UND-FB-FAN

The last time a No.16 ranked Cal Poly team visited the Alerus Center (2009), this happened: Let's hope for a similar result for UND. Go Hawks!

Our slow tight ends? We just pulled the redshirt on Cloyd for what? So he can go on some nice western U.S. vacations? Some seem to think our personnel is the next best thing to what Mayville State is putting out there. You can keep a defense honest with some quick passes and PA passes to the TEs and FBs without abandoning the philosophy of ball control. At some point in time, continually banging your head against the wall will be bad; fortunately, that bad outcome was narrowly avoided by UND vs Montana State. I understand that everyone wants to look insightful and wise by playing the "trust the coaches" and "be patient" cards; however, it is normal for people - including the UND coaches - to make mistakes. Furthermore, it's okay for them to be called out on it. The offense hasn't produced yet. Is it all on the coaches? No. The penalties are bad and that's largely against the players. Nevertheless, the offensive coaching hasn't been better than average either. To dismiss that doesn't bolster your "wisdom" or fidelity. Call a spade a spade.

Have to beat ranked teams. UND has that opportunity on Saturday. If UND wants to compete for conference championships and make the playoffs, these are the type of games UND needs to win. Get it done Hawks

That's fair. I hope the team can stay healthy and UND surprises us with a couple comfortable wins (10-14 point margin).

I was not knocking the kid. If anything it was a knock on the makeup of UND teams under Mussman. Golladay made a commitment to the University of North Dakota when very few others gave him an opportunity, played on two poor teams, and then left when the times got tough. It undeniably hurt UND further. Some of his UND teammates were explicit in displaying their displeasure regarding Golladay's decision. Maybe he wanted to be closer to his family, but that just augments the fact that UND shouldn't recruit a large number of players from out of this area. Fortunately, Bubba has emphasized recruiting North Dakota and Minnesota far more than Mussman did. Best of luck to Golladay; he has been putting up great numbers and he is a special talent. Would've been nice to see him finish out at UND.

That Wentz character came off an FCS squad. Will Ratelle received an opportunity. Cooper Kupp is currently playing in the BSC and he'll be playing on Sundays next year. It is possible for the FCS to produce capable NFL players, not to mention Golladay had to sit a year because of his move.

Well, football is the ultimate team game. Someone forgot to tell Mr.Golladay that.

But they were last season? 45-14 vs No. Colorado; 45-21 vs Cal Poly. Didn't know regression was the objective this season. Expectations need to be higher than that.

Where do you see the other 2 losses then? If UND can beat Cal Poly, they shouldn't lose more than 1 more game the rest of regular schedule unless injuries and poor play calls pile up.

That group was talented? I just remember seeing them get blown out game after game against legitimate FCS teams.

Winning this game would allow UND to be ranked and in playoff position (with many games left). Thinking outside of the Bubba Box and actually winning by a bit of a healthy margin would help our rankings even more. Get it done, boys.

Strength (UND's run D) against strength (Cal Poly's rushing attack). These are the kind of teams you need to beat if you want to be a champion (conference, national, etc.). Tough matchup, but I expect Bubba to coach them up and get it done. Have to win the few home games you get, cause road games can be brutal. Big game on Saturday -- get to the Alerus and be loud! Go Fighting Hawks!

I remember back in December 2013, when Bubba had his introductory press conference, he emphasized that it is important to do what is best for the team, not the individuals. That is why true freshmen and other young players play if they are the best player on the team. It's also why I would hope, if the offense continues to struggle for the remainder of the season, that Bubba would at least entertain the idea of going a different direction at offensive coordinator. A lot of season left so no use to harp on this a bunch, but just something to ponder.

Interesting thought if nothing else.

Damn let's hope not

I believe it was Mike Ditka that said "coaches can't win games, but they can lose them." If you really think about it, there is some truth to it.

More points are easily within UND's grasp. UND easily could've had 6 to 10 more points if they capitalize on relatively makeable field goals and don't shoot themselves in the foot with foolish penalties. Have to continue to coach up the offense, and really the entire team, Bubba -- they're not there yet, but on the way.

I agree with all of this, Ira. Will be interesting to see if the offensive staff can gameplan with some new wrinkles in order to give the offense a shot in the arm. There are ways to get the available playmakers (Santiago, Oliveira, Stanley, Toivonen, Cloyd) in space via scheme. Kids also have to play more disciplined and cut down on the penalties. At least UND didn't turn it over today after the one early fumble, which in itself is inexcusable.

Hell, UND is undefeated in the conference at this point so I'll take it in the end. I don't want to start an uproar, so I'll compliment the defense on how well they have been playing while I also mention how poor the offense has been. I think everyone just wants UND to succeed and I don't see an issue with high expectations. It's hard to accomplish great things without at least expecting them. It's easy to say UND should recruit better offensive players (which I'm sure they will when this season is over) and that Rudolph needs to draw up better plays and call them, but without all that I can offer constructive criticism still in terms of the penalties and missed opportunities. The personal foul penalty on Stockwell was a killer; that drive went from 7 points to no points. On top of that, we left 6 points on the field in terms of field goals. Add in the bad throws, missed blocks, dropped passes, and missed holes by the backs and I am yet optimistic that the offense can improve THIS SEASON. A lot of mental mistakes that can turn around in a hurry if the coaches press on it, and for that, I'm still excited for this season! Go Fighting Hawks!

4 game sample is adequate sample size for me and I'm gonna take it and run with this: UND is going to have to continue to win ugly, close games with its defense in 2016 because the offense is pedestrian in terms of talent. Perhaps the offensive line can improve some, but that remains to be seen. Come the offseason, the coaches best be looking to load the 2017 recruiting class with offensive talent at all positions. For now, I hope the coaches can work with what they got and produce some magic.

I'm pretty sure any coach could work with "better players" ... The whole point of coaching is putting the players in the best position to win, irregardless of their talent. UND could, theoretically, be better at every position, but they are what they are and the coaches need to make that work. Rudolph is not making it work for his offense right now. If his ability to coach really does require better personnel, well that's too bad for the 2016 UND football team because talent upgrades won't be happening until the 2017 season at the earliest.

Bubba had never worked with Rudolph before he hired him, so it's safe to say perhaps he made the wrong hire. Nevertheless, I'll wait and let Bubba dictate that final decision. From my opinion standpoint, though, the offensive staff does need to pick it up; hard to argue that considering what they have and what they've done.

Well, the coaches recruit the players -- including the offensive linemen -- and the numbers for this offense speak for them self. The defensive staff obviously has it figured out, whereas the offense is quite a ways behind. It's not all on the offensive line, though. I will say, *if* the line starts playing better, the offense will start to play better, too, but that is just a given.

Penalties really hurt today but there are other areas where the offense can improve. Offensive line is the obvious area, but allowing Studsrud to throw the ball more and get in a rhythm early would possibly help too. Bottomline, UND's offense just needs to execute better and be more clutch.

Yes, the Fighting Hawks won today.