UND-FB-FAN

http://www.undsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=209705417 Watching the highlights of the Montana game, it's even more apparent to me how close this UND team is to being good and winning ball games. UND only has ''self-inflicted' mistakes to really fix. If UND didn't have the 2 bad snaps, fumble the ball away within the five, and if Mollberg wouldn't have fumbled the ball away when sacked, UND likely would've won. Point is, if UND plays a disciplined, consistent four quarters, the offense will put up points. Vs Portland State for homecoming, UND's offense can score plenty if they are playing smooth. Hope to see more improvement from the Montana game to the Homecoming game.

Good lord people. The freshman holder and freshman kicker screwed up under pressure. So what? Yes it would've been huge if they made it, but UND isn't competing for titles this season anyway. Let's hope they learn and can start hitting big kicks for the next 3 and a half years starting Saturday.

There's no question the real causal perception of UND football, which I imagine is what the student's perception is too, is that UND football "sucks". That will change when, dare I say it, NDSU football respects UND football. Everyone listens to NDSU football fanatics about now NDSU is all and everything football when it comes to North Dakota. Heck, UND students even go to NDSU football games. When UND is competing and winning MOST of their games, then the perception will change; believe it or not, even amongst NDSU people. Right now, even with the improvement Bubba and the team have shown, UND hasn't started WINNING games yet on a consistent basis. Respect is different than 'love of'.

good deal!

Offer has been out for a while. I believe he was listed as a CB in Wiki.

In the Montana State game, UND gave MSU 7 points in the 2nd qtr off a pick 6 and fumbled the ball away on the 10 yard line or so. Also, they missed a chip shot field goal. Game easily could have been less than a one score game or so at halftime. Also, UND held MSU to 3 points in the second half. Montana has a bunch of talent. Their running game was unscathed and UND shut it down. As for their defense, UND moved the ball well at times and could've beat them if only one of the following happened: didn't fumble at the Montana 3, didn't have 2 poor snaps (1 resulting in a safety), or didn't have the last minute field goal blocked. Point is, these are not moral victories, but rather indicators of what Bubba has done with a team that got blown out against Montana State and Montana last year at home. UND has improved and it all has happened with Mussman's recruits in the first half of the season. Also, no one is dwelling off of the last two games. Rather, we have moved on and are excited for what UND can do the remainder of the season. That is a telltale sign that fans are impressed with the capability of this team and not stuck on some made-up moral victories of the past. UND is on the rise whether or not you want to admit it.

I don't think UND gets into the playoffs unless they win out and go 8-4 (6-2 BSC) and defeat Eastern Washington while they are #2. The chances of that are minimal. Nevertheless, I think the chances of UND going 6-6 (4-4 BSC) are very very good and that would be a huge improvement considering the 2013 UND season and this year's youth. If UND goes 6-6 or 7-5 in 2014, then next year should be a very good year for UND football.

They play the games for a reason there buddy

You add nothing to a discussion. We all know you, as a wonderfully-implied NDSU troll (which we have an infestation problem with around here), do not think NDSU is touchable. Apparently talking about how NDSU almost lost to Western Illinois wasn't interesting enough so you had to come over here. Pitiful...

If he can run well enough sideline to sideline, probably MLB. Hard to say though.

Boy, it would sure be nice if you would know what you're talking about. No one, especially Bubba, said there has been moral victories. Nevertheless, UND had a very real opportunity to defeat two of the top 3 Big Sky teams the last two weeks. For any mentally competent person, that would mean something as far as UND's capability as a team. For NDSU trolls such as yourself, well, refer back to the mental competence part.

Tre Phillips looks darn good too http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1516970/highlights/107743399

Thanks for the update. Hope it works out for UND with Kelly-Martin and Higgins; both would be big time linebackers for Eric Schmidt and UND.

Jake Francis sounds to be good judging by his recruiting interest and fall camp reps. He'll start next year as a redshirt freshman, possibly over Boas or replacing Henson. He was recruited by Knauf who likely wants him to redshirt before getting on the field as a starter.

Updates on any of these

A lot of time from now to then (Sept. 2015). Just look at what Bubba and UND have improved on in the last month.

Rather see the the people wanting to be at the game sitting at midfield on both sides rather than just one. It is disgraceful to see a bunch of empty seats at the 50 yard line. The public and season ticket holders, including myself, would jump at the opportunity to have seats over there.

I think it's as simple as decreasing the size of the student section. It creates a huge void at the 50 yd line of open seats. Until it is plump full and students are begging for more seats, leave it that way. It shouldn't be that hard to understand; right now, students only want to attend if they can drink. Until the security lets up or the team is winning consistently, the student section will always be half full at best.

For what it's worth, I have spoke to many fellow long-time UND supporters who have negative things to say about Faison. It's become a majority opinion. He really isn't that friendly with North Dakotans who are of the traditional variety. UND athletics could make huge strides with a more competent athletic director, because by no means is the UND athletics' department yet maxed out.

Very good points. As we see by both NDSU and now UND, playing physical defense and ball controlling offense really neutralizes wide-open passing teams. Without his own recruits, Bubba has already managed to even up UND with most Big Sky clubs. After a couple seasons of recruiting, the Big Sky best watch out for UND and Bubba. Really, only Montana and UND are playing traditional tough football right now in the Big Sky.

Kelley lacks something known as common sense. Typical of most academia of his background.

No argument here. UND needs to improve the running game, but that is happening week after week due to the inexperience of the offensive line when the season started.

Very good point and something I too have observed. Both Faison and Kelley need to be more active promoting football. Hiring Bubba was great in the fact that he is respectful and capable of successfully communicating with everyone from alumni to students to his players. He is picking up some slack that Faison and Kelley could definitely help with.

I won't say my prediction until Friday or so but I really doubt Portland State can keep this one close. Homecoming excitement/noise plus the way the defense is playing will make the Alerus a living hell for Portland State...

Both the offense and defense are largely juniors and sophomores. As soon as next year some real good things may be happening...