iramurphy

I believe I said that when there is pressure from fans for these seats then move the students.

You can get that kind of audience without a check. Call and make an appointment. (If you start writing checks they may call and make an appointment with you). They need input and a commitment to help as much as they need checks.

If you think I am mistaken about empty seats at midfield on the home team side, then you are not paying attention. I sit on the 50 yard line row Z. There are over 100 empty seats above and around me virtually every game. The seats below concourse level are almost always full. My comment never said attendance in this area is inferior to student attendance. My point is that when there is pressure for more season tickets, move the students. In the meantime leave them where they are, right behind the opposing team. I would prefer students filling the seats they fill for however long they are at the game, rather than move them to the far end and leave the middle nearly empty. There is nothing about my comments that should lead you to believe that I think the “status quo” is acceptable. The fact that I and others don’t call for change every time a receiver drops a pass, the QB throws an interception or we miss a tackle or extra point only means that I don’t need to vent on this website. I find it more productive to sit down with the President, Athletic Director, Head Coach, and/or other boosters or Alumni to figure out how I might be able to help affect change. It isn’t arguing with you on this site about accepting mediocrity, the status quo, etc. I hope you can understand almost all fans want our teams to be successful. That means conference and national championships. That includes people who support our coaching staff and those who want to start over. It’s a very difficult and complicated process that we as fans, Alumni, boosters, administrators, coaches and players haven’t been successful at yet.

I believe there is an assumption that if the students are moved that the seats between the 30’s would be gobbled up. There are an awful lot of seats on the home side 50 that remain empty virtually every game. I assume they are purchased by Champions Club patrons who occasionally use them. When I don’t use my Tix I either give them away or self them through UND website account. If we develop pressure from the public for better seats I would move the students. Usually when that happens, the team is playing better and even the students are more likely to stay longer. Right now I wouldn’t bet on those seats filling by additional season ticket holders. For the time being I think we are better off leaving the students there. When it’s time to move them, I would do it gradually. One section at a time.

Until Mn High School league requires Section play during season there are a number of schools who either play up or down or have extensive travel. For a number of years DL was traveling to southern Mn (Blue Earth, New Ulm) N. Dak. (Bismarck, Wahpeton, Shanley, Fargo North, GF Red River) the Range (Grand Rapids, Duluth East, Duluth Central, Hibbing, Virginia). At one time, DL, EGF, Crookston, Fergus Falls, Thief River Falls played each other competitively. The Range schools aren’t anywhere near as good cuz the hockey players quit playing FB and other communities have smaller enrollments plus participation is down. Colleges still recruit these kids. Thompson and Gunderson would start at any level in NDak or Mn. DL scrimmages Moorhead and Bemidji every year and held their own.

I would recruit Max and let him start out as a QB if that is his wish. He has a great upside. If he doesn’t play QB he will start at another position. I told Roger Thomas Max’s uncle would start at CB by the time he was a senior. I was wrong. His uncle started as a freshman. His dad could have played FB at UND or NDSU Isaiah can also return kicks and punts.

Yes. He hasn’t played more than 1/2 of each of 4 games. He has 44 carries for 612 yds (14 yds/carry) and 9 TDs. In less than 3 years he has 3246 yds on 314 carries (10yds/carry). Great kid, good student. At least PWO but I would give him a partial. Only drawbacks are he’s only 5’ 9””. His 40 time is probably 4.7. He reminds me of Shannon Burnell. Stops and starts quickly finds seams in traffic and breaks tackles. Shannon didn’t have great 40 speed either. UND is aware not sure how interested. Max Gunderson is another kid. He’s 6’4” 205lbs still growing. Plays HS QB and safety when needed. I think he can play at UND as SS or LB. Dad played baseball at New Mexico and bison and pro baseball in minors. His Mom played VB for bison. Uncle was 4 yr starter at CB at UND. Aunt played VB at UMD. He is very good HS QB but will be better college player. Still maturing physically. (Same thing I told UND about Ryan Manke, who we got, and Adam Thielen who we passed on).

Detroit Lakes RB Isaiah Thompson had 14 carries for 275yds and 4 TD’s and a 35 yd TD pass in less than 2 quarters tonight against Pequot Lakes. 2 time State Wrestling Champion at 180lbs. Patient runner, sets up blocks, breaks tackles, great balance, very quick.

Medically cleared means physically they are cleared to play. Full contact. If they have been out for awhile they would need to get timing down etc.

Coaching staff doesn’t let anyone play who isn’t cleared by medical staff. I’m not sure who you are referring to.

