siouxfan512

Shanks to the bench is probably a good thing

I posted the below info back in December on our first few games. It was a slow day at work, haha. Ok, I got tired of moping about the fact that we were completely snubbed from the playoffs, so I decided to take a look at our non-conference schedule for next season. A lot to be determined before then, and there will certainly be some new faces in the mix for UND as well as our opponents, but here it is. I see UND starting out 2-1 in the non-conference schedule, but if the 2015 season taught us anything, surprises can happen. So maybe with a grade A performance, we can pick up another (and this time quality) FBS win. Feel free to pick this apart and comment, but hopefully it makes a good read for those of us who need some football material to read in lieu of missing the playoffs. Stony Brook (5-5)(3-5 conf.) Finished 10th in the Colonial Athletic Conference Last meeting was 2014 in Grand Forks; UND won 13-3 Key Win: Beat New Hampshire 31-6 (giving them more wins against playoff teams than E. Illinois J ) Key Departures: QB Conor Bednarski DL Victor Ochi (12 solo sacks, 2 assisted sacks, 14 solo TFL, 5 assisted TFL) Rankings within CAA Scoring - 7th - 17.3 PPG Rushing – 7th – 152.7 YPG Passing – 9th – 148.1 YPG Scoring D – 1st – 15.7 PPG Rushing D – 1st – 104.6 YPG (Stony Brook, meet John Santiago) Passing D – 1st – 145.5 YPG This really shouldn’t be much of a contest. Stony Brook’s strength is their defense, but if our offense can emerge like we did late this season, then UND should roll by halftime. Hopefully that is the case, because if you lose a game like this, you are already a long to make the playoffs. SB will probably stop some drives, but it looks like their offense continues to be anemic. UND needs to open up a heavy lead, and then start trying some different things to prep for the following week. Bowling Green (9-3) (7-1 conf.) Finished 1st in the Mid-American Conference – East (Plays N Illinois this weekend for conference championship) Won 2 games vs Big 10 (Maryland and Purdue) Key Departures: QB Matt Johnson (4465 Yds, 41 TDs, RB Travis Greene (1036 Yds, 12 TDs) DB Dernard Turner (4 int, 1 TD) Key Returning Players: WR Gehrig Dieter (82 Rec, 882 Yds, 9 TDs) WR Roger Lewis (76 Rec, 1401 Yds, 14 TDs) (Hi Roger, I’d like you to meet Cole Reyes J ) WR Ronnie Moore (62 Rec, 818 Yds, 5 TDs) DB Alfonso Mack (5 int) Rankings withing MAC Scoring – 1st – 44.2 PPG Rushing – 5th – 178.2 YPG Passing – 1st – 387.8 YPG Scoring D – 8th – 27.8 PPG Rushing D – 7th – 166.2 YPG Passing D – 11th – 255.2 YPG This will be a much bigger test than playing Wyoming. Fortunately, BGSU will be losing a monster of a QB, as well as their senior RB. Unfortunately, BGSU will likely start James Knapke (6-2, 237) at QB, and he will have several dangerous receivers still on the roster. Knapke took over for an injured Matt Johnson in 2014, and threw for 3173 yards and 15 TDs. It is also worth noting that while BGSU loses starting RB Travis Green, they will still have Fred Coppet who still rushed for just over 700 yards 4 TDs. His average per carry was actually slightly better than Greene, and without Will Ratelle on the field, our linebackers will need to step up (Hopefully Taj Rich comes back really strong). I don’t think BGSU will be as good next year as they were this year, but they will still be a very strong team. Probably not a game you expect to win, but definitely need to be competitive, and if the defense plays well, and our offense is clicking, then who knows. Santiago can always be a game changer and Oliveira will only get better. If Keaton starts next season where he left off, then there is certainly potential in this matchup. Needless to say, this would be UNDs biggest win at the D1 level if they could pull it off. South Dakota (5-6) (3-5 conf.) Finished 7th in the dreaded MVFC and somehow was not included in the 2015 FCS Playoffs (Rumor is next year all MVFC teams will get an auto bid) Key Wins: Beat NDSU in Fargo 24-21 Key Departures: Coach Joe Glenn WR Eric Shufford (45 Rec, 470 Yds, 2 TDs) LB Keyen Lage (50 solo tackles, 34 assisted, 10 solo TFL, 1 assisted TFL) Key Returning Players: QB Ryan Saeger (1984 yds, 12 TDs) WR B Van Roekel (33 Rec, 518 Yds, 6TDs) A Van Ginkel (9 solo sacks, 17 solo TFL, 2 assisted TFL) Rankings within MVFC Scoring – 9th – 21 PPG Rushing – 7th – 165.7 YPG Passing – 7th – 183.7 YPG Scoring D – 6th – 25.5 PPG Rushing D – 4th – 159.8 YPG Passing D – 3rd – 184.7 YPG My first inclination is that regardless of score, or how many points UND can rack up, the win (and an automatic playoff spot) should go to USD, purely for having the grapes to be a part of the amazing MVFC (sense the sarcasm). In reality, this is a very winnable game for UND, especially at home. Though USD has certainly shown they can play spoiler, go ask about it on bisonville, I dare you. This game is winnable, but will be a good measuring stick. While USD is not a top team right now, they are very capable, and they do play in a tough conference. I still take UND at home.

