2025 UND football

[AJS]

Ahead of schedule from a talent / on field performance. I get it, you have to win games. They will. This is a good team.

[fightingsioux4life]

Man, I really hope Jax and Hutter get a longer leash than this.

[SiouxFan100]

We will be ok

[MinnDak]

5 hours ago, fightingsioux4life said:

USD barely survived Northern Colorado at home. I think we win that one.

They had Colorado State down to the wire. 

[AJS]

12 hours ago, AJS said:

Ahead of schedule from a talent / on field performance. I get it, you have to win games. They will. This is a good team.

Year 1 of the new era (3 games in). I’m looking at continued consistency moving forward. Is this team 14-17 pts better than previous 3 years? Wins will come & anyone who wouldn’t be happy with that is completely disingenuous. 
 

Let’s enjoy the ride. Time to double down on support, NIL. Everything is in place for this program to be one of the very few “haves” in FCS. 

[CMSioux]

13 hours ago, Wilbur said:

I think the kids are close.  Mental stuff bites us again, and we beat the dead horse of what should have been.

I feel a lot better about this group than years past.

Valpo....Win

At UNI....Win

Youngstown....Win

At Souther Ill....win

Indiana State....win

At South Dakota....toss up

NDSU....Loss.

At Murray....Win

SDSU.....Win

I think the group needs to be 6-2 going into game in Vermillion.  If they lose at UNI and are 2-3 then we are looking at a race to 6-6 and some what ifs.

Totally on board with this finish, because the reality is if any of these Ws become Ls we aren't where we thought we are. 

[Wilbur]

On to Valpo I guess.  A great time to rest anyone that is nicked up a bit, and get some game reps for all.

I'm ticked off at a lot this morning, as my Irish lost on a botched extra point as well and a horrendous missed call by the officials that had a direct effect on the game in the last moments of the game.

Nonetheless, you can't botch an XP.  The easiest point to get on the football field, and ohh so important in the long run.

[sioux24/7]

13 hours ago, fightingsioux4life said:

Man, I really hope Jax and Hutter get a longer leash than this.

I guess I don’t see anyone calling for Schmidt 3 games in. I think it’s just disappointment with not being able to close it out but how close it feels we are already. While I wouldn’t have wanted it to play out like this, it would have almost been easier for people to accept a multi score loss to KState and then same here. We knew this would be a process but it’s clear they’re closer than maybe what people thought they would be. 

Honestly though, Jax’s leash will probably be the shortest. Program we put the most into means they’re going to expect the results sooner. Especially from a guy that’s been here for 20 years or whatever. 

[wheelsup]

14 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

I guess I don’t see anyone calling for Schmidt 3 games in. I think it’s just disappointment with not being able to close it out but how close it feels we are already. While I wouldn’t have wanted it to play out like this, it would have almost been easier for people to accept a multi score loss to KState and then same here. We knew this would be a process but it’s clear they’re closer than maybe what people thought they would be. 

Honestly though, Jax’s leash will probably be the shortest. Program we put the most into means they’re going to expect the results sooner. Especially from a guy that’s been here for 20 years or whatever. 

Agree 100%.. I don’t see anyone wanting to go back to the old regime except for maybe family members.  Schmitty and company have injected great life into the program.  Need to clean up some fixable errors.  I expect this team to trend up versus collapse.  Relentless pursuit of continuous improvement ! 

[fightingsioux4life]

1 hour ago, wheelsup said:

Agree 100%.. I don’t see anyone wanting to go back to the old regime except for maybe family members.  Schmitty and company have injected great life into the program.  Need to clean up some fixable errors.  I expect this team to trend up versus collapse.  Relentless pursuit of continuous improvement ! 

It's not that people want Bubba back, it's that some people are saying the team hasn't improved at all. The losses hurt for sure (yesterday was a huge let down), but under Bubba, those losses would have been blowouts. Under Schmidt, they weren't.

The kicking game needs to be fixed. The play calling needs to be simplified. And Jerry needs more reps to get completely comfortable as the starter (he's still a sophomore). But Schmidt is building something special; it just won't happen quickly.

[shep]

I have no problem with the OC play calling.

If Jerry hits a few of those throws it's 1st downs. Plus that big play where we had a guy almost get to the endzone but it's nullified because someone decided to shove a D player in the back and he did it with a ref standing right there.

That was another great play call gone bad.

[AJS]

25 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

But Schmidt is building something special; it just won't happen quickly.

I’d argue it could. Let’s reevaluate after Oct 18. We’ll know then where the 2025 version stands. If they continue to be 10-14 points better than last year. They could be a Tier 2 FCS team. No reason they couldn’t legitimate complete for the Championship next year.

[Esoteric]

3 hours ago, Wilbur said:

On to Valpo I guess.  A great time to rest anyone that is nicked up a bit, and get some game reps for all.

I'm ticked off at a lot this morning, as my Irish lost on a botched extra point as well and a horrendous missed call by the officials that had a direct effect on the game in the last moments of the game.

Nonetheless, you can't botch an XP.  The easiest point to get on the football field, and ohh so important in the long run.

 

31 minutes ago, AJS said:

I’d argue it could. Let’s reevaluate after Oct 18. We’ll know then where the 2025 version stands. 

The issue of inconsistent kicking in football could be mitigated through a more adaptive practice regimen. While the use of kicking tees provides a consistent and controlled environment, it fails to simulate the variable ball placement inherent in live-game situations. To enhance a kicker's performance under pressure, it is crucial to move beyond static practice methods.

