gundy1124

That could be a dream come true.....I have to imagine our bid is bigger than your bid (Southern Utah) for a home play-off. Plus, a great revenge game. Then off to the Jacks.....that's an easy drive, to what field is that again??

I wouldn't put too much into that. Schools were free to bid whatever they wanted today........

It's a good sign when the opposing coach says something like.....(We knew Santiago was a good back and we prepared for him, but you can't simulate in practice what the UND offense did to them, UNC, in the game.)

How much credit is given for yards per carry and long TD runs along with return yards..? I don't recall anyone running him down without momentum or an angle. Even with angles, defenders can't catch him. I think all this means something.

note to UND marketing department........Santiago!! We have a marketing department, right? Labat was balling on Saturday, fun to see-

Santiago- he's fine. Maybe a stinger on special teams, but fine. And yes, Bubba chewed some ass as to why he was on the field at that point in the game. If he's pulled from RB, get him the hell off of special teams.

Smith has been working at WR, he played RB out of nessecity. He isn't RB material in my book. An incoming RB could red shirt and then as a freshman earn some carries and gain experience while Santiago crushes it. In theory a RB could look to start their junior and senior year from the next recruiting class. All said, a lot can happen with injuries......

I heard his patella slipped out of place and that's why the players waived the trainers in right away. Also, sprained mcl. If this is the case he should be good to go for winter workouts and for sure good to go for spring. But, done for the season.

That's a good point, some people attach themselves to a figure, a super star player. Can Santiago carry the day on a more regional basis to stir up fan support in Grand Forks???? I hope so.

I guess the players will come out and say it....Keaton is the guy they believe in. (Oliveira)

We need the Randy Ratio for the last 2 games. For us it's the Clive Theorem. Clive needs 8-10 targets and 5+ receptions to let teams know of the consequences that exist for stacking the box.

I will pile on this point a little. Either a running back can play, has the instincts and toughness, or he doesn't. You find this out quickly with a few carries. Santiago and Oliveira have it, Ja'wan Arrington didn't. It took me about 5 carries a piece to see this. Running back is literally the simplest position to come in and play, but at the same time a good RB is a freakishly good athlete. In the Montana game our corners were in position, they just lacked some ball skills and awareness. If you saw Irving-Sills's interception against Montana St. he was in good position with his head turned around, found the ball for the pick. This needs to become 2nd nature for our defensive backs. While the cornerback position is another simple position in theory, cover the outside guy, these guys have to be athletic enough to cover the fastest opponents and tough enough to take down the biggest backs, and crazy enough to submerge a 310 pulling offensive lineman.

The 'Storm Warning' backfield. Thunder and lightning is imminent.

Good point. Studsrud is the key. If he plays well and we finish with 2 wins, we have a strong argument that our only loss with Studsrud playing the full game was when we went into an offensive coma against SU. I really don't believe 100% in our argument, but we have to make it.

not sure- I did see Palmberg at safety, pulled his shirt. And Baker played some D end, that was new.

Got it, only support a winning product. Hop on when things are good, bail when they aren't. That will build character....... The most satisfying things in life are those achievements you are part of from the ground up. If you only get on board at the end 1) your life will be boring 2) you will live a shallow and unfulfilled life 3) you will miss many opportunities to be part of something great I would much rather try to achieve great things and fail than never try at all. And, real football fans will take college over NFL any day!!

my bad, 3%

Clive with 2 receptions, both for TDs. He needs about 10-12 targets a game these last 2 games. MSU couldn't run with him. I can't believe we don't have more than 50 students that want to watch a free football game. I will say it, our students are a joke. Take 15,000 students, 300 are at the game or participating in the game. (Players, trainers, cheer team, band). We are at 2%, wow!!

I forgot that part, off his back foot......those throws are just ugly!

If you looks at mechanics and talent, it's not even close. Joe has a short release, ball held high, (Watch last year's Montana highlights) while Bartels shot puts the ball a little, lacks some mobility, pocket presence is inconsistent. This is what I would do, putting on my head coach ball cap. I'd start Joe the next 2 weeks, compare the performances to Bartels, the better QB starts the last game of the year while the other QB is released, freeing up a scholarship. (for a QB recruit) If Joe shows well, let's have a real QB battle in the offseason and spring with Studsrud. If Bartels wins out, prepare him to be a back-up his senior year. I am guessing Studsy is done for the year.

The proverbial NDSU mantra, back-up is better anyway. Wentz, while riding the pine was better than Jenson, Stick better than Wentz, high schooler to be named later better than Stick.........

yep, if you are going to throw it in 1.5 seconds let's at least hit the open guy, 23. If you watch the protection, Norberg steps up with a block, the d-line gets collapsed to the left, Bartels could of moved to the right, smoked a cigarette, and let the double move develope. Really, what was the hurry? No pocket presence. I know Bartels made some good throws, too, but we won't be successful with a QB collapsing in big moments of a game.

yep- And Blind Joe (from The Voice) even pointed out Seibel being wide open on the play Bartels threw the pick.

You must have been on the cheer team, because football players don't !@#$ themselves when an opportunity is presented to them.........

You're going to have a long day Darell. I brought that up before, 4 Naties and not a single road playoff win in the process....... Next up, let's talk about Frisco being a road game for NDSU -