iramurphy

We can fuss about the injuries and we can lament what could have been. On the other hand I would love to break down the film and challenge these kids to fix what we did wrong. I think I saw us run ourselves out of position on defense multiple times. Our LB's and DB's can correct being out of position. I didn't think our D-line played well but they are capable. We need out O-line to get better each game. It would be nice to be bigger and faster but then we need to play smarter and tougher. I think our coaches and players are more frustrated than we are. Our areas of strength ( RB's, D-line, receivers and Senior QB) need to improve the play of those around them as well as their own play. We can't have receivers dropping the ball and we can't have a QB mismanage the clock and miss receivers. We can't have our D-line pushed around. No more dumb ass penalties. We aren't good enough right now to overcome them. We don't worry about conference championships nor playoffs. We concentrate on doing our job. If we can beat the guy across from us on a given play, we need to figure out how to make every play a given play. No more excuses about who is hurt, being too small or who the OC is. It starts by looking within and digging deeper. You can't afford to let your man beat you. Whatever it takes for each of these guys to keep from getting beat on that next play. If we are completely overmatched at a certain position that is where the coaching staff needs to make adjustments. It was a total team disaster and it will take the entire team to turn it around this Saturday. Our linemen and linebackers are big enough if they play smarter, faster and tougher. I would tell this team that. I would tell them that now it is going to get fun to see what we are made of. Are we going to be guys who our teammates can count on and go to battle with or are we going to fuss bout weighing only 215 lbs instead of 230 lbs or only 280 lbs instead of 310? We have to be able to overcome adversity in order to be a champion. I would challenge these kids to figure out who they want to be as a FB player and a man, then go out and get the job done. Coaches need to keep things simple right now. Bubba can figure out if he needs to make changes in the staff at the end of the year, but right now if he has a weak link he and the other coaches need to help out so the weak link is protected. This should be when coaching gets fun. It's a lot more challenging to have to figure out a way to convince these kids to play better than their talent level and overcome adversity than to make excuses and go through the motions. If we can do that, we may be surprised and the record will take care of itself. We aren't going to replay the last 2 games. Bubba has worked his ass off the improve attendance and the game experience. I am going to continue to support the kids and Bubba cuz that is my job as a fan and alumnus. If I fail to do that, then I am part of the problem not part of the solution. I am still disappointed in some of the coaching decisions and I am not blind and I can find areas where the kids and coaches deserve the criticism. After awhile I would rather focus my attention to watch and see how our staff and kids respond to adversity. How they do that can have a real positive impact on the future of the program. I also have had a good time tailgating and talking smart with friends and other fans. Keeping up that energy is good for the future of the program. Losing like we did sucks and there is no excuse but now is the time to move on and regroup. Go Hawks, Sioux or what ever strikes your fancy.

Thanks.

There is no one including Studsrud who isn't responsible for what happened these last two games. Coaches and players. He didn't lose this game for us today. The first drive and TD was what he is capable of. The phantom offensive interference was a huge play that took away a beautiful TD pass. On the other hand, the clock management at the end of the half was not what you expect from a senior QB or our coaches. The dropped passes, poor throws, missed assignments, missed blocks, missed tackles were all part of it. What we don't need is blaming one or two guys or blaming everyone but Studsrud. Someone who sees today differently than you isn't necessarily an idiot. They may be a bit more objective.

Only an ignorant moron would post this. It Shows disrespect and a lack of class. Fat, stupid and an alcoholic is no excuse. Those who have the courage to serve our country are an important part of the Grand Forks and UND communities. UND and UND athletics have had great support from our Air Force personnel and the Base Community for years. Many of them are season ticket holders and donate to UND athletics and other programs. As a former athlete and coach, I and the other athletes and coaches are grateful for their support of UND and their service to our country. We are fortunate these great people are willing to make the sacrifices they do. The freedom they protect, even allows dumb asses to spend their free time in an alcoholic haze bragging about their W-2, and believing anyone in the world gives a rat's ass about their so called GOBC or opinion. This post of his and subsequently mine don't belong on this blog but it pissed me off.

That is one of the responsibilities of the team Captains and Seniors. We should never be beaten because of lack of effort. We aren't good enough to have the mental errors and penalties we had last week. Yes the coaches need to prepare the players but the Captains are interacting with teammates on and off of the field and need to be part of the solution in getting the team ready. If we aren't ready to play we will struggle no matter who we have on the field.

Wasn't going to miss the game for a knee. Great game. I was moving better yesterday. Locked up today.

Best I have ever seen for student tailgating. They were having fun. I got wiped out by fat guy who was out of control. Never missed a game in HS or college for injuries. I have continuous ice machine going on my knee til MRI tomorrow. I had walked over there with a friend to show him how crazy it was. I was worried about him having another heart attack looking at all of the college girls. I should have been watching out for fat guys!

Happened when we went over to see student tailgating area. They were having a blast and their tailgating area was packed. There were 2 GF policemen there and I had just commented to the guy I was with that I was impressed they were letting students have fun as long as they weren't doing anything too stupid. Next thing I knew I got blindsided.

