The North Dakota football will hold its first of 15 spring practices on Friday, March 27 at Memorial Stadium. The session is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and is open to the public.
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As head coach Bubba Schweigert prepares to embark on his second spring season at UND, his main objective is for the team to continue to form its identity and bring a competitive spirit to each practice.
“You get 15 practices and those will be used to execute who we want to be on offense and who we want to be on defense,” Schweigert said. “That is a continuing process. We know we want to be an NFL type offense, be able to run the ball when you need to, control the ball and that is who we want to be on that side of the ball.
“Defensively, we want to stop the run, be very good against the run and get second and third downs in favorable position for that unit to succeed. We want to pressure the quarterback and how we do that is by giving him a number of different looks, but you have to start with the basics and be able to stop teams from running the football and be good on first down.”
Schweigert will have eight starters back from a defensive unit that made waves in the Big Sky, leading the league in total defense (354.4 ypg) and ranking third in scoring defense (26.2 ppg). Offensively, five starters return from a unit that struggled to find its footing early in the season, but ended with its only 30-plus point outputs in back-to-back wins over No. 22 Northern Arizona and at Northern Colorado.
Those efforts led to a 5-7 record in Schweigert's first season and a 3-5 mark in Big Sky play. “When I look back to the fall season, we have to improve in certain areas,” the second-year head coach added. “Obviously, we have to be more consistent on offense. We played more like we wanted to play later in the year. We ran the football with more consistency and were more efficient on offense.
“Defensively, a huge emphasis for us this spring will be to get better on third down, especially third-and-long. We were up near the top of the charts in the country in tackles for loss. We had a number of sacks, but we have to get better at third-and-long and that will be a big emphasis in spring ball.”
And, Schweigert feels that will be a little easier to implement now that the staff has a year of teaching their offensive and defensive systems in place.
“There is a different feel to our team this year. A year ago, we were just getting to know our guys and now, we have gone through a season and know our guys,” he said. “We know what their strengths are, we know what areas each individual needs to improve in and we can identify those and do a much better job of communicating with our guys.
“I think our players have a better understanding of what is important to us and our program. We are going to keep emphasizing those things and keep people accountable to do their jobs. Everybody is important.”
OFFENSE
RETURNING STARTERS
TE Zach Adler (12 starts, 24 receptions, 265 yds)
OL Brandon Anderson (11 starts at LG)
OL Colton Boas (12 starts at C)
OL Sean Meehan (12 starts at RT)
QB Joe Mollberg (8 starts, 919 yards, 3 TDs)
OFFENSIVE LINE
Rising senior Brandon Anderson is the anchor of an offensive line that found its groove down the back stretch of the 2014 season. After averaging just 78.1 yards on the ground and netting three rushing scores in the team's first seven games, the run game more than doubled that output in the closing five games, churning out 170.0 ypg and seven touchdowns.
That closing stretch included a season-best 297 rushing yards in the upset of No. 22 Northern Arizona. UND rushed the ball a season-high 56 times against the Jacks and found the end zone three times via the ground.
Anderson, who has started 33 games over the past three seasons, is one of three starters that will return in 2015. He is joined by classmates Sean Meehan, who has 23 consecutive starts to his credit, and Colton Boas, who started all 12 games at center in 2014.
“We return three starters, so that is a plus and it will be their second year in the system, which will only help that unit overall,” Schweigert said. “Plus, Brandon Miller got some valuable reps as a sophomore, so we are comfortable with those veterans. With those guys on the roster, it makes for a huge spring for the young guys at that position. We moved Mat Cox to the o-line prior to the season and he has done a great job in the weight room developing his body into that of an offensive lineman.
“Demon Taylor, Kevin Camy, Grant Aplin, Dan Bell, Adam Stiner, all those guys, this is there opportunity to make an impression and move up the depth chart. They know that all jobs are open and we think they gained some good strength during winter training.”
