Think Big

[GeauxSioux]

It's been a long wait and we will have to wait a bit longer for the first game, but the Big Sky is upon us.

Think Big: Day one in the books

Head coach Chris Mussman brought his team together at the end of his squad's initial practice of the spring on Monday and simply said, "not bad for the first day". It was historical day for the program as well, serving as the first on-field work as an official member of the Big Sky Conference and that was not lost on the fifth-year head coach.

His post-practice speeched concluded with a reminder to the players their new conference home is where the focus needs to be. "It's all about the Big Sky now" were Mussman's parting words to his squad.

SFI 2012 Spring Ball Preview

[dakotadan]

Think Big: Calm air leads to better practice

[BigGreyAnt41]

It's been a long wait and we will have to wait a bit longer for the first game, but the Big Sky is upon us.

Think Big: Day one in the books

SFI 2012 Spring Ball Preview

Looks like they need an editor for that. I found five errors just in that short article.

[GeauxSioux]

Think Big: Calm air leads to better practice

Love the enthusiasm..

Tight end Taylor Grant (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) made two impressive catches during Wednesday's workout ... Newcomer Braden Hanson (Charlotte, N.C.) completed one of those passes to Grant on 30-yard strike and ran all the way down the field to congratulate the sophomore after he hauled in the lefthander's strike.

[The Sicatoka]

What is it with UND and grandkids of former Vikings coaches?

Taylor Grant (FB) is Bud Grant's grandkid.

Connor Gaarder (Hockey) is Jerry Burns' grandkid.

[UNDColorado]

The GF Herald link is still broken but the exact same story was on the Dickinson Press website: http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/event/article/id/56764/group/Sports/

[Ole in MSP]

Love the enthusiasm..

Only trouble is Grant is from Eden Prairie. Brooklyn Park cannot spell football.

[GeauxSioux]

Think Big: Ready to work

Receivers Greg Hardin (Bellevue, Neb.) and Tyrhe Ivery (Garland, Texas) provided the day’s top highlights with acrobatic, one-handed catches. Hardin’s catch, a diving effort on a corner route, came during a 1-on-1 drill while matched up against sophomore Daryl Brown (Plymouth, Minn.).

Ivery’s came over the middle on a tipped ball during a half-skeleton session while he was falling backward to the ground.

I'm really hoping for an aerial show this year.

With apologies to Wayne Nelson of the Grand Forks Herald, the most high-profile observer was UND President Dr. Robert Kelley, who took in a good portion of today’s practice from the sideline.

Always nice to see the president taking an interest in athletics.

[geaux_sioux]

Was able to attend todays practice. Things are looking good. The kickers were hitting bombs today in the specialist session. The one on one's (wr and db) were intense with Jameer Jackson man-handling dbs. He looks much more fluid than before, and did I mention he looks like he's pushing 240. Big runs by Jake Miller and Jer Garmin in a team session. And some huge hits in a very intense live session to end practice.

[GeauxSioux]

Was able to attend todays practice. Things are looking good. The kickers were hitting bombs today in the specialist session. The one on one's (wr and db) were intense with Jameer Jackson man-handling dbs. He looks much more fluid than before, and did I mention he looks like he's pushing 240. Big runs by Jake Miller and Jer Garmin in a team session. And some huge hits in a very intense live session to end practice.

Thanks for the info. Which of the QBs looked the best today?

Looking forward to an exciting year of Big Sky football.

[UND-FB-FAN]

A few impressions after watching practice:

-Joey Bradley is looking good after a year in this offense. He definitely demonstrates good control and composure. However, despite a lack of system familiarity, the decisions made by Braden Hanson are the most impressive ones. He also can make all the throws, including a nice deep ball. There is no question he is still in the learning process in terms of the offense, but I still think he is the favorite to be starting August 30^th.

-Jake Miller is looking quick like usual. He’s made some nice cutbacks demonstrating his field vision.

-Greg Hardin has been lighting it up. If Hanson or Bradley can efficiently deliver him the ball this fall, I expect big things from him. None of our DBs can cover him and he’s shown great hands.

-Jameer Jackson is a physical specimen (230 lbs); however, he still runs very smooth at that size. Matched up against our smaller DBs, he is constantly at the advantage and usually always is open. I definitely think if he can understand the mental aspect of the position, he could make a huge splash as a freshman this season.

