UND-FB-FAN

Need to pick up first road win of the season to build confidence on the road. Go Hawks

No numbers to show. But, when I think of QBs that can make all the throws, MOST are 6’2” or taller. There are certainly exceptions. Especially now with the spread systems that emphasize horizontal throws as much if not more than vertical throws. In the pros, everyone points out Drew Brees. Now there are players like Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield, which are spread Oklahoma players and don’t necessarily make “all” the throws like traditional pro style QBs had to. NDSU with Carson Wentz at 6’6” was very impressive to watch throw, including (unfortunatley) versus UND. The physics of long arms with good mechanics and footwork yields some impressive throws. In Freund’s system, having a QB who can run and make the throws sideline to sideline (bubbles, swings, etc.) is probably most important. I think Schuster can do this. I hope Neal can do it even better. Ketteringham, at 6’4”, was well endorsed this fall as the starter due to his ability to make all the throws (arm talent).

I wouldn’t say my comments were unfounded negatives. They were, from my perspective, real negatives. After every game - win or lose - there will be good and bad. As you say, I also identify positives. I try to be comprehensive if you look at all posts. If people want to only focus on my posts that identify the negatives, that’s their issue and bias. They need to look at the big picture.

Absolutely, I agree. For the QB position, though, there tends to be a correlation with height and arm talent. There are always exceptions, of course. That is really my only argument there. Otherwise I completely agree; it’s about what the student-athlete can ultimately do on the field and not what they look like on paper.

Crap on our current players? This all because I stated Neal is a real QB prospect? You won’t call a spade a spade. I don’t only stare at the roster and look at what’s on paper. I look at the game film and, most importantly, in-person evaluate if able. You are criticizing me for making a bold statement while you don’t stick your neck out at all. I merely mentioned that Neal is a “real” QB prospect and that apparently triggered you. A bit strange and uncalled for, in my opinion. Ketteringham was not a HS recruit for UND . Boltmann is not in the future plans at QB. Schuster looked good vs Sam Houston State but is small for the position and not sure on long term projections for him. Really, other than Schuster and Keaton Studsrud, Bubba hasn’t had much for HS scholarship QBs. I feel Neal could be different as UND has secured his commitment early in the cycle and he plays well against good HS competition. I shouldn’t have to explain myself to someone sensitive about my on-field, non-personal player critiques. But, oh well; apparently @UNDBIZ felt the need to distract from UND’s recent successes (getting a QB commit, recent win vs UC Davis, upcoming big game vs Idaho State) and focus on unfounded negativities. Really a shame. And, again, the only reason I’m expanding on this is because you’re incorrectly calling me out and then boasting about it to other posters. How big that must make you feel, Mr. Moderator. Ridiculous. I’m evaluating the players on the field, not the kids. If you can’t understand that, then that’s your loss.

Most recently, the 2016 playoff game versus Richmond was a fabulous atmosphere. If UND hockey wasn’t playing in Madison Square Garden that same weekend, it would have been even more exciting. Unfortunately, after UND lost that game in disappointing fashion, the excitement in the Alerus Center has steadily decreased. The 2017 regular season was the most focused and emphasized season I’ve seen from UND and Alerus Center in terms of amping up the gameday atmosphere. Unfortunately, the team didn’t produce (3-8) and the hype inevitably died. I’m just hoping for several small changes, like @bincitysioux stated. Examples include good tailgating setup with vendors, great pre-game videos on the video boards including previous week highlights, well designed and planned team intro with pump up music and pyrotechnics, in-game features, and midfield seating on both west and east sides for fans who will stay the entire game (Champions Club seating both midfield sections). Not one huge change (other than maybe seating) but rather just a collection of many detailed changes.

Responding with substance? I certainly wouldn’t rely on you to be the judge of that. My assessments have been right more often than not and I’m not changing my stance because one or two homers can’t see straight.

Happy to hear you agree there is room for improvement.

And then you made a statement of how things were close to being so different. Everyone is really confrontational with their posts today, and as such, they get confrontational returns. Look in the mirror. Have a good day. Go UND

You think Boltmann is 6’2”? Good one. He has potential as a very good skill player. Thanks for your insight. Again, you offered nothing in your post other than unwarranted criticism. Thank God you aren’t leading anything at UND, and if you are, I have identified an additional source of issues.

Yeah, and also, under Rudolph in 2016, UND only had 1 QB in the class which was PWO Ben Bolinske. How did that work out? Brock Boltmann the next season and Noah Grover the next also did not work out for the QB group. Plenty of misses under Rudolph’s direction.

Thanks for your info and speculation? Picking out one line and focusing on that is petty. Chaves still has his work cut out for him. UND and the Alerus Center, along with outside help, need to work together to improve the UND football gameday experience. A lot of potential for bigger and better things which is what should make it exciting for anyone with drive and initiative. And that wouldn’t be you since you’re content with the status quo?

Winning (2016 Big Sky Championship) seemed to jump start the idea that UND football deserved a consistent top tier game day experience. Here is the article initially describing the aims of the committee: http://blogs.und.edu/und-today/2017/07/fan-tastic-experience/ The committee was also headed by former President Kennedy. His absence - along with the presence of Chaves as you said - has changed the dynamics of the UND Athletics Department along with their goals. Apparently, per Chaves, the game day experience/atmosphere of the Alerus Center on UND football game days is less of an emphasis. Perhaps, with consistent winning, the idea of a more elaborate game day for UND football will return. I heavily, heavily caution people who think winning is all that matters to re-consider their stance. There are winning programs with poor game day presentations and alternatively losing programs with awesome game day experiences around the country. Of course, though, winning programs do tend to have positive game day experiences because they go hand in hand (winning yields motivation for ancillary staff to pay attention to the details).

