UND-FB-FAN

Again, between running the ball three and out and passing the ball for three incompletions or an interception, the former is always the better option.

That's never the strategy. It may be the result, but the strategy/intent is to MOVE the ball on the ground and hit big plays with PA. If you can't move the ball on the ground, it shuts down everything (including the passing game for those TV buffs who love offense).

By playing that way, you're protecting your defense. Occasionally it might lead to three and outs, but when that ball-control mindset works, it runs the clock, wears out the opponent's defense, and rests your own defense. It's the intent behind the strategy, not the direct results that must be taken into consideration.

Very good point. One of the reasons the Montana St.-Eastern Washington tilt from last weekend was so high-scoring was due to the fact that both teams matched each-other's tempo. Both played at a fast pace that made it very tough on the defenses, which both aren't very talented/experienced to begin with. One of the best things you can do in terms of a general game-plan to counter that is play ball control offense, or at least try to. Even if you don't move the ball for first downs, drain the clock as much as you can. That will be UND's plan in this game and all games moving forward (and I LOVE it).

Obviously, the UND defense needs to be the unit to win games this season. Remember, S Reyes and NT Hinojosa did not play against Missouri State, and both made a huge impact versus Stony Brook. Also, I think the younger players (CB Chris Carter, DEs Dranka and Greeley, FS Domo Blackmon, etc.) are starting to feel much more comfortable in their new roles. If UND can play tough defense in Bozeman, even if it's a loss, then that will tell big for UND's potential the rest of the season. Also, it's very important that UND can run the ball with Norberg and possibly Shaugabay and Simmons. If all three backs play on Saturday, that'd be a nice combo of runners. UND ground out over 50 yards on 27 carries vs Stony Brook with Norberg; I really think with 27 carries against a weaker defensive line in Montana State will better produce on the ground for UND. I was impressed with the size and physicality of Stony Brook's defensive line. Need the running game to be productive for UND in order to win games this season (exception is apparently at the Alerus where the defense can single-handily win games).

McDermott and Seales are great additions. Will certainly make UND men's basketball exciting to follow moving forward!

Two offensive touchdowns would be great considering I'm not including field goals and defensive scores. If UND can score 14 via 2 touchdowns, heck, UND may score 20 or 23 points.

Just don't get it, huh? Stony Brook's defense is quite better than Montana States. I'm confident we'll be able to run the ball and play admirable defense. UND definitely scores at least 2 touchdowns. You heard it here first. I also suggest the downer UND fans read this article: http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/tom-miller-und-defense-deserves-credit

You'll definitely get a chance to see how your defense tackles in this game. We play straightforward offensive football on the ground. As for the defense, it is definitely the only hope UND has to win the game on Saturday. They have played really well the past three games. Even the Missouri State game, which ended in a 38-0 loss, was only 14-0 at halftime and the offense surrendered one of those scores on a turnover. UND can pressure the quarterback alright this year, and I know Montana State has a mobile quarterback, but Missouri State had one too and UND handled him quite well in terms of scrambling. The game will come down to turnovers, which in my mind goes to whether or not UND can run the ball. If UND can run, they will keep the game quite close the whole game, possibly even pull it out. If UND has to throw it because they can't run, either because of UND's oline or the score, then Montana State will force a couple turnovers and win this thing handily.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/tom-miller-und-defense-deserves-credit Good article on UND's defense vs Stony Brook and the possible sampling of Bubba's long-term plan at UND. Play great defense, win the turnover battle, and get the crowd into the game with defensive performances!

Need more than a single RB; that was Mussman's issue - he didn't address depth well at ALL positions. I wouldn't get too caught up in ratings and stars and such. Daniels is a down hill running back with good size; all things UND needs and doesn't have. Also, he's from the area (South Dakota) so he hopefully would be comfortable at UND and not want to leave. Proximity to UND is important; it ensures recruiting classes will stay together and not fall apart like Mussman's classes did. That's why I love the class that Bubba has been putting together thus far - most from ND, MN, and Canada.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Michael-Daniel-148656 Pairing Mikey Daniel up with Brady Oliveria would be great for the 2015 recruiting class and UND's running back position moving forward! Hope it works out!

