FBS school and 3 to teams that are in the top 5. That still doesn't scream bubble team to me.

Will be interesting to see if the QB change UNI made jump starts their offense.

Was nothing to do with your post other than I was going jokingly point out we had one of those current backup P4 guys on our roster the last few years and then happened to see your post with his name on it.

Fruechte explained the whole evaluation process. More consistent, accurate and more explosive plays, regardless of whether it was with the 1's, 2's, 3's or 4's. He also said part of his current accuracy issues are him trying to make the short throws off his toes instead of just trusting himself to do it. Work in progress that they are fixing in live action that isn't happening in practice.

I liked some of what we did towards the end of the 1st half, opening up some holes to move the ball on offense and making some stops on defense. UND started doing some delayed rushes/stunts and at least getting somewhat of a hand in Miller's face but he gets rid of the ball so quickly and we were playing not to get beat deep. His experience shined. Rucker missing him on a wide open shot was a killer. They set the tone on the opening kickoff (sounds familiar), we hung around enough were a score to open the second half makes it interesting. That fumble was a dagger. A bit concerned that Z is banged up, SS missed the week before, Smith only had one touch because he's dinged up and Hunt didn't play. Would hope we wouldn't have to see what we have in Brunell or Parker even though I think both of them have a chance to be very good, need those first 4 to get healthy over the bye week. The staff alluded to taking advantage of the 4 game rule for freshman, probably going to see some of those guys worked in across the lineup, which isn't a bad thing if they can play fast and know what they are doing. Tough to argue with this. Bye week is a perfect time to explore it a little bit more. You don't see a lot RFr starting at QB unless there's a reason (real special or injury).

How's he getting a year back? Unless something changed, this is his 4th year of eligibility whether he plays or not (5 years to play 4 unless there's a medical redshirt).

The same guy has been here since summer of 2022 and the guy who helps him showed up in summer 2023. There has been a definite improvement since they showed up and it keeps improving every year.

Two on Bo. Seven or eight in the box. Sounds like a chance for Dennis to finally show off his speed, instead of taking crushing blows across the middle.

NDSU's safety play hasn't been great with the guys they have been playing, missing an All-American back there will do that. Hopefully that frees up some of the over the top stuff if they are stacking the box. I don't think they have a corner that can shut down Bo on their own.

They have started getting RFr Brown the ball a bit more consistently and he's been pretty good, or at least better than what they had been doing (constant QB powers). Trey Lance's brother is the only WR I'd be super worried about, though they do like to throw it to their TE's on seam and clear-out routes. Biggest thing is still going to be Miller extending plays with his feet and taking off. And who knows what they will draw up with Cole Payton, who's role has continued to diminish the last few weeks. Defensively, should be able to run right at them and make them try to tackle in space like we did last year. Maybe they fixed something between ETSU/Towson and ISUr because there seemed to be a lot less success on the ground.

Mattress Miller is going to have 15+ carries. Need to limit his yards.

I'd guess it will be around 10 with the home field advantage for NDSU. O/U probably in the 50's somewhere.