Quarterback Joey Bradley has been at UND since January, arriving from a junior college in California.
So far, he's had 11 practices during the spring football season to learn UND's offense.
Heading into Saturday's annual Green-White game at the Alerus Center, Bradley said he's starting to feel comfortable with the Sioux offense.
"I feel like things are starting to click a little more," Bradley said. "I'm feeling pretty good. I'm just trying to get familiar with the offense and the switch in terminology. I'm trying to get things figured out in my head so I'm not swimming when I get to the line of scrimmage."
In UND's last two live sessions, Bradley has shown considerable progress. He was particularly sharp in UND's live session Wednesday at the Alerus Center.
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"I'm getting the call from the sideline and I can envision the play in my head," Bradley said.
The quarterback position is the main focus of UND spring football.
Who will start at quarterback when UND opens its 2011 season Sept. 1 against Drake, however, is still undecided.
Bradley, who threw for 3,346 yards and 31 touchdowns last season at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif., will be in the mix along with Brent Goska, Marcus Hendrickson and Chris Comes.
Goska entered spring ball No. 1 on the depth chart and has continued to take reps with the No. 1 offense.
But Sioux coach Chris Mussman has maintained throughout spring ball that competition for the position remains wide open.
And no final decision at the quarterback spot will be made after today's scrimmage.
"We're starting to feel better where we're at in the quarterback club," Mussman said. "(Today's) game will clear some things up."
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This season's spring game will be different. Before, the game was a controlled scrimmage. Today, there will be two complete teams going against each other.
"The big fear is that if the teams are split too evenly, we'll have a low-scoring game," Mussman said. "We still want to have some entertainment value for the fans that do come out.
"But the big thing is to stay healthy and get some reps for the young guys as we get ready for next year. We want to see some healthy competition.
"We know that guys like Ross Brenneman, Devin Benjamin and Broc Bellmore (all defensive linemen) can play."
UND's defense continues to lead the way during the spring season, although the Sioux offense fared well in situational play earlier this week.
Mussman said four players will be held out of today's game for academic reasons.
"You're here to be a student and go to class," Mussman said. "That's the No. 1 reason."
Also, today's game does not wrap up the spring season.
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UND will practice three more times next week, finishing with a scrimmage Thursday at Memorial Stadium.
Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .
Today's game
Who: Green vs. White.
When: 1 p.m., Alerus Center.
Last year: UND finished 3-8.
Honorary coaches: Dale Lian (1976-78), Green Team; Bruce Smith (1965-69), White Team.
Of note: Along with the annual spring game, other activities include tailgating, people's choice food judging, live music, family scavenger hunt, interactive games, and a free kids sports clinic (11 a.m.).
