UND-FB-FAN

True UND fans want to see UND in the playoffs where anything can happen. Due to UND's tough schedule and young FB team (especially at QB), a weak DI team that still counts towards the "magic number 7" is very valuable. Also, because of the schedule's difficulty, if UND loses 4 games they still might get into the playoffs. The 24-team playoff expansion for this season also helps that. Here's a more detailed explanation or example: If UND were to lose 4 of their first 6 (which is possible due to the team's youth at QB and the difficulty of the opponents) against SDSU, Montana, Montana State, and Eastern Washington, yet pull out the last 5 games (Sac. St, Portland St, NAU, N. Colorado, and UC Davis) and end with a 7-4 record, UND could still make the playoffs. This is especially true because UND would still have a 6-2 Big Sky record. It's also somewhat likely because UND's young team could trip a bit coming out of the gates but end up hot towards the end of the schedule. Now, if they pull out 2 of the 4 tough beginning games (SDSU, Montana, MSU, EWU), then the chances for a playoff berth look very good.

Couldn't agree more. Need to have a great pump-up song that takes the place of the video narration. Pyrotechnics, fog, and/or green strobe lights would also be welcome additions. Use the team entrance as the spark to get the place going; hopefully, once the excitement starts, it stays high for the whole game (if the team is doing well of course).

You're right, his actual vertical is probably around that 35", but for a 6'5" player, that makes for an incredible amount of vertical coverage. The last time I saw was 4.48, which was electronic. He was either the 2nd or 3rd fastest player on the team this spring.

6'5" 200 lbs, 4.4 40, 58" vertical jump...he's a definite Big Ten talent that slipped under the radar. If he stays healthy and continues to develop, like you said, he's got NFL written all over him

SiouxFBInsder tweeted this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ubP_gObwI My outlandish prediction ------> Kenny Golladay is first team all-Big Sky after this season if he stays healthy. He is overflowing with talent. Oh, and does anyone remember the spring game? Gonna be hearing #14 to #19 a lot the next few years.

1) Improve the entrance song and entrance video to get the students and general crowd into it more (like Enter Sandman by Metallica, which gives everyone goose bumps of excitement when the team enters the field). 2) Students should be prompted to make noise THE ENTIRE TIME the defense is on the field, not only on the third downs. REAL home field advantages come from fields where the crowds do that. 3) Saved the best for last, WIN!!

Great pick-up. The man has experience at an SEC school that had success - what more could you want? Even if he only stays one season, this is THE SEASON anyway, right? We have all five starters (Webb, Anderson, Huff, Brekke, and Schuler) returning, plus key role players in Jaron Nash (who has the potential to be a star along with Huff) Antwi, Traylor, Benton, Salmonson, 2013 Minnesota Mr. Basketball Quinton Hooker, and the transfer Calcaterra. This is the year we have a shot to go to the big dance, so why not hire a guy who has big time experience; he could help the team get over that hill they have to climb which is the Big Sky Conference and the conference tournament.

I'm afraid that has been like that for a few years now.

Well, we also know now that they will rank Greg Hardin as the No.1 WR in the BSC, rightfully so. Hopefully one of our young QBs can get him the ball.

I'm not sure why you wouldn’t want UND to lead the Big Sky in offense. Anytime you lead a conference in offense, you probably are winning a lot of those conference games. Of course, if I had a choice between defense and offense, I'd much rather lead the conference in defense than offense. I will sell for both questions. UND will not lead the conference in offense with their mediocre RBs (Unless Sparks breaks out!) and freshmen quarterbacks. I also don’t see 2 1000 yd receivers, but a few over 700 is possible ( G.Hardin, J. Jackson & K. Golladay).

ND logo should be at midfield - it’s that simple. I understand Alerus wants to be promoted and so forth, but the Alerus Center logos should be offset at either the 40 or 20, not in the middle of the field!

I, like any other UND supporter, would absolutely love it if UND won all of their home games this season because playoffs would be a reality then. However, there are too many questions to be answered at this point to definitively know how this team will produce in 2013. Just looking at last year, the running game and defense needs to improve in order to make the playoffs in 2013. Furthermore, last season’s two starting quarterbacks have graduated, which makes for a third question. In order to win all home games, UND must: 1. Have a significantly improved defense (or more right place at the right time = more turnovers!) 2.Have either Mollberg or Bartels surprise the entire conference as a freshman starting quarterback 3.Have an improved ground game

I believe the only reason this became an issue is due to how Jones reacted. If he had remained calm and simply made no issue with the "choke job" phrase, then there would not have been any disciplinary action. However, since Jones reacted the way he did and radio listeners heard it, the athletic department decided it was in their best interest to issue a politically correct 2-game suspension. It's that simple in my opinion. Ralston couldn't come up with a better phrase or word at the time of the interview and Jones lost his cool when he probably should not have.