Yes

Good athlete. Over 6 ft. Makes plays but Moorhead is down this year. Certainly need to keep an eye on him. I haven’t seen Moorhead play this year. Great pedigree. Grandpa was longtime Bismarck High coach. Uncle was excellent player for UND and his Dad , Kevin who was also at the game, was the Bison QB.

Trey Feeney, Moorhead HS Jr. QB was at Game Saturday.

You are correct. I forgot that one.

A couple of things seemed to be missed by our experts here. We didn’t have any KO’s for touchbacks but we had excellent KO coverage. SH had to start inside their own 25 2or 3 times and I think only once past their own 30. We don’t have a stronger legged kicker but had great coverage on KO’s. We don’t have a great punter either. He averaged about 35 yds per punt but SH only returned one for a yard and our first 2 were inside their 20. We couldn’t effectively run the ball but on JJ’s TD, there was no hole and he bounced it outside and into the end zone. Our Off line didn’t run block but they did protect our QB’s especially the true freshman which was one of the keys to the game. There is room for improvement in all areas but our secondary play was excellent against some outstanding receivers, our LB’s played well and had 3 int’s, and we had only 1 turnover with a third string true freshman, who was given great pass protection. Our KO and punt coverage was excellent. We need to keep improving and getting better each day/week/game. We need to get healthy. We just passed a big test. Another one in 2 weeks. As long as these players and coaches believe in themselves and each other we can compete with everyone on our schedule. As Irish commented, they are learning what it takes to win tough games. They overcame losing starting QB, a missed XP, a late interception, and poor field position toward end of game inside our 5. Go Hawks. I was corrected. We also had a fumble.

Keaton’s freshman year was not very good. This kid had a much better start.

We have a lot of work to do. I don’t worry about stuff that happened and was called or missed. Didn’t affect the outcome of the game. Every game has missed calls.

Alerus needs new sound system. I couldn’t understand the announcer sometimes.

New rule. Didn’t look like a cheap shot, didn’t look like a big deal.

Our offensive line hasn’t moved people consistently well for years even when we were bigger. I like the new oline coach. You are correct, we will see.

Not necessarily. You might be surprised at how many nfl players are listed at heights and weights that list and them bigger than what they are. If you are 290, quick, with great feet and smart I will take that before a slow footed 320lb guy that looks good on paper, but that’s just me. If the choice is 6’ 6” 325lbs fast with quick obviously that’s even better.

Stick made Chargers roster this year. It is very difficult to do that. He is learning under a future HOF QB. Rivers is a great guy and will help younger players. Chargers have great team culture. Stick is in a great situation right now.

You are mistaken if you feel the majority of former players “lobbied” for anyone. Some did. Some opposed the choice. Once the choice was made, most of us got behind the choice. To his credit, he has worked his butt off to move the program in the right direction. The “good old boys” have neither the financial clout nor the numbers to force decisions. Having said that, some end up on the committee to choose a coach and have influence. In the meantime your voice is just as important as anyone else’s. Let our Alumni office, Wynne, and Chaves hear your opinion. Venting here may be therapeutic at times but won’t change anything.

That is true everywhere. I get requests from U of Mn and Wisconsin regularly. It takes money to provide all of the resources to upgrade salaries, facilities, equipment etc. Studies over many years show success of athletic programs leads to increased financial support for not only athletics but also for academic programs.

Points well taken. I believe the Big Sky Championship in spite of the playoff flop bought them extra time. Over the Kupchella years we had a bright President who had very little interest nor understanding of athletics. Kelly had a better understanding but we wasted time and effort and resources dealing with the name and logo fiasco. It hurt his ability to focus his efforts in the areas of athletics where he needed to focus. His biggest blunder was failing to foster the Sanford relationship and offer of $10,000,000. That was just “seed money” if you look at the tens of millions SDSU, USD,NDSU, Bemidji, Etc have received. Look at the facilities at those schools and their communities. Kennedy was a politician who admired everything being done at his wife’s Alma Mater. We lost the opportunity for Dave Fennell’s support when ‘Keefe and Harmon passed on Bollinger in favor of Bunning. Faison failed to follow up on communication with Mayo Sports Medicine with regards to Phase 2. You don’t need to convince me of leadership mistakes and missed opportunities with regards to athletics. Will Josh Wynne help? Chaves seems to understand our needs. We don’t have anyone that I am aware of willing to provide the $50,000,000 necessary to finish phase 2 and provide the resources to double coaches salaries. I believe that may be the source of our frustration and has slowed our progress.