Sophomore A.J. Stockwell will not compete in spring ball after coming on late during his redshirt freshman season. He started the home finale vs. No. 22 Northern Arizona at right tackle and saw his playing time increase towards the end of the season. “We thought he had a really good finish to the fall. Jacob Francis redshirted last season and will be out along with A.J, but other than that, all the guys will have a chance to impress this spring,” Schweigert added. “We didn't have a two-deep last year. This year, we have one and can practice two groups and that changes your approach to how you can practice and develop the offensive line this spring in a good way.”
WIDE RECEIVER
Replacing All-American Greg Hardin proved to even more of a daunting task than expected during the 2014 season. Senior R.J. McGill was the team's leading receiving with 23 grabs up until suffering a season-ending knee injury vs. Portland State (Game No. 7). McGill's total would still end up being the third highest on the team.
Redshirt freshman Josh Seibel stepped in for McGill and ended up leading the team in receptions with 25 after going without a catch through the first six games of the season. His nine-catch performances vs. Portland State and at Southern Utah were team highs.
With McGill graduating and only four healthy receivers finishing the season, the coaching staff brought in a pair of mid-year transfers to help with depth at the position and Clive Georges and Alex Reed will both participate in spring practices.
“We added a couple of transfers to bolster our depth, so we are excited to see what they can do,” Schweigert said. “Alex and Clive were brought in this spring to show what type of impact they can have on our program.”
Georges is a transfer from Arizona where he spent two-plus seasons with the Wildcats. Reed is a JUCO-transfer from Iowa Western.
Five returning wide receivers will join those two newcomers this spring. Among those returning are senior Miguel Cerriteno and sophomore Brandon Walker. Cerriteno grabbed 14 receptions for 153 yards during his first season with UND, while Walker had seven receptions for 105 yards as a true freshman.
Senior Romon Bridges missed the 2014 season and is still rehabbing a knee injury, but should be ready for fall camp. Junior Maverick Edmunds will work exclusively on offense this spring.
“We moved Mav from defense to offense. He bounced around a little last year, but we are committed to giving him a shot at wide receiver,” Schweiger said. “He contributed a lot on special teams a year ago and we like the effort he brings to practice each day.”
Redshirt freshman Luke Stanley will also get an opportunity to show what he can do. The coaches were impressed with him early during the 2014 fall camp before an injury derailed his season. “Again, with every position, all jobs are open and that is how we are going to approach it,” Schweigert said. “Hopefully, guys will show that competitive spirit at each practice.”
TIGHT ENDS
With a change in offensive philosophies, senior Zach Adler got to showcase his receiving skills for the first time in 2014. He had one career catch in 20 games entering the campaign, but would go onto to finish second on the team with 24 receptions and 265 receiving yards. Adler started all 12 games at tight end a year ago and returns along with reserves Luke Mathewson and Tucker Nordby.
“Zach had a real good winter. We were impressed with his work in the weight room and we will really challenged him to take a leadership role within his positiong group and on the team,” Schweigert said.
Redshirt freshman Kyle Ruhe showed his ability to stretch the field early in the season, but unfortunately went down with a knee injury in the Missouri State game. He will miss spring practices as he continues to rehab. Ruhe averaged 27.7 yards per catch through those first three games. Nordby will also miss spring practices after suffering an injury during offseason workouts.
With those two out, redshirt freshman Luke Fiedler will get even more reps this spring, which Schweigert says is an important one for the Orlando native. The six-foot-five tight end showed flashes of what he could do on the scout team in 2014.
“We want our tight ends to be great in the run game and be able to catch the ball when given the opportunity,” Schweigert said. “With the way we want to play, our tight ends have to be good blockers, but also be a threat in the passing game.”
QUARTERBACKS
With returning starter Joe Mollberg still recovering from a foot injury that cost him the final four games of the season, classmate Ryan Bartels and sophomore Keaton Studsrud will get all the reps this spring. Grafton native Jake Hanson will move to the defnsive side of the ball and take a crack at middle linebacker after three seasons as a signal caller at UND.
