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Not sure Ghadaksaz was much of a loss as a starter either. I was never overly impressed, but I'm also not an O-Line guru. As I am every year .... I'm really looking forward to some UND football, and I am optimistic. Seems to me there is a little more justification for it this year. If (and that's a big IF) UND can take a step forward from last season, they could be a very good football team. It can't be overstated just how close UND was to have a very different record, with so many one score games that came down to the last drive. Part of this will be better execution, part of this will be better coaching, and certainly we needed to add some talent in some key areas. I know the 360 guys graded RB as a downgrade, which is fine because Otis could be a dynamic player, but the rest of the room absolutely stepped in when he was out. I'm just not that concerned unless injuries build up. WR is a little more of a question mark to me. There is plenty of talent with the possession guys, but as we have needed for so long, will we have a speed, and even if we have a speed guy will Schuster be able to get him the ball? OR if Schuster can't get the deep ball going can QV improve his accuracy? It would be a cool wrinkle to have your short yardage QB turn into your deep threat QB too. I'd rather have one strong QB who can do it all, but I'll take what we have. I could go on at each and every position group, and I certainly don't want to wish summer away, but can't wait for some Fall football.

Sorry for no paragraphs. Rambled a bit but its family time. 2023 isn't 2022. Results change from year to year. If you look at the 2022 schedule, besides NDSU, which is usually a loss for everyone no matter where the game is played, UND played all of the toughest MVFC teams on the road and lost by a touchdown or less in all of the losses. If those games are at the Alerus Center, the result likely changes in at least a couple of them, and in 2023, many of those games are also at home. Looking at the SDSU game as a barometer, UND played a tight game there and had SDSU on the ropes, without Matt Walletzco, and while SDSU also had their star RB back. UND's OL was probably the biggest issue last year, as we couldn't move the ball at all on short yardage - that position group will be much better this season as Craig Orlando is finally back (was projected to start before getting hurt in fall) and we have other transfers coming in, along with the young guys getting older/stronger/better. Yes Matt will be gone, but UND did well AT SDSU without him, and this position group isn't coming off a summer that gutted essentially our entire line. Yes, Otis is gone, but the replacements last year actually had better stats then him, and the UNI guy is coming in and will help us on short yardage situations. UND is losing a dynamic RB, but the RB they are losing already missed a few games last year and was likely a distraction to the team. Defense will be about the same (good). Worst case scenerio, Schuster will be our QB (meaning no suprises and is good enough to beat him out), but he has proved to be an accurate passer and good decision maker, and with a little bit more experience, he may actually start to use is feet which we saw a bit more from him at the end of the season last year, and he is quick enough to be very effective there, especially with how much he rolls out of the pocket to throw. UND also lost guys over the off season, but I think less so than most, and SDSU for example lost like 5-6 guys that either got drafter or earned NFL tryout offers. Looking at the last two SDSU games and seeing that 2023 SDSU is at the Alerus Center, I don't see any reason to believe that game isn't at least a toss up, which is a lot better odds than most teams in the top 25 would have. 2023 isn't last year. This team had the talent to win every game and being that I think UND is about the same or better at most positions, I don't see how UND doesn't deserve to be ranked, especially if UND's performance last spring means anything.

Bieniewicz committed tonight

Those that vote in the polls don't have interest or access to deep dives on teams outside their radar, easy to just mail it in based on last year's results.

Seems like "American" companies like Hornbachers, Sickies, et al came then bailed out on GF at the first opportunity. !@#$ them! Aldi operates thousands of grocery stores all around the world - they've figured it out. Sure it's not a place you get all the staples all the time but they have great deals at a significantly lower price - and their brands have proven to be very good. Give them a shot. Sure it's a little rough to figure out you have to put a quarter in a slot to "rent" a cart but you get it back at the end. Euro-shopping culture isn't hard - you just have to adapt. We still shop Hugo's for 80% of our groceries but it's nice to have options not generally available to us and at a discount no less.

One of my favorite venues to be at. Next Weekend is the World of Outlaws Noz Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

Very cool project and many thanks to Mr. Gisi for an investment for downtown Grand Forks that comes from the heart because he loves this community. It will be an amazing asset - and another building block to the goal of an amazing vibrant downtown.

Glad there will be 80+ new hotel rooms downtown Forks Olive Ann boutique hotel holds groundbreaking in downtown Grand Forks https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/olive-ann-boutique-hotel-holds-groundbreaking-in-downtown-grand-forks

Just announced. Gametime at Nebraska.... 2:30pm

Speaking of trades that have worked out. Gray was pretty solid last night.

Oh I agree with a majority of your points, and I'm with you in the hope for a better season this year. The MAIN issue as noted by Kelly Howe in his analysis is the OL and DL and I think both will be better this season. The Hogs are the key in the MVC as evidenced by the team south of GF. I love summer and hope to enjoy many sunny days, but I'm looking forward to this season like no other.

We might not lose a game this year

What did Bubba and the F’Hawks do last season to deserve a place in any 2022 preseason poll? waiting for the backlash…

How many used a dining surplus to pay the bills for football though?

June 18. Thunderbirds to perform at GFAFB. https://www.grandforks.af.mil/Northern-Thunder-2022/

I honestly believe something is off mentally.

