UND-FB-FAN

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.

Exactly. As for the QB, I believe Rudolph wants to be a running team from all positions, even QB. That's why Mollberg is the best fit. Eventually, it may be Studsrud or someone not yet on the team. Point is, with the run emphasis that UND wants to have, the offensive line needs to be better.

Wrong. Have you seen Eastern Washington play? How about 2001 UND? Heck, it's possible to win if one side of the ball is dominant. Most often, it works better with defense than offense (see NDSU the past few seasons). NDSU's offense is efficient, not prolific.

You're wrong "Irish". The offense doesn't have the ability to win games on its own, so the best solution is to support the defense with conservative offensive play-calling. UND won yesterday; be happy. Stony Brook is a tough defensive football team; in the Big Sky, they'd be a top 3 defense. UND didn't need to do fancy things with the ball. UND's offense will improve with two things: experience and increased talent. Experience will decrease penalties and offensive line blocking mistakes. Increased offensive line talent will, obviously, increase YPC average. It all starts up-front. I'm afraid video game playbook ideas will not fix the offense, despite what incompetent arm chair quarterbacks say. This team is built to WIN with defense, and that's exactly what they did yesterday. As for the offense, it needs to improve, and it will. The play calling reflected both the defense's play and the offense's ability (only 7 pass attempts).

It's called running the clock.

I'm seeing improvement if it's worth anything. Stony Brook, IMO, is quite better than Robert Morris, especially on defense. Everyone needs to realize that the defense will be winning games for UND for the next few seasons. Bubba witnessed that formula have success in the early 2000s and he's going to implement it again. Fans need to show up and get loud; in all reality, it makes a difference and can win games for UND. There's at least 4 more winnable games (3 at home) left on this schedule, so let's get this team to .500 (6-6) and help ease the rebuild as much as possible! Go UND!

This UND football team can improve during the season and most certainly during the offseason before the 2015 season. The number one issue on the offense is the offensive line, followed by the quarterback and running back positions. The receivers could be improved a bit too but experience will do that with #10 and #5. The offensive line is very poor and it has no depth. Obviously, the team needs improved offensive line and quarterback play. I'm not against seeing Bartels play, but that's not an instant fix like some say. This offense will improve the most through development during the season and obviously recruiting in the offseason, and it starts upfront. As for the play calling, Bubba declared the obvious: it would be foolish to throw the football around when the defense was playing well. It would risk throwing an incomplete pass stoping the clock, or worse, an interception. It's also worth noting that Stony Brook is no slouch defensively. Compared to Big Sky teams, Stony Brook would probably have a top 3 defense. Lastly, the defense is playing well. Overall as a unit, they have the best technique, coaching, and depth. They will lead UND football for the foreseeable future.

Shows just how good the defense played. If the offense was even slightly better then UND would have a chance to win a few more games this season.

UND's defense was very very good this evening; however, the offense may be the worst I've seen in a very long time. This offense is bad, and we all knew it was, but tonight still disturbed me. I'm impressed with the defense and I think it all starts with the mindset implemented by the new coaching staff. The unfortunate thing is the offense gives no support at all. I honestly think Rudolph needs to do something different in terms of personal or play calling. Yes, given how the defense was playing I agree with the conservative play calling in the second half, but the execution was p*ss poor. The offense has the worst talent I've seen in a long long time.

NDSU up 6-0 on Montana late in 1st qtr Impressed with Montana's defense thus far

I'm excited to see UND-NDSU football again. And Bubba will have this program a winning season by 2016.

Both defenses will likely play tough; the game will most likely come down to turnovers. That is, Mollberg needs to have his act together and the defense needs to strip/pick off the ball.

Have to wait to see how this season finishes out. If UND shows no improvement the rest of the season and finishes something like 2-10 then next year's NDSU game will likely get ugly. However, a lot of improvement could happen from now til then. It's important to remember NDSU loses talent/experience after this season and UND's many true freshman and redshirt freshmen will all have an additional year of experience under their belts. What I'm trying to say is UND has a lot of season yet to improve and next year's game COULD be much more competitive than one thinks due to the rivalry factor. As far as my player development theory goes, UND's freshmen will be one more year developed and NDSU will have less developed players. (Disclaimer: I in no way am trying to say I'm predicting UND wins the game)

But having quality recruits who stay all four or five years of their eligibility will help UND football the most. Mussman recruited players that were not dedicated and jumped ship after only a year or two. Bubba insists dedication and desire will be important in recruiting, which will improve the program the most. Looking at Mussman's recruiting classes, it's no wonder UND football is so bad right now. Approximately only 50% of Mussman's classes from 2010-2012 are still on the roster; that's not good at all. NDSU on the other hand has over 75%.

Very nice. Bravo, bravo.

I agree; albeit against the second sting defense of Missouri State, Norberg looked pretty good with his carries last game. He may be a nice compliment to Shaugabay and eventually Simmons. All in all, Garman needs to take a backseat to the other running backs.

Bubba reviews Missouri State game and previews tomorrow's game against Stony Brook Stony Brooks's last game (Sept. 13) against DII American International