UND-FB-FAN Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 UND travels to #6 Eastern Washington this weekend to take on a traditional powerhouse in the Big Sky Conference. EWU (7-2, 4-1) lost it's first conference game of the season last weekend against Northern Arizona. EWU will again be without All-American quarterback Vernon Adams, or at least it appears that way. It will be his 4th straight game out. EWU will again start quarterback Jordan West. UND will be starting one of their backup quarterbacks as well; either Ryan Bartels or true freshman Keaton Studsrud. EWU's defense has been helping them win games now with QB Adams out. Senior linebacker Ronnie Hamlin (who had a pick-six last season vs. UND) is a stud who is 4th on the all-time Big Sky Conference tackles list. UND's offense will have to produce to get the win, young QB or not. UND's rushing defense will be challenged. EWU returned their top running back last weekend in Quincy Forte. He rushed for 219 yards in the loss to NAU. He will get plenty of touches versus UND. Ultimately, UND's defense will again have to be the difference if UND is to have a chance against the number six club in the country. They need to win the turnover battle and not give up explosive plays. The offense needs to help out by not turning the ball over and capitalizing on scoring opportunities when presented; field goals need to be made and need touchdowns when in the red zone. Like Bubba has said, UND has to look at this as an opportunity to make a huge splash. Nothing to lose; go out to Cheney and get the upset! http://www.spokesman.com/eagles/stories/2014/oct/30/big-sky-notes-vernon-adams-tries-to-stay-patient/ Quote
homer Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 Defense needs to be more locked in than it was on Saturday. I hope EWU is expecting the defense that is on the SUU tape. I know our defense is better than what showed up last Saturday. Offensively, need another 100+ day from our running game. If Studsrud gets the go, I'm sure the offensive game plan will be simple. Hopefully it can be effective vs. the weak link of the EWU squad. Quote
jdub27 Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 Weekly 2 deep changes: Bartels now listed as #1 QB, Jake Hanson #2 Garman listed as #1 back flipping spots with Norberg Cummings no longer listed as #3 NG (still starting at RDE) Domo Blackmon replaces injured Chris Carter at #2 at LCB Josh Seibel replaces Alex Tillman as #2 KR Quote
darell1976 Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 Cloudy and 50 for the game. Not windy like last week. Quote
UNDColorado Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 Be nice to see if UND's defense can get it back together this week. Last week was pretty ugly but the prior weeks they looked solid. I see this game being about a 14 point EW win which after last week would be respectable. That sounds about right. Last week was indeed ugly. Quote
iramurphy Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 Weekly 2 deep changes: Bartels now listed as #1 QB, Jake Hanson #2 Garman listed as #1 back flipping spots with Norberg Cummings no longer listed as #3 NG (still starting at RDE) Domo Blackmon replaces injured Chris Carter at #2 at LCB Josh Seibel replaces Alex Tillman as #2 KR Except Studsrud #1 QB, Hanson #2. Good luck to the kid. Quote
GreenWing Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 First career start for Stud! Let the dynasty begin Quote
The Sicatoka Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 Do we know who is on the plane to EWU as far as QBs? Quote
jdub27 Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 Except Studsrud #1 QB, Hanson #2. Good luck to the kid. Don't doubt it, was just going off the official game notes released by UND. Quote
gundy1124 Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 Do we know who is on the plane to EWU as far as QBs? Hopefully the starter. I think iramurphy is on to something- Quote
Cratter Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 If UND can find a decent qb. I actually think UND has a chance to keep it close/win this game. Quote
CMSioux Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 I appreciate and support the optimism - I would be more on board if we were going into the game with our #1 players on the key positions. Not thinking it's going to be pretty - but will be tuning in with a beverage in hand - looking forward to next week. 1 Quote
UND-FB-FAN Posted October 31, 2014 Author Posted October 31, 2014 Just want to see how the team looks coming off a loss, facing a top-10 opponent on the road, and perhaps facing adversity at the QB position. If UND plays tough and competitive, that'll be telling in what Bubba is doing with his team's mental status and enthusiasm to play. If UND gets blown out of the water, I'll be a little concerned. Quote
tjamz Posted October 31, 2014 Posted October 31, 2014 I can't believe I'm going to type this, but there is nothing I'd like to see more than you guys beat EWU. I want them on NDSU's side of the bracket playing in Fargo this year Quote
