2015 season

[siouxfan512]

I just saw Santiago was listed as a top 5 FCS freshman. Pretty awesome recognition, and (fumbles aside) well deserved. Most explosive back we have had since Chappell. Really excited to see what this kid will be in the next few years.

However, UND needs to get those uniforms to match those helmets next season. Really the helmets looks great and the jerseys look great. We just need them to match. I hope to see the jersey color lighten up to match our helmets.

 

[jdub27]

They match when you see them in person.

[bincitysioux]

I just saw Santiago was listed as a top 5 FCS freshman. Pretty awesome recognition, and (fumbles aside) well deserved. Most explosive back we have had since Chappell. Really excited to see what this kid will be in the next few years.

 

It sure is nice to have Santiago in the fold as a true home-run hitter again.  Here's to hoping that his career turns out better than our last two big threat running backs, Josh Murray and Ryan Chappell.

[UND-FB-FAN]

Yesterday's game was bad. There's no need to sugarcoat it. It was a blowout in a big venue, which hurts UND's already-minimal reputation within the Big Sky Conference. It was a crucial game that negatively affects UND's playoff chances, if not eliminating them altogether. It was a game that exposed several players on UND's roster as questionable and perhaps not viable in Bubba's future plans. With that said, I like to think of myself as a realist, and right now, UND football has not hit a wall. In my opinion, Bubba still has UND football on track to be a top Big Sky Conference program as soon as next season. Here's why:

Bubba has not even been UND's head coach for 2 years. He has had a limited opportunity to bring in "his" players from high school programs and develop them. Yes, there has been several transfers from FBS and JUCO programs, but I do not count them because they are "stop-gap" players who do not redshirt and go through the program/process. The players that Bubba has recruited out of the high school (last two recruiting classes) are already some of the best players on the team. Players like John Santiago, Keaton Studsrud, Brady Olivera, Elijah Grady, Luke Stanley, Austin Cieslak, Tank Harris, Deion Harris, Brandon Dranka, and Drew Greely. Just imagine what this team will look like after a season or two. 

Also, the depth on this team is nearly non-existent. Several players who are seeing the field right now due to injuries are not good enough. That will change in another season or two. UND under Bubba continues to develop the local walk-on program, and with that, depth and talent will continue to develop and grow. Injuries have affected this team more than many like to admit to, but without depth, its just a fact. UND has very few capable backups. For those who like to debate it, I'll give my opinion: Keaton Studsrud is far and away the best quarterback on the roster; his athleticism is top-notch. DO NOT discount the ability of a QB to run for 100 yards in a game - that opens up A LOT. He will get better in the passing game with experience (has two more seasons after this season) and better WR play. 

I want to see improvement as bad as anyone, and in my opinion, its there; unfortunately, its just tough to see sometimes when both close games and blowouts present themselves within conference play. But, lets not forget that UND is 4-4 (2-3) after 8 games. Last season, UND was 3-5 (1-3) after 8 games. That's factual improvement, but also, the team has improved in other aspects.  

I honestly think this team will be even better next season, and as a result, playoffs should be a real possibility next season. Bubba continues to recruit and develop local high school recruits, and that will ultimately be the factor that builds UND into a top Big Sky Conference program. In a year or two, when UND's lineup exclusively consists of players developed by UND's program, I expect a lot of wins each and every season. This a very young team that is already having some success, so we know how that usually works out. The future is still bright. 

[geaux_sioux]

In two seasons, if we continue to find players in positions of need like we did this year at RB, we will be the best team in the big sky. Book it.

[Teeder11]

Yesterday's game was bad. There's no need to sugarcoat it. It was a blowout in a big venue, which hurts UND's already-minimal reputation within the Big Sky Conference. It was a crucial game that negatively affects UND's playoff chances, if not eliminating them altogether. It was a game that exposed several players on UND's roster as questionable and perhaps not viable in Bubba's future plans. With that said, I like to think of myself as a realist, and right now, UND football has not hit a wall. In my opinion, Bubba still has UND football on track to be a top Big Sky Conference program as soon as next season. Here's why:

Bubba has not even been UND's head coach for 2 years. He has had a limited opportunity to bring in "his" players from high school programs and develop them. Yes, there has been several transfers from FBS and JUCO programs, but I do not count them because they are "stop-gap" players who do not redshirt and go through the program/process. The players that Bubba has recruited out of the high school (last two recruiting classes) are already some of the best players on the team. Players like John Santiago, Keaton Studsrud, Brady Olivera, Elijah Grady, Luke Stanley, Austin Cieslak, Tank Harris, Deion Harris, Brandon Dranka, and Drew Greely. Just imagine what this team will look like after a season or two. 

