Dustin

Went toe to toe with them the whole set, but couldn’t pull it off. 2-1 USD after a 25-23 set 3 win.

How’s Taylor Budge on the pxp for those of you watching at home?

Started out hot again, but looked out if sync the last several points of the set. USD takes Set 2 25-19. Need to shake that off.

With the exception of a few points, we looked like the better team. We’ll see if it holds up.

Last game I was at was bigger, but that was a Thursday. A Tuesday might be a tougher for people to make. But a fun atmosphere nonetheless. Band and cheerleaders are here.

Set 1 to UND 26-24!

Smaller crowd than I would have expected for playing the top team in the conference.

Yeah, I agree. Design the system for the players you have. I think we’ve been doing a really good job with on offense.

I will be there!

Got the top and the bottom right, but the middle is almost the complete opposite.

I did/have think/thought both of those things at one point. But at this time, Danny’s command of the offense would make him the heir apparent.

The feeling I get from how people have been talking is that Jerry Kaminski is the heir apparent. I'm sure at least one of our current Freshman/RSFreshman QBs won't be on the roster in 2025.

It appears your math is correct.

They did this on a kickoff?

Like Kelly Howe says, he got beat downfield many-a-time, but the D-line got home those plays, so it didn't matter. A QB sack can cover up a multitude of other defensive sins.

I mean, he did play for UND, so it's the system he's been coached in.

So are we basically being out-recruited by our primary rivals? I thought recruiting has taken a big step in the last couple classes.

Thanks for the insight. The good thing is that I trust our offense enough to not need many field goals (so far).

I like the fact that our defense is unique from most other systems, but the cracks that have been developing for a while seem to be getting wider. I am not a proponent of switching systems, but I'd like our system to work better.

Exactly. Are there even kickoff returns in the NFL anymore?

https://undfootball360.com/und-prevails-in-a-wild-one-against-abilene-christian/ I felt Kelly didn't call out the defense too hard in his write-up. Is he too soft on them? Our inability to cover defensively when opposing offense goes max-protect is just so deflating.

I can't say I speak for everyone, but I would say that's the Tier 1 goal. "Make the playoffs" and see what kind of noise we can make (kind of like making the NCAA in hockey - doesn't matter how you're in, just as long as you're in). In my mind, Tier 2 goal would be host a playoff game (which we have done). Tier 3 goal would to be seeded (which we have also done), and so on and so forth. I am ok with the idea that this is a process that builds on previous accomplishments. So far, we've played in the quarterfinals twice, but lost each time. That would be my immediate goal for the remainder of the Tommy Schuster era - win the quarterfinal game and earn a spot in the semi-finals. But don't take being a semi-finalist as my stamp of "mission accomplished;" that can only be sated with an NCAA FCS championship.

That's even too much for me. I wanted 17 or fewer against ACU. I'll stick with that number.

I've been supportive of the coaches, but missing playoffs this year would be a huge red flag that there's a flaw somewhere in the coaching ranks and can't be ignored.

Same with me. I want to believe that our defense and special teams are still ascending to their season peak, but with nearly 3/4 of the season complete, is that a logical expectation? There have been multiple opportunities to show growth and it hasn't been shown. Disappointing to say the least.