UND-FB-FAN

I will say, nice call on the prediction. Funny how that works, hence, the “law”. 0.500 coach in DII. 0.500 coach in DI. It’s how it goes.

UND needs to improve at both QB and offensive line. Discouraging since most recent changes to offense per Bubba was hiring new offensive coordinator (Freund) and offensive line coach (Pawlak) in 2018. Results thus far have been only average.

We all must believe that, and hopefully see it become reality, or else … 2021 true freshman season would be asking a lot from him, and he would lose his redshirt, so 2022 would be the target season to see what he can do. 2021 it is either Schuster or Quincy Vaughn.

Quarterback, arguably most important position in sports, and UND is going with “adequate”. Ya’ll need to just sit down and let that sit in before typing something. Meanwhile, UND’s major rival in recruiting 80 miles south has back-to-back-to-back NFL quarterbacks and now a former 4 star FBS transfer at QB. I don’t want to oversimplify here, but UND has to get way more out of the QB position if they want to be a national title contender. Appreciate Tommy Schuster, but he’s not able to get UND to the level we as UND supporters should desire.

UND lost but you were still wrong

Attended the game. Nothing special to watch. Unmotivated. Sloppy with procedural penalties. Offense is very poor this season with this year’s offensive line. Also, I know people love Tommy, but I’m very skeptical. Too small, can’t run, doesn’t rise up to lead the team in tough moments vocally … Damn, this season is not turning out at all …

Engelstad funding model for UND athletics is less than ideal but it is the reality for UND DI athletics. The REA “gift” will allow the Engelstads to have UND by the throat until they dissociate … like ~ 2030 or so if that really ever happens. Hopefully when one of you on this board strikes millions/billions, you remember to right the ship and donate it to UND athletics with more of a fair share model …

Of course they are mental mistakes, all penalties are, but there is no way you can completely dismiss the impact home crowd noise had on influencing those mistakes … good football crowds keep it quiet when the home team is on offense. To say the und crowd in the Alerus cant accomplish this is pretty damn insulting … even if they only know hockey

This is simple: QUIET WHILE ON OFFENSE and the ADVANTAGE is what we all want. STAND UP AND BE CRAZY all you want while UND is on defense. The BAND can play their as* off all they want during TV timeouts and when UND is on defense, but should be strict no play rule when UND has the ball. As the UND-NDSU game evidenced, UND has the potential for a heck of a homefield advantage, but it does take people using their head a bit (I know, I know ... that is hard for some). From my experience, being at the game and from my vantage point, at least one or two of the false starts UND had vs NDSU was due to "friendly fire" crowd noise

Close but UND needs this one. Gonna be tough to get to postseason with loss. I'll go UND 28, USD 21

Unfortunate truth. Absolutely appalling how hockey-centric GF is, although that shouldn’t be surprising I guess …..

Not in the business of Monday (or in this case Tuesday) Morning Quarterbacking. Hindsight is 20/20. Learn from it, move on, beat South Dakota.

That 4th down playcall (QB sneak) was very questionable, probably just flat out wrong, but it was only one play. Did it shift momentum and probably cost UND the game to a degree - sure, but there are more than a single one play during football games that determine the outcome. Can you blame Bubba for Schuster’s interception, the failed 4th down attempt by the offense in the 4th quarter, or the missed holding call on the half yard line? Are you taking into account how Bubba - in 6 months with largely the same roster - went from losing to the bizon 34-13 to losing just 10-16? Trust me, no moral victories and UND ultimately needs to be beat NDSU soon or else … *BUT* there is no doubt this program has ascended under Bubba, particularly since he got rid of Rudolph and promoted Freund in 2018.

Not wrong, I suppose. I think it is idiotic to “hate” Tommy Schuster, he’s a good QB, but let’s be realistic here …

Let’s not split and be extremists. Tommy, Freund, and Bubba can improve and be better, but they certainly aren’t failures. That trio is very capable still. Continue to improve, that needs to be the name of the game. Don’t bail on this program.

Things are definitely heading in the right direction. The gap is closing, but ultimately we need to desire to have it closed. Certainly concerning that some thought the differential was 25 points. If nothing else, Saturday’s game will give hope to UND supporters that the program is very close and ndsu is not head and shoulder above und like the Fargo media propaganda machine wants all to falsely think

The defense held the opposition to 16 total points and only one touchdown. I think it is very fair to criticize what the offense did on Saturday. That needs to improve. Quite frankly, since the first half out in Utah, the offense has left much to be desired. I for one think the offense needs to rely on their three running backs a bit more in the zone running game and then be sharp with the underneath passing game. All in all, comes down to ongoing progression of the offensive line.

Thanks for speaking the truth. Sometimes the truth does hurt

Don’t have time to look at all the tape and give you exact number, but the deep pass plays you are referring to aren’t being called at all! This is partially due to his lack of arm strength. I definitely agree that there are no downfield threats, which is another issue for sure , but if there was a threat, Schuster would struggle consistently getting it there unless receiver is wide open. how can you honestly defend his arm strength with that tone/context? He excels in most other areas other than mobility, but it’s okay to identify and point out weaknesses. Schuster’s lack of running game in the +1 QB run game is certainly one also. UND is 2-2, they definitely have weaknesses. No moral victories if want to win a national championship and put bison in their rightful place as 2nd best team in ND. Also, when your QB doesn't have a lively arm, mistakes like the second half interception vs NDSU are more likely to happen. Balls float more. Schuster is UND’s best QB right now, but call a spade a spade there mr. homer; arm strength and mobility/running are not his strong suits. He is a great decision maker though … most of the time.

Fair point, quick throws to the outside to Belquist, Zavalney, and even Wright are becoming good options if OL doesn’t improve. Maag continues to look less impressive each and every week.

Completely agree with this. Best offense adjusts to the players (put best players in best position) versus making the players adjust to the offense. For the most part I think Freund does a good job, but he needs to lean on his best players a bit more and do it with a *little* less razzle dazzle. I love Tommy Schuster, but eventually Trey Feeney or someone else needs to step up and take over that spot. Lack of arm strength and running ability from the QB spot holds back this UND offense. Fortunately, for this 2021 UND team, they have three good running backs. Freund needs to scheme up ways to get all 3 of them the ball routinely.

Big game against USD: will be tough but UND needs the win. Go 1-0 this week. I’ll be there cheering on the UND Hawks. Gotta come out ready to play after tough close loss to bizons. I agree that this game will showcase either UND’s great leadership or lack thereof. I hope it’s the former.

Obviously, UND and the Alerus Center can do much better. Seems like a broken record, have been saying if for over 10 years. But the Alerus production is better the last couple years with new management group. again, don’t have to be anti-hockey, but have to be more pro-football around und and the Alerus center. UND athletic department needs to hire some interns from the SEC or Big 12 that have no alliance with hockey and want to just take football to the next level. Literally just takes some more effort and dedication to improve it, with a sprinkle of local motivation (someone who recalls and believes und football can be greater than ndsu) So close … beat ndsu eventually and bring that level of home field advantage to the Alerus center every game!

Simple game determination: Will UND match NDSU’s physicality? Alerus Center crowd can help induce mistakes and get UND going, if the fans are mostly UND fans and in to it. Ultimately, UND does not have the skill position players to out-finesse NDSU. UND needs to somehow kick ass in the trenches and have a coming out party. Can UND play physical? Can the UND football fans in the Alerus Center rise to the occasion?

Oregon isn't a serious football program?