MadScout03

Is Pat Sweeny even at the game??? He said three times in about a 5 minute span that the Sioux are leading at the half by 5! I just turned the game on, but it seemed like the Sioux aren't in it mentally. Youngblut had some very costly turnovers right near the end of the half. There was another play where Buck watched a ball go bouncing out of bounds because she thought it would be Sioux ball. It wasn't. Hustle! There was no reason not to pick that up. Hopefully Gene gives them an earful and they come out firing in the 2nd. Go Sioux!

In regards to better seating for students...as previously posted...students have to show up. The student attendance has been dismal at best, excluding this past weekend against USD. The bleachers on both ends were nearly full, but I have a feeling that free tuition and free pizza were a big draw. I wouldn't say the student section cleared out after they gave away the free tuition, but it did thin out a bit. But on top of that, most of the students don't get into the game. A lot just sit on their hands. Even when the band plays the fight song as the team runs out, the students just sit there. They don't stand up, don't clap along...nothing. Now, I realize that is a very general observation, because there are some students who do stand up, who do clap along, who do cheer, but for the most part, the student participation is not there. I don't think giving students better seating would improve these issues. Quality of teams? That might help it, but until there is a change in student participation, that won't happen. As for weekend games with hockey...it would be great. I remember in the good old days of watching basketball games at Hyslop and when that got over, walking across the street to the old Ralph for the hockey game. It would be great, but yeah, UND has no control over the conference scheduling. And basketball needs to stay at the Betty until they sell out the place on a consistent basis. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I would much rather be in a packed Betty than a 1/3 full Ralph any day of the week. The home court advantage isn't there when they play in the Ralph. Maybe the whole idea when building the Betty was that if needed, the games could be moved to the Ralph, but I think it's too big, especially with where the attendance is right now. Last year for the USD series, they had the "Meltdown at the Ralph." The same series happened this weekend and the Betty still wasn't full. Attendance was up, but it wasn't full, so I can only believe that the point of keeping the games in the Betty was made, simply by comparing last year to this year.

It's sad that no one stepped up to televise this game...especially with the men's hockey games only being on in the Mankato area. I guess I'll just have to listen to the game and wait for highlights.

I've noticed things like that as well. The men's basketball team constantly had their jersey's untucked, which looked terrible when Glas was head coach...that's one thing Jones has fixed. But back to the football team, I remember when Lennon and Co. had their congratulations ceremony at the Alerus after winning the title in '01. One of the things he said he told his players every year is that no matter what happens...big play, big win...they are to never hold up their index fingers, symbolizing that they are number 1. The only time they were allowed to do it was after they brought home the NC. In the paper today, there is a picture of Boyle after his interception, and not only is he doing it, but so is the guy in the background. Hair is another thing...Lennon had his guys clean shaven, clean hair cuts (or so I remember) at least during the regular season. It may not be a big deal, but it has something to do with looking professional. And what's with the guys carrying a baseball bat and a pirate flag into the Alerus from the team bus? Maybe these aren't issues to anyone else, but I for one think it's ridiculous. Worry about doing your job on the field, and as stated above, it's not always about looking cool. Lennon just seemed to have some sort of control of his players, which doesn't seem to be the case this year. I don't remember there being a time when personal fouls had been such a problem under Dale. That kind of attitude has to come from somewhere. Just my thoughts.

Those were some great highlights from last year! Seems to me I haven't seen that kind of excitement out of the Sioux yet this year, both play making wise and guys being pumped and motivated to play. Hopefully they prove me wrong this weekend. A W is definitely needed. Go Sioux!

Dagenais with her 2nd! 3-1 Sioux!!

UND 2 - UM 1 end of 2nd

The football team is in a bit of a complex situation. As posted earlier, we don't have a solid conference, so by firing Mussman, finding a good head coach will be nearly impossible. There has to be some sort of solid ground for a coach to be willing to take the job. But at the same time, there are serious issues with the team right now. It has been stated before and I'll state it again...why on earth do our db's give a 10 yard cushion on nearly every play to the wr's? That's one thing the players can't take the blame for. That comes from the D coordinator. When we run into a qb like we did on Saturday, or any qb with the slightest bit of accuracy, we're gonna be pushed around the field all game, which is what happened on Saturday. Yeah, our D didn't make many stops. That hurts. But when the O goes 3 and out, time and time again, it's gonna start wearing on them. TOP was 40 to 20 in favor of SUU. That can't happen. Injuries suck and we had a bunch of them on Saturday, but all you have to do is look at the first half to notice that losing the guys we lost didn't matter one bit. The INT return by Schwenzfeier was great, but they moved the ball down the field with no problem on that drive, up until the INT of course. I also question pulling RJ McGill's redshirt. How much of an impact has he made? He had 1 catch for 4 yards. Seems to me another year to prepare would have been best. And how about Miller? Muss said after the game in which he pulled Miller's shirt that he'd be put into the offense more and used more in special teams. He had 1 carry for 3 yards. That doesn't seem to be worthy of losing a full year of eligibility. There had to be a reason why no true freshman, with the exception of Jimmy and Weston, played their first year up until a couple of years ago. Obviously there was a good reason for that. And Landry needs to be benched. No question about it. His accuracy was terrible. Has been all season, except against a terrible D2 team and a FCS transition team. At this point in the season, Muss needs to start playing the young guys to get them some experience. If he doesn't, things aren't going to get any better. Who will be the starting QB next year? Goska? He's hardly played this year. So we'll basically have a new QB next year, for one year, then who? A junior who hasn't seen the field any more than Goska has this year? Things have to turn around next year, because if they don't, we WILL be a doormat once we become playoff eligible. One thing that might secure Mussman his job is the fact that on both sides of the ball, they changed their style. That's an excuse that could be made. It's a new style of offense...it needs time to work itself out. It's a new style of D that no one on the team played in the last time it was used. It needs some time to work itself out. But that is also more ammo to fire him. How many changes can you make from year to year and expect everything to be hunky dory? Obviously that falls on the coaches. The no huddle offense sucks. They take so much time getting a play in that you might as well huddle up. It seems like the coaches are trying to make the offense too sophisticated by putting all of these schemes and looks into it. To me, it's too much. You can't polish a turd, and that's exactly what the offense looks like these days. I can only imagine the thoughts running through Kelby Klosterman's head as he stood on the sidelines this weekend watching the game.

