PARK CITY, Utah -- When UND was accepted into the Big Sky Conference in 2010, it was anyone's guess as to how the school would compete in one of the top Football Championship Subdivision leagues in the country.
Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton didn't have any reservations.
"They will do what is necessary to compete at a high level in this league," Fullerton said last week as the league's annual football media kickoff concluded in Park City, Utah. "I absolutely expect that from them. I know that will happen."
UND is two weeks away from opening its fall football camp, one that will focus on improving upon its first season in the Big Sky. UND went 3-5 in the league and 5-6 overall. A favorable schedule this season that includes seven home games could be the springboard that launches UND to the top of the league and into the 24-team FCS playoff field.
UND, however, did suffer through some first-year growing pains in the Big Sky, a league known for its wide-open style of play.
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The Green and White were competitive in six of their eight league games. Montana State and Eastern Washington both took lopsided wins against UND and both advanced to the FCS playoffs.
"There is always a little bit of a shock playing a level of quality teams week after week after week," Fullerton said. "Then your injuries pile up. That happens in the FCS, particularly in the Big Sky.
"But UND was fine in its first year in the league. They competed well. They had some quality wins and I expect them to rise to the top of the league very quickly."
However, it won't be easy as the top of the league already has some powerful teams, particularly Montana State.
The Bobcats again were picked to win the Big Sky in a poll of media and league coaches.
Montana State arguably has the best player in the league in senior quarterback DeNarius McGhee, who is closing in on 10,000 career passing yards.
"When it gets down to the last two minutes, he's the type of playing whose going to take things upon himself," said Fullerton.
The Big Sky has fared well in postseason play.
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Since 2008, Fullerton said, the Big Sky has had a team in the semifinal or championship rounds of the playoffs. Eastern Washington won the national title in 2010.
"And it's not just one team anymore," Fullerton said.
The commissioner said the league is in good shape heading into its 50th season. There are 13 football-playing schools in the league.
And Fullerton said there is continued talk about further expansion.
"But I'm very cautious," he said. "I talk to our presidents a lot. We have to be careful so we don't make the league so big that it becomes destabilizing from the inside. Any time you have a league big enough to contain two leagues, there can be internal pressures."
The Big Sky is only one of three Division I leagues in the West. And that can be a good thing, Fullerton said.
"Our level of talent is rising rapidly," he said.
Nelson reports on sports. Call him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 1268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .
