Aesthetically, the 2010 UND offense may look different at times in terms of personnel groupings and formations this fall, but philosophically things will pretty much remain the same with the power running game still being a staple of 3rd year Offensive Coordinator Greg Breitbach’s offense. The “Pistol” will be a new addition as well, but I wouldnt look for the passing game to change much either.
OL – this position group seems much more settled, confident, experienced, deeper and talented in comparison to this time last season. Senior tackles Creighton Schroyer and Keith Queoff are no doubt the talented leaders on the field that this otherwise young group needs. Both of them, along with sophomore guard Emmett Lynch have been the standouts of fall camp so far on the o-line. Lynch has the potential and capability to really take the next step and become a dominant force on the offensive line. Sophomore Ian McGurran started 11 games last year as a freshman at the center position, with his first ever playing time coming in game 1 against Texas Tech. Pushing McGurran at center already is freshman Joe Kleason, who has impressed this fall camp. Kleason also can play guard, which will help him get on the field. As Wayne Nelson reported, Brandon Quesenberry was injured and has been out for a few practices. In the mean time, Connor McKendry has stepped up and answered the call admirably while filling in for Quesenberry. With talented true and redshirt freshman classes providing depth and talent for the future, this may be the deepest, most talented OL group UND has seen in quite some time. There have been glowing reviews over the freshman OL group. The last two incoming OL classes should be a force together in a couple years. Darren Deneui, Caleb Gillson, Caleb Nelson and Jake Hoerchner will provide more depth. Our starting OL projections: Queoff, Schroyer, Lynch & McGurran with Kleason and Quesenberry also playing a lot throughout the season.
QB – On offense, this is senior Jake Landry’s team and he is no doubt the leader. He has had a spectacular fall and really has improved his leadership and playmaking ability, especially considering the nuances that the offense has implemented since last spring. In our opinion, this team will only be as good as Landry is. Junior Brent Goska will provide a few wrinkles to the offense and will come into the game in special packages designed to showcase his athletic ability that he no doubt has. We only saw a glimpse of it last season. Sophomore Seth Nichols has improved as well to provide more depth at the position. Freshmen Chris Comes and Trey Demler are both very talented QB’s who have bright futures, and in an emergency would be able to perform immediately.
RB – Sutton and Murray. Can’t wait to see them in the same backfield together. So many different options with both of them on the field. Murray can be split out in the slot, and Sutton can be used in a wing alignment. They could both be in splitback formation out of the shotgun in true two-back formations. Defenses will have their hands full prepping for these two each week, especially with the multiple formations being thrown out there. Solum will be the true fullback on the team after seeing serious time last year as a tailback. Ethan Magstadt is still out after his spring ball injury. This freshman class of running backs is LOADED with talent. We will be talking a lot about Breon Butler, Adam Shaugabay and Jake Miller in the future. We actually think the x-factor is Miller. He has been impressive this fall camp.
WR – Jarrel Davis and Jon Heimler are hurt. Greg Hardin and Blair Townsend are ready to contribute now. Hardin has been the most noticeable and will probably play a lot in the slot. Ryan Dressler & Chris Anderson have been good so far as well. Drew Daggett should provide depth at minimum as a big, physical red-zone presence. Tyrhe Ivery, Isaac Carrasco and RJ McGill are going to be fun to watch in the future, and if needed could all physically do the job as true freshman. The mental side of things would be the challenge. We think McGill is the front-runner to have his redshirt pulled. This group is definitely a work in progress and WR’s Coach Tim Belmore probably needs a little more time to put this puzzle together. Our starting WR projections: Anderson, Dressler and Hardin official starters with the others still contributing and playing a lot. EDIT: As we compose this, we have from learned Wayne Nelson’s blog about Blair Townsend’s apparent broken leg. At least one redshirt will probably have to be pulled now at WR.
TE – Seth Wisthoff is the guy is one tight-end sets. I’m guessing he will probably also take some reps as a FB/H-back.
Overall, this is a young offense with tons of talent waiting in the wings. Probably the biggest theme to remember this year is that this offense is a work in progress. We may not see the true identity and success rate until mid-season. This year’s team will have to earn everything they get on the field. Leadership and attitude will go a long way this season with the treacherous road schedule we have. Road games at Idaho, Northern Illinois, USD, Cal-Poly, SDSU and Montana. Talk about initiation into FCS. If there was ever a year to NOT face this schedule, it might be this year. We will see how the team responds.
Practice #17 today for the team. Practice #1 for Idaho prep is only 10 days away.