Playoffs Second Round 12/6/25: UND @ Tarleton State

[geaux_sioux]

40 minutes ago, Longtime fan said:

So coinciding with tougher competition should equal 180 degree flip on results? I could see a possible downgrade a game or two but not to the point we have seen. Very unfortunate.  22 tds  2 INTs in 8 straight games vs the “weaker” teams and 4 tds 8 INTs against the “tougher” teams in five straight games 

  Of course there’s a lot at play when it comes to offensive production. OC, talent, competition, schemes, preparation ….etc.  but having watched kaminski that last month…I would say the competition is possibly 25% of the issue as other qbs have faired better than him against those exact same teams. To me …his throwing motion/ mechanism seems to be a bit funky.  He zeros in a one wr, doesn’t go through his reads, too eager to get out and run.  Very jumpy and rushed in a messy way.  Nervous Nelly feel.  Of course the OC play calling hasn’t helped either.  Overall tho …I feel the majority of the issue is in his head (over thinking, confidence, personal issue ?) or possible injury?  What’s not in question is his talent.  Athletically speaking…he has d1 talent and measurables 
 

Not to say it would the fix …but how in the hell can an offense eliminate their TEs completely!?  When the offense was moving the ball early on…. they got everyone involved …namely the TEs. So frustrating to see no involvement from that group.  I feel this would be major upgrade and possible success for the offense if they actually included the TEs in the game plan?  

The competition down the stretch is obviously tougher. Other teams also had plenty of film by then. Also Jerry started playing tight. Also Isaac started calling bad games. Also Z went down. There are a variety of reasons that happened all at once which is why we saw such a drastic difference.

[sioux24/7]

I love Gaven Ziebarth, I really do. Been adamant all year he should have been getting more touches. I am really disappointed in how we used him this year. Guy’s carry numbers this year are 2, 10, 8, 6, 7, 9, 3 (injury) and then 11 last game. I think we screwed up in how we used him all year and a lot of last year too. 

[iramurphy]

5 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

I love Gaven Ziebarth, I really do. Been adamant all year he should have been getting more touches. I am really disappointed in how we used him this year. Guy’s carry numbers this year are 2, 10, 8, 6, 7, 9, 3 (injury) and then 11 last game. I think we screwed up in how we used him all year and a lot of last year too. 

Maybe the biggest mystery of this season. He came into his senior year as a proven RB and certainly not #3. If we want to continue to move this program forward, this should be a lesson learned for our OC and RB coaches. 

[wheelsup]

36 minutes ago, geaux_sioux said:

The competition down the stretch is obviously tougher. Other teams also had plenty of film by then. Also Jerry started playing tight. Also Isaac started calling bad games. Also Z went down. There are a variety of reasons that happened all at once which is why we saw such a drastic difference.

I’m sure some person can pull the Massey rankings or something else on SOS.. I don’t think it’s all that diffident.. KSU.. MONT.. YSU.. Salukis (3/4 on the road) versus NDSU/USD/SDSU (1/3 on the road) 

I think it’s your latter points.. plenty of film., tighter.. Isaac.. Z.. and I would add accumulation of big hits on Jerry that are bigger than SOS. 

[Siouxperman8]

53 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

I love Gaven Ziebarth, I really do. Been adamant all year he should have been getting more touches. I am really disappointed in how we used him this year. Guy’s carry numbers this year are 2, 10, 8, 6, 7, 9, 3 (injury) and then 11 last game. I think we screwed up in how we used him all year and a lot of last year too. 

l still think if we'd leaned on him late in games vs K St and Montana we probably keep the ball longer and win those two. 

[zonadub]

8 hours ago, nodakvindy said:

8 w's came against teams whose season is over. 4 of 5 losses to teams still playing.  So yeah.

K-State is bowl eligible with 6 wins, so all 5 losses to teams still playing in December

[AJS]

The best-case scenario at the QB position is Jerry is available to play and plays well. Since ISU-B it hasn't been all bad. Last week was really rough, but I thought he overall was pretty good against SDSU. Along with others, I've felt it hasn't been entirely Jerry and the play calling hasn't helped. I would lean towards Simon on Saturday. For the reason that I would trust the play calling more. The OC is in a major rut with Jerry and the majority of the time (2nd half), it hasn't worked. Predictable, at the same time Jerry has been pressing. Bad situation. Run the ball (none-RPO), high % throws, cut the deep throws in 1/2. IMO, that's the best bet for the offense to be successful. We're more likely to see that with Simon.

 

[fightingsioux4life]

9 hours ago, nodakvindy said:

8 w's came against teams whose season is over. 4 of 5 losses to teams still playing.  So yeah.

And yet, we are still playing.

[jdub27]

1 hour ago, sioux24/7 said:

I love Gaven Ziebarth, I really do. Been adamant all year he should have been getting more touches. I am really disappointed in how we used him this year. Guy’s carry numbers this year are 2, 10, 8, 6, 7, 9, 3 (injury) and then 11 last game. I think we screwed up in how we used him all year and a lot of last year too. 

I really think the plan was to limit carries early in the year to keep him from getting dinged up like he has consistently in the past and have him healthy for the stretch run.
Didn't he have a fumble or two early in the year that probably contributed to not seeing as many carries in one or two games? KSU for sure I think.

The positive news is that he's back and should have some very fresh legs for how many ever games UND has left. Which will also take some of the burden off SS.
Chuck and Brunell getting more comfortable gives you 3 guys that are going to punish tacklers and an electric guy to keep them honest.
Not sure what happened with X but didn't like how he was used earlier in the year with how much he was being run, but I think he's also a very good weapon catching the ball out of the backfield.

 

[Dustin]

10 minutes ago, jdub27 said:

very good weapon catching the ball out of the backfield.

Best use for him IMO too.  Let's start using an "all of the above" offensive strategy and bury teams in this playoff.

[Big Green]

10 hours ago, nodakvindy said:

8 w's came against teams whose season is over. 4 of 5 losses to teams still playing.  So yeah.

If we beat the SD schools are they still playing?  If we lose to S. Illinois are they still playing?

 

[Roger S.]

14 hours ago, wheelsup said:

Kansas state.. Montana.. Youngstown.. salukis.. all pretty good teams.

versus USD.. NDSU.. SDSU.. tow of those at home.  I think the SOS is reasonably comparable. 

1st list very good teams that have better offense than defense. 
2nd list played great D against us as the SD schools have their defenses greatly improved and carrying their teams. 

[wheelsup]

I know we give some of the GameDay experience and social medial folks some crap.. but the 701 videos each week are awesome.