UND1983 Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 I can't believe I'm going to type this, but there is nothing I'd like to see more than you guys beat EWU. I want them on NDSU's side of the bracket playing in Fargo this year If UND already beat them why would you want to play them? No win situation to me 1 Quote
Siouxphan27 Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 Just want to see how the team looks coming off a loss, facing a top-10 opponent on the road, and perhaps facing adversity at the QB position. If UND plays tough and competitive, that'll be telling in what Bubba is doing with his team's mental status and enthusiasm to play. If UND gets blown out of the water, I'll be a little concerned. Good points. I think we will see a team fired up and ready to play. Limiting mistakes/turnovers on offense, and not giving up the big play on defense, should keep this game interesting. Quote
Sioux94 Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 I think our defense will bounce back with a lot of intensity this weekend. However if Bartels can't play and we have to start a QB in who has never taken a snap.......we will see a broken record of 3 and outs and it will be a very ugly game. Quote
Sioux94 Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 If UND already beat them why would you want to play them? No win situation to me I think it's because EWU is the only team that Bison fans somewhat fear.....or feared. If they can play them at home verses the championship game....advantage NDSU. However after seeing how bad EWU's defense is....they are probably not as frightful as they were before. However with Adams back anything is possible with EWU. UND would be beating them with Adams out, he will be back for the playoffs. Big difference there. Quote
CMSioux Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 From Tom Miller in GF Herald: UND has lost seven players to season-ending injuries, including four key contributors offensively. A few others are questionable against the Eagles, including senior running back Adam Shaugabay and true freshman wide receiver Dev Ferguson. Shaugabay and Ferguson did not make the trip to Cheney. Must have been a late night when he wrote this because if neither made the trip they are worse than questionable. Quote
clawman Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 I can't believe I'm going to type this, but there is nothing I'd like to see more than you guys beat EWU. I want them on NDSU's side of the bracket playing in Fargo this year That was my fear, playing in Fargo, but Frisco is almost a home field advantage for them so if we have to beat them somewhere it may as well be in Fargo. The extra time off between the third playoff game and the championship game would be nice for Vernon Adams to get back into game shape. Kind of getting ahead of myself here because we have a lot of work to do. I was impressed with your campus and facilities when I was there last year. WOW Grand Forks is really growing. Hopefully I will see some green in our tailgate area so I can offer them a beer and bite to eat. 1 Quote
darell1976 Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 From Tom Miller in GF Herald:UND has lost seven players to season-ending injuries, including four key contributors offensively. A few others are questionable against the Eagles, including senior running back Adam Shaugabay and true freshman wide receiver Dev Ferguson. Shaugabay and Ferguson did not make the trip to Cheney. Must have been a late night when he wrote this because if neither made the trip they are worse than questionable. Is it bad conditioning or just pure bad luck with all these injuries. Quote
CMSioux Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 My opinion is it's both - players and strength conditioning coach both need to step it up in the off season. Quote
homer Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 My opinion is it's both - players and strength conditioning coach both need to step it up in the off season. Agreed. That is the next step. Player development. Quote
UND-FB-FAN Posted November 1, 2014 Author Posted November 1, 2014 My opinion is it's both - players and strength conditioning coach both need to step it up in the off season.Strength program has always been questionable at UND since going DI. Important to note that the strength staff is the one carry over from the horrible Mussman era. NDSU's strength and conditioning program has been spot on in recent years. IPF should help all this for UND though. Top facility that will get the players more excited about working and improving. Quote
gundy1124 Posted November 1, 2014 Posted November 1, 2014 Is it bad conditioning or just pure bad luck with all these injuries. It is on the radar, strength and conditioning, but add in flexibility and mobility moving forward. Always have the element of luck, bad luck in our case with injuries. I think Studsrud makes some plays today with his legs as it will be an instinct upon feeling pressure. I hope he practiced sliding after he gets the first down. With Studsrud's 80 on the ground I expect our backs to be good for 60 = a decent game on the ground. Just speculating. Quote
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