Great!

Missouri State is every bit as good as Montana State, IMO. I'm certainly not guaranteeing a win, but I think UND will stay relatively close in this one relative to the Missouri State game (less than 24 point differential vs. Montana State on Saturday).

Would be a great game for the offense to finally break out. Hope you're right!

Few first things that jump out at me considering this game: UND hasn't played well on the road Montana State's offense is really good UND's offense is not good at all UND's defense has been improving Judging by the Missouri State game, UND's defense can keep the game close; however, in order for UND to keep it close the entire game and have a chance to win, they have to protect the ball (both special teams aka punt returning and offense), force turnovers, and capitalize off turnovers (no missed FGs). I consider this game similar to the Missouri State game: similar environment and similar opponent. That game would've been different if the halftime score was 7-3 (no punt return error and no missed FG) rather than 14-0. The little things make a difference; UND will have to do the little things right on September 27th.

Everyone is really good at coming up with issues. Heck, I bet most on this board complain that their paycheck could be a couple cents greater too. Point is, everything is usually not as bad or as good as it seems. Does UND have to continue improving, particularly on offense? Absolutely, but that doesn't mean the TEAM hasn't been improving after 4 games. Like I said before, I am not yet sold on Rudolph. His coaching background is not convincing; however, the sample size (4 games) for this season is not yet large enough either. After 4 games, UND is 2-2 (0.500). Let's see how everything is going after playing a variety of Big Sky teams; the first 4 BSC games are against two top tier teams (UM and MSU), one average team (SUU), and one below average team (PSU). Let's see how those work out before getting too crazy. Yes, the offense needs to improve, but considering the TEAM WON and ball control/running the clock was certainly apart of the strategy vs. Stony Brook, Rudolph and the offense deserve more time before getting heavy criticism.

Stony Brook has been in every game they've played thus far, including a 3-point loss at FBS UConn, so yes, I'm serious. Stony Brook has a much better defense than Robert Morris. After 4 games, UND has won the games they were expected to win by the "optimistic" fans, so please stop all the b*tching.

Give Stony Brook some credit, people. Big Sky teams this, Big Sky teams that. Yes the Big Sky Conference has some d*mn good teams, but there are also some average teams, as I mentioned in my last post. This season, UND will play teams with a lesser defense than Stony Brook and some of those games are in the Alerus Center. Don't underestimate the home field thing; the defense has been feeding off the energy. Bubba has the team playing for the fans - this is why I encourage everyone to put their money where their mouth is and come out and support the team. As for X's and O's, the playing calling hasn't been abysmal, but the offensive line has been close to that. Need much better play there, if Coach Knauf's demeanor on Saturday was any indication.

Northern Colorado...Weber State....Portland State... All those teams are beatable and have lesser defenses than Stony Brook. Perhaps be cognisant of the fact UND won and the defense played very well? UND's play calling isn't the issue if the players aren't executing. Albeit the jury is still out on Rudolph, I think it's way too early to call for differences in play-calling. I mean, this team is 2-2 after 4 games; that's better than last season.

Well, that was the strategy and UND won. Hard to argue with the results.

What do you propose? Throw the ball 50 times? If the offense doesn't have the ability it doesn't have the ability.

The offense isn't good; there's no question about that. The way UND will score offensively this season was on display yesterday. Run the football and occasionally take a shot down field. Either you bust a big run or you hit on the deep shot. The deep shot worked yesterday, but it hasn't worked otherwise. UND didn't take any more deep play action shots because it never needed to. That shows how the offense went conservative. Now, until the offensive line can consistently run the ball, that's how's it going to be.

. When the offense doesn't need to score because the defense is controlling the opposing offense.

To assume Lennon doesn't understand a capable offense is needed is foolish. As for UND right now, the offense needs to improve but it doesn't have to become an FCS top 10 offense. If the defense keeps improving, it will be a top FCS unit before the offense does, and if that's the case, then the offense doesn't have to be top notch. Ultimately, UND needs to develop an efficient offense that can move the ball consistently on the ground. If that can happen, UND can win the field position battle and ultimately the turnover battle. With that, UND will put up enough points to win most games.