Here's To The Seniors; Especially Jer

[geaux_sioux]

First off, most of us need to eat a lot of crow on behalf of Jer. Perhaps an appology even. I know he deserves one from me. I lost faith in him years ago. Too small, my fast enough, not strong enough, just not a D1 back. Apparently we were all full of shi t and didn't realize that he was just struggling behind a line that just couldn't block and coaches that just wouldn't commit to the run. Even his first year, technically his best previous season, he wasn't used nearly enough to justify pulling his shirt. What a shame. The young man busted his ass. Gained 30 lbs. Got a little faster. And waited. He wasn't a locker room distraction like others have/would have been. He is the epitome of what we should look for in character from not only our student athletes but young people in general. Look at what happened when he got his shot behind a line that finally got it together. He ran for damn near 800 yards in the last 5 games. He was the backbone of a very one dimensional offense. They knew he was getting the ball and he still gashed them. He shredded a ranked team. We should all feel guilty that we underestimated him, but proud that he stuck with it and showed everyone what he could do given the opportunity. Let's hope he can make something happen and land on a CFL team. He's got a ton of tred on his tires.

Spencer Cummings ended his career with a monster game. Perhaps he should have always been at nose? He wrecked UNCs OL. Sure they had a weak OL, but he had his way with them all day. He had by far his best year and I think we can attribute it to coaching, he always had ability.

Garrett Reineke was a revelation this season. Formerly a grey shirt walk on safety. He transformed his body, much like Jer, and was a playmaker this year. It's too bad he only had one year of opportunity, but boy did he make the most of it. Just a small town ND kid doing big things. We need more kids like this in the program.

Ben Hensen is another player that sucked it up for the good of the team. He was an ok DL, just not athletic enough, but smart and solid. He was a major factor in turning around the OL from the number one weakness of the team to a strength late in the year. Even when they struggled early it was usually not his guy busting through.

Devin Barton came on strong late last year and continued to be one of our best this year. He struggled at times like about everyone on our OL early in the year but he ended the year twice the player he was at the beginning.

Yet another ND kid, Baylee Carr had by far his best season this year. Like everyone on the defense his tackling improved by leaps and bounds. He made good on all of the hard work he put in over his career, where he already had two very solid seasons, and was one of our best players on a defense that was the bright spot and strength of the team.

Dwayne Pecosky changed positions three times over his career. He transformed his body to play FB and made major contributions to the team this year. We made key blocks all year and even had some receptions. He's another kid that could have bitched and quite but instead he kept working and found a role that suited his skills. He's an unsung leader on this team, not very vocal, and will be missed. We will no doubt have more talented players after him but we will be hard pressed to find players that are as tough and humble.

Ben Peters was a two year starter coming into this season. He played the entire year as a backup. He never quit, he made some key plays when he was in. When he was in he did his job, you never saw him moping around the sidelines even though it must have been killing him to be watching unlike the previous two years. Another kid in this class who had the right attitude and didn't give up.

Adam Shaugabay had a tough break this year. He was set to have a featured role in this offense until he suffered a high ankle sprain. He was always one of the toughest and hardest working players on the team. I feel bad that he and Jer never got the carries they earned with their hard work. We need to find players that will compete like Shaugs.

RJ McGill.... Man do I feel bad for this guy. He could have played last year but felt he could help the team more this year so he redshirted. He was having a very nice season. He was our go to guy and, like always, was always open for first downs. He's one of the better wr we've had in recent history but will inevitably be underrated due to injury and playing on offenses that lacked great qb play when he was healthy. From day one he was workman like and professional. I really wish he could have gone out like he deserved with a full year healthy.

Tyhre Ivery had few catches in his career but they all seemed to be game changing plays. With our backs against the wall his FR year against Sioux Falls he made the play of the game to keep us alive. Big TD the next year against San Diego St. Switched to D and, well, nobody played well on d that year. Switched back to o and yet again makes a game changing play against NAU to set up the win. It's unfortunate that he never made good on his talent. He could have been great. Lack of trust with Mussmans staff and maturity issues held him back. Like Marcus Hendrickson, he turned those things around for his senior year. He didn't have a great year but made catches when thrown to and finally trusted his coaches. In the future guys like him will make good on their talent thanks to this coaching staff.

Last but not least, Alex Tillman. Too bad he's a one hit wonder.... He made such an impact for us this year. He got burned a few times but generally had tight coverage all year. His punt return skills should earn him some post season honors. And don't forget his pick 6 against the best team in the nation. All FBS transfers will forever be held to his standard. Team captain, playmaker, good student, leader, humble, and best of all a team first guy.

Thanks to all the seniors this year. They entered the program at a dark time and stuck with it through thick and thin and a coaching change. They all deserve all the credit in the world and should go down as one of the most important classes in program history.

[homer]

Great post above. Thank you to all the seniors. Laying the foundation for getting this program back to where it once was.

[ericpnelson]

Hear, hear!

[Nodak78]

So proud of this senior class.  Fabulous help laying the foundation for this program.  We will look back and see their maturity helped speed up our progress to a top ranked program.

 

Thanks a bunch to the whole senior class.

[Cratter]

Are there cliff notes?

[Sioux94]

Nope....no cliff notes....they deserve the full version.  Thank you to all of the seniors and we wish you well in the future!

[UNDBIZ]

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/und-football-transfer-tillman-accomplishes-lot-short-time

 

Really GF Herald?  Pick a better picture.

[UND Fan]

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/und-football-transfer-tillman-accomplishes-lot-short-time

 

Really GF Herald?  Pick a better picture.

Fully agree - they certainly should have had many others to choose from!!!

[UNDColorado]

I agree, wasn't that his fumble against SJSU?

[UNDBIZ]

I agree, wasn't that his fumble against SJSU?

 

Yeah