UND-FB-FAN

I am so absolutely proud of Bubba Schweigert and his football team (and belated happy birthday to him as well). UND handled the challenge put out in front on them with maturity, confidence, and perseverance. Wow! What a job by everyone involved for UND! Enjoy it appropriately, then put in the work and put it out there again for the home fans to enjoy during the Potato Bowl/Homecoming Game on September 22nd against Idaho State.

We hope for a good game with no injuries. Also, hope the physical boys from North Dakota pound Sam Houston State. Go Hawks!

On a road to a championship, there will always be doubters and pundits (and far too many in Fargo), but eventually the group of guys have to believe in themselves, their hardwork, and preparation and prove themselves. Make a name for the University of North Dakota down in the Lone Star State. Back in 2009, UND traveled down to Texas to play a tough FBS Texas Tech team. Everyone “knew for sure” UND would lose by 50. They played tough, a certain player now on staff picked off Texas Tech QB three times, and as a team proved to people that UND belonged in the DI ranks. Today, again in Texas, the North Dakota student-athletes - for all the UND supporters - prove again they belong in DI. Play hard, smart, focused, know who and what you represent, and get a huge win for UND football. Soar! Go Fighting Hawks!

Wouldn’t it be great if we for once could talk about our offense possibly winning the game for UND? Damn offense is so poorly run. But I agree with you completely. UND wins this game only if Schmidt’s defense gets some sacks and especially some turnovers (strip sacks, interceptions). UND’s poorly run offense can’t do it on their own; no creativity or competitive gameplanning at all on that side of the ball.

These damn predictions ... Obviously Sam Houston State is favored as they should be, so we have half the people on here being “realistic” and picking SHSU. Upsets happen every week in college football and I have no money on the game: GO UND FIGHTING HAWKS - GET THE WIN!

I agree. Weather won’t do anything. Pretty pathetic if anyone is honestly betting on that. UND needs to be able to stop the pass and pass the ball themselves. If they cant, watch out.

I doubt Rudolph and his archaic offense can keep up. I hope Schmidt’s defense does great things like they did early in Seattle but this time has some turnovers that are converted to points. It’s how the 2016 team made the postseason (turnovers for scores). UND needs this in order to be successful with Rudolph on staff and, in particular, tomorrow against Sam Houston State. Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers

By the end of the first half, we’ll know if UND is in Texas to win or just not to lose. I sure hope for the former. People may not want to see it or admit it, but UND was definitely playing not to lose against Washington (punt on 4th and 1 shows that).

Washington’s players are better than Sam Houston State’s players at every level. But I do agree with you on UND’s deficiencies and philosophical issues under Bubba. Defense consistently has played great, but they do wear out a lot with the offense doing absolutely nothing. More reason for the offense to try and be aggressive in the first quarter: deep shots, counters, trick plays, etc.

Very good point.

For some reason, the jump balls and back shoulders just aren’t being thrown anymore. Probably a combination of play-calling/Rudolph and Ketteringham just not having the timing down with Toivonen, Wanzek, and Maag yet. Remember: as a group, they’ve only played 2 games together! Passing offenses take time and rhythm!!

That’s a difficult throw (across the field over a defender) with not great separation by Wanzek (certainly wasn’t wide open). The UND receivers are below average FCS players and were completely overtaken by the above average to very good FBS defensive backs of Washington.

Darn, at least if they were holding back it would be intentional and not inherent incompetence.

Beating Washington or playing them close also would carry a lot of weight in the polls. And before you say “UND had no chance to win”, who would’ve thought the score would be 17-3 in the 3rd quarter? Very few if anyone on this website. And it easily could’ve been closer. YOU HAVE TO PLAY TO WIN EVERY GAME! The lack of aggression and portrayed confidence by Bubba was and is concerning.

He should be in the slot a lot more. Brady Oliveiria (when healthy) and Johannesson can handle the inside the tackles stuff while John Santiago is in the slot and, thus, on the field at the same time.

Agree

Injuries again a issue? Time will tell. After awhile these injury issues are, well, becoming an issue.

There’s fair criticism of the offense and implicitly of Rudolph as well from the 360 guys. UND was 3-18 on third down. Woof. we NEED more back-shoulder fades to our 6’4″ WR’s. I mean we need them, bad. It’s such a demoralizing route for the corner when it works and it moves the chains. Also, UND needed to threaten down the field a few times in the passing game. Have to take a few shots to loosen up the defense. Running back screen game has to get better. No excuses. UND tried a couple times unsuccessfully – even though we do think QB Nate Ketteringham gave up early on a RB screen that was setup nicely.

Damn truth right here Think Rudolph will be drawing up a play like that anytime soon to excite the boys? Hell no

Amen

Rudolph can’t really call a game. Proof is in the pudding now. It is unquestionably a factor in these anemic offenses under Bubba. Even Rudolph can get the job done, though, when Santiago up the middle consistently works. He might get away with it against Sam Houston State, but it certainly wasn’t going to work against Washington. In partial defense of Rudolph, the receiver talent on UND’s roster is lacking big time. It needs to get better. Makes it hard for one to call occasional aggressive down-the-field routes, but there absolutely needs to be some called per game with Santiago out wide, Izzy Adeoti, Cam McKinney, or even play-action to tight end Alex Cloyd. Toivonen and Wanzek just don’t scare DBs with speed downfield.

?? What the ...

Special teams coordinator Kostich recruited kicker Leach. Moorhead to Moorhead connection.

Although true to a degree, the balance of power between the two sides of the ball falls on a spectrum; it is not black and white. UND under Bubba has always relied far more on their defense than they should; thus, the “punt is not a bad play” and “we like to play close games” mentality. It’s obvious Bubba embraces a philosophy of super conservatism on offense.

Recruiting was and has been iffy for both. UND would have a playoff win by now if either could recruit top end players.