UND-FB-FAN

A few impressions after watching practice: -Joey Bradley is looking good after a year in this offense. He definitely demonstrates good control and composure. However, despite a lack of system familiarity, the decisions made by Braden Hanson are the most impressive ones. He also can make all the throws, including a nice deep ball. There is no question he is still in the learning process in terms of the offense, but I still think he is the favorite to be starting August 30th. -Jake Miller is looking quick like usual. He’s made some nice cutbacks demonstrating his field vision. -Greg Hardin has been lighting it up. If Hanson or Bradley can efficiently deliver him the ball this fall, I expect big things from him. None of our DBs can cover him and he’s shown great hands. -Jameer Jackson is a physical specimen (230 lbs); however, he still runs very smooth at that size. Matched up against our smaller DBs, he is constantly at the advantage and usually always is open. I definitely think if he can understand the mental aspect of the position, he could make a huge splash as a freshman this season. -Transfer DL EJ Welch has good size and should help depth at the NT spot. -Look for sophomore MLB Ben Peters to see a lot of playing time this season, if not possibly sneak into the starting lineup. He has great size and could be that “designated” player the coaching staff wants to replace Dan Hendrickson’s physical play, which will certainly be missed. -K Zeb Miller and P Brett Cameron both are booming the ball well. Just like last year, our kicking game should be a definite strength of this team during the upcoming season. -Like the depth I am seeing at corner. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about safety. This position could end up being a huge problem area this season, especially under the circumstances of an injury. Really hoping Javen Butler can rejoin the team.

Possible Offensive Philosophy Change? Is it possible we might be seeing an offensive philosophy change our first year in the Big Sky? I want to add this is merely speculation, but I think there are some interesting correlations. First off, we all know the emphasis we put on tall, athletic wide receivers this past recruiting season, and Mussman made no mistake to mention the Big Sky is a wide-open league which requires such athletes. Thus, after the previous couple recruiting classes the resulting roster is full of potential QB and WR talent. To such a point where this season’s WR corps may just be the best ever in UND football history. Not too bad of a thing going into our inaugural Big Sky season. Recruits of this category from the previous two recruiting classes include: Romon Bridges (WR), Jameer Jackson (WR), Casey Young (WR), Joe Mollberg (QB), Braden Hanson (transfer-QB), Ryan Bartels (QB), Kenny Golladay (WR), Anthony Fletcher (WR), and Zach Oliver (WR). If I didn’t know better, I’d say something is staring right at us. After looking briefly at the first couple spring practices, there has been a lot of throwing out of the gun. To the point where it has made me wonder: “Are we in store for an ‘air-raid’ this fall?” Now, of course the first two practices were not full pads so little work can be done running the ball, but I still have my inclinations. Not looking at what the coaches are planning for the future by examining the recent recruiting classes, but rather by looking at the current roster, I see a Sr. FBS-transfer QB and a returning starter, several experienced receivers (Hardin, McGill, Ivery, and Townsend), along with emerging talent (Jackson and Young). We may all just be in store for something exciting. We all know what Mussman was able to put together in terms of throwing the ball back during the days of Weston Dressler and Brady Trenbeath. So, my theory concludes with the possibility of us seeing the ball travel through the air a lot the next few seasons. Considering what Mussman also thinks the Big Sky is all about offensively (he has most certainly implied this) and our personnel situation, we may all be in store for some aerial football. How exciting!

Touché

Just a matter of personal opinion; I'm not a fan of their uniforms. In addition, I would like the athletic department to be homogeneous in terms of their supplier. Currently, Nike provides uniforms for all men's athletic teams with the exception being hockey.

I hope not with Adidas. Crossing my fingers for either Nike or Under Armour.

**Home Playoff Game

Critique this combination. I believe black pants and green jerseys look great together. Keep in mind, one of the most obvious problems the uniforms have had the past couple seasons is the mismatched green between the helmets and jerseys. By adding black helmets to this combination (green jerseys/black pants), I believe UND football would have a very sharp football uniform.

As far as I’m concerned, no argument is necessary within this topic. UND has yet to win a game against an FBS opponent whereas NDSU has made a habit of it. I’m frustrated by UND’s lack of success in that department, especially since UND has played several winnable FBS games the last couple years (Idaho x2, NIU, and Fresno State). Mussman has seemed to have an especially passive demeanor that is passed on to the rest of the team during FBS games, whereas Bohl is just the opposite.. The game against Idaho epitomizes this. UND just gave up in the second half, and Minnesota (who NDSU beat) was probably just as good as Idaho if not better this past season. I guess I just hate arguments within this topic because UND has underperformed horribly against FBS teams, especially compared to those punks down south.

I agree; the previous few seasons are an indication that students do not deserve three sections. If students can consistently fill-up two sections next season, then maybe consider moving back to three. The two fewer sections would not only improve the overall look of gameday in terms of filled seats, but also make available good seats to committed fans/alumni.

You spoiling the surprise would be perfectly fine with me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2zl0A2i7ZE Hope everything works out with this guy. He can sure hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ksZ-eCKJIQ

If we don't represent our conference by placing Big Sky logos on the 25s, I'll be very upset. Schools much more likely to realign before us display them (e.g. Montana, Montana State). With all the glamour talk about the Big Sky, I find it slightly hypocritical to say we shouldn't display Big Sky logos because we may realign soon after. Here is what I hope UND decides on:

Well most schools place their logo at midfield, and currently our only logo is the interlocking ND. In addition, Notre Dame's logo is not interlocking and Notre Dame doesn’t use a logo at midfield anyways. I guess I would just hate to see a blank midfield.