I've never been a big Brian Jones fan, but I have to give credit where credit is due. He has done a nice job of putting a quality team on the floor this year. Good young players, actually playing defense, putting some convincing wins on their record. Lots to be excited about here.

This is just absurd. So much young talent on this team. I'd really like to see a little more out of Seales, but it'll come. Biggest surprise to me (not that I'm a great basketball mind at all) is McBuckets. Last night was ridiculous, but he has been getting better and better all season. Excited to see him nailing the Big 3s for the next few years.

A win over Weber would be huge! It would really give these guys some confidence heading into the last few weeks of the season. Beat Weber and you know you have a legitimate chance to win the Big Sky. Would be great to see this young talented team go to the big dance.

It might be better if shanks just fouls out early. Lookin kind of rough at both ends.

Tougher than most decisions I had to make in college. Which cup do I aim for, without overthrowing the ping pong ball? Bud Light or Miller Light? .... I guess I can only afford Busch Do I pop my collar tonight? heck no, I'm not a Sigma Chi .... jk

I demand that we continue to blow up this rumor, until we can make it the truth. So it has been said, so it shall be done!

I though I read on one of these boards that he had, or was having, a kid. So that could be a complete rumor. If he really left school for this type of reason, I think there really needs to be a level of understanding, that a guy is trying to put his family responsibilities first. As a personal opinion, I still think the kid is best to do what he needs to do to get an education and provide for that family. Regardless, I hope your rumor is true, that Bubba, and the Grady family would like to get Elijah back on campus. Purely as a football fan, I would love to see this kid back on the team. That being said, way more to life than football. Best of luck to this kid, regardless of what happens.

Lets not forget that these are kids, and while they represent their schools and should always be professional, they are subject to those types of moments, just like the rest of us.

Definitely an awesome player, and will be fun to watch this year. I think the comment was more in regards to his very interesting/questionable post game interview in Grand Forks this year. Regardless, very much looking forward to seeing how he does this season.

Isaiah Secrest looks really fast in some of those highlights.

I guess I'm not sure, I just saw their twitter post.

Wow, MT St just signed a 4 star QB out of Arizona. It would be nice for UND to go after a high caliber guy like that next year.

Looks like Turner is in

Really hope all these kids plan to be on campus for the summer. That is a critical time to get acclimated to college and the team, before camp hits. Also makes a difference for getting these guys in the weight room. You work out on your own, thats good. You lift with you teammates their to push you and hold you accountable, thats great.

I wouldn't really say no with other sports being involved. More so, just making a point of how terrible their hockey conference is. And while I know Hockey is not the big money making sport like football or basketball, it is certainly a big factor up at UND.

I'm also very excited about Toivenen. Bubba has loaded this team about with big receivers.

Sorry, but as much as I would enjoy watching us play the Goofs and Wisco every year ... is this even a question? There is ZERO benfit to UND joining Big Ten hockey. Not unless it involved a move to the Big 10 in every other sport. and even then I would say NO!!! The old WCHA was great, but so is the new NCHC. Big 10 or the Little 6 is a joke, and was a huge mistake. Joining that bad of a conference would only be a worse mistake.

I think it was said last week that Cloyd reaffirmed his commitment to UND.

Wow we are getting screwed left and right with penalties.

Western is trying to play a fast paced game. They are going to be gassed by the early third. I don't seem them keeping up with UND in a speed game.

Does yours show it for the full length of the game? Mine shows one 1/2 hour segment. I can't imagine it would cut out after 30 min though.

Not sure about others in the minneapolis area, but my tv guide is showing that the game is on tv from 7-7:30. Hopefully they timing is just off in the programming.

If this is a goal, I have some questions for the manitowoc county sheriffs department.