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So, what do you do when you are at work and there is no new reading material leading up to a Saturday game against USD. You sift stats and come up with your own stuff. I think there is always some apprehension with USD because it is a familiar foe. There is a lot of history between these teams and history states the location and venue will play a factor in this matchup. Though the same could have been said last year and the bottom line is that UND was not a good enough football team last year. I think that will be the same case for USD this year. The biggest offensive factors to look at are RB and QB. QB - Aidan Bouman has shown what he is capable of in the past but has not played up to that level this season. He gets it done, but we have the far greater QB based on play this season. Defense needs to limit big passing plays, avoid PI penalties and create some turnovers. QB threw several interceptions to start the season but has not thrown one in a few weeks. RB - LJ Phillips has stepped in to the starting role and played at a very high level; currently #2 in the FCS for rushing yards (2 spots ahead of Beau Brungard). That being said, lets add some context to the numbers. In 9 games, Phillips has gone over 100 yards 5 times (with some real monster games). Of those 5 opponents 3 rank at the very bottom of the FCS in rushing D (#116 UNC, #123 Indiana St, #126 Murray St), Illinois St. is at #59 in rushing D and gave up 123 yards to Phillips but no TDs, while Drake comes in at a respectable #18 but has only played 7 games and plays in the Pioneer League which must be considered. Other notable stats: Scoring Offense: #9 UND (40 PPG) / #81 USD (21.9 PPG) Scoring Defense: #17 UND (18.62 PPG) / #53 USD (26.33 PPG) 3rd Down Conversion %: Slight edge to USD, but both teams about 40-41% 4th Down Conversion %: UND at 67% on 12 attempts / USD at 33% on 9 attempts Fewest Penalties: #7 UND (32 for 296 yds) / #75 USD (51 for 477 yds) *USD has played 1 extra game Turnover Margin: UND is +7 / USD is -2 (UND has more interceptions, but USD has fewer fumbles lost) Redzone efficiency: UND is #78 with .795 (44 Att; 35 Scores; 14 Rush TD; 17 Pass TD; 4 FGM) / USD is #11 with .926 (27 Att; 25 Scores; 10 Rush TD; 6 Pass TD; 9 FGM) Redzone Defense: #58 UND / #91 USD KO Returns: #4 UND (13 for 367 yds and 1 TD) / #67 USD (17 for 333 and 0 TD) To win the game you follow a similar formula to what we have already seen. Shut down their key playmaker in Phillips. Get an early lead and force them to throw the ball. I don't trust that Bouman is going to win this game for them with his arm. Philips has been dominant, but more so against terrible run D teams. We know NDSU is elite, but they held him to 38 yards and 0 TDs. Continue to spread the ball around ... they cannot cover everyone. Get SS going early, use X on passing plays but limit touches ... I'd rather see Langama get the ball and a healthy dose of Brunell in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Let Jerry do his thing ... take your shots on short yardage situations. Can we put together 4 full quarters? Can we capitalize in the red zone? Can we limit big plays? If you showed me stats, rankings, scores, opponents, etc. (without telling me the team) I would say that this should be a dominant win by the boys in green, comparable to UNI, but certainly not as difficult as Southern Illinois. That being said, it is USD on the road and we can all attest that there have been some strange matchups in the past. Even so, this is a new team under new leadership. They have shown they can compete consistently on the road and have bucked the road loss issue; so why not roll into Vermillion and dominate? I really do expect to see backups playing back the 4th quarter, but hopefully we see them in the mid to late 3rd. Should be a fun game to watch ... WIN BIG and STAY HEALTHY!!! JYD!!!

How does every thread turn into this?! We’re a top 10 team with a chance to get to 6-2 this weekend!

A meaningful night for Strinden. The moment of silence for his father pre game and he has 4 points tonight.

Yeah, very proud. I wasn't a Flyers fan at all. Being a Boston Bruins fan, I despised that franchise; however, I have come to appreciate it. My wife just bought me the hat and t-shirt. Last December, we went to a Flyers game in Anaheim, and it was a fabulous place to watch a game. I also attended the Jets-Flyers game last March. I plan on going again this April. The Flyers have a lot of nice young players, and I feel that they're building a team for the future. Bobby's linemates, Tyson Forrester and Noah Cates, are put out to check the opposition's top line. I really like the Cates kids' game.