Also, the depth on this team is nearly non-existent. Several players who are seeing the field right now due to injuries are not good enough. That will change in another season or two. UND under Bubba continues to develop the local walk-on program, and with that, depth and talent will continue to develop and grow. Injuries have affected this team more than many like to admit to, but without depth, its just a fact. UND has very few capable backups. For those who like to debate it, I'll give my opinion: Keaton Studsrud is far and away the best quarterback on the roster; his athleticism is top-notch. DO NOT discount the ability of a QB to run for 100 yards in a game - that opens up A LOT. He will get better in the passing game with experience (has two more seasons after this season) and better WR play. 

I want to see improvement as bad as anyone, and in my opinion, its there; unfortunately, its just tough to see sometimes when both close games and blowouts present themselves within conference play. But, lets not forget that UND is 4-4 (2-3) after 8 games. Last season, UND was 3-5 (1-3) after 8 games. That's factual improvement, but also, the team has improved in other aspects.  

I honestly think this team will be even better next season, and as a result, playoffs should be a real possibility next season. Bubba continues to recruit and develop local high school recruits, and that will ultimately be the factor that builds UND into a top Big Sky Conference program. In a year or two, when UND's lineup exclusively consists of players developed by UND's program, I expect a lot of wins each and every season. This a very young team that is already having some success, so we know how that usually works out. The future is still bright. 

This is where I think the importance of the HPC, now open for use, will come in really handy for our QBs and receivers, especially Studs. They will have all winter and spring ball to develop and improve in a nice climate controlled honest goodness football field. They just need to take it upon themselves to organize those opportunities. The resources are there, time to exploit them!

Edited October 25, 2015 by Teeder11

[MoSiouxFan]

Yesterday's game was bad. There's no need to sugarcoat it. It was a blowout in a big venue, which hurts UND's already-minimal reputation within the Big Sky Conference. It was a crucial game that negatively affects UND's playoff chances, if not eliminating them altogether. It was a game that exposed several players on UND's roster as questionable and perhaps not viable in Bubba's future plans. With that said, I like to think of myself as a realist, and right now, UND football has not hit a wall. In my opinion, Bubba still has UND football on track to be a top Big Sky Conference program as soon as next season. Here's why:

Bubba has not even been UND's head coach for 2 years. He has had a limited opportunity to bring in "his" players from high school programs and develop them. Yes, there has been several transfers from FBS and JUCO programs, but I do not count them because they are "stop-gap" players who do not redshirt and go through the program/process. The players that Bubba has recruited out of the high school (last two recruiting classes) are already some of the best players on the team. Players like John Santiago, Keaton Studsrud, Brady Olivera, Elijah Grady, Luke Stanley, Austin Cieslak, Tank Harris, Deion Harris, Brandon Dranka, and Drew Greely. Just imagine what this team will look like after a season or two. 

Also, the depth on this team is nearly non-existent. Several players who are seeing the field right now due to injuries are not good enough. That will change in another season or two. UND under Bubba continues to develop the local walk-on program, and with that, depth and talent will continue to develop and grow. Injuries have affected this team more than many like to admit to, but without depth, its just a fact. UND has very few capable backups. For those who like to debate it, I'll give my opinion: Keaton Studsrud is far and away the best quarterback on the roster; his athleticism is top-notch. DO NOT discount the ability of a QB to run for 100 yards in a game - that opens up A LOT. He will get better in the passing game with experience (has two more seasons after this season) and better WR play. 

I want to see improvement as bad as anyone, and in my opinion, its there; unfortunately, its just tough to see sometimes when both close games and blowouts present themselves within conference play. But, lets not forget that UND is 4-4 (2-3) after 8 games. Last season, UND was 3-5 (1-3) after 8 games. That's factual improvement, but also, the team has improved in other aspects.  

I honestly think this team will be even better next season, and as a result, playoffs should be a real possibility next season. Bubba continues to recruit and develop local high school recruits, and that will ultimately be the factor that builds UND into a top Big Sky Conference program. In a year or two, when UND's lineup exclusively consists of players developed by UND's program, I expect a lot of wins each and every season. This a very young team that is already having some success, so we know how that usually works out. The future is still bright. 

We are, indeed, a very young team.  For example 25 of our 45 on the two-deep (one position on def. is 3-deep) are freshmen and sophomores.  Only 10 of 45 are seniors and only four of the seniors are starters.  Also, all but one of our specialists (punters, kickers, holders, kick returners, punt returners) is either a freshman or a sophomore.

[nodakhoops]

I too love where the program is headed, but I am disappointed we are 4-4 and not 6-2 right now. I'll go out and say if we had Studsrud, Reyes, Arnell, Rich, and Greely against ISU (Studsrud for that full game) Weber and Montana we are sitting 6-2 right now not 4-4. We need more depth on the oline secondary and a few more playmakers at WR. Looks like we have a few studs in Santaigo and Oliveria to build around the next 3 years too. Bubba needs to continue to hit the Midwest and Canada to find these guys.

