The Struggling UND Offense

UND got a much needed 13-3 win over Stony Brook on Saturday to raise it’s record to 2-2.  However, it came with a ton of questions from the fan base about UND’s uber-struggling offense.  UND’ offense only put up 6 points against a pretty good Stony Brook defense and had trouble moving the ball the entire game (the UND defense scored a TD).  They are now four games into the season and the UND offense has not made much progress at all and it is beginning to concern some.

Here is the way I look at:

1. The offensive scheme is fine.  Pro-style, fullback, tight end, two wide receivers.  Nothing unusual there and it’s run by thousands of programs at all levels.  The new staff is not changing the overall scheme four games into a season so people can stop wasting their time talking about it.
2. The offensive scheme/system is being installed for the long haul, meaning for the next 4-5 years.  The pieces are not in place but the staff is trying to be move them around.
3. The offensive line is struggling mightily to get a consistent push.  They had a few glimmers of hope on Saturday but nothing consistent at all.  This has been an issue all season and for a team that wants to be “run-first”, it’s a real issue.  When you can’t run, but want to be a balanced offense, you won’t be able to pass either.
4. Pass protection is not too bad.  Probably a B- if we had to grade it.  QB Joe Mollberg has gotten pressured this season, yes, but not anymore than was to be expected coming into the year.
5. The running backs are still missing the few holes that were created or are late to getting there.  UND started converted linebacker Kyle Norberg at running back vs. Stony Brook.  Norberg is a power type of runner who played fullback in a triple option offense in high school.  There were a few times where he completely missed the wide open backside running lane and plowed into the back of his own OL.  However, it was Norberg’s first game running the ball since high school so we are not blaming him for anything.  Just pointing out facts from the game.  Like we said, there weren’t many holes to find.
6. The young UND wide receivers are getting pressed at the line and having trouble getting open consistently.  Teams are manning up on the outside and getting after the UND running game on the inside.  They know UND cannot beat them through the air so they are loading up on the run.  UND is definitely missing the height/size/speed they had at WR last year.
7. What we want to see more ‘unique’ plays to try and extend drives and/or gain yards.  Jet sweep to RJ McGill, bubble screens, 5-10 yard passes to the tight ends, QB draws, quick slants, three-step fades or fade stops. The tight ends have been non-existent since Kyle Ruhe got hurt and a guy like Zach Adler needs to be that pass-catcher from the TE spot.  Also, we have seen a few QB draws this year and they have worked for the most part.  Against Stony Brook, Mollberg took off twice in a row gaining positive yards each time.
8. Finally, the play of Joe Mollberg.  Considering everything I just said it is very hard to blame Mollberg too much.  He has made a few plays this year and also missed a handful of wide open receivers.  QB is a RHYTHM position, they need to get in a rhythm, and it’s quite obvious to all that the UND offense has no rhythm.  I think Mollberg has the tools to run the offense but cannot get going.  He then makes a poor throw which sets everything back once again. Honestly, they could try Ryan Bartles but I don’t know if it would make much of a difference.  Nothing is clicking.  It’s easy to play QB when your O-Line kicks the hell out of everybody.