UND-FB-FAN

A loss to Weber and two home wins vs UNC and SUU puts UND at 7-4. Hopefully they would make playoffs at that mark. I could see them being a bubble team and either last team in or first team out in that situation, unfortunately. Best situation would be a Weber State win and a 3-0 regular season finish, obviously. I think the playoff committee is going to heavily hold the Idaho State blowout loss against UND, as they’ve done before. Idaho State is - once again - not a very good team and they embarrassed Bubba’s UND squad.

I guess I just don’t see this support he speaks of. The student section is consistently over 80% empty. And, for Chaves being a DI AD, he should know what the precedent is for student seating at college football games. It just doesn’t happen very often where students are given midfield seating (taking away from season ticket holders), especially when the attendance has been poor for years. But yes, more season ticket holders need to contact Chaves regarding this. The seating at the Alerus Center is not being best utilized, in my opinion. Chaves appears to be misinformed. Folks should take photos of student section (visual evidence) and email them to him.

The student attendance hasn’t been good for years. Thus, I seriously want UND athletics to move the student section down and allow season ticket holders to occupy the midfield areas on BOTH sides. Better alumni relations AND aesthetics, especially for visiting recruits. The current student seating situation is an outdated DII model and doesn’t make sense to me at all.

Weber State game is season-defining for UND based on how it could turn the season. UND has to play well to have a chance. Blowout loss and I could see UND not recovering. Win for UND, and I see a first round home playoff game and 8-3 season. I, unfortunatley, don’t see the UNC and SUU games going as smoothly as some envision. Hopefully both wins, but likely gonna be close. Bubba’s tenure at UND has taught us that - nothing comes easy.

Biggest offensive issue is NOT the quarterback position with Nate Ketteringham. Could it be better, absolutely. But @iramurphy hit it right on the head; #8 is completing over 70% and with no turnovers. That is good QB play. The biggest offensive issue is the lack of a running game. If the running game could ever get on track, UND would have a complete offense and put up 30+ points routinely. Freund is having the offense do what it does without the threat of a running game, which is even more impressive for the first year coordinator. Just imagine ... hopefully next year with better o line and backs. Also could use more explosive receivers. Plenty of opportunities to further expand offensive talent for Freund.

That’s also a function of the receivers. UND has no deep ball threat on the perimeter. This offense could be much more explosive with better quarterbacks AND receiver play. The short to intermiediate routes are run really well by UND’s guys, though (Wanzek, Toivonen, Maag).

Sure wasn’t Rudolph performance to me. UND would’ve been shut out with Rudolph. Did you see UND’s offensive TD? Not a Rudolph play for sure. But the offense needs to be more consistent. Too many mistakes to maintain drives. Fumble in first half by Gee didn’t help either. Running game is still absent putting a lot of pressure on misdirection and smoke & mirrors.

Never would have thought the two phases that would play the best would be defense and special teams. Offense made timely plays too, but need to be more consistent. Really a great all around team win. Good job, guys. Go UND!

Well, the blocked punt certainly was a game changer. Glad the special teams came through this week. Good team win for UND.

7-6 UND at halftime versus #9 Montana State Outstanding first half for the UND defense. Shows how much us “football experts” knew about UND’s defense. They play the games for a reason. UND needs to play an inspired second half to pull the upset. Go Hawks

Watch Big Sky not working either; linked to Pluto tv. The app might work. Try that I guess.

No, not working. Not sure if this is from the UND end or not. It better not be a limited resources issue because of ice puck tonight versus bemidji fricken state. Need to have people working on this.

This game will take great effort from UND’s players and coaches in order for UND to win. UND can sometimes surprise in the Alerus Center. Obviously worried about UND’s ability (or lack thereof) to stop Montana State’s running game. Game has a similar feel to 2017 game (Mon St won 49-21) when UND defense was depleted and awful. I’ll go ... Montana State 42 UND 28 Hope I’m wrong.

Well, of course.

Combo. Doing both.

I think UND has to have 8 in the box nearly every play. Make Montana State beat UND with the deep pass. Sure, it can happen that way, but it would be the more challenging task for MSU I’d say. Allowing MSU to get 5 + ypc up the gut each play definitely won’t lead to any success for UND. CJ Seigel, Holm, Blubaugh, etc. would be put out on an island and asked to make the necessary plays.

Recruitng deficiencies. Doesn't matter what scheme you run if you can’t recruit to it. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football. 3-4, 4-3, 3-3-5, 4-6, 2-4-5, I don’t care. You have to recruit (and then develop) the big boys regardless of simple alignment.

Sounds like Morrison might play, albeit not at 100%. Mason Bennett will be out. Even if UND was completely healthy at defensive line, it would be tough to stop Montana State's running game. I agree with you; UND will need to scheme some things up to stop the run. Will likely have to play the numbers game and bring an extra player in the box and hope to not get beat on the deep pass. UND's offense has to show up big time in this game. Freund needs to scheme some things up like he did against UC Davis and score in bunches. I know I already said this, but SPECIAL TEAMS, SPECIAL TEAMS, SPECIAL TEAMS! UND can win the game if they play flawless in this area, something I'm not comfortable with. Need to make field goals when presented with the opportunity. Need to cover kicks and punts well because the defense needs all the field they can get to defend. Definitely cannot give up a blocked punt ...... alternatively, what if UND blocked a punt? Game changer

UND Defensive line vs Montana State offensive line is the battle to watch. Unfortunately the advantage goes to Montana State there. UND offense will need to likely carry the team to win. Need 30+ points from Freund led offense. Big overlooked factor is special teams. UND *HAS* to win special teams battle to win. Can’t miss field goals. Have to cover kickoffs and punts well.

Yes. Give the Hawk some love. I like the idea of a mascot. UND - despite all it’s holier than thou glory - is not above the mascot gig.

It’s neat. That’s 2 MVFC cities that have hosted College Gameday. None in the Big Sky. UND joining the right conference. Can they win within it, though? Stay tuned.

Oh c’mon it’s not that bad. Tough (inept) crowd.

So UND is 26th in attendance in the FCS? Well, I guess all work is done then. UND has fulfilled all expectations ... This is sarcasm, by the way. UND has potential to be top 15, easily. Just have to win games and put on a show at home with actual effort towards game presentation by UND and Alerus.

That’s how you win on the road. UND certainly did their job with turnovers and penalties vs Cal Poly; something UND wasn’t doing during previous road games. UND did what they needed to do to win the road game and they did. Good win. With that said, this isn’t a playoff team per the eye test. We’ll see if they can be consistent enough to win 4 in a row and steadily improve. I don’t like relying on consistency with a Bubba Schweigert football team, though. Idaho State lost 45-21 today.

So we should all be very happy that UND is at the same level of Cal Poly in terms of attendance ...... Oh, Montana and Montana State are in the Big Sky Conference, right?