Black end zones, interlocking ND at midfield, and Big Sky logos at the 25s! Now that would be beautiful in my opinion.

According to SFI, a WR has committed to UND. They are supposed to be releasing a blog on SFI shortly about the commitment. Also, the DL E.J. Welch looks like a really good get. He is both athletic and big, and since UND is only losing 1 of the 3 DL starters (B.Belmore), the DL looks to be in great shape! Don't forget about the DL Jean-Charles from NDSCS too.

I couldn't agree more. I have thought one of the major differences between NDSU and UND football the past few seasons has been the coverage of the two programs. Associated with media converge is the game day atmosphere-enhancing techniques put out by UND itself. The game atmosphere at NDSU games is far better than UNDs currently and that should be attributed to the respective school's marketing and athletic departments. As a UND fan, I understand how easy it is to disregard something that initially seems minuscule; however, the fact of the matter is that recruiting is the lifeline of the program, and recruits are attracted to loud, enthusiastic crowds on game day along with great marketing techniques both on game day and around it. The Herald does little to provoke excitement for the football team and it shows on game day. I don't think anyone can properly explain a horrible crowd at unquestionably the biggest game in the Alerus during the transition (South Dakota - Great West Championship). For those that offer the excuse it was deer hunting season, then I present this year’s big Cal Poly game which resulted in a mediocre crowd at best. As far as students go, they wouldn't leave if it wasn't so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I hope there is large-scale excitement next year during the inaugural Big Sky season; however, if the South Dakota game, current media coverage, and recent game day atmospheres are any indication; we have a long way to go. Also, I agree to a point that there is no reason to continually include NDSU in certain UND-based football discussions since we are moving on to the Big Sky; nonetheless, they will be competing with us for recruits from this point forward, and we will need to continue to win those battles if we are to be competitive in our new "NDSU-free" conference. Bottom-line: Improve media coverage and game day atmospheres via various techniques; it's much needed.

That's a pretty depressing list; quite a few NDSU players on it. It’s only more of a reason to be looking ahead, because the previous four years have been really disappointing. Any positive explanations are likely to be more of an excuse than anything else.

A couple of highlights from Bemidji's season; Woods has some nice catches in both highlights. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2TimrPZd_c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II9_AM9lM5U

You may have summarized that a bit obscurely; nonetheless, you may be on to something!

Article on why gamedays are so special in Madison: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/852388-why-wisconsin-is-the-best-gameday-atmosphere-in-the-country Some of these tactics need to be instituted - or at least considered to be instituted - into gamedays at UND.

The truth is recruits like monochrome jersey combinations. So many teams have gone to all-black jersey combinations the last few years and it’s all based on recruiting. The most well known school to do so is Oregon, yet I could come up with another 10 schools or so that have changed recently just to satisfy the interests of the players. Ultimately, all black is a great intimidation color combination; therefore, players love to be wearing that.

I respectfully disagree. I don't believe the only basis I had for being upset with today's performance was the fact that Sioux Falls is Division II. That is just a single factor; nonetheless, it cannot be ignored. There are several other factors and the one I chose to emphasize in my earlier post was coaching. I do believe Sioux Falls outcoached UND today and UND will not be as successful as we want them to be if the coaching trends that have been set the previous few seasons continue. .

Point taken - but an FBS team still should never give an FCS team so much credit to where they think they shouldn't win. Any FBS team should EXPECT to beat an FCS team just like any FCS team should EXPECT to beat a DII team. In terms of today's game, I think Sioux Falls is a good team just not a team that should require a last second FG to beat. Too much credit is being given to them only because we aren't examining UND’s own performance as a team. UND just didn't play well; therefore, they made SF look better than they actually are. This isn't the Sioux Falls team of a couple years ago - this team lost 3 straight to start their season. UND was not mentally prepared and it showed in poor play. I understand that Sioux Falls may have looked impressive, but in my opinion it was only because of very poor play from UND.

Unfortunately, the direction of this program has got to change. In other words, there needs to be staff turnover – including Mussman. The football program has been a complete joke the last few years and there is no question about that. Any UND fan knows this and should expect better and deserves better. Whether it’s the “just try stay in the game” mindset utilized in FBS games or the “just try to win the game” mindset emphasized in today’s game, the leadership of this team is pathetic in comparison to what it was during the Lennon era. Everyone knows Mussman never should have been hired in the first place and it has shown. For whatever reason, the optimistic outlook by UND supporters has attempted to ignore this; however, today’s game vs. Sioux Falls is just too much. Being playoff eligible next season will give us an opportunity to actually hire someone who can lead a program and make intelligent decisions. NDSU’s success should most definitely be attributed to the former FBS coach Craig Bohl. Despite how much I envy NDSU football, they have a program that is very legitimate at the FCS level and that is due to their leadership. A football team takes the attitude of their head coach. There is no reason UND shouldn’t be around NDSU’s level. Our recruiting, leadership, and organization have been mediocre at best. Of course, it all starts with the atrocious hire (or should I say ridiculous, unwarranted promotion) made by UND to start the FCS era. In respect for the fans that truly care and deserve to see better, make the move Faison. There is not a single FCS program that expects to "just beat" a division II team. In UND's case, it definitely should not take a last play FG to win the game. That is just ridiculous. Don't give Sioux Falls too much credit - they are still Division II. That's obviously the approach Mussman took and the team had no confidence and they played down to the level of Sioux Falls. As far as preparing a team psychologically, today was a failure for UND.