UND-FB-FAN

Yeah, as much as we talk about how different the game would've been if we would've gone up 14-0, just think if we would've drove down the field to start the 2nd half and made it 21-14. Instead, in both opportunities, Bartels threw an interception and fumbled the ball, respectively. He definitely made some timely errors. That's why it is so important Mollberg protects the ball this weekend. If we can have 0 turnovers (maybe 1), I feel confident we can defeat Montana. Now, we have multiple turnovers again, we lose another one.

Well, everyone who wanted to see LB Goard play more after last weekend's game will get a chance now, its just too bad it's essentially through a trade for Goodman...

So does everyone leave in the 2nd or 3rd quarter this weekend? Because you know everyone leaves regardless of the score. Last year's Montana game was close throughout and there was no one left by the end of the game. The student section is absolutely horrible, and it p*sses me off unbelievably.

South Dakota State brought some good pressure last game; they have a very talented front 7. Ryan Bartels, our QB who started the first half against South Dakota State, is not very mobile and had some trouble with the pressure. However, Joe Mollberg, our QB who played the second half and nearly brought us back to tie the game, was also pressured but he's a very good athlete and can handle the pressure a little better it seems. I think I speak for most UND fans when I say I hope Mollberg gets the start on Saturday.

I feel confident our offense will put up points on Saturday, but so will the Griz. With Jordan Johnson returning, we know they can throw the ball, plus JJ can take off and run if given the opportunity. Not to mention Vann and Canada can run the ball well for Montana also. I feel both teams will score plenty, but the winner will be the team that takes care of the ball the best. Whoever turns the ball over the most on Saturday will lose - write it in stone!

He's better than any back we have on our roster.

Sumner did not play very well, Zenner did – that’s really all there is too it. Of course, part of the reason Zenner did so well is because UND’s run defense is still quite terrible in my opinion. Hopefully the defense continues to improve. I’m actually somewhat okay with the offense, despite the significant difficulties running the ball. If we can get this QB situation smoothed out (hopefully Mollberg continues to play like he did in the 2nd half and locks up the spot) and the defense improves game by game, we could have a chance at a 7-4 season.

Our 2012 team was better than the 2011 team yet we had a worse record (8-3 vs. 5-6). In 2011, the schedule was everything. We didn't play opponents like Eastern Washington, South Dakota State, and Montana State in 2011.

Thoughts on the game: Both QBs made mistakes but you can't overlook Mollberg leading the attempted comeback in the second half. That was special, and his statistical numbers show that. Now, he did throw an interception when he had a chance to tie up the game, but he had already got the team from a 28-7 hole to a 35-28 trailing position. That is impressive given the situation and the team we were playing against. Give him an entire game and things could have gotten interesting. I say give him the start next weekend against Montana and see what happens - hopefully great things. His mobility, arm strength, and just pure athleticism are impressive. Running game was horrible. Need to rotate in Shaugabay and Sparks - Miller is not a Big Sky caliber running back. There is no room in the Big Sky, or any major FCS conference, for a 160 lbs. toothpick who can't make anything happen if perfect blocking is not provided. Need to see the bigger and more physical backs in there way more often! WRs are as advertised. Unbelievably special. That's all on that. O-line did pretty good considering how good the SDSU d-line is. Would have liked to have seen better production in the run game, but they pass protected alright. Could've been worse, and there were holes at times and Miller didn't really make the most of it. Defense needs to be better, but they made timely stops in the second half. 295 yards rushing is still way too much to give up, even if Zenner is an All-American. Anything over 200 is overkill. Next week, we'll get a break in the running department but the Griz passing attack will test out our secondary more than SDSU did. All in all, I'd say give Mollberg a starting shot at it and if he produces 4 qtrs like he did during the SDSU 2nd half, UND definitely has a shot against Montana.

Game day!! Unbelievably excited! UND comes away with a W against SDSU tonight and the fan base will be buzzing again!!

Our offense played them tough and put up points; our defense on the other hand was about as porous as a defense could be. Anyway, we couldn’t tackle their RBs to save our life. Zenner is probably just as good as those RBs were. Best RB we played last year, though, was Zach Bauman from Northern Arizona.

