UND-FB-FAN

Jones likely has no offers. His teams have performed in conference play, but they haven't upset a favored team (money games) or made the NCAA tournament. In comparison, Saul Phillips, who was hired away from NDSU by Ohio University, had a good resume: 2 NCAA tournament appearances, and upsets vs Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma. Jones has done nothing close to that.

Very good points. Jones may demonstrate questionable coaching ability, but I fully agree in terms of AD Faison. I've voiced my concern in terms of support for football, but the same goes for basketball as well. Faison is complacent (getting ready for retirement?) and not willing to help out the revenue sports as popular as football and basketball. If NDSU can pump the money they do into football and basketball, then there is no reason UND should be as far behind as they are. Men's hockey sucks up resources like crazy, but maybe it's time to allocate funds elsewhere from other programs like women's hockey?

Another bad loss on the road against non-conference competition. It's these kinds of losses that make me question Jones' ability.

Good find. Would certainly be a welcome addition to UND football.

Most athletic polls take the simple way out and just vote for the best players on the best teams. Way it's been for a long time and likely the way it'll continue to be.

No, just saying you have to be on a successful team in order to get these kind of awards.

Forte also plays for a team that only lost one FCS game all season and swept the Montana Schools....

Good news indeed

Absolutely. That's why it's such a bad deal he got hurt and won't be able to play (most likely) against Utah.

Looks like a good win. Would sure like to have a healthy roster vs Utah, so too bad with Hooker. Hope it's not serious.

Any speculation on Hooker's injury? Any other injuries? Without injuries, UND would have a ton of depth. Too bad the injury bug has hit this early in the season.

Is Idaho State in the playoffs??? No, because they didn't beat the big 3. However, they did have a winning record, good enough for conference respect in terms of all-conference representation. UND had a sub .500 record and didn't beat big three; therefore, doesn't surprise me there's no conference respect.

Good deal...just what the 2015 UND football team needs. 2015 should be a winning year...finally. Care to PM the info you have? Thanks.

UND needs to play better on the road in non-conference play. It's been an absolute weak point of this team under Jones. Anyone remember last year's tournament play in Oregon? I still believe this team has the depth and defensive mindset to perhaps be better than last years club.

As far as the NDSU-Crookston game goes, it appears NDSU does have a down team this season. With that said, when UND plays NDSU this year in Fargo, it likely will turn out to be a close game. Hopefully UND pulls it out. As for now, I'm interested in seeing how UND does at the Utah tournament. Last year, UND was horrific in tournament play. Jones needs to improve this. I think UND's team this year has potential to be, dare I say it, better than last years club. More depth, and better defensive, unselfish play among the guys. Time will tell I guess.

Studsrud went 2-2 as a starter, including a 2-0 mark in the last 2 games showing improvement. On top of that, he has youth on his side; he will continue to grow and get better. Plus, he led UND on a comeback game-winning drive to beat a ranked team for the first time since 2011. In my opinion, Hammer's comments were spot on. Bubba and Rudolph believe Srudsrud is the guy at the position moving forward. He'll only get better with his first winter weights session, a full fall camp preparing as the starter, a better defense and running game, and better receivers to work with.

It's plain and simple: Don't beat Montana, Montana State, and Eastern Washington, you don't get considered as a top program. UND has yet to beat Eastern and Montana St. since becoming conference members; they beat Montana once but only in their down year of 2012. Basically, haven't had any positive results vs the big 3; that needs to change to get all-conference representation, Root sports media attention, and most importantly, playoff consideration.

Still no respect in league ran by three schools: Montana, Montana State, and EWU. In three years as a Big Sky member, UND has only beat one of those three once (Montana in 2012). Until that changes, UND shouldn't expect much. Next year, the goal for UND needs to be to improve and have a winning club, but also knock off the "respected 3" in order to make the playoffs and earn respect.

Those stats are a bit skewed. First off, games like SJSU and EWU kill stats like these, but most importantly, teams were forced to throw and abandon the run. That's part of the reason sack numbers and TFL's went way up; QBs were throwing more with more 3rd and long situations forced. Personally, I think the passing defense will improve quite nicely next year with a combination of young talent returning and some transfers brought it.

We do have some good talent in the secondary that is young (Reyes, C.Carter, D. Harris, etc.), but I do agree with you; need to add some more talent in the back end.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/und-football-bubba-other-coaches-hit-recruiting-trail-looking-build-improvement

I was thinking the same thing. Looks like Weber State and Eastern Washington are the top two at this early juncture.

As the FBS regular season comes to a close next weekend, it sounds like Bubba and his staff will be going after some FBS transfers this winter. I feel that is a positive move given where this program is; just a few offensive play-makers away from being a playoff club. The defense is looking good for next year, and FBS transfers treated that unit good this year (hit on 2 of 3 transfers). As for offense, 2012 and Braden Hanson (North Carolina) come to mind. As I see it, the biggest needs that transfers would address are: WR, RB, DB, OL

NDSU was a lot better this year than I thought. Have to give that program credit; they know how to win and recruit/develop players. I was right about UND, and they're on pace for a winning football club in 2015.

Should've beat Montana. I'm buying the turnaround.