Fall camp unofficially ended on Saturday and school starts Monday with the NDSU football players. The offense came alive in the intrasquad scrimmage, specifically receiver Zach Vraa. He’ll be a tough one-on-one matchup for cornerbacks this season.
Other notes and thoughts:
- There were some special teams big plays with returner Ryan Smith, but there was also a large talent gap between the scout and the No. 1 units.
- If there is a gap between starting tailback D.J. McNorton and backup Sam Ojuri, it’s not much. Ojuri took one inside play, bounced it outside and picked up a chunk of yards in quick fashion.
- What I liked best about Vraa’s 12-yard touchdown reception is it came one play after he was leveled by cornerback Christian Dudzik, who made the receiver pay for a leaping grab. Vraa won the next battle up high for the TD.
- When Vraa committed out of Rosemount High School, his high school coach said what makes him so effective is his body control in traffic. He’s shown that this fall, and then some.
- The defense seemed a bit flat to me today, not showing the excitment it had in previous practices. Not having linebackers Preston Evans and Chad Willson, defensive end Kyle Emanuel and cornerback Marcus Williams could have had something to do with it. Several players were held out with minor injury flaps. Emanuel, for instance, has an oblique injury and head coach Craig Bohl said he could have maybe played if necessary.
- Speaking of Evans, he’s one of six captains, yes six, along with defensive end Coulter Boyer, safety Daniel Eaves, tight end Matt Veldman, offensive lineman Paul Cornick and McNorton.
- Backup offensive lineman Will Britt suffered a high ankle sprain and watched the rest of the scrimmage on crutches and a boot. Otherwise, it was a rather injury-free morning.
- It appears quarterback Carson Wentz won the spot for the No. 3 job with Dante Perez hurt. The true freshman was in a battle with freshman Ryan Stanford, although NDSU will only use Wentz in an absolute emergency, therefore protecting his redshirt. Wentz was impressive throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Taylor Nelson and generally showing good agility for a guy over 6-5.
- Punter Matt Voigtlander was so good on a couple of his kicks that he outbooted the coverage when Smith returned one of them a long way.
Sounds good, I cant wait until we get this season going. I like the updates and all, but I like to see statistical information which shows that the Bison kicked some good ol ashtabula. Thanks for the reports as I am unable to make the scrimmages etc., I am a busy feller.
LCG
I liked how they worked Smith into the offense with some end around stuff to take advantage of his speed and give defenses something else to worry about when he’s on the field. Kind of like the stuff we used to do with Majeski and Shamen. Wonder if we don’t see that come out on, oh, a late September day in Minneapolis …
Is Brock Jensen the set in stone starting QB? Does Esley Thorton look like a capable backup? You haven’t said much about the QB battle does that mean Brock Jensen took the job and ran away with it?
From what I have heard and have been reading Brock didnt run away with it.
Brock Jensen is the starter, no doubt. But I also see Thorton playing at some point. It, in my opinion, is just a matter of when, where and how much and as to the answers to those questions, I don’t know if anybody knows yet.
Even if Brock Jensen continues to play well? It seems to me that if Jensen is playing well and improving he should be able to keep starting.
Good stuff Jeff, thanks.
It was music to my ears that the offense was looking pretty good. Was it #1 O vs #1 D?
No doubt Wentz is a future super star.
He should be the true #3 QB on the team, even over Perez.
It’s NORTH DAKOTA State, we have to play the ND stars over kids from Arizona!
Why burn a redshirt unnecessarily. Talentwise, is he #3? Probably. However, I’d rather have him around for another year rather than burn eligibility.
I’m not saying Wentz should play this year, just that he’s earned the privilege of traveling with the team as the 3rd QB because he’s shown he is the 3rd best QB on the team! He’s better than the AZ kid and both those freshman are better than Perez.
The #3 QB may not even practice with the offense during the season, he may still run the scout offense for the defense. But it’s a matter of getting to travel and gaining that experience, which can only help him down the road.
And by the way, redshirting is a very over rated practice. Today’s true freshman are as capable of playing at a high level as ever in the history of college football. I would expect any fan of last year’s NDSU football team to know that!
If a true freshman is better than a returning guy – play the freshman!
Read the Star Tribune today, Kill is going to be playing a few true freshman at the U this year because those are the best players. No doubt Bohl will do the same as needed.
He is not necessarily (currently) better than the upperclassmen…
Having said that, I do agree there are some true freshmen that can come in and make an impact. Others can hold their own when called upon out of necessity. The preferred method though should be to redshirt and trade their first year as an incoming kid for their last as an experienced man.
On the other hand, older players have had a lot of injuries, have a harder course load and are not necessarily bigger, stronger and faster than when they were freshman.
Last year (should have) opened a lot of eyes as to the abilities of true freshman. They can play and they can play better than upperclassmen, in some cases.
No player should have his job guaranteed, even if he’s a returning All-American.
“It’s NORTH DAKOTA State, we have to play the ND stars over kids from Arizona!”
So should we start Ryan Smith (former ND star) over DJ McNorton (Texas guy)?
Well let me ask you, should we start Coulter Boyer at RB over DJ McNorton?
That’s just as legitimate of a question, as neither Boyer nor Smith play RB for NDSU.
Next time, try to learn a little bit about the team before asking such a ridiculous question.
I’ve said since spring that Ojuri is a better back than McNorton. There is a reason the coaches went against their own policies last year to make sure he stuck around and didn’t kick him off the team. He’ll be a star for the next 3 years.
#1 Bison 03 with another anti.ndsu post, wow you are so cool.
#2 to wentz’s uncle, im SOOO SURE bismarck fball competition is better than scottsdale, phoenix arizona…are you kidding me?
#3 why u keep trying to block users on this blog?
#4 1500+ tickets left for opener, cmon FARGO sell this out!!!
Lakes worshiped Mertens – he failed.
Lakes worshiped Moheler – he failed.
Now lakes worships the AZ freshman QB – he’s been beaten out by Wentz.
Three strikes, Lakes is out!
Thank you for the updates.
I appreciate them.
Updates looking good, anything to report on bball trip??? Im waiting to see what this team does!
You have no connection to NDSU. Please throw your phone in a lake!!!
Wentz uncle. is your persona feeling small compared to mine?? Awwww.
Mertens….ruined by vigen
Mohler…ruined by vigen / the system.
Both of those guys shouldve been shotgun, spread formation passers, buy square peg, round hole.
Excuse and excuse.
If that’s what those players really needed — not that you would have any freakin clue since you never played football — then they knew darn well not to come to NDSU in the first place.
NDSU has never been and will never utilize a basketball offense. The Bison are power runners who use play action, quick slants and the occasional 5 step drop to keep defenses honest.
Mertens and Mohler were simply no good at that. Vigen just calls the plays, the players have to execute.
Now you can leave the website.
The fan cop is back on this site. Its no shot at NDSU lakes, its the truth. Check your facts little man.
Played class 5A minnesota all conference CHUMP. better than your 9-man hoople fball experience.
Mertens, Mohler were begged to come here by Perles, vigen saw mohler at nebraska qb camp and VIGEN shouldve adjusted to their attributes. Ask my bud T white, belquist, wurzbacher….they all agreed with ME
This lie was already exposed on this website in an earlier post. You’re a liar because it’s a known fact that there was no 5A in the early 90′s when you went to high school.
Just like you lie about knowing former NDSU players. You have no association with this university.
Leave this website.
Lakes, the Al Bundy of Bison football. Did you score 4 TD’s against Polk high as well?
Did you just mention your HS FB exploits? HS? Really?