UND-FB-FAN

I really think these ideas are the direction that the offense needs to go. I absolutely love John's ability - it is hard not to - but his skills are better suited as a flex player (someone that can play both in the backfield and out wide). Brady Oliveira is a prototypical pro-style back with his size; in terms of pure backfield touches, he should get more than John Santiago. John Santiago still deserves to be a major emphasized player but with touches coming from multiple spots (backfield, slot, returner, etc.)

It was a good season for the Fighting Hawks' football program. Bubba and his team cannot be satisfied with where they are, though. This year's team easily could've been a final 8 team, or who knows, maybe even better than that. I am still really disappointed in how the game was lost yesterday, but the future is incredibly bright for UND Fighting Hawks' football and the team needs to aspire for big-time goals next season: a FCS national championship.

It didn't help any. The blocked punt was also a killer. Special Teams hurt. That missed field goal would've been nice to have, also.

Hang with Utah? UND will have an experienced team -- go for the damn win. NDSU didn't plan to just "hang" with Iowa.

2017: Frisco or bust

UND had never been in the FCS playoffs before, so no history there. Yes, home playoff loses can happen. It just did yesterday. Still doesn't mean it isn't bad and very disappointing. It is and it will hurt for awhile. UND will hopefully learn from this and be better for it.

I completely agree with your assessment of "trick" plays - you take the good with the bad. All three phases hurt UND yesterday, but special teams was the biggest culprit (missed FG, 4th down penalty, blocked punt). UND does have a tremendously bright future. 2017's expectations need to be national championship-like. I sure hope fan support continues to be like it was yesterday.

Tight End combo of Luke Fiedler and Alex Cloyd will be a very good one for UND in 2017. The offense will need to utilize their pass catching ability more.

Sounds good, but we know from the past that without wins, the students don't care. UND can't lose home playoff games. They just can't. The atmosphere and positive consequences of a home playoff win would be so huge for UND's football program in many ways, including student attendance and energy. Fargo U doesn't lose at home in the playoffs; just saying because it's a recipe for crazy, positive fan support (including those bandwagon fans that we hate of NDSU). This loss will sting for awhile. Oh well, next year's expectations need to be national championship or bust. Conference title aspirations were the ceiling for 2016 and UND accomplished that; it is time for UND to aspire to be in Frisco next season.

Horrible, horrible loss. Up 24-7 in 3rd and the community is finally getting behind UND football like we all want (crowd and noise were amazing yesterday), only then for UND to have a horrible penalty and blocked punt which were both huge momentum killers. Many mistakes throughout game, with the final one being the deep pass allowed by UND on 3rd and long. I hate this loss for so many reasons. It really will hurt for a while. Oh well.

Damn. This one will hurt for a while. Firing coaches isn't the answer, most likely. Just need to mature as a team and be better for 4 quarters. Too many mistakes and big plays given up to win in 2nd half.

William & Mary already beat Richmond ...

Should be around 10,000 if everything comes together (nice walk up)

FCS playoff football in Grand Forks! Be loud and proud! Go Hawks!

If UND's defense is on and the crowd is loud, UND will give Richmond's young quarterback all he can handle. Offensive line needs to come out strong and get the running game going. Need big games from Santiago and/or Oliveira. UND 21-14

Yuck. Green jersey with white pants. Get back to the classic look. Of course, I just hope they play well and get the win irregardless.

Completely agree. Salaries and HPC phase II need to be absolute priorities that Faison needs to get serious about ASAP. Conference affiliation goes along with this (my position of favoring Summit/MVFC is known on here I believe).

You're just full of excuses, aren't you? I would expect nothing less. Fact is that NDSU has yet to win a FCS national championship when needing to win a road playoff game. That point applies to UND in that home playoff games at the Alerus with loud noisy fans attending will help out UND football's playoff team chances tremendously.

UND and Richmond have two completely different situations when it comes to attendance. What's Richmond's enrollment? How many in-state FBS and FCS schools does UND have to compete with for attendance? How many in-state FBS and FCS schools does Richmond have to compete with for attendance? What's the capacity of the Alerus Center versus Richmond's stadium? Is one outdoors versus indoors? Just a lot of factors so I was a bit curious why Richmond would be used as an attendance benchmark for UND, besides the obvious answer of that's this week's opponent for UND.

2010, junior

True, but tough for UND to get a Natty without a great home field advantage. Fargo hasn't even figured out a way to get a FCS championship without homefield advantage .....

Why compare UND to RIchmond? I don't want to sound too hasty, but UND should have higher expectations; just look at the facilities UND has at their disposal...

Completely agree with this. Now, the question remains: What is the *QUICKEST* way to improve attendance so that UND can benefit from a tremendous home field advantage?

Unfortunate truth, I'm afraid. Nevertheless, this is a start.

I agree. I certainly expect and hope for over 10,000 at the Alerus Center.