“Ryan and Keaton will be the guys getting the reps this spring. Joe is progressing and his recovery is going well,” Schweigert said. “He is putting forth good effort to learn and get better at the mental part of the game. He will be in a very limited role out there this spring, but we hope to have him able to throw some, but as far as moving around, he will be very limited.”
Those three quarterbacks all attempted at least 70 passes a year ago as UND threw for just 1,655 yards and six touchdowns in 2014. Studsrud was forced into action for the final four games after both Mollberg and Bartels were injured at Southern Utah.
Studsrud went 2-2 as a starter and led the team to back-to-back wins to close out the season. UND averaged 29.0 ppg in those two contests after scoring just 12.8 ppg in its first 10 contestes.
“Once again, the quarterback position will be another highly competitive situation,” Schweigert said. “I like our quarterbacks and the effort they put in during the winter time to become more visible in our program and taking on more of a leadership role. We ask an awful lot out of that position. They have to be mentally sharp.”
RUNNING BACKS
A majority of the production from the running back position will have to replaced after senior Jer Garman took over the lead role down the stretch. The shifty back had just 128 yards on the ground through the first seven games, but erupted for 730 in the closing five. Those 730 rushing yards accounted for more than half the team's total of 1,397 for the season as the offense found its comfort zone late in the campaign.
Those in line to replace Garman and get valuable reps this spring are sophomores Kyle Norberg and Patrick Sharp along with mid-year transfer Ja'Won Arrington. Norberg made the switch to the offensive backfield early in the 2014 season after starting the campaign at middle linebacker. He finished with 255 rushing yards and matched his season high of 73 yards at Montana State and vs. Montana. Sharp rushed just seven times during the season and had a season-long carry of eight yards vs. Weber State.
Arrington arrived on campus in January after Alabama-Birmingham dropped its football program. “We brought in Ja'Won to be a physical runner for us and get those tough yards. He's the type of back that can succeed in our offense,” Schweigert said. “All of our running backs did a good job during the winter time.
“We have five guys at the position along with (walk-on) Shane Blass and (Wyoming transfer) Oscar Nevermann there too, so we think we have good depth to test those guys and really evaluate those guys. It's an important position for us and we have to have a number of guys ready to carry the football for the way we want to play.”
Blass will be a sophomore after sitting out last season and working as a scout team player. The Wallpole, Mass., native is a transfer from Mount Ida College. Nevermann arrived in January after spending his first two seasons as a linebacker at Wyoming. A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Nevermann will sit out the 2015 season and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
FULL BACKS
Junior Dustin Iverson returns and is in line to replace departed starter Dwayne Pecosky at the fullback position. Iverson has 12 career catches for 79 yards and will be pushed by redshirt freshman Tyler Coyne.
“With the loss of Dewayne Pecosky, that job is open,” Schweigert said. “Dustin has some real athletic ability and showed that in flashes last season. The challenge for him is to become ready to be that next guy because it is an important position on our offense. Tyler is a young guy that has a nice skill set too. Those two will get lots of reps this spring and we need them both to be ready come fall.”
DEFENSE
RETURNING STARTERS
DB Chris Brown (12 starts, 29 tackles, 1 INT)
DL Alec Carrothers (12 starts, 16 tackles)
DL Jordan Hinojosa (5 starts, 5.0 TFLs)
LB Dayo Idowu (12 starts, 61 tackles, 9.0 TFLs)
LB Brian Labat (10 starts, 49 tackles, 12.0 TFLs)
LB Will Ratelle (12 starts, team-high 106 tackles)
LB Taj Rich (12 starts, 82 tackles, 11.0 TFLs)
DB Cole Reyes (10 starts, 59 tackles, 1 INT)
LINEBACKERS
All four starting linebackers are back in the fold for Schweigert and defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt. At the outside spots are senior Dayo Idowu and junior Brian Labat, who combined for 21 tackles for loss and six sacks a season ago. The unit will have to replace the team's top sack man in Garret Reineke, but sophomore Jake Disterhaupt returns after earning a spot in the outside-backer rotation. He racked up 34 tackles, including seven for a loss with strong play down the stretch.