-Transfer DL EJ Welch has good size and should help depth at the NT spot.

-Look for sophomore MLB Ben Peters to see a lot of playing time this season, if not possibly sneak into the starting lineup. He has great size and could be that “designated” player the coaching staff wants to replace Dan Hendrickson’s physical play, which will certainly be missed.

-K Zeb Miller and P Brett Cameron both are booming the ball well. Just like last year, our kicking game should be a definite strength of this team during the upcoming season.

-Like the depth I am seeing at corner. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about safety. This position could end up being a huge problem area this season, especially under the circumstances of an injury. Really hoping Javen Butler can rejoin the team.

[geaux_sioux]

A few impressions after watching practice:

-Joey Bradley is looking good after a year in this offense. He definitely demonstrates good control and composure. However, despite a lack of system familiarity, the decisions made by Braden Hanson are the most impressive ones. He also can make all the throws, including a nice deep ball. There is no question he is still in the learning process in terms of the offense, but I still think he is the favorite to be starting August 30^th.

-Jake Miller is looking quick like usual. He’s made some nice cutbacks demonstrating his field vision.

-Greg Hardin has been lighting it up. If Hanson or Bradley can efficiently deliver him the ball this fall, I expect big things from him. None of our DBs can cover him and he’s shown great hands.

-Jameer Jackson is a physical specimen (230 lbs); however, he still runs very smooth at that size. Matched up against our smaller DBs, he is constantly at the advantage and usually always is open. I definitely think if he can understand the mental aspect of the position, he could make a huge splash as a freshman this season.

-Transfer DL EJ Welch has good size and should help depth at the NT spot.

-Look for sophomore MLB Ben Peters to see a lot of playing time this season, if not possibly sneak into the starting lineup. He has great size and could be that “designated” player the coaching staff wants to replace Dan Hendrickson’s physical play, which will certainly be missed.

-K Zeb Miller and P Brett Cameron both are booming the ball well. Just like last year, our kicking game should be a definite strength of this team during the upcoming season.

-Like the depth I am seeing at corner. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about safety. This position could end up being a huge problem area this season, especially under the circumstances of an injury. Really hoping Javen Butler can rejoin the team.

The kickers did look quite impressive, I did notice another kicker that looked very good kicking field goals early in practice too so apparently we have depth at kicker.

I think Hansen is going to take the job, his reads are lightyears ahead of the other qbs and his touch is ridiculous on some throws. I also saw Hendrickson make some impressive throws. He has an absolute cannon for an arm but I don't see much touch and change of speeds in his throwing which is a problem...

Speaking of linebackers, I've seen the new guy Gord make some powerful hits. Also Dom Bennet looks a good 20 pounds heavier which is great because I think he has the best physical skills and movement of any linebacker we've ever had at UND.

[UNDvince97-01]

Thanks for the updates everyone. Haven't been this excited for spring ball and the start of the football season in a long, long time.

You can definitely feel that something "different" is in the air right now.

[geaux_sioux]

It's an exciting and progressive time in UND football. New unis, new locker room, new conference, new indoor practice facility finally on the horizon. O and some new players. Our program has alot going for it, hopefully they can keep the mojo rolling into the season.

[WILDCAT]

Too bad we dont play till 2014, our two teams have never met, and I'd like to see how Weber matches up with North Dakota's finest

[UNDColorado]

Too bad we dont play till 2014, our two teams have never met, and I'd like to see how Weber matches up with North Dakota's finest

I agree. With all of the uncertainties of non conference scheduling I am sure it is not too far fetched to think we couldn't play non conference games in the future when we dont play each other. This year we play Portland State in NC and next year we play Montana in NC.

[WILDCAT]

I agree. With all of the uncertainties of non conference scheduling I am sure it is not too far fetched to think we couldn't play non conference games in the future when we dont play each other. This year we play Portland State in NC and next year we play Montana in NC.

That would be great,

[geaux_sioux]

great day for some spring ball. not a cloud in the sky. hopefully someone on here attends practice today, it should be a good one with the weather.

