defense next year

[UND92,96]

IMO, one of the biggest keys to next year's season will be whether the defense can improve and be more consistent. This year, against FCS competition, UND gave up 32.2 ppg and 412.5 ypg. Let's face it, that's not going to win a lot of games.

The following are returnees from this year's two-deep depth chart:

nose guard

1. Nate Wayne

2. Ty Boyle

possible impact newcomer: Devin Benjamin

left defensive end

2. Link Gottbeheat

right defensive end

none

possible impact newcomers: Ross Brenneman and probably a couple of jucos

weak side inside linebacker

1. Andy Miller

2. Paul German

strong side inside linebacker

2. Ryan Pollow

weak side outside linebacker

2. Ryan Kasowski

strong side outside linebacker

1. Jeff Tescher

2. Ross Cochran

possible impact newcomers (linebackers in general; not any specific positions): Jay Nelson and hopefully some of the other young linebacker who didn't play a lot this year. Juco's/FBS transfers?

left corner

2. Dominique Hawkins

free safety

2. Kris Ankenbauer

strong safety

1. Joel Schwenzfeier

right corner

1. Kenny Watkins

possible impact newcomer/returnee from injury (db's in general; not any specific positions): Delano Saporu and Justin Belotti

[teamsioux]

Any idea what Noah Dombrovski's status for next year is? Will he be able to comeback?

[UND92,96]

Any idea what Noah Dombrovski's status for next year is? Will he be able to comeback?

I noticed that he played some tight end and/or fullback on short yardage/goal line situations in the second half of the season. Not sure whether he'll be playing defense anymore or not.