“We return some real good experience at outside linebacker,” Schweigert said. “Idowu and Labat both return as starters and Jake Disterahaupt is back after getting some good experience last season. These guys are so key to our defense. They have to be the playmakers. They were solid for us a season ago, but we are looking for them to make a huge jump this spring.
“We have a young guy as well in redshirt freshman Dylan Harmston that has shown us what type of athlete he is, but he has some learning to do and prove to us that he has the ability to progress to get in the mix.”
Senior Javen Butler is a senior that played some inside linebacker in sub-packages a season ago, but will play primarily on the outside to take advantage of his athleticism. “He really provides some speed for us at that position,” Schweigert said.
The team's top two tacklers from a season ago were inside linebackers Will Ratelle and Taj Rich. Both players started all 12 games and combined for 188 tackles, including 75 solo stops. Ratelle was the first UND player to surpass 100 tackles in a season since Digger Anderson had 104 during the 2004 season. He finished with 106, while Rich added 82.
“Ratelle had a really impressive winter season,” Schweigert said. “He is the captain of our defense and did a good job leading this team during the offseason. Rich had a solid season for us a year ago as just a sophomore and returns at the weakside position, so we feel really good about where we are with those two guys.”
JUCO-transfer Dylan Bakker is a player that redshirted last season and the coaching staff thinks will benefit greatly from having that opportunity to learn the system. The Netherlands native is one of three Europeans on the roster and Coach Schweigert believes that he possesses the skill set to challenge for playing time at inside linebacker.
Sophomore Connor O'Brien played in all 12 games a season ago and finished with 15 tackles. “Connor is a really bright kid that understands that position well and what we are trying to do on defense,” Schweigert said. “He got some experience last season and is only going to get better.”
Two redshirt freshmen will also get their first opportunities to earn playing time. They are Tajhe Hartley and Hudson Walton. Hartley went through fall practices and was a member of the defensive scout team, while Walton will be making his first practice appearances for UND.
Hanson, the former signal caller, made a mutual decision with the coaching staff to move to inside linebacker this spring. “He's done a nice job with the transition so far and we'll give him this opportunity to learn a new position,” Schweigert said.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Alec Carrothers is the veteran of the defensive ends after starting all 12 games as a sophomore in 2014. Carrothers finished with 16 tackles and a sack. “We think Alec had a solid year and really stayed healthy during the winter season,” Schweigert said. “That was key because he played at less than 100 percent during the fall, so we challenged him to do a really good job working on his flexibility and strength. We look for him to be solid contributor once again.”
With few bodies to work with at the position a year ago, sophomores Brandon Dranka and Drew Greely were pressed into action as true freshman and performed well. “Brandon and Drew both played a lot as true freshman and we look forward to getting them back out there on the field, so they can take big steps forward in their development this spring,” Schweigert said. “They got plenty of playing time last season and know what it is all about.”
Dranka led the unit with 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks, earning All-Big Sky honorable mention honors, while Greely added 14 tackles and three sacks.
Two more young guys that will be in the mix are redshirt freshman Austin Cieslak and sophomore Nick Schmitz. “Both of those young guys will get an opportunity to show what they can do as well,” Schweigert added. “We have five guys there during the spring, so there will be plenty of action for those guys this spring.”
NOSE
Senior Kyle Woodsmall and junior Jordan Hinojosa split starts as nose guard a season ago, but both missed parts of the campaign due to injuries. Unfortunately, Woodsmall will miss the spring while he still recovers from his knee injury, but Hinojosa has a clean bill of health and will get valuable reps to continue his development. He finished with 16 tackles in eight games.
“Jordan got here last summer, so he has not had a spring with us, so this one is really important for him to continue to learn our system and take a good step forward,” Schweigert said. “Kyle will have to miss the spring, but he's on course to be back in the fall.”
Redshirt freshman Tank Harris will get plenty of reps behind Hinojosa in the spring and Coach Schweigert wants to see the young player take advantage of his opportunity. “Tank has a lot of skills and athletic ability,” Schweigert said. “He will have plenty of chances this spring to show us what he can do.”