[geaux_sioux]

Greg Hardin absolutly dominated todays practice. He caught everything even with tight coverage. The offense took a huge step forward today. Even with the wind passing was on point. Hansen and Bradley each connected on 40+ yard TD throws.

[Teeder11]

great day for some spring ball. not a cloud in the sky. hopefully someone on here attends practice today, it should be a good one with the weather.

I plan to be there tomorrow for the first spring scrimmage -- rain or shine!

[SiouxScore]

A few impressions after watching practice:

-Joey Bradley is looking good after a year in this offense. He definitely demonstrates good control and composure. However, despite a lack of system familiarity, the decisions made by Braden Hanson are the most impressive ones. He also can make all the throws, including a nice deep ball. There is no question he is still in the learning process in terms of the offense, but I still think he is the favorite to be starting August 30^th.

-Jake Miller is looking quick like usual. He’s made some nice cutbacks demonstrating his field vision.

-Greg Hardin has been lighting it up. If Hanson or Bradley can efficiently deliver him the ball this fall, I expect big things from him. None of our DBs can cover him and he’s shown great hands.

-Jameer Jackson is a physical specimen (230 lbs); however, he still runs very smooth at that size. Matched up against our smaller DBs, he is constantly at the advantage and usually always is open. I definitely think if he can understand the mental aspect of the position, he could make a huge splash as a freshman this season.

-Transfer DL EJ Welch has good size and should help depth at the NT spot.

-Look for sophomore MLB Ben Peters to see a lot of playing time this season, if not possibly sneak into the starting lineup. He has great size and could be that “designated” player the coaching staff wants to replace Dan Hendrickson’s physical play, which will certainly be missed.

-K Zeb Miller and P Brett Cameron both are booming the ball well. Just like last year, our kicking game should be a definite strength of this team during the upcoming season.

-Like the depth I am seeing at corner. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about safety. This position could end up being a huge problem area this season, especially under the circumstances of an injury. Really hoping Javen Butler can rejoin the team.

Played against Welch this last year when he was at Mesabi, he had some success against one of our freshmen tackles using his speed around the edge although that tackle had problems against pretty much everyone, but against our more experienced guys Welch really didn't make an impact and seemed to give up on plays at times, but that could have been because we got out to a lead early and were up on them comfortably the whole game. Overall I think he can be a guy who provides a little depth and may be a spark in certain situations.

[geaux_sioux]

any word on the scrimmage from anyone who was there?

[gfhockey]

I cought a piece of it while i was taking a walk. Felt like back in the early 90's of me watching a sioux game trhough the gates hahaha

Im pretty sure it was hanson as QB when i watched and man lol either our secondary sucks or he is good. He was torching our secondary pretty good. NIce stricks. Sawone that was +40 yards. MOst lot of short passes UGH! But he looked good. Running game was ok from what ive seen. Stopped quite a bit for under 5 yards

[darell1976]

I cought a piece of it while i was taking a walk. Felt like back in the early 90's of me watching a sioux game trhough the gates hahaha

Im pretty sure it was hanson as QB when i watched and man lol either our secondary sucks or he is good. He was torching our secondary pretty good. NIce stricks. Sawone that was +40 yards. MOst lot of short passes UGH! But he looked good. Running game was ok from what ive seen. Stopped quite a bit for under 5 yards

We need more than one of those. We need deep passes as well as short ones. Gotta keep the defense guessing. Thats what hurt us last year everyone knew what kind of passes we were going to throw. Of course we need a passer that has accuracy and I think that was Bradley's problem early last year. Good arm but not accurate. Hanson could be the guy to get it done!! He has one shot left and you know he is going to make the best of it.

[geaux_sioux]

We need more than one of those. We need deep passes as well as short ones. Gotta keep the defense guessing. Thats what hurt us last year everyone knew what kind of passes we were going to throw. Of course we need a passer that has accuracy and I think that was Bradley's problem early last year. Good arm but not accurate. Hanson could be the guy to get it done!! He has one shot left and you know he is going to make the best of it.

I think Hansen has the job all but wrapped up.

Can you define what you mean by good arm? From what I saw in his passes last year Bradley had an average arm at best by high school standards. Maybe my standards are too high but when someone one hops a bubble screen to the field side I don't see a good arm.