The Sicatoka

We found out they knew Wednesday about a failed appeal. When did they know a test failed? "What else do they know but are choosing to not report?" See the problem they've made for themselves?

So if that's NDSU's reason for not issuing a release, fine. NDSU's call. But if the media finds out the information and holds it for the same reason they're conspiring. That's failing Journalism 101. And it begs the question ... "What else do they know but are choosing to not report?"

Are Valley City kids still playing for Jamestown? I'm guessing Beulah-Hazen and Bottineau have "reach" like that also.

Here's a blast from the past: Lots of info from when this drama started. So what happened between this ("My understanding then is that there's no requirement in those documents that it be used as a golf course," Johnson said of the land.) and now?

Honestly, NDSU could've shed all of this with one short press release faxed at 0100 on Thursday morning before the game. "< blah blah blah > tested positive for X during standard post-game NCAA testing. < blah blah > given to player(s) by < blah blah > oversight in failing to apply for exemption < blah blah blah > appeal denied. No further comments at this time." For all we know they many have.

The problem is this: By not reporting truth, especially unpleasant truth, when they find it they've opened up themselves (the media) and by association NDSU to uglier questions. And with that they've allowed for rampant speculation based on what has come out. It all revolves back to ... "What else do they know but are choosing to not report?" That's the problem, the situation, they've created.

The State budget? The University budget?

First, Mr Scheel, nice job this weekend. And thank you for not adding additional "colors" to the painted area. Next, Mr Kawaguchi, nice job taking your time and finishing in OT. You could've panicked and fired wide; instead, you took your time and buried it. Finally, to the team: You've dug a deep hole. You showed what you can do this weekend. So, what do you want to be remembered as?

#QualityLosses ? How do we get the hockey committee to accept the FCS selection committee's criteria?

Heavens to Betsy, has someone figured out no matter the scheme it's still about how well your offensive line plays?

There is no scandal. What there is here is an instructive moment about how Fargo media seems to operate with regard to NDSU Football. Fargo media or at least some portion of it (as shown by Hoole's own tweets) knew there was an issue on at least Wednesday before the national championship game. They did not report on the issue until it was all but forced on them, meaning the visible non-presence of Robbins in a televised game. Their job is not to 'protect' NDSU Football. Their job is to report news. A suspended starting fullback is news. NCAA sanctions (no senior season) is news. What this does is open Fargo media to the uglier question: What else do they know but are choosing to not report?

You can donate, you can make your wishes known, ... But what if in 1890 someone donated a bunch of horse-buggies for campus shuttles for "perpetual" use by the University as the shuttle system? Would UND still have to be using them, even if the cost of ownership (horses!) becomes more than the value? Times change; needs change.

So Klieman first speaks of it post game. It remains, by her own tweet, that Hoole of KVLY knew of the issue on the Wednesday before the game, but I'm yet to find her report of that significant news before the game. Surely strictly by coincidence KVLY has NDSU television rights.

She had NDSU and was giving points. Knowledge of no starting FB could've changed the spread and changed her outlay.

I get that a lot.

Admittedly I had it on 2x speed and kept pushing the slider bar forward, but I heard a question about their "first game this year on grass" didn't hear a Robbins question. Did I miss it? PS - Last question at the presser? Beth Hoole, KVLY; but it wasn't about Robbins. Can't make that up.

Here's interesting: Beth 'KVLY' Hoole knew on "Wednesday" about the suspension. Given her tweet was January 7, the 'Wednesday' in question must be January 2, three days before the championship. It should be pretty easy to find her KVLY story about it somewhere from January 2 to January 4.

To my knowledge the first source reporting that was a media tweet just prior to kickoff. A Google search only shows stories newer than that tweet. Can you show me a media report dated January 4, 2019 reporting what was said at Klieman's presser? I'm willing to be wrong if you can provide a link.

How does the suspension, the missing from the team because he didn't travel to the game site, as in hasn't been there for media day and other activities for three days, so there has to be a 'where is he?' factor, of the starting fullback of a power run offense in a national title game not get reported until minutes before kickoff? And when it does first get into the media it's a tweet by someone not normally on the NDSU football news beat.

Well, um, there is something for that.

Honestly, the WAC could be looking to stockpile western (Dixie of Utah, MSU Denver) newbie DIs because of the volatility of their membership roster (think geographic outliers Chicago State and UMKC). Dixie may be serious in trying to make a go as an FCS indy. They'd need to find a way onto Pioneer and BSC schedules for a while. Not impossible. I wouldn't be surprised if their end goal wasn't the BSC for football but that could also cause fracture (aka realignments).

May I respectfully disagree? 1983 Washington Redskins: The Hogs and Riggo. You knew counter-gap was coming; they still ran over everyone.

Allow me a minor rant ... Fundamentals. What a crazy concept. You mean like being able to lay down a bunt, or shooting 90+% free throws, or wrapping up on a tackle, or being able to go top corner backhand from ten feet out. Such crazy talk. Or, in the case of offense linemen, form, stance, and technique, ... and raw strength. Best scheme in the world is worthless if you can't execute it and execution is a fundamental skill.