CORNERBACKS
Schweigert will have to replace cornerback Alex Tillman, who excelled in his one season at UND. Tillman finished with a team-high eight pass break-ups and also had a key interception return for a touchdown in the 24-16 win over Portland State.
Despite Tillman's departure, the second-year coach, who also coaches the cornerbacks, will have a trio of players back that earned valuable playing time in 2014.
“We have three guys in spring practices that played the position for us last year,” Schweigert said. “Chris Brown is the veteran of the group and started all 12 games last season. I thought he had a solid season for us. Chris Carter got some playing time in a reserve role and played a lot on special teams. Deion Harris also played as a true freshman and his playing time increased throughout the season as he became more comfortable with the system.
“We also redshirted Charles Flowers last season, who still has three years of eiligibility for us. We are happy with the progress he made in the fall and he gained a lot of strength during the winter season. We hope that transfers to the field. Another player that redshirted for us, Garrett Bolant, will give us five guys competing at that spot that will share reps this spring.”
“We need to take a step forward at that position if we want to be better on third down. Our corners need to take a really big step forward this spring.”
SAFETIES
One thing Schweigert has at the safety position is experienced depth. “We return four guys that played a lot for us,” he said. “Cole Reyes is a young player that really made some nice progress during the season. We are really challenging him to be a more consistent player. He showed the ability to make big plays, but we really want to see him become more consistent.”
Reyes finished fifth on the team in tackles with 59 despite missing two games. He also had five pass break-ups, five tackles for loss and an interception in 10 starts.
Sweden native Williams James played in all 12 games and started four during his junior season, finishing with 44 tackles. Seniors Domo Blackmon and Dillon Olson also return. Both of those guys started one game and finished with 11 tackles a piece.
UND brought in a pair of JUCO-transfers in January to add even more depth to the safety position, but only one of them will be able to suit up for spring drills. “Jawon Johnson will get a real strong look at that position this spring,” Schweigert said. “He's big and athletic and tested well after our winter workouts. For him, it'll be how well he picks up our system. I think it's huge for these transfers to be here now and able to go through spring practices.”
Zach Arnell is another big-bodied safety, but will miss spring practices with a shoulder injury. “Even though he won't be on the field, this will be a big spring for Zach,” Schweigert said. “We want to get him mentally sharp and prepared as much as possible, so when he does return, he is that much ahead in the process.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
RETURNING STARTERS
PK Reid Taubenheim (16 FGs led all FCS rookies)
P Connor Bolduc (39.0 ypp, 16 inside 20)
LS Jacob Holmen (11 starts)
A trio of true freshmen handled the punting, placekicking and snapping duties during the 2014 season and did so in impressive fashion, including Reid Taubeheim, who collected third-team All-Big Sky accolades. Taubenheim led all FCS rookies with 16 made field goals and missed only once in his last 12 attempts.
“Reid had a solid year for us at kicker and made some pressure kicks, which was good to see from a true freshman,” Schweigert said. “He will not kick this spring, while he recovers from offseason surgery, but he'll be ready to start kicking again in the summer and back for fall camp.”
Connor Bolduc started all 12 games at punter and averaged 39.0 yards per punt and only had two touchbacks, while downing 16 inside the 20.
“Connor did a really nice job as a true freshman, but we have a competitive situation there,” Schweigert said. “Mitch Meindel is also back. We didn't play him last year after he started in 2013, so both will be sophomores and they are going to compete for that position.
“At long snapper, Jacob Holmen was solid as a true freshman and we really challenge all these guys to get better in the weight room because that will help their performance on the field. We feel like Jacob took ownership of that and added some good strength in the offseason.”
Besides the specialists, there were several other players who had a positive impact on coverage and return units and those are areas not overlooked by this coaching staff. “We have to do a good job with our special teams development across the board, our receivers, linebackers and running backs, all those guys have to be factors on special teams,” Schweigert said. “It is so important to have really solid special teams if you want to win league championships. You better be good in that area because that is a big part of it.”