Completely true. But if I may offer a modicum of defense for McFeely -- opinion columnists are not supposed to be balanced (or even truthful). He can think, write and espouse whatever he wants in this country of ours, short of harassment, libel, etc. On the flipside, you never saw Hennen, Shapiro, Cal Thomas, etc. share any serious criticisms of Trump or Bush when their administrations were at the helm. It's how it is. There is no excuse, however, for anyone getting facts completely wrong or just being careless with the facts -- that goes for both the news side journalists and opinion writers (right and left) alike.

Not really he has connections now to the China pipeline of elite players……..

It's going to be funny when a crappy team buys their players and becomes relevant. UND should absolutely be securing commitments from local business to pay key players in key recruiting battles. Just start at $10,000 to $20,000 range and see what happens. We have a few years to capitalize and gain an advantage. Once everyone is doing this we'll just be playing catch-up with no competitive advantage.

Michael Russo with a tweet this morning.

Great article…..exciting fall!

for a big 2022 season CJ will be a huge part. Great article. Great Young man. https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2022/05/c-j-siegel/

I love the smell of methanol in the evening, https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/finally-the-green-flag-will-drop-at-river-cities-speedway Sad to see the impacts of quickly rising costs and inflation on an already expensive activity. Maybe the oil companies will kick in some extra sponsor dollars. Perhaps Fufeng could bankroll some teams and get some positive community PR. I hear Pfizer is having a pretty decent year, too. Now that spring is finally here, and gas is too expensive to leave town, let’s get out and support these guys and gals!

hopefully the huskers have the irish flu for a while

I don't understand those folks who complain about not winning enough banners. Whenever I feel the need for a banner, I open up Best Sioux Memories and watch us win another one.

Basically every team is going to win 60 games, and every team is going to lose 60 games. The Twins are 5-1 against Detroit thus far this season. They have 13 more games against the Tigers. They probably will lose at least 2-3 more times. Take a deep breath...it's a long season. ; )

I know I’ve posted many times about it, but I’m continuously blown away/impressed with his steady progress as a player and athlete. He just keeps getting better.

Old friend ends up going D2

Interesting comments made by both Buxton and Kepler recently about the locker room being more cohensive. Make you think that a certain trade to the Yankees and a certain SS not being on the team anymore really cleared the decks. I won't get into any of the Lewis stuff, that was a manufactured contraversey.

You had me until your last line. If 2022 isn't 2023 then last spring isn't 2023 either.

In reality, Bubba and co, took a fairly good Hawks team(on paper), and had to win 3 of their last 5 to finish 5-6. Very, very disappointing to say the least. I have no idea how any pollster would vote the Hawks in the top 25. Finished in a tie with Indiana State for 7th and the 3 Hawks victories were against 9th, 10th and 11th place finishers in the MVFC. As some of you lose your minds with my comments, tell me where you would rank the Hawks in the MVFC and then nationally and why.

100 days and counting….I think That's correct

Nothing real earth shattering. All Presidents shift money around to cover deficits

Wow! The last show at the Base seems like a lifetime ago.

It’s not stretching. Cause he comes in here all the time and talks !@#$ about how UND loses guys to the portal so things are falling apart, coaches leave so things are falling apart, making a recommendation that UND get on board with NIL for recruiting is desperate. Than the same thing happens in Fargo and it’s crickets. So it’s not a stretch. Its calling him on his simpleness.

Without looking it up I'd say over 30 years... Something about a historic hotel or trophy or something...like world War two time-frame? Old timer stuff you read about in history books.

Have you asked the same questions of the businesses in Fargo who have paid NIL money to NDSU football players? I'd be curious, under current rules, how it is it any different than scholarships or full cost of attendance? How is it any different than dumping 10's of millions into facilities to entice players to a University? Every single one of those is money being spent to "buy" players.

McFeely tweeted about Trump roughly 20-30 times per week on average I would say. Just obsessed and weird. Literally ZERO tweets about Biden or anything that is wrong right now. ZERO. That should tell you all you need to know. The country is worse than it's been in a LONG time and crickets.

SCSU attendance is down double digits and cuts within educational programs are constant. He's gonna find out really fast that there is no champagne and caviar in St. Cloud, it's bologna and saurkraut.

St Could makes the mistake and hires Idalski

Yup: "What can't we do" instead of focusing on "what can we do."

It's McFeely, he makes up sh!t all the time. he likes to think he is a rabble rouser or curmudgeon and tells himself he gets people talking but he is truly just a dumba$$. On the political side it is like he is trying to get promoted from being a useful idiot to full on propogandist.

I miss UND football

Second chance? He’s already been given his second chance at least by UND. They invested heavily in his academics to get him in a place to be eligible and earn a degree after he !@#$ the bed academically.

You probably have that much in the cup holder of your personal vehicle. Swing on over to Hyslop, see Bill, let him vacuum out your ride. Make him wash it too while you're at it.

down 3 scores in a playoff game with about 8 minutes left....... going for with the lead on your own 25.... double triple reverses when you only need a couple yards to salt the game timeouts before you run a play after halftime....

And if Driscoll starts Saturday against Omaha, a team that loves running our goalies, and gets hurt then it’s “why the hell is Driscoll even playing”? UND definitely struggled down the stretch putting the puck in the net but that doesn’t make them quitters.

Just like me, there is a reason no one asked our opinion about an extension.