It definitely makes me proud to see him doing so well and continuing to do everything he did at UND that kept us in awe of his talent all the time. Truly one of the greats and even though we have another great young receiver coming into his own (Hardin), he will never be replaced. Maybe it's the North Dakotan in me that really feels that way, but he was a joy to watch game in and game out. Hopefully someday I'll be able to head up to Saskatchewan and see him do his thing. Thanks for the post. Certainly appreciated.

2012-2013 will be the Twins senior season.

How many more rushing yards by their quarterback does it take before we put a linebacker on him at all times??? He's gonna continue to run down the field at will.

Landry: COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME! PUT HIM ON THE BENCH!!!!!

Sorry, didn't mean to quote that! Ha ha!

Enderle with a 5 INT day...ouch.

Do you have the Big Ten Network or did you just see the highlights on ESPN as well? Just curious if we can get score updates. Thanks.

Exactly. He looked really good in the preseason. Don't know who it was that said he looked raw, but if raw means being able to scramble, a good arm, and scoring touchdowns, then I'm all for it. He looked much better than TJack did, albeit against a 2nd or 3rd team defense, but still, the guy has talent. I was really hoping he'd get some time in the preseason with the 1st team and see what he can really do. Unlike Jackson, this guy could have a career in the NFL.

Come on, seriously. Do you really think the sisters were awarded letters simply because they are Olympic medalists? That's insane. Does it have a part of it? I'm sure it does. But don't forget, which has been posted on here before, they played a year at Minnesota. There must be some sort of feedback from that program as to why type of leaders they are. Plus, remember, the twins were enrolled at UND all of last year. Do you think they had absolutely no contact with the rest of the team over that whole year? Monique and Jocelyn didn't just show up on campus at the beginning of the school year and put on sweaters with a 'C' on it. I can only assume they have been working out with the team all summer long...probably even from the end of the Olympics. Have they played a minute of Sioux hockey? No, but does that mean they shouldn't be considered for a letter? I don't think so. It's too bad Lewis had her letter pulled, for good or bad reasons, but don't assume that just because they played in the Olympics they were given captaincy. If you don't think they deserve their positions, give them a game or two. That should probably change your mind.

I don't go to the games to listen to the band, I got to watch football. And I'm not trying to turn this into a marching band message board, I'm simply explaining what the new pre-game will consist of. I think I have every right, just like everyone else, to voice my opinion. It's funny though that you say you could care less about the band, but then go on to say you will enjoy the band when we score a touchdown.

Basically this is what happened. The athletic department told the band about their new plan. So the band will now be marching in the dark. Ever seen a marching band march in the dark? Of course not! That's completely absurd! Well, that's their idea for the marching band. So the band would be standing on the field, in the dark, during both videos and while the team runs out to the Nickelback song. Then, once that is over, the National Anthem will be played, THEN the band will play the fight song and march off the field. It's a total slap in the face to the marching band, whether it was on purpose or not.

I'm not a Nickelback fan whatsoever, so I couldn't even begin to tell you what song it is. A person standing next to me during the rehearsal told me it was Nickelback, so I'm taking their word for it. And apparently I'm wrong about big schools coming out to something other than the school song. Maybe I'm just used to how it's been. Either way, I don't like it. But if it gets the crowd into it and makes the Alerus Center a harder and more intimidating place to play, then I might just have to get used to it. I think the fact that the athletic department has all but taken the marching band out of the equation it what has really pissed me off.

The 4pm starts are apparently a way to help boost attendance. I don't know that the start times are the solution. It didn't seem to matter much in '01 or '03. But we all know why the attendance was up back then...new stadium, dominance on the field, familiar opponents, etc. Another thing they are doing to help attendance is having a Ralph type of atmosphere to kick off the game. The lights will go out before pre-game and they'll show 2 new videos with highlights of previous seasons and success as well as slipping in those notorious quotes from famous people. I personally don't like it because the football team will run onto the field to the music of Nickelback instead of our school song. That's not division 1. I can't say that I've been to a lot of FBS or even FCS games, but I really doubt that when Alabama or USC or Ohio State take the field, they are doing so to canned music. It was quite depressing watching it all go down during rehearsal on Wednesday.

I didn't see anything on it either. I was hoping there would be something. I believe the UND Varsity Bards were singing the National Anthem as well...if they did in fact sing, they weren't shown either.

The only music that should be played after a goal is the fight song. This is college, not the pros. You want to hear pop music after a goal, then head to St. Paul.

I saw Boyle and Dressler both go down with injuries. I'm hoping they just tweaked something and it's nothing major. There was another guy who was out of shoulder pads with his arm in a sling, but I didn't get his name or number.

Sounds good. Definitely let me know. Thanks!