The Alerus Center could be a much better gameday environment if the right people for UND and the Alerus Center were involved. Without going into a huge list which I have posted on this website numerous times over the years, the gameday environment has potential if the right amount of emphasis and dedication is placed. The gameday committee UND had a couple years back - following the Big Sky Championship which no doubt had an impact - was the right idea to get things going. Unfortunately that committee dissolved and UND is back to lackluster gameday production and management. The seating situation in the Alerus Center is another issue that I won’t again bring up at this time, but it also does contribute to a gloomy empty atmosphere, especially in the second half.

Neal - Athletic QB with size (6’2”) and has the blood lines (brother starts at Vanderbilt of the SEC). Plays against relatively good competition in Indiana. Schuster and Boltmann are a bit on the smaller side and haven’t shown anything to convince me they can throw deep balls (40+ yards) very well. Schuster had no DI offers and is a small kid, but he has the intangibles as demonstated in the win versus Sam Houston State. He was a great high school QB in the state of Michigan and his poise was on display vs SHSU. Boltmann also limited offers out of high school but very athletic. Just a bit on the smaller side. Turns out his arm talent was lacking but has great wheels which makes him such a great weapon currently at wide out and wildcat QB. All in all, Danny Freund has the QB room going the right direction with Schuster and Neal. Prior to Schuster commit this last class, UND under direction of Paul Rudolph was not recruiting the QB position well. There were years they would get no scholarship quarterbacks which is baffling to me. I love how Danny Freund is now emphasizing the QB position in both recruiting and with the offensive philosophy. It will pay dividends for UND. Great teams typically have good to great QB play.

Phase II would be game changer. Want UND to take the next step in terms of athletes? Get Phase II and show a legitimate emphasis towards football.

The UND offense was very good in the first half. A lot of credit to the offensive players and Danny Freund. The defense actually may have had the weakest performance (obviously as they gave up 36 points) but it is a team game and the 3 and outs by the offense in the second half and missed field goal are also huge factors to the 2nd half going the way it did. UND needs to find a way to put together a full 4 quarter game. When they do, watch out.

Enjoy the positives. Enjoy the win. I have. The fact is, as you alluded to, there are negatives too and this is reality. Be optimistic and have fun as you wish.

Penalties and turnovers ... the difference makers. UND has to come out on top in these two categories in order to come out on top in terms of the overall match up.

Your write-up is centered around expectations with an added swipe at my comprehension and background knowledge. Novel. Glad you are so easily satisfied with where UND is at. It is not good for UND football, though, to have such appeasable fans/supporters. Not sure why my opinion that playoffs 1 out of 5 seasons is unacceptable would be met with such harsh reaction. Perhaps YOUR narrative that I don't "have a clue" is misdirected and false. Never once did I state everyone should be angry and upset. I have clearly stated I am happy that UND has a winning record at 3-2 with 2 wins against ranked opponents; however, I have also mentioned areas of concern. Some on this fan board are too jolly to even consider criticism following a win; is that your concealed issue right now? Summary: Positives - UND has a winning record and 2 wins versus ranked opponents Negatives - wins versus ranked opponents have been close and UND has yet to win on the road. Pretty straight forward. So, in short, there are positives and in fact things to be satisfied with. I won't apologize for you simply not understanding my stance and having to instead waste time and energy on writing a post directed towards my assessment. I highly doubt your position is such that I should envy your thoughts and opinions and thus "stand down". GO UND

And, so, can UND withstand a loss to Idaho State and still make the playoffs? Mathematically, yes. Predictably, no.

Spot on. UND is where they are because of Danny Freund, not Bubba. Danny drew up enough plays to win with a 3rd string QB against Sam Houston and put on a first half show against UC Davis. Bubba’s philosophy has held the team back. UND does not yet have the players (offensive line, running backs) to line up and run downhill in order to run out the clock. UND needs to stay aggressive to win games with its current roster. Recruit better players, and this may change. UND is certainly not NDSU where they can line up in 22 personnel and bludgeon teams into submission.

With how UND had the momentum in the first half (admitted by UC Davis coach in postgame interview), it really is evident Bubba screwed up that decision. UND is not in a place where they can go conservative when up only two scores in the first half. They need to convince others. It is the reality of college football with polls. Although UND is 3-2 with two ranked wins, UND remains disrespected around the country as an unranked team with SHSU and UC Davis both ahead of UND. 2point and 4-point home wins are not good enough. Sure, you may make the argument that a win is a win, but I counter-argue that it is foreshadowing and setting UND up for inevitable collapse and choke jobs down the stretch run. UND will lose games they should win - per usual under the Bubba regime - if they continue to be too conservative. This current UND team doesn’t have a good enough running game for that.

There is a lot of work to do. I’m not crowning this UND football team quite yet. I am happy they have two ranked wins and a winning record, obviously. BUT, alternatively, they haven’t play a complete 4-quarter game yet or won on the road. You may call it pessimism, but I call it constructive criticism. UND needs to continue to improve throughout the season, day by day if you will, or else they will miss the playoffs. Missing the playoffs would be considered an epic failure since Bubba has only been there once in 5 seasons thus far. A 17% (1 in 6) playoff rate is fireable in my opinion.

Idaho State has a solid team? They lost 59-20 to Montana last week ... UC Davis lost 45-20 to Montana the previous week. UND hasn’t won on the road this season yet. Please discuss.