UND football camp Day 7: Grand Forks' Ben Christian working into top rotation
Aug. 13—As the UND football program tries to replace three starters on the interior of the offensive line, a local walk-on is making a push for playing time.
Grand Forks Red River's Ben Christian, in his fourth season with the program, has taken turns running with the No. 1 unit on the offensive line during fall camp.
Christian, 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, has been pushing for playing time at a guard spot.
The Fighting Hawks lost spring of 2021 starters Nathan Nguon (center), Ryan Tobin (guard) and Kyle Hergel (guard). Nguon and Tobin graduated and have moved on with their careers, while Hergel elected to transfer to Texas State prior to UND's playoff run.
After redshirting in 2018, Christian saw playing time primarily on special teams in 2019 and 2020.
Sophomore Colin Lavell, senior Babak Ghadaksaz (Portland State transfer), redshirt freshman Andrew Fenton and redshirt freshman Easton Kilty are all in the mix for playing time at the interior offensive line spots.
Kilty is a likely starter at one of the two guard spots, while Ghadaksaz has FCS experience at both guard and center.
Here are the details from Day 7:
The scene: The Fighting Hawks started practice Thursday at 8:45 a.m. and went to 10:40. The temperature was a cool 58 degrees. There didn't appear to be any NFL scouts in attendance for the first time in a few days. The previously unidentified NFL scout Thursday was from the Minnesota Vikings.
Play of the day: Cornerback-turned-safety Sammy Fort jumped a Trey Feeney pass that lofted a little too much over the middle and made the interception.
Looking good: Running back Luke Skokna saw a lot of work out of the backfield both in the run and pass game. He showcased his quick cutting ability on a number of plays, including one run he decided to take all 80 yards to the end zone and finished with a sprinter, Usain Bolt-like finish at the goal line.
Day 7 notes
— Linebacker Jaxson Turner, who was expected to change to No. 0 this year, has decided to stick with 15.
— Chandon Pierre, who has been seeing reps at nose guard, made Tommy Schuster throw away a passing play with pressure early in hurry-up team drills.
— Redshirt freshman cornerback Sam Robertson picked Tommy Schuster on a deep ball to Chrysten Cochran.
— Redshirt freshman Jack Wright was heavily involved again, showcasing his quicks on bubble screens and reverses.
— Two rookie wide receivers deep down the depth chart made standout plays. Moorhead product Blake Walthall made a tough grab and Bismarck Century's Noah Schaffner quietly is putting together a nice first camp.
Past coverage
5 questions for fall camp
Day 1: Back outdoors
Day 2: Quarterback Trey Feeney makes strong first impression
Day 3: Jack Wright starts to carve a role following injury
Day 4: Jake Richter using his size to make plays
Day 5: Rookie corners show promise
Day 6: Chrysten Cochran makes most of increased reps
Day 7: Grand Forks' Ben Christian working into top rotation