Congrats to Spunar for not only first win but a shutout win

We sat behind the end where the Sioux defended twice 6 rows up behind the net. All D played pretty damn well but Verhoeff really stood out to me. He plays like a seasoned vet. No panic in his game and sees the ice so well. We are lucky to have him for sure

When they were down 3-1 with 4.xx minutes left I would have taken an OT loss in a heartbeat. Spoon's net tomorrow please

You have lost your mind. Sounded like Schmidt required a few improvements before deciding to come here, like the nutrition. He didnt have to come here, so if he did, he wanted certain things to be in place so he could do it his way, taking from things he has learned at other programs. So you think they told him, ok sure we will improve nutrition etc. etc., but here is the thing Eric, you dont have total control of your coaching staff, you have to get approved from us before you can hire or fire certain staff. Ummm right.

Let's not act like this isn't a great win for this program.

Remember when posters were saying Emery should sit? Pepperidge Farms remembers….

A big reason they looked horrible is because of und defense.. give them some credit. offense / OC and kicking game needs to step up… biggest issues of the game were * not running the ball at the 2 yd line.. from my view that 3 down sequence was .. good defense.. uncalled PI.. bad throw.. should have been 3 runs. * missed chipshot FG.. basically an xp * lack of a consistent really short yardage play. I hate 4th and short from the pistol.

You just aren't going to win games when you've got guys with letters making dumb decisions late in games. Strinden doesn't shoot it on the 2-0 low, James takes a neutral zone penalty to make it 3-1, then Liv in OT trying to make a summer hockey play, then doesn't get back and get the guy's stick after Homer made the save on the 2-1. I don't think Homer is the guy at all, but he wasn't the reason they lost. Duluth has three guys that will beat you that you need to be aware of, and low and behold each of the 4 goals had a Plante involved in it. I thought Josephson took a step tonight. Big short handed goal and assist late.

I think this staff puts a lot of emphasis on getting the twos and threes real game experience whenever possible. That can lead to giving up points the starters maybe wouldn't have given up. But if that helps build depth, then I am fine with it.

Let’s Go!!!

My three biggest takeaways tonight were: 1. Rickwood is so solid. What a sneaky big get for this team. 2. Wiebe has looked really good. He just keeps getting better. 3. The game was much more enjoyable when I had the commentators muted.

Eleven goals. Eleven different goal scorers.

I've rarely seen such a large change in playing style from one night to the next. Tonight: - pass the puck forward, never backward and rarely side to side. - don't overextend on offense - sticks on sticks in our own zone. Ultimate of classic KISS hockey.

Jan starts from here on out, deal, deal

Not sure if it was longer, but for sure, MN went the last 12:20 without a SOG. Super impressive defensive display!

Let’s kick some gopher ass!

What more did you want from the defense the last two games? They held both teams well below their averages and kept giving the offense the ball back. To me, we hang our hat on defense right now. To criticize them after what they did yesterday is ludicrous.

Also going shotgun on 4th and 1 is a horrible idea

Liver 0-3-3 Strinden 2-1-3 Swanson 1-2-3 James/Zellers both 2g Croal/Reschny both 2a Some big games tonight, not to mention Spunar holding it down in net.

Happy Monday to all UND football fans! UND (6-2) defeated Indiana State (2-6) handily - as they should - on Saturday, October 25, by a score of 46-17. Now it is on to South Dakota (5-4)! USD lost most recently at home to Illinois State by a score of 21-13 last Saturday (10/25/25). Historically, it has been a challenge for UND to beat USD in Vermillion at the DakotaDome. This will be a challenge but a welcome one at that. “Everything we want is on the other side of hard. November football games are the ones [we’ll] remember.” Who would want it any other way? Everyone travel down to Vermillion if you can- not that terribly far of a trip. There will certainly be some Kelly Green in the stands down there. Kickoff is 1 pm on Saturday, November 1, 2025. This is the official site for tickets to the game: https://goyotes.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS:ATHLETICS:FB25:F05:&linkID=usd-athletics&dataAccId=178&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_usd-athletics This is a great opportunity to go 3-2 overall on the road, 5-0 in the Valley in conference play, and win our 3rd straight road contest. LETS GO HAWKS!

I need to give a shout out to Strinden for his play since the Saturday night debacle against the Gophers. In the 4 games since he has 2 goals, 4 assists and is a +6. Being one who was calling for him to be sat to send a message, he has responded admirably. I never doubted that it he would bounce back and be a key contributor to this team, and this team needs him to be. Now we need to find a way to get Menghini going ... no points yet this season and did get scratched the Friday game at Clarkson.

