UND-FB-FAN

Big surprise today? You expected 54-3? I realized before the game that it would be very difficult to win, but losing this bad is horrible. How about 28-3? Or 35-10? This is an absolute horrible showing by UND today. Now, I understand the odds were stacked against UND today, but people need to stop making excuses so that they can still live in their own little customized world. Something needs to change for UND, and I'm hoping it will be the quality of recruits brought in. That can hopefully happen over the next couple years.

Eastern Washington's color analyst on Big Sky TV

I may be blamed for agreeing with the broadcast team or jumping to brash conclusions, but I really am not impressed with the play-calling. Rudolph has been inept all season doing it. Now, the offensive injuries are really hampering and I understand that, but I still think Bubba needs to be conscious of this and the jury should still be out on Rudolph.

I never expected UND to win this game, but this is tough to watch/listen to. I know it's a rebuilding year, but it's still really really hard to continually watch THE University of North Dakota continually get outplayed. It's really sickening.

17-0 EWU Game appears over before halftime.

It's not a waste. And Hanson is not a DI QB

I fully agree

Strength program has always been questionable at UND since going DI. Important to note that the strength staff is the one carry over from the horrible Mussman era. NDSU's strength and conditioning program has been spot on in recent years. IPF should help all this for UND though. Top facility that will get the players more excited about working and improving.

Just want to see how the team looks coming off a loss, facing a top-10 opponent on the road, and perhaps facing adversity at the QB position. If UND plays tough and competitive, that'll be telling in what Bubba is doing with his team's mental status and enthusiasm to play. If UND gets blown out of the water, I'll be a little concerned.

Right on. NDSU fans don't even realize they want the rivalry game played, like I mentioned earlier.

If someone accuses me of being insane, that's probably right on. UND 28 EWU 24

You tried it and didn't like it because NDSU usually lost?

You're that predictable person I was talking about; NDSU wins next season and you'll want the game every season. UND wins and you'll be even more against it.

Great link. If UND athletics is to stick with this (not considering timetable or financial requirements), the general order of funding allocation should be: 1) High Performance Center Phase II 2) Betty Sioux Center Electronics (scorer's table and center-hanging electronic scoreboard/display). 3) Memorial Stadium Renovation??

The fact this is even debated is foolish. UND is FCS; NDSU is FCS. They are 70 miles apart for goodness sake! They have an extensive history and tradition....play the damn game! I compare NDSU fans to very small children; they don't like something until they try it. I give Bubba credit for just getting this thing going again. Once everyone experiences this thing next season, NDSU and UND fans alike will forget all about these arguments and want the game annually. Trust me, it'll be that good.

Very good points. You've successfully added more shots to the thing NDSU fans call logic.

UND travels to #6 Eastern Washington this weekend to take on a traditional powerhouse in the Big Sky Conference. EWU (7-2, 4-1) lost it's first conference game of the season last weekend against Northern Arizona. EWU will again be without All-American quarterback Vernon Adams, or at least it appears that way. It will be his 4th straight game out. EWU will again start quarterback Jordan West. UND will be starting one of their backup quarterbacks as well; either Ryan Bartels or true freshman Keaton Studsrud. EWU's defense has been helping them win games now with QB Adams out. Senior linebacker Ronnie Hamlin (who had a pick-six last season vs. UND) is a stud who is 4th on the all-time Big Sky Conference tackles list. UND's offense will have to produce to get the win, young QB or not. UND's rushing defense will be challenged. EWU returned their top running back last weekend in Quincy Forte. He rushed for 219 yards in the loss to NAU. He will get plenty of touches versus UND. Ultimately, UND's defense will again have to be the difference if UND is to have a chance against the number six club in the country. They need to win the turnover battle and not give up explosive plays. The offense needs to help out by not turning the ball over and capitalizing on scoring opportunities when presented; field goals need to be made and need touchdowns when in the red zone. Like Bubba has said, UND has to look at this as an opportunity to make a huge splash. Nothing to lose; go out to Cheney and get the upset! http://www.spokesman.com/eagles/stories/2014/oct/30/big-sky-notes-vernon-adams-tries-to-stay-patient/

AA teams are bigger in terms of enrollment, but there are more A teams in North Dakota. As a result, the top 3 teams in Class A are often just as good as the top 3 teams in Class AA. Grafton's teams that recently participated in the state championship games were not overwhelming; top Class A football schools like Velva, Harvey, and Hazen are often as talented and are recruited just as heavily by college football recruiters.

Good question. He was recruited as a PWO by Mussman but never got an opportunity in the QB battle between Mollberg and Bartles in 2013 (hint, hint). Enter Bubba and his staff and they keep him on the roster for depth reasons. Point is, he's not capable. He's a local player that is recognizable. But, he's not a DI QB. Studsrud is getting the 1st unit reps because Hanson is not trusted as capable by Bubba and the coaching staff.

Key word: Mussman

North Dakota Class AA football is, well, deceiving. In reality, Class A football in ND is more competitive and actually produces just as talented of teams, if not more talented. (Grafton is AA) Hanson is short for the position, does not run an exceptional 40, and doesn't have the pocket presence necessary. From looking at him in practice, he just isn't a DI QB. He regularly makes mistakes.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but if Hanson plays vs. #6 EWU, UND will lose by 50. The kid just doesn't have it, plain and simple.

Throughout this whole injury debacle, one thing is quite evident: the offense needs WAY better talent and depth. UND's defense can get the job done, and quality recruiting has already taken place on that side of the ball, but the offense lacks quality players at every position. If I'm Bubba and staff, I'm hoping for a few big offensive recruits to commit this off-season, along with possibly some FBS transfers.

A flight risk? That's where you're wrong. The reason Mussman's teams were horrible were due to selfish players that didn't care about the team and tradition of UND football. They left as soon as things didn't go their way. Bubba and his staff are recruiting players that are actually committed to THE University of North Dakota; that is, they will stick it out and be apart of the family. If anyone can't do that, then they shouldn't be on the team in the first place. It's about what's best for the TEAM, not individuals.

NDSU has a tremendous DI football program. With that said, you can't rewrite over a 100 years of tradition and history in just 10 years. UNI and SDSU are not the biggest rivals for NDSU. UND (Grand Forks) and NDSU (Fargo) will always be each-others number 1 rival.