UND-FB-FAN

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.

Yes, lots of work to do on offense. Bubba needs to light a fire under his entire offense, including Rudolph as far as I'm concerned.

Big Sky refs have one hell of a reputation, don't they?

Yeah, that would be best case scenario.

Ugly ugly ugly offense This team has a ways to go, but I'll take the win. Ranked Cal Poly team at the Alerus Center next Saturday. Come to the Alerus, pack the place, and get loud and proud. As for Bubba, shape up the offense and return units.

Defense needs to win it now ... Which has been the situation the entire game

Thank God.

Bad bad bad bad choke job call Ralston?

Spoke too soon. Damn

Awesome! Glad they finally broke one. Still not going to lay off this offense - it's bad and needs major adjustments. Defense *IS* this team right now.

MSU with the ball. 3:28 left in game. 1st and 10. UND defense has been great, but offense may have left them out to hang just too much ...

This team is so hard to watch. Just so bad on offense. So so bad.

Yeah, sure seems like it. These penalties are killing UND

Yup, should've been PI on MSU. This offense isn't too shabby when they open it up, but the penalties are killing UND. C'mon Bubba, this offense needs to be fixed.

Add a hold to that. Damn this team is ugly on offense

Great boot play call, protection, pass and catch. Next play is great run by Brady but penalty called (chopped block). These penalties are just absolute killers.

I'm sorry Bubba, but these close games are not healthy all the time. It's okay to win by more than single digits sometimes.