Dustin

I think our new style of offense, as well as the age of the coaches that changed (Freund and Pawlak), resonate more with recruits than Rudy and his offense. The fact that we have 19 2020 commits in September 2019 makes me think that guys are excited to get on board at UND. I think the 2019 class has players that most posters would say are good gets: Skokna, Fort, Nelson, Pierre.

I think you speak the same language as nearly every other UND poster in the Football threads. To recap: -Bubba may or may not be the guy. This season is the litmus test. -Coaching changes after last year seem encouraging, but most were wondering why it took so long. -I think most posters are excited for the direction recruiting has taken and will continue to take since the coaching changes have been made. I know one great class can pay dividends for many classes into the future, and I personally think we're getting pretty close in this area. -HPC II seems to be the most important investment for the FB program. -Midwest kids will always have lots of schools to choose from, including our primary rivals. This is why I think it's imperative to have a strong Canadian recruiting footprint. We are the first school those kids drive by. No school should out recruit us in Canada. -Finally, as an overarching thing that will give everyone involved a real shot in the arm, we need a "Seize the moment" type event. Examples of us not seizing the moment are the 2015 home game against Drake (though it was a win), the 2015 Homecoming game against Idaho St., the 2016 Playoff game against Richmond, the entire 2017 season, and the 2018 Homecoming game against Idaho St. A win last Saturday certainly would have done that (though it wasn't likely), but the next chance to do it is already only 4 days away.

I always think of it as a big deal to get Nebraska kids. Lots of school options for them.

I thought about this Saturday night, and have been watching the board to see if anyone else would mention it (and they haven't unless I missed it), but....Would the offense have been better, worse, or about the same if Ketteringham had played instead of Zimmerman?

True, but we may have not let it get to this point, either, if we had actually gotten to play them and lose a few times. There's only so many of those that UND people will stand for. Right now, if it's the end of the 2021 game in Grand Forks and we still haven't beaten them, heads are gonna roll.

So was the off-season decision to get lighter a bad one?

This is my assessment as well. Special teams did what was asked. Defensively, we gave up the number of points I had predicted in the prediction thread (38). Not going to win many games giving up 38, but hopefully this will be the most allowed all season. Offensively, I thought we'd be able to put together 3 drives like the one in the second quarter. My biggest hope is that Freund takes this game as a learning lesson, and we progress.

Not ready to write off the season yet, but no playoffs = new coach.

I am not hitting the panic button yet. We lost to the best team in the country. They’ve beaten us by that margin before even when we were essentially equals (1995 playoff game). Lopsided victories happen sometimes. Biggest disappointment to me was that I thought our offense would be capable of more. Season is young, and we throttled the easiest team in the schedule, and got throttled by the best. Good learning experience for everyone. Glad we’re going to see these guys every year, because that’s how we’ll learn how to beat ‘em.

In all honesty, does anyone in FCS pass that test? Maybe not right now, but in due time, FCS won’t be so one-sided.

Do we receive the second half kickoff?

So do they have other offensive weapons?

Whatever happened on our drive?

That will likely spell disaster for our chances.

Is the drive over?

Keep me updated- currently without tv or radio.

Agree on TOP. The way I see it happening (if it’s going to happen), is that UND is going to have to establish a passing game enough to open up the run. With their receiving core, I think it could happen. The run game stats will probably actually be small, with the majority of running back action coming on short passes to the outside. I see NDSU trying to attack us the opposite way - gain consistent ground in the run, but take select shots through the air once it’s established.

It was the 1995 regular season game.

Had another thought on Schuster. Freund is probably betting on Schuster being the QB that will lead UND to a victory over the Bison during his career, whether that be today, or over the course of the next 5 years. May as well get Tommy in the mindset right off the bat that the games against the Bison are going to be the most important of his time at UND.

Also got swept by Bryant :/ Not good.

That crossed my mind. I would definitely use him, even for just one spectacular play, if it means we’re put in a position to win. The other possibility is that Freund’s offensive game plan is better executed by Schuster than the other backups. Perhaps 2019 will be known as the Tommy Schuster game

Shirt can still be retained even if Schuster ends up playing tomorrow.

Volleyball got swept by Villanova earlier today. Plays again later against Bryant.

I think it will be an offensive shootout, NDSU running, and UND through the air. Based on that, NDSU will have an easier time controlling the clock, which I think is the key to winning the game, just like northern raider said. TOP leads to victory. I also will give a two scenario prediction: NDSU victory: 38-21 UND victory: 27-24

Doesn’t mean we can’t switch. The Sioux nickname change in 1930 was when we already had a nickname. I personally love the idea because it would be a big slap in the face to the powers that be who got us to end up with Fighting Hawks in the first place.