UND Spring Football Report by MidCo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KewQJ1nlVAo

Marcus Williams has been recognized the last two years and if he has a good season this fall, he'll definitely get drafted. Unfortunately, I don't think Hardin will get drafted. He drops too many passes and he is just too small. There is a premium put on CBs in the NFL; as a result, M. Williams will be drafted in 2014. Golladay has big time potential, but it really is all speculation. M. Williams is more of a sure thing than Golladay presently.

As we saw in Eastern Washington last season, a quarterback rotation will not work; pick the best player and stick with him, so that the player continues to develop into the best QB he can possibly be. Remember the old football saying, “If you have two starting quarterbacks, you don’t have any.”

Per Mussman's commentating during the spring game, new white jerseys have been ordered and will be used this fall for away games. I'm not sure on the pants situation - new white pants may have been ordered but it is also possible black pants will be worn with the white jerseys.

I can't stand the ag school of the south as much as the next UND fan, but I don't understand how you can downplay and poke fun at the idea of staying and working with your teammates during the summer. Whatever program the ag school runs, it works with back-to-back national championships as proof. If UND wants to compete for national titles, they should have the majority of their team working out together during the summer months also. Having the whole team disperse and "have fun" during the summer months will only lead to the mediocrity we've seen from UND football teams the last few seasons.

Mollberg

Kenny Golladay is THE REAL DEAL. Mussman says he is the most talented receiver UND has ever had, and I can't argue against that. Also, Javen Butler looks like a physical presence in the secondary who could make a difference next season. Now, throw Mike Edwards and a few others into the rotation next season, and the defense should hopefully be improved. Mollberg looked the most composed I thought. Whoever the quarterback is next season, the receiver corps will be unreal. Hardin, Golladay, and Jackson on the field together will be very impressive.

We lost two conference games by over 38 points, we couldnt run the ball or stop the run, and we had a losing record against DI competition. Last season was a failure if you expect UND to be a playoff team. Hopefully next season is different.

A major reason fans have such high expectations for UND football is because of what NDSU has been doing. UND and NDSU football will always be connected in some way, shape, or form, no matter what anybody says. There is just too much history and tradition between the two programs. I don't expect Faison to understand that completely, since he is an athletic executive from out-of-state trying to produce revenue. And, revenue is produced when there is large support from fans; that is, the Alerus is sold-out each and every week. I've stated it before and I'll state it again, there are enough fans that are neither loyal to UND or NDSU that if UND competes at the same level as NDSU, more fans will show up at the Alerus. I was born and raised in North Dakota and I know for a fact that is the way it is along the Red River Valley. If UND puts a good product on the field, interested SPORT/FOOTBALL fans, not UND or NDSU fans, will attend. Since NDSU has been putting on the better show for quite some time now, attendance has dropped for UND while the expectations have risen.

Well, if you consider 2012 being our first and only DI season by not considering the transition, then we failed. We were under .500, couldn't run the ball, and couldn’t stop the run. As far as the transition, UND did not do anything. They looked average at best. Although we can make excuses and state UND had an unusually difficult transition, which I’m not necessarily arguing, the bottom line is that UND did not produce during the transition years. They lost to Sioux Falls and almost lost another one to them, and they didn’t put together a single 9+ win season with schedules littered with DII teams. Anyone who says UND accomplished something during the DI era is delusional - the teams were all average at best. There is nothing wrong with being honest when assessing teams - even if it happens to be the team and school you support. Hopefully the 2013 season is the season UND can get back to what they did towards the end of their DII era, because if they can not, patience will be running thin for the Mussman regime.

Since the game is being advertised as Green vs. White, does that mean we will be seeing those hideous green jerseys again? I hope it turns out to be Black vs. White, cause no one wants to see those ridiculous faded green, baggy jerseys. As far as what I'll be looking at, its the new players and how much the upper classman have improved. At quarterback, the Mollberg/Bartels battle should be real fun to watch. At RB, it appears Adam Shaugabay has been running well this year, so he will be someone to watch. Dewayne Pecosky at FB will be interesting to see. JJ Robertson will be a young, new talent that will only make the receiving corps stronger; it will be fun to watch how well the receivers match up with the DBs. One would imagine that the receivers would have the upper hand, but I think Daryl Brown, Rumeal Harris, and Dan Konawalski will step up and make some plays. One final area will of course be at the line of scrimmage. Since the Dline will largely feature inexperienced players, the Oline should be able to open up some holes for the RBs. This should be a fun spring game to watch.

UND went 12-8 in conference play, so they certainly did not have a sub .500 season within the Big Sky Conference. Also, UND's 1st-Team All-Big Sky and Mid-Major All-American player was injured during the non-conference schedule and yet UND almost beat Hawaii and South Dakota State. Anyway, your post is not relevant due to factual insignificance.