Only Two Thoughts: I am very excited for the game tomorrow, including tailgating! Weather should be great. I am not going to bring up Mussman or predictions or anymore possibly playoff scenarios until after tomorrow’s game. We know essentially nothing about this year’s team, and until after tomorrow’s game, we won’t know anything. Perhaps this year’s D has made a huge turnaround and Bartels is the next great UND QB, or maybe the D hasn’t improved and we’ll get run all over. Won’t know until tomorrow night. Period. But that makes it so exciting!!

Fox College Sports Ch. 623

South Dakota State's defensive inexperience is in the secondary and UND has quite possibly one of the top receiving corps in the FCS, so it may only make sense for them to throw the football all over the yard. EWU is an example of a team that primarily throws it around and they get plenty of Ws. My point, UND does need to the run the ball some, but they could still pull this game out if Bartels plays essentially a mistake-free game and gets the ball to his playmakers out on the edge.

If I had to predict, I'd say SDSU wins just because I don't think the UND offensive and defensive lines are capable of playing at a high enough level. Of course, I hope UND surprises and I think they can because this is their first real test of the season. This game will be like the NAU game last year, where a big time back by the name of Bauman, who we will see again this season down in Flagstaff, came to the Alerus. Only thing, SDSUs defense is better than NAUs and UND now has a freshman QB. South Dakota State 38 North Dakota 24

From article in Grand Forks Herald: "I think we're on our way," Faison said of the football team. "We've seen significant progress. Obviously we're in a very competitive conference. But at the end of the day what gets you into the playoffs is wins." Lets see them W's! Starting this weekend with SDSU!

Could care less what the bison "faithful" think/thought, because Bohl had the team once ranked #1 before the 09 and 2010 season issues even started. He obviously had produced well before the spoiled Ag School fans got pissy during the '09 season. Lets wait and see this year on Mussman; no reason with the HOME schedule he's been given that this should be another blown season.

No way it's that lopsided. 2 TDs at the most. Now, if it is that lopsided, well, then....

I think to a certain degree acting like a confident leader makes a difference, but it certainly isn't everything. With that said, Mussman hasn't produced and his timid coaching style has led to losses vs. DII teams and blowouts vs good FCS teams. Not to mention that elephant in the room that is no FBS wins while NDSU has knocked off 4 in a row. Like I've said before though, lets get through these next 5 games and see then where he's at for this season.

The problem is he hasn't got the job done. I'm not saying he won't eventually get it done, but how long do we wait? 10 years? 15 years? He hasn't delivered yet. It's fine if supporters are optimistic for this season, as am I, but don't commend the man for doing nothing so far. He's obviously on a different level (in a bad way) compared to Bohl. Now, hopefully this season is the year Mussman takes a big jump as a leader/coach by getting us into the playoffs and it starts this weekend vs. South Dakota State.

Couldn't agree more. If we make the playoffs this season, it will be despite of Mussman.

IF we win the next 4 home games along with the 1 road game (everyone keeps overlooking Idaho State in Pocatello), then we definitely will be ranked in the top 10 because we would be undefeated and 2 current top 5 teams (MSU and EWU) will have a loss. Unfortunately, I don't think there is anyway we can go 6-0 to start this season. I'm just hoping for a 4-2 start - that's my best case scenario. Now, until we see this team play against real competition like what will happen this weekend vs. SDSU, there is no way to know if UND is really capable of going 6-0 or 4-2 in the first 6. Based on last season, it would seem that 2-4 is the most probable start. This weekend's game will be a great measuring stick!!

Unfortunately, Fargo with 19,000 is easily just as loud as the Alerus with 10,000. Noise will help, but ultimately UND has to just come out and play a good football game to win this one.

This thread is labeled "congrats to NDSU" for a reason; give credit where credit is due. Now lets move on and look forward to our awesome matchup vs. South Dakota State this weekend. Gonna be a good one and I'm looking for UND to come out on top!

WIN. Playoffs or bust this season. That simple.