A more effective approach would involve a training program centered on adaptability. This would entail regular practice with a rotation of different snappers and holders to prepare kickers for a variety of ball placements. The focus of this training would be on adjusting kicking mechanics to locate the ball's sweet spot regardless of its position or angle.

Furthermore, a strategic collaboration between the football program's kicking coach and a skills coach from a soccer team could be highly beneficial. This interdisciplinary approach would allow for the fine-tuning of a kicker's mechanics by leveraging specialized knowledge of the biomechanics and technique of kicking a ball under various conditions. While my own coaching days are behind me, such an innovative training model could improve the efficacy and consistency of kicking at any level of competition.  This is not an attempt to advise coaches on their profession, as they are experts in their field. Instead, it's an idea presented for consideration.

[Nodak78]

2 hours ago, shep said:

I have no problem with the OC play calling.

If Jerry hits a few of those throws it's 1st downs. Plus that big play where we had a guy almost get to the endzone but it's nullified because someone decided to shove a D player in the back and he did it with a ref standing right there.

That was another great play call gone bad.

Yes this was a killer.  About 2 yard line a first down without the penalty.  Most likely a TD.

[HoopsFan03]

2 hours ago, fightingsioux4life said:

It's not that people want Bubba back, it's that some people are saying the team hasn't improved at all.

I haven't seen a single person say this....

[fightingsioux4life]

10 minutes ago, HoopsFan03 said:

I haven't seen a single person say this....

Not in those exact words. But there have been comments along the lines of "same problems as under Bubba" and "I thought things would be different with Schmidt". I know yesterday's loss was a gut punch, but I think the team will learn a lot from it.

[Kab]

Is there a kicking contest in practice this week 

[Goon]

3 hours ago, fightingsioux4life said:

It's not that people want Bubba back, it's that some people are saying the team hasn't improved at all. The losses hurt, for sure (yesterday was a huge letdown), but under Bubba, those losses would have been blowouts. Under Schmidt, they weren't.

Wow! If these people can't see the improvement, they don't have a single f’n clue about Football. There are a lot of talented new players. UND dominated Montana except on the score board and lost by a single point. The BS call on the touchdown play was ridiculous. They also should've went for field goals inside the red zone on fourthdown. Everything that happened yesterday is fixable. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

45 minutes ago, HoopsFan03 said:

I haven't seen a single person say this....

Sure, but plenty of posts still playing armchair quarterback and saying it’s all on the coaches. Could coaches have been better? Of course, but overall it is very obvious the coaching is much improved compared to 2024, and UND is close, so very close. Easily could be 3-0 despite playing AT Kansas State and AT Montana. No cupcake schedule like the ag school of ND plays. And that’s a good thing. Iron sharpens iron. 

UND will still improve yet. A ton. This team and program has a TON of potential yet … just wait and see 

[Oxbow6]

This team sits at 1-2. Really doesn't matter who the played on the road. They were better than both teams and lost. Basically gave both road games away in the same fashion. Is this team better than last year? Absolutely. They should be 3-0 but here we are again. Valpo will be a layup like PSU. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

20 minutes ago, Oxbow6 said:

Really doesn't matter who the played on the road.

No moral victories, I completely agree. With that said, would it feel the same if we had lost to Portland State and Valpo on the road? I think not.

[AJS]

11 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

No moral victories, I completely agree. With that said, would it feel the same if we had lost to Portland State and Valpo on the road? I think not.

100% - fairly broken logic from segments of this fanbase. What we know so far. They are close, but not there yet to beat an average P4 team or high level FCS team on the road. Very close. How does this translate to an average FCS team at home? High level FCS team at home? Elite FCS team at home? Above average / average FCS team on the road? I’m looking for a level of consistency and steady improvement. IF that happens, every game is winnable on the schedule. 

I understand the disappointment, but I don’t understand the negativity after 3 games from the product we’ve seen on the field. 
 

[shep]

Any injury reports

[Und Princess]

20 minutes ago, AJS said:

100% - fairly broken logic from segments of this fanbase. What we know so far. They are close, but not there yet to beat an average P4 team or high level FCS team on the road. Very close. How does this translate to an average FCS team at home? High level FCS team at home? Elite FCS team at home? Above average / average FCS team on the road? I’m looking for a level of consistency and steady improvement. IF that happens, every game is winnable on the schedule. 

I understand the disappointment, but I don’t understand the negativity after 3 games from the product we’ve seen on the field. 
 

I don't understand why there's negativity either @AJS.  We're going to face growing pains that will make us stronger. 

[ND-fan]

I think reason for discontent is we’re having same experience on the road as before we’re close to winning but still loosing. New coach and number of new players and promise of new way doing things right things would fall into place. Yes the team I s better than last year and yes we missed extra point but We did kick Field goal later but passed two end of second quarter with us just hitting one of these all other things on here would have been forgotten because we would come out with road win. I blame this loss on the head coach getting away from what he said would do we do continue do fundamentals until we get it right. He lost faith in his teams kicking team instead of following through on fundamental coaching take points available on the road especially when your up. This I hope was teaching moment for him as head coach confidence comes from head coach when you do this to your kicker it just gets worse. This not NFL where you go and get another kicker week to week it’s one or two believed in at beginning year you chose. Last year kicker did good job and on short sample size you can’t  be going away from  him and the fundamentals. This what I thought would be Schmidt’s strength just doing fundamentals and playing smart football and I still think he h as making of good coach but has to learn he is now head coach  needs to make fundamental decisions and know when to take a risk like going on fourth down.