UND-FB-FAN

UND’s running game was not consistent against top defensive lines, particularly SDSU, NDSU, and JMU. They largely relied on Otis breaking a big run, but not consistent 4 ypc gains. As I said in my previous post, the offensive line was definitely better this year, but not yet at a championship level. The lack of sacks (which is a great stat) is as much a credit to the offensive line as it is to Tommy Schuster’s individual play and Danny Freund’s play-calling. UND’s offense this spring was heavily built on rollouts and quick passes to avoid sacks, which was fun to see. But when it comes to dominating the inside running game, still work to be done. My far bigger concern in terms of the lines is the defensive line. The linebacker depth and safeties also need to improve. As Bubba said, to build a better run defense, you need improvement from all 11 on defense.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/football/7010989-Commentary-For-UND-football-clearing-the-last-hurdle-remains well written article. UND football is a top 10 program now, that is great. BUT, they are not a top 2 program that can compete for a national championship yet. The 2021 games against JMU and NDSU were lopsided. As far as specific areas where UND needs to improve, it still remains up front. They are better, but not at a championship level. Need better offensive linemen and, most importantly, better defensive linemen. looking forward to fall 2021 and beyond. Sounds like Bubba realizes the trenches remains an area of recruiting focus and development focus, which is good

Well, what the hell?? I mean, I’m sure NDSU submitted a higher bid than UND, but obviously that shouldn’t be just assumed. Little things like this within the expectations of UND football need to change.

Best offensive lineman by far, now gone. Damn Dude blocks opponents into the sideline benches

Well ... yeah. Hope UND gets a second shot at them bozos from Fargo.

Definitely cheering against NDSU as always, but also makes sense in these circumstances. UND has won head-to-head matchup against SDSU, so want NDSU to get their second conference loss. Would place UND ahead of NDSU in standings.

Need to be able to trump that narrative, or UND has no business being a top team. Man up, defend the wide outs, and meet at the quarterback. No reason UND can’t defend the pass this year and beat a team like EWU. In year’s past, it was a problem, but UND’s secondary is a strength now. The weakness for UND’s defense is actually their defensive line. Just look at how NDSU scouted that, brought in the big personnel, and stuffed it down UND’s throat. Still hurts to think about how UND let NDSU’s one sided offense have their way. One thing I know for sure is that EWU won’t be able to punish UND with the running game like NDSU did.

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Well this sucks for UND basketball ... at this particular moment. Hopefully Sather can bring in some talented transfers and build a good team, but looks like UND MBB is going to be in a rough spot. DAMN

Disgusting

Obviously this era of the transfer portal is different, and in my opinion, hurts low-major and mid-major division I basketball. With that being said, UND needs to take advantage of the transfer portal themselves and recruit transfers. In this new era, if UND relies solely on high school prospects, I don’t see how they can be successful. All their good high school recruits will just leave after a year or two, so UND needs to be recruiting transfers from the portal themselves.

Cool - thanks for the insight. Wonder when NDSU will get a “real football team”, cause they don’t have one either.

I may sound like a broken record here, but UND needs to be mentally-sound against Youngstown State to get the win. YSU won’t embarrass UND up front like NDSU did, so UND just needs to avoid turnovers and penalties. If UND plays mentally sharp and does that, they should get the win. If UND fails to do that, then I think this team - along with the coaching staff - is just too immature to yet be a top 10 program and the polls will rightfully reflect that. My gut feeling is this program will have their “tail between their legs” and disappoint us. Hope Bubba and the boys prove me wrong. Can’t let NDSU loss get in UND’s head and account for two loses, not just one.

In a perfect world where money was not an issue, it would be a slam dunk to build a state-of-the-art on-campus football stadium there for UND. Would really get the community, campus, and beyond excited about football. But Memorial Village is a fine consolation prize. Will help the football program immensely to have dedicated modern football coaches offices, weight rooms, study rooms, meeting rooms, etc. I don’t think some realize just how important modern football facilities (beyond just where you play) are to recruiting student-athletes these days.

