UND-FB-FAN

I predicted 9-2 before the year started, so UND is right on pace as far as I'm concerned. I will admit the 0-2 start had me doubting that, though.

True, but if it's all from the backfield it hurts the team. It exposes Santiago to injury as he's a smaller guy and takes touches away from a very good player in Oliveira. I just want to see UND utilize their weapons with creativity by getting them all on the field at once.

I disagree. Santiago can still be listed at "RB" but it's all about the X's and O's. I think Santiago should be on the field at the same time as Oliveira (or now Johannesson) a lot more. It's tough on the defense and, in my opinion, UNDs offense looked better in 2016 with Oliveira in the backfield (he also had nearly better numbers).

I honestly think Santiago should move to WR. He is such a talent but more suited for open space. We all know the offense that Bubba wants UND to run is more suited for powerful backs like Oliveira and Johannesson. Go UND! 2017 gonna be fun!

Your team looked good. Congratulations. If you make it to the title game against NDSU, please do us all a favor and demolish them. I look forward to next year's (2017) game at the Alerus Center against Eastern Washington.

As Bubba said, success is great as long as you don't become complacent. Some would argue that a "we shouldn't bitch" attitude is complacency. It is okay to criticize if it is under the context that there is so much more that UND football can accomplish and should aspire to accomplish. That is exactly what I am saying. Yes, UND had a good season (not great because that is reserved for 11-0), but the team had the ability to make it an even better season. I'm with Bubba -- let's not settle and let's continue to strive for bigger and better things.

UND completely and utterly choked away their lead in the 4th quarter. UND felt the pressure and collapsed under it via the certain failures (running into the kicker, blocked punt, dropped passes, etc.). It was no fluke that UND was up 24-7 in the second half; Richmond is an iffy team. With that said, UND played possibly one of their worst quarters of the season that 4th quarter and it cost them. Eastern exposed Richmond as that iffy team today. Perhaps we should all say 2016 UND team was an iffy team too, based on the fact they required a couple huge comebacks and they ultimately fell due to a chokejob. The foundation is there, though, for UND to be great in 2017. Team goal #1 needs to be more consistency: no more huge comebacks (preferably) or second half collapses.

Quite the 2nd half collapse for SDSU. James Madison has a chance to beat NDSU but it will be tough. This consecutive title run is just too much. Football is meant to be at least partially competitive.

Oh, so you're now going from trolling via NDSU propaganda on a UND board to acting like a tough guy behind a keyboard? I didn't realize a degree from the NDSU College of Economics produced such blind guidance. You must be so proud that NDSU football represents the only success you can speak of. Your comments are continuously criticized on this board and for good reason. I suggest you acknowledge and address your narcissistic issues. You have much to learn, young lad.

You try too hard to appear clueless. Congrats

It's about time all these overzealous, arrogant NDSU fans leave a game saddened and disappointed, just as the UND fans did last Saturday ... I sure hope SDSU can get their sh*t together and beat those bison b*stards.

You're right - Richmond played James Madison real close. JMU won 47-43 @ Richmond on November 5th. Richmond was ranked #6 at the time with their all-FCS QB playing.

Yeah, this should humble him. And people say the Big Sky Conference is soft ... the Southland Conference must've been horrible this season! Remember, UND has a home and home with Sam Houston State starting in 2018.

Oh it's just so bad that it's great.

This game is tough to get over. A missed opportunity for UND football. The program obviously needs to move on and get ready for a big 2017. One last depressing note that to my knowledge hasn't been mentioned yet: if UND would've beat Richmond and then beat Eastern Washington, UND would've hosted the semi-finals at the Alerus Center ... wow, what could've been ...

It's okay to raise expectations a bit. UND should be annually competing for an FCS national championship and an NCAA MBB tournament appearance. I want a winner's mentality in the sports that the nation collectively cares about.

Having a new head coach along with perhaps a new coaching staff may affect them more than anything. Also, speaking towards the game in 2017, that is at home in the Alerus Center which helps UND's chances a lot.

We've got one out of Moorhead.

2017 team needs to develop a killer instinct that allows them to run away from teams on the scoreboard. No more "squeaking a game out" when the opposing team is far inferior. Same goes for slow starts. A win is a win but if you constantly breed "nip and tuck" games they will eventually bite you in the a**. Fortunately, UND started off fast vs Richmond but they didn't get that 4th touchdown that probably would've sealed the win, despite a tremendous opportunity to do so.

Leave no doubt. We'll go on the road and beat them again. Like others have mentioned, it is time UND develop a positive, confident attitude that allows them to "leave no doubt" every season, not just this one. Based on what the 2015 FCS playoff snub did for the 2016 team, I would expect this 2016 playoff heart-breaker to do tremendous things for the goals of the 2017 UND team. The amount of players returning for 2017 only strengthens that argument, in my opinion. It hasn't even been 48 hours since that horrible collapse vs. Richmond, but I am already excited for UND football to get back on the field and prove themselves. They have much, much more to accomplish and I expect Bubba and his team to have that same attitude. This program is close -- Grand Forks and the region need to continue to get behind this UND football program that is on the doorstep of big-time things.

Well, if living in Hawaii was the only aspect of the decision for recruits than I would expect Hawaii to be an annual top 25 program (i.e., they'd receive a bunch of good players). Fact of the matter is they are horrible. Hawaii's location is literally one of the only advantages of that bad football program. Sure hope he chooses THE University of North Dakota, where the future of the football program is incredibly bright.

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.