Answering the five questions (or at least giving it a try)

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On April 4, the day NDSU spring football practice began, we ran a list of “Five Questions” in regards to this season that essentially starts now. With the annual spring game just a few days away, let’s see if there are any answers yet:

  • Will the harmony continue? Senior leadership was considered a major factor in NDSU’s FCS playoff run last year. The Bison will have to replace that kind of off-the-field team presence. Comment: This question will be better answered once the season gets rolling. Team captains are selected at the beginning of fall camp, but it appears guys like Preston Evans, D.J. McNorton and Coulter Boyer would be good candidates.
  • Who will emerge as the starting quarterback? Sophomore Brock Jensen will open as the No. 1 guy but the coaches have made it known the position is up for grabs. Comment: Jensen has retained his No. 1 status to date, but freshman Esley Thorton is pushing him and is regarded as the No. 2 quarterback.
  • Who will man the middle? With standout defensive tackle Matt Gratzek gone, the key spot in the Tampa 2 defense has an opening and it appears sophomore Leevon Perry will get first crack. Comment: Perry showed in the first couple of weeks that he indeed will be the first to get that chance. The tackle-noseguard is currently seeing a rotation of Perry, sophomore Ryan Drevlow and sophomore Justin Juckem with freshman Anthony LaVoy getting a look.
  • Who will challenge at wide receiver? The two redshirt freshmen, Zach Vraa and Trevor Gebhart, will have their chances with the absence of injured senior Warren Holloway. Comment: The two certainly haven’t disappointed with Gebhart earning a solid starting spot and Vraa not far behind.
  • Who will get their kicks? Senior Matt Voigtlander is tabbed to take over the punting job. Senior Ryan Jastram is the returning kicker, although freshman Adam Keller is healthy to challenge him. Comment: Voigtlander has taken the position switch and run with it. Coaches are comfortable with him as the punter. As for the kicker, not so much. Field goal game needs work.

14 thoughts on “Answering the five questions (or at least giving it a try)”

  1. As far as the QB position goes I feel Jensen has to produce this year or he will be benched in favor of Thorton. The true freshman QBs from Bismarck Century and Arizona make QB a position where strong competition should make sure we have a solid guy in there come September. It sounds like the defense will be tough as long as we are able to do a good job of replacing Gratzek. But as always you never really know what you have ’til you start playing games. If the Bison do have a good year and either make a run deep into the playoffs or were to win the whole thing it will be fun to see what type of recruits we are able to bring to Fargo. I think anyone who follows the Bison has to be impressed with the athletes brought in with last years class. Go Bison!

  2. If the passing game can complement the running game and keep defenses off the line of scrimmage, the sky is the limit with this Bison team. The defense will keep us in every game.

    Looking forward to 2011 season.

  3. I am confident that Bohl is getting his QB recruiting legs under him. I firmly believe Jenson will be the first QB recruited by Bohl that is actually a true DI QB, something that could not be said about Mertens, Brecke, Parsons or Mohler. The subsequent QBs may be better, as in Thorton, Wentz and Stanford, but Jenson will be fine.

    • I agree. Brock Jensen was a pretty good QB in the second half of most games last year as a redshirt freshman. With a year under his belt he should startt he games better and not be so hyped up that he misses easy passes. Hopefully Thorton keeps improving and pushing Jensen all season long.

  4. Only 1 question, will this seasons offense be hamstrung by VIGEN?

    Also, I will take credit for NDSU/ASU bball game. Email here.

    6/25/09 I forwarded this email to gene, saul, coach pera

    HEY LAKES,
     
    I coached a 14 year old basketball team last weekend at an ASU bball team camp and I went out for drinks with the asst. coach pera and they are still looking for someone to beat up on for thier home opener. He said they have contacted almost all of the D-1 schools that would fall into that catagory and I asked if he called NDSU yet, and he said no, but that might be a good fit becasue of all of their starters are gone, yet made the tourney last year so hopefully NDSU has that date open and I can watch the Bison at wells fargo arena in Nov”  Get it done buddy! I know you have some PULL.

  5. Lakes is the Man!! He has had the insight on most if not all BISON sports situations. Mertens was poorly coached and improperly deployed. I agree with Lakes on that observation. I am excited about the evolution in the NDSU QB situation and the talent that is now coming to Fargo.

    • Well…..who was mertens qb coach? Hint…..hes the # 1 question for this upcoming season……plus im buds with 2 WR’s that said outloud that THEY flat screwed up nick…..and them coaches tried to make him steve walker instead of being flexible and put him in shotgun, multiple wr looks, etc…….

      Class has ended, my lesson of knowledge is done for tonight

  6. 1 last thing, talked to my buddy josh gatlin…..said .cincinnati likes him.

    Draftsite.com has gatlin going round 7 to cincinnati.

    Id say his goal is round 5-6,..

  7. Gatlin would be a steal at round 7. I talked to one of the coaches who thinks he’s a round 3 or 4 talent.