UND FOOTBALL: Offensive, defensive lines to be focus of coaches in Green-White spring game

Before today's annual UND Green-White spring game, there will be a lot of beef on display outside the Alerus Center. The North Dakota Tailgate Sioux-Per Party will include plenty of beef -- ribs and burgers -- for fans to enjoy.

Later, there will be enough beef on display inside the Alerus Center as the Sioux will play the Divide and Conquer spring game.

The inside beef refers to the Sioux offensive and defensive lineman -- two areas that will draw the watchful eye of UND coaches as the program conducts its last session of the spring season.

Particularly, the Sioux offensive line may draw the most scrutiny as it has been an area of concern during the spring.

The absence of injured starters Emmett Lynch and Joe Kleason has left the line short on depth but also has provided an opportunity for younger linemen to mark their mark as UND prepares for 2012 -- its first season in the Big Sky Conference.

"It starts with the guys up front, on both sides of the ball," UND coach Chris Mussman said. "As we split up the offensive and defensive lines, there will be times when we'll be extremely young on both sides so that could create some exciting plays."

But UND's offensive line play during the last week has progressed.

"Monday was our best practice of spring ball," Mussman said. "You could tell we made a step forward, particularly in pass protection."

Offensive lineman Brandon Anderson, a 6-foot-6, 293-pound redshirt freshman from Sartell, Minn., has made big strides during spring ball, Mussman said.

"You'll notice him," said Mussman, who coaches the offensive line. "He reminds me of a young Chris Kuper."

The defensive line will be anchored by senior Ross Brenneman, one of the program's top players. And the Sioux defense has had the upper hand during most of the spring practices at Memorial Stadium.

It's also likely the defense will have to lead the way when UND begins play in the Big Sky Conference.

"I'm just excited to play against an elite level every week," Brenneman said. "All of the teams in the Big Sky are good. We'll have to bring it every week.

"It's going to be about consistency for us. At times last season, we played at or beyond the Big Sky level. Doing that each week will be the challenge."

Besides the line play, the other area coaches will watch is quarterback.

North Carolina transfer Braden Hanson has taken reps with the No. 1 group all week. Joey Bradley, last season's starter, is at No. 2.

"Braden looked pretty good in our scrimmage last week," Mussman said. "But we hope all the quarterbacks will have a good day."

Mussman said there have been no major surprises during the spring season. But one player has made big strides.

"The kid who has impressed me the most is (linebacker) Cordero Finley," Mussman said. "He's been really productive and really aggressive."

UND assistant coaches Greg Breitbach and Mike Mannausau will lead the teams today. Mussman will be in the radio booth serving as an analyst for fightingsioux.com, which will carry the game.

Former Sioux greats Dave Osborn and Dan Martinsen will serve as the honorary coaches. Media coaches will be radio host Scott Swygman of The Fan in Grand Forks and Mike Mussman, the younger brother of the Sioux coach who is a Twin Cities radio personality that does pregame and postgame work on the Minnesota Vikings radio network.

Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .