iramurphy

Probably, buy we lost those games. In addition, we also struggled against Indiana State and Illinois State. I contend that we didn’t play well enough to have more selections. We would have had to run the ball better, pass and catch the ball better, to say nothing of playing defense better. Our players needed to play better. This isn’t high school where you are assigned a certain number of All Conf positions based on where you finished in the conference. You stated if we weren’t one of the top 3 teams “you better really stick out”. Didn’t we finish tied for 3rd? The MVFC has been the premier FCS conference for a number of years. Kilty has enough size that he wouldn’t have gotten missed. The coaches who selected the all-conf team didn’t feel he earned a first or second team pick. I’m not saying he was undeserving, but I’m saying the league coaches didn’t think so. He likes it here. He and his family have said they like the coaches and the school. He apparently has a girlfriend here. I would guess it would take significant NIL money and/or move to a Power 5 school but I’m just guessing. I recruiting pitch from a school with the personal to highlight his strengths could pull him away.

It may be more accurate to say if he plays to his full potential he is first team all-conference. Coaches who watch hours of game film choose all-conference. They watch in detail how our linemen play. If we have a guy who doesn’t give up sacks, who bull dozes the defenders in the run game, who can get to the second level etc they know. If they don’t do it play after play and games after game they are often HM. The best guys elevate the play of their teammates. Kiley is a good tackle with great potential but lack of team success is only a small factor. Waletzko didn’t play on great teams either.

Brad didn’t “let him get away”. He likely wanted to play with brother Grant at NMU. The question might be did we miss on older brother Grant? Recruits don’t approach evaluation of their college decisions like some expect them to. When kids have an older brother at a school that will be a major deciding factor. If they have former teammates/friends committed to a given school that is a major factor. If someone’s Dad/Uncle attended a school and had a positive experience it is a factor. For some kids, if they have a girlfriend going to a hockey school it can be a factor. If a college coach had played with or coached family members it’s a factor. ( how many guys whose parents played at UND ended up playing for Blais in Omaha). When will we bring in a recruit? Some kids are demanding guarantees as to when they will be added to the team or even guaranteed playing time. Lastly, the new elephant in the room is NIL. We can have the best facilities, the best coaches, a top ranked team, and do a superb job of recruiting and some kids are going elsewhere. I thought Grant Slukynsky was the best HS player I saw his Sr yr but only now is he on NMU roster as a freshman. Do coaches need to offer older brothers to improve chances of getting the blue chip younger brother? I don’t know anything about how this played out with these two guys but it’s complicated. I’m like you in that I always wonder how we missed on a GF/EGF/ND/area kid/ legacy who ends up elsewhere. Did we offer? Did we come in too late? Did the kid develop later? We also wonder about kids we sign that don’t work out. Having said all of that, I am not the guy to be able figure out all of the variables to answer the questions on these guys and how or why they end up where they do. It’s the same challenge in other sports at all levels.

He must be too young to remember students bringing back cases of Coors before there was Coors Light.

Fortunately, our coaches and players know better. Tough first round opponent. We will need to play our best game of the year to advance. That is the only game on our schedule right now.

They earned it. Only losses were to 2 of top 3 seeds and to another playoff team.

Apparently UND offered. She signed with Concordia of St. Paul.

I think he did that to honor his employee. He doesn’t seem to care about being in the spotlight.

I watched tonight’s match. She is a great athlete. Jumps well. So many kills are when she’s in the backcourt. She was a setter last year. They got beat tonight but she was best player on the floor. Maybe too late but I think she could play for us. Having said that our coaches know the game and I would think better judge of talent than I.

Jamestown’s McKenna Nold sets state tournament record with 39 kills against North yesterday. She was WDA player of the year. Great athlete, quick, jumps well can set. Some say best VB player in state. Wanted to play at UND. Are we that good that she couldn’t play here?

Easier yet if you don’t worry about having to cover TE’s.

I was told they have reached a tentative agreement to start providing services next year but I’m not sure if it’s finalized.

Sanford, if they do the Sports Med contract. I was told that was the sum agreed upon before UND’s attorney, at the time, screwed up the previous tentative agreement. I’m no longer privy to that information so it may be different now. That is what NDSU and some other schools got previously.

I believe you are correct in that it rests on what happens Saturday and hopefully beyond.

I know you didn’t mean 2001 but I get your point. Regardless of how I feel, I think much depends on Saturday and whether or not this team moves on.

I get that but Hunter was quoted regarding a coach not the program. The comments regarding program struggles while valid were misdirected at Hunter. I believe the “ Hunter get a grip” was a cheap shot. I’m not aware Hunter posts here so no reason for it. I believe the majority of folks on this forum are well aware of the history of the programs struggles since the FCS move. The same complaints don’t need to enter every thread though.

His opinion has nothing to do with playoffs, or the program. He voiced his opinion and support for one coach. I don’t think it’s Hunter who needs to get a grip.

Says not the man in the “arena” but from one of “those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat”. If you would stop these moronic comments and just state your opinion there can be reasonable discussion or debate. Hunter stated his opinion. State yours without the moronic comment. I would say Hunter has proven beyond a doubt he has a firm grip.

He had time so he shouldn’t have thrown a weak pass off his back foot. I don’t want to be over critical cuz he has been a good QB and has had some great games and seldom poor games. We need him at his best Saturday but we need the entire team to play their best game of the year.

Ball shouldn’t have been thrown to Belquist. There were 3 defenders there and it probably should’ve been picked. That would have been a tough catch for Belquist but considering it was Belquist it was possible. A strong throw probably would have been a TD. Didn’t we have a guy open early in the right flat? Doesn’t matter. There were a number of plays that could have made a difference. It’s a team effort and we didn’t get the job done. No more excuses. Find a way to win Saturday and we have a decent chance at the playoffs.

No. Cotton has been picked and doesn’t get planted anymore.

Duckies and bunnies? I guess one could wonder where the pissants crowd fits into this if we want to get back to the middle school type crap. In my opinion, and amongst the fans I usually interact with, the short answer is hell no they aren’t happy nor satisfied with this season. At the bare minimum, most fans want to at least make the playoffs. I think we have enough talent to have been at least 8-3 and hosting a first round playoff game and contending for a championship. Having said that, it’s just my opinion from the outside looking in. If we are 7-4 and don’t make the playoffs it’s our own fault.

Unfortunately, you are probably correct. I have felt Schuster is a good QB but probably not going to carry a team on his back to pull out a win. I also hadn’t felt he would lose a game for us. He did make a difference in the OT win against ISU but we shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place. I thought he played the worst game of his career against USD. Feeney should have been given a shot against UNI. Team needed a spark. If Schuster plays in the first quarter like he did against USD, I would put Feeney in to start the second quarter.

I understand your point. But that ship has sailed and we need to go from here. I don’t know what the future holds but my guess is if we win Sat and make the playoffs we won’t buyout the contract. If we lose Sat all bets are off and your guess is as good as mine.

You are correct. Every organization must do a self reflection on a regular basis regarding what went well and why, and then how to improve on the strengths of the organization moving forward. They must also review where goals weren’t met, where the organization failed and why. The administration, the coaches and especially the players must do an honest self reflection. Players need to hold themselves accountable and along with the coaching staff outline a plan to improve in every facet of their game on the field, off the field, on the practice field, the film room and in the classroom. The coaching staff as a team and individually need to do the same. Admin also must self reflect. Do these coaches and players have the necessary resources to be Champions? If not admin needs to move the program forward. They have to continue to improve what we do well and strengthen our weaknesses. Every year they must evaluate and decide if we not only have the necessary resources but do we have the right people in place to manage those resources to move the program to the conference and national championship level we all want for UND. That will require the tough decisions regarding personnel. If and when changes are made that change must be managed to minimize disruption to the University, to staff, to players, to the program and to us as fans. It’s complicated and difficult. I believe we have the talent to have won the USD game and it’s a game we should have won. There are no excuses for UNI and USD and I know they are good teams. If we play mistake free, we can compete with SDSU ( on any given day). It’s frustrating when we are so close, but are inconsistent. If we can win Saturday, and are fortunate enough to make the playoffs, we are good enough to be competitive against even the best. At this point in the season nothing matters except Saturday’s game. The rest (including my opinion) is just noise from the outside looking in. We can sort out blame and accountability after the season.