 

as for this year I'm not ready to give up. We get to 7 wins and I do think we are in the playoffs. Need to win out. If not we need to go 2-1 and at least end the year with momentum. It's huge for the offseason.

[Oxbow6]

This coming Saturday IMO will tell us a lot about this program, coaches and players. A Sh* t Show like yesterday was what I had to come to expect by a Muss coached team. If it happens again vs the Cats Saturday then Bubba gonna have some explaining to do.

[sprig]

What a stadium. Great atmosphere, hard to watch the product on the field. Hard to believe the grisz ever lose a recruiting battle over any player that visits this stadium

[darell1976]

RT tuned UND into a winner after 7 seasons, Muss was here for 6 seasons, Bubba has been here for 1 3/4 seasons I think we need to give him a break and see where this team is when they gear up for a rematch with the Bison in 2019 (Bubba's 6th season).

[darell1976]

This coming Saturday IMO will tell us a lot about this program, coaches and players. A Sh* t Show like yesterday was what I had to come to expect by a Muss coached team. If it happens again vs the Cats Saturday then Bubba gonna have some explaining to do.

Will Studsrud play on Saturday?

[darell1976]

What a stadium. Great atmosphere, hard to watch the product on the field. Hard to believe the grisz ever lose a recruiting battle over any player that visits this stadium

Was there a fair amount of UND fans at the game?

[dmksioux]

Was there a fair amount of UND fans at the game?

The UND band was there but I only saw a handful of people in UND gear.  If you ever get the chance to go and see a game in Missoula, do it.  It's a great game day experience.

[sprig]

Was there a fair amount of UND fans at the game?

 Ran into several at tailgating. but we were scattered around the stadium, so it didn't look like many

[Teeder11]

Not 2015, but on ESPN2' you can get a sneak peak at our 2016 FBS opponent, Bowling Green. They lose their stud passing QB BUT BRING back a lot of their vaunted passing attack receivers. Looks like they are susceptible to the run, though. 

Edited November 5, 2015 by Teeder11

[Teeder11]

Anyone know if Kyle Ruhe finally hung it up after two injury plagued seasons?  I see they updated the roster (nice new look) and Ruhe is not listed anymore. He had a lot of of promise. 

[PhillySioux]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but by my math Santiago is 52 yards from breaking the FCS record for total yards in a season by a Freshman.

 

MOST yards Gained by a freshman

Game

437—Ryan Fuqua, Portland St. vs. eastern Wash., Nov. 10, 2001 (393 rushing, 44 kickoff returns)

Season

2,014—david Wright, Indiana St., 1992 (1,313 rushing, 108 receiving, 593 kickoff returns; 254 plays) 

[LkvlleUNDFan]

Anyone know if Kyle Ruhe finally hung it up after two injury plagued seasons?  I see they updated the roster (nice new look) and Ruhe is not listed anymore. He had a lot of of promise. 

I heard he is moving on, and that the coaching staff is supporting him in finding a new opportunity. That was a casual conversation while I was at the game on Saturday, so don't take it as the gospel truth just yet.

[LkvlleUNDFan]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but by my math Santiago is 52 yards from breaking the FCS record for total yards in a season by a Freshman.

 

I looked up the FCS stats today, too. Santiago is still at #4 in rushing in the country (FCS). and there isn't another freshman in the top 20. What an amazing find he was by UND! (How many coaches are kicking themselves for missing him?)

[jdub27]

On ‎11‎/‎17‎/‎2015 at 8:24 AM, Teeder11 said:

Anyone know if Kyle Ruhe finally hung it up after two injury plagued seasons?  I see they updated the roster (nice new look) and Ruhe is not listed anymore. He had a lot of of promise. 

Looks like Ruhe transferred to Southwest Minnesota State.

[Teeder11]

10 minutes ago, jdub27 said:

Looks like Ruhe transferred to Southwest Minnesota State.

Yeah, I had heard that somewhere, but never mentioned it again. Best to him. He seemed like one of those west coast guys that actually could have stuck it out and done great things at UND (i.e. Goodman, Cox, etc.), barring the injury bug.  If he's healed up; watch out, SW Minn. State opponents!

[SWSiouxMN]

10 minutes ago, Teeder11 said:

Yeah, I had heard that somewhere, but never mentioned it again. Best to him. He seemed like one of those west coast guys that actually could have stuck it out and done great things at UND (i.e. Goodman, Cox, etc.), barring the injury bug.  If he's healed up; watch out, SW Minn. State opponent!

Just what Gimbel needed... another weapon to match with Huot.

He will enjoy being in Sauter's Offense