UND-FB-FAN

Defense and special team’s flaws could keep it close, unfortunately, but I’d be fine with 41-21 or whatever. Let’s see how it goes. Big game on Saturday.

True. I just like to “Stand Up and Cheer”, not sit down and cheer.

One of life’s rules: you can’t please everyone. Folks who are quick to dismiss my ideas due to their sensitivity and preferences can do what they wish. They likely are the problem, not the solution.

I agree they’re open to improvement. It’s the rate of change that can be frustrating. Again, no play-by-play. I think improvement is ongoing, otherwise I would just give up. Again, my comments on here are actually to provide hope, despite the negativity take people grab onto. Remember, apathy is much much worse than realism and occasional criticism. Other FCS fan forums are ghost towns - those programs are the ones truly in despair.

Yes.

I mean, you’re not wrong, but I also think they weren’t just looking for “depth”. They would’ve been more than happy to secure a transfer that could lead the bunch (see Tyler Hoosman 2022). With that said, very important Isaiah Smith and Ziebarth stay healthy this season. Skokna is still a ? … hasn’t played since 2021.

I agree. I don’t think 2 scores is enough, based on how awful NAU looked in their first game. With that said, Bubba ball is designed to do just enough, so I wouldn’t be surprised if UND only wins by one score. UND absolutely needs to win this game (must-win).

Actions speak louder than words, but most actions often start as words.

There’s opportunities for all of us. As I’ve said before, I can’t force higher expectations or greater effort to happen, but as the masses, we can help actuate high expectations. As for what I do try to accomplish behind the scenes, I don’t provide a play-by-play on here. What I can state, however, is despite what some grey hairs say, there is a lot more resistance and lack of enthusiasm than what is reported (at least towards football).

Not gonna predict. I know what the score should be, but what it will be comes down to preparation this week by the coaches/players and ultimately execution from the players on Saturday. Of note, NAU lost 38-3 to Arizona yesterday.

I agree that the “flagship” theme is a nice touch, especially with a big matchup with the ag school looming …

Not sure what crow I’m eating yet, but I’ll admit to being horribly wrong if Ziebarth breaks out with an all-conference season this year. He looked good against Drake, which is certainly a positive. I’m definitely not used to eating crow, but hard for you to fathom that somehow. Must be tough going through life so sensitive.

You’ll be okay. Sample size of 1 isn’t something to get too excited about. There’s a lot of football left. Hope everything goes well - I’m rooting for him (and the entire team) despite this ridiculous narrative you’re painting. Quoting posts from March ‘23 … ha ha! Glad I live rent free in your head.

I think there are bigger issues than the former inflatable helmet, to be honest. See posts as per above for such issues.

Don’t jump too soon boys. Lot of football left, but I hope Ziebarth is all conference by the end of the season. That would mean a lot of winning football in 2023. No one in their right mind (which means @Sioux>Bison is excluded from this example) should think a game against non-scholly Drake is enough to predict how this season is going to go. Remember the 69-10 win for UND vs Pioneer League Valparaiso in 2013? Ya’ll remember how that season (2013) ended up? Give us a 4 game sample size, like I’ve mentioned ad nauseam on here, and then we’ll have a real good idea how the 2023 season is going to go for UND

Correct like always! Ha that’s a good one. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while! Congrats on holding a grudge and showing off your lone nut ! (figuratively and literally speaking) I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong and will be definitely happy if Ziebarth can continue his success against teams with scholarship players, namely big games against Boise State, South Dakota State, and North Dakota State. Non-scholly Drake is a damn low bar to set, even for you @Sioux>Bison

I completely agree with this, and it would instantly hype up the crowd. Absolute guarantee to get people ready for kickoff. Metallica is ok, stay away from AC/DC because of ag school (they’ve ruined Thunderstruck for me) but rather I would go with the alan parsons project sirius (chicago bulls theme song). Would absolutely rock the place if done right. UN-L does fabulous job with this done at Memorial Stadium; they’ve mastered the tunnel walk, and were the first to do it. Getting back to UND, I thought the highlight video to start was fine, but play Alan Parsons Project, have doors open, and then follow Bubba leading them out the tunnel. Would be spot on lastly, for additional items to the entrance, I would like stats and scores throughout the game, but also show some highlight videos. for example, before the potato bowl vs NAU on 9/9, show the highlights from the 2016 comeback game vs NAU that secured the Big Sky championship. Do something to get the crowd pumped up and provide context for new fans. Also, pay tribute to und football history. With it being potato bowl time, show a tribute video of the late Jerry Olson, former UND HC (first UND HC from ND) and founder of the potato bowl. Then, of course, for when NDSU comes to town 10/14, you definitely have years of highlight material to string together. Throw some highlights of Digger Anderson stuffing the 4th down attempt in 2003 to get the latest win for und against ag school. Just do something to spice up the fan base. I’m sorry, but the lack of enthusiasm towards football is so obvious. It’s an effort thing, not a lack of competence or innovation.

Destroyed. It was irreparable.

This would be the perfect time for my “expectations” spiel, but the blind grey hairs on here tend to get a bit irked when reality hits. Bottomline, UND doesn’t care about football. It’s a pro hockey farm team that supports college athletics on the side. Football is the red-headed step child. I mean, I completely agree that the marketing and in-game productions could be so much better, AND I honestly don’t believe the people in charge are incompetent, but rather the expectations are just so low (because, you know, why compete head-to-head with NDSU when you can just fall back on hockey), that the effort then lacks. If you aren’t held to high expectations, you won’t exceed the minimum level of effort required. ok-rant over. I digress. Really, UND athletic department just needs to care more about football, and I haven’t seen it in over 15 years.

No, you’re overthinking it. We just need to win. 0.500-0.600 Bubba ball is not good enough. That simple.

Danny Freund knows how to coach good offensive football. Offensive line dominated up front like they should against lesser Drake. Tommy Schuster was marvelous again with his escapability, Quincy Vaughn looked good at TE, Trey Feeney got solid reps, #11 Kaminski didn’t play but man does he look the part of a D1 quarterback (from what I saw of him on the sideline and in warmups), Ziebarth looks like a good runner to go with Isaiah Smith (and we didn’t even see Skokna), and lastly, of course, Bo Belquist is an amazing receiver and by far the best weapon this offense has. Should be good year offensively. Defense and definitely special teams are both question marks.

Very true, very true. But we need to raise expectations. Too easy to cap expectations for this program.

Correct

The history of the game of football suggests otherwise. Too many moments in history after competitors tried to return it and get injured during meaningless football, or the opposing team takes a cheap shot. Just not a smart look if you’re trying to minimize risk, but it’s fine I suppose to overlook this one mistake as long as it doesn’t recur.

That’s the “word” on the street. He didn’t carry the ball again after he left the game with the trainers. Time will tell; hopefully he’s available and at 100% against NAU next week