Blow out? The score was 21-13 in the third quarter. NDSU added a couple late scores the made the game look worse than it was. Just shut up and go home. NDSU football is bad for FCS football in general, and although 3/20/21 was not the day, the sooner UND can knock NDSU off their pedestal, the better for all of North Dakota and the FCS in general. It will happen. Good riddance.

You think the idea of moving an offensive lineman to the D-line is novel and has not already been considered by UND's coaches? Of course it has been considered, just not done because UND does not have any offensive linemen capable of making that move and being overly effective. Not sure where the word "wimpy" was used to describe UND's offensive line, but that is not a great descriptor at all. UND's 2021 offensive line is the best it has had in years, but that does not mean they are where they need to be yet. As for the defensive line, this 2021 group is serviceable but needs to be better. Coming off the recent NDSU game, it is easy to make that argument. NDSU dominated at the line of scrimmage and it was the key difference in the game. UND needs to keep getting better at the line of scrimmage, but they are improved this season compared to previous.

Case in point

Doubt an offensive guard on this team would have the tenacity and mindset to do anything measurable on defense. Need to recruit better defensive linemen and keep building the culture. Hate to say it, but the defensive linemen room culture is not where it needs to be yet. Need bigger, nastier guys on the defensive line at UND. As for Hergel, he’s the exception to this. He is definitely nasty. UND needs 4 more like him on the line and the same mindset on defensive line. Couple times last week Hergel was blocking NDSU defenders into the bench. He has the mindset of a champion.

This season is definitely unique, but if the playoffs are held and completed, and the perennial top 5 to 10 programs are participating, I don’t see how you can degrade the eventual champion. They will have earned themselves an FCS championship - rightfully so. now, of course, knowing how NDSU fans work, it is inevitable that NDSU will argue for the above if they win but will scream inequity if NDSU is not the champion this spring. Predictably pathetic fan base in Fargo.

Went to the game. Had a guy behind me yell “Sioux suck sh*t” the entire game and another guy in front of me criticize “the guy in the wheel chair”. Every fan base has them, but this NDSU fan base has a higher than average number of morons. Pathetic. The idea this isn’t a rivalry anymore is nonsensical propaganda from the Fargo media. UND was not physical enough today to win. That was the difference. The defense could not stop a FB from running all over them. The missed XP hurt momentum despite Weah’s huge play. Lastly, UND’s offense certainly could have done more. Schuster and the receivers need to be able to make more plays consistently; missed on opportunities in the passing game. On to the next game. Have to regroup and put it together against Youngstown St. UND will certainly get a chance again - possibly even this spring - against NDSU. Need to make the next one count.

Ag school has tons of talent. Their defensive line is deep and they have talented linebackers and defensive backs. Their special teams is top notch. Offense has been slow out of the gate thus far but their freshman QB is mobile and they still have dynamic play makers, including a couple real good tailbacks and #1 Watson is fast playmaker on the outside. UND needs to handle the moment and play a good, clean, physical game to get this win.

Obviously a huge opportunity for UND against the ag school. The effect of NDSU’s dominance on the perception of UND football in the region cannot be overstated. In order for UND to win, UND has to play a disciplined game, commit minimal to no penalties, and be without turnovers. If UND plays a clean game like that, they definitely have a chance to win and significantly change the perception of UND vs NDSU football in the region.

Everything being centralized in Fargo has been been awful for Grand Forks, UND, and the northern region. Fargo only cares about Fargo, so having all media come out of Fargo predictably was not going to work for UND and Grand Forks. Can’t imagine the media and printing presence reverting back to Grand Forks, so stuck with this mess. UND football needs to take the next step on 3/20/21 in uprooting the evil giant in Fargo.

Not the cleanest game by UND. There is definitely still work to be done. Need to protect the ball better. But UND was without doubt the better team today and was more disciplined than WIU. Now, the big bullseye we’ve all been waiting for next weekend on March 20th .... Go Hawks Football!

Griebel has now made MULTIPLE mistakes today. He’s done at punt returner as far as I’m concerned. Keeping him in at this point would be awful.