You will have to let it go……it will be a long week for you. It’s a tired complaint from him that only gets worse as he drinks. It’s like Sam complaining about the Big10 not wanting NDSU or state funding.

I’m still trying to figure out how we managed to not get a shot off on a two on none.

no business suits please, that magic is long gone

give credit when its due...this is an awesome graphic/pic...keep it up!! and congrats to big becher too!!!! bone by bone

Another HUGE game/test for the 2025 University of North Dakota (UND) football team on Saturday, October 18, 2025! UND (4-2) - currently ranked #9/#11 in the country -will go on the road to play #12 Southern Illinois (SIU), which is also 4-2 on the season. This top 15 matchup will kickoff at 2 pm, and will be viewable on ESPN+, or you can listen via radio on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network. Great time for that 5th victory of the season, 3rd conference victory, and 2nd road victory! LETS GO HAWKS!

I like this quote from his Mom (highlighted for emphasis).

This has been huge for us so far this year.

You can already feel how different Schmidt is mentality-wise for road games and how he feels about our former struggles. To him it’s a box we checked and now we move on. Schmidt has the well play them in the parking lot for all I care and still win mentality. That rubs off on the guys. Now comes the real test of that. Remember, we’re still two years out on the roster.

His vision and passing are elite. You don't get to be the USHL Forward of the Year and USHL Player of the Year without being elite. He obviously had some adjustment time last year coming from the USHL to NCAA speed, but I am guessing he will have a big leap this year. And even bigger leap next year. He's gonna be a really fun collegiate player to watch progress...I'm glad we get to watch it in a UND uni.

Really excited for this one. Schmidt and this coaching staff have put this team in position to be in the conversation if they can get this one. Think they will. I've been really impressed with the defense; they've been so steady so far. Just solid. Offense will be just fine. HUGE game!

And if we’re going to throw it at the goal line, why would we not throw to 6’5” Deng Deng??

Less than a year ago. Eric Schmidt

I can’t understand why we are in shot gun formation at 4th and inches!! Go under center

Once they took away the catwalk…. the atmosphere dropped significantly. The hardcore ass$&@@s like me now have to coexist with the bleacher people. Not fun and quite boring. Majority of them are only there because they have nothing better to do. They don’t want disruption. They come to games for food, candy, drinks, selfies, tik tok moments…etc. Not interested in being loud, standing or talking football . A collaboration of wet blankets disguised as und football fans. So frustrating seeing the rail 7/8 empty and quiet. The groups of people that stood on the catwalk were there for opponent distraction, game talk and most importantly ….being the 12th man. We were loud and proud. Just an all around ridiculous idea that someone had to pocket some green. With that said. I will be there tomorrow being as loud as I can be with hopefully little feedback. Go Sioux !!

Outside of my season tickets I got 8 more when the NDCC presale opened. $86.50 a ticket is ridiculous for the extra seats I got location wise. Will be fun to be around old college friends and family but to still have seats unsold at this stage is on UND and/or the Alerus.

How about UND social media replicate the iconic flying bicycle scene from the movie E.T. With Jerry in the basket, and you pedaling and proclaiming "Jerry is out of this world!!!"

The defense makes und football watchable this year

Long story short.... In the 78-79 season, we let Kermit the Frog (mascot in a little Farce helmet and ref jersey), sit on top of the glass during warmups. When Michigan visited, they stole Kermit. Whisked him off to the locker room after warmups. Much negotiating between us and the Michigan locker room ensued: They offered to return him in return for a sweep. We replied "give us back the Frog and we'll only beat you by 9 goals". And so on. During pre-game, and during the game, Kermit was tied up and hanging from the backup goalie's stick. Then they took him back to Ann Arbor. In the following days, media picked up the story. Virg Foss interviewed the Grand Exalted Poobah and several of us lesser Poobahs for a story. Which got picked up by Associated Press syndication. The Herald followed up with a contest for a bumper sticker slogan and "Kermit's Luck Guides Our Puck" was the winner. The next season, we swept the series and got Kermit back.

Link to article Please enjoy, and make sure you've got enough time to watch all of these video clips! 🙂 Dave

The key to sweeping the Gofers is winning on Friday. No Sioux team has lost the Friday game and ended up sweeping.

Tweeted..."So awesome to see the student turnout" at the Turning Point USA rally that was recently held? This one, serious? ok

I don’t really get how the Alerus is a dump? I’m not saying it’s the Ralph but I don’t think it’s a dump.