Great game, great atmosphere. Pre-game tailgating packed and and rowdy. To those who got pissy when I said Studsrud didn't have a great game against Utah, this is what he is capable of. He made a number of great throws yesterday, protected the ball and engineered a very efficient offense. If he does this game in and game out this will be a very good season. I believe that is what we will see from him this year. We still had some drops but receivers as a group had a very good day, oline and running backs stepped up and defense dominated. Student fans were outstanding and caused some false starts. They stayed through most of second half. Bubba and his staff have worked their butts off to achieve the success on and off the field we saw yesterday. Bubba especially has worked hard to get fans and students engaged again. Some fat guy partying out of control fell on me from behind and looks like he got my MCL and medial meniscus. What did Dean Wermer say to Flounder about going through life fat, drunk and stupid?

Tough crowd here. I said I would like to see him change the play in the huddle or on LOS which is different than calling play in huddle. I stand corrected. Keaton had a great game.

My point is that if a great game is 46% completion and 1/1 TD/Int, it isn't a great game. I also agree without his athletic ability it could have been worse and if balls were caught or we had better protection his numbers would have been better, but if that is a great game, what the hell would it take to have a bad game? I didn't say he was bad I said it wasn't great. You factor in drops, poor routes, poor pass protection poor running game and we still need a better game from him and others. I didn't say he sucked, I said we need a better game and a lot of it is the confidence to change plays and ability to make his teammates better. He is capable of all of that. I think he is best when he is using his athletic ability and he is the guy who calls the plays in the huddle and at the line. I trust him more than Rudolph to get the job done. Maybe some of you disagree, but I think these are an important part of his progression as a leader and we need that from our QB. Our line is our line and our receivers are who they are. That is what leadership is about. He has the athletic skills and he is smart enough. Now we need those intangibles to help make everyone around him better. That is why I think he is the key to our success this year. Hopefully we see that this weekend.

I don't think our concern is how bad Mizzou played defense. The Bears pose a challenge for our defense. We need to play a great game to contain them. My concern is that we weren't able to effectively and consistently move the ball. We faced a very tough FBS run defense but we also didn't pass very well. I disagree with those of you that think Keaton had a great game. ( completion rate of 46%, one 3 yd TD, with an interception). That doesn't mean I don't think he is capable. In fact, I think he is capable of much more. He is a 4th year starter, senior, team leader and a good athlete. I am not a fan of Rudolph and I think his failure to develop our QB's to their full potential is as big of a problem as his play calling. Having said that, Studsrud is a senior and smart kid. If the sideline sends in a dumbass play, he needs to change it in the huddle or call an audible at the line of scrimmage. It isn't like they can bench him. Years ago, our QB would always veto a stupid call from the bench. Studsrud needs to do the same. I doubt he made excuses for his performance last week and I doubt he felt good about it. Keaton needs to step up his performance and his leadership. As that improves our Oline, backs and receivers also need to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. If our offense doesn't improve, we will struggle against most every team we play. I would expect improvement this weekend but I felt before the season, and still feel, Keaton is the key to our success. Rudolph seems to be a challenge but doesn't need to be a barrier. Keaton should be running the offense. The calls from the bench are a suggestion not a mandate. If Keaton doesn't have the authority to change plays we have a problem. Otherwise, audible out of running plays that have near zero chance of success like last weekend. I think if we are going to get back in the playoffs we are going to need to open things up a bit and become a bit less predictable. Go Hawks!

Reed Manke completed 70% of his passes but Studsrud isn't Reed Manke. Studsrud is one of biggest keys to this years success. No more excuses about oline doesn't have enough experience or depth or receivers are too young or not fast enough. Needs to improve over last year. Game manager isn't good enough to win National Championships. 4 yr starter needs to be able to carry team and win games. Until he can do that, he can't be compared to Brock Johnson. TD to Int ratio is good but he needs to get to his his reads faster and be more accurate with his throws. Hoping for a breakout senior year from him. We have RB's, Receivers, and size with exp in Oline. If Studsrud has a great season team will have a great season. If he isn't any better than last two years we will be fortunate to make playoffs.

You may be right, but I don't think it is either wise nor fair to describe your opinion as a "fact". I don't believe anyone knows what the facts are nor what the kids priorities are. Big red flag for this kid and if guilty he needs to be held accountable. These kids also need to consider who the team leaders are. They need to create a team culture where breaking the law or using illegal drugs is unacceptable. These athletes need to understand that what they do or don't do on and off the field and in the classroom are a reflection on their families, coaches, teammates and the University.

We can't control what the twins say and do we can control how we respond.

I don't think any of these kids have been "handed everything in life". Doesn't happen at the college or Olympic level. They earned college scholarships, recognition and awards due to their hard work, sacrifice, God given talent and the sacrifices their families have made. Whether they want to wear Sioux logos or Hawks logos is up to them. Who cares? I don't like their strategy and some of their comments but I'm sure they feel betrayed and certainly the kids on these teams feel betrayed. The University can't afford to keep losing money and needs to operate,within the financial constraints of the budget. What's done is done and apparently it had to be done. The Lamoureaux twins have been great ambassadors for girls and women's hockey, women's athletics and UND. They aren't doing UND any favors now, but they and the other athletes deserve compassion. Closing schools, closing businesses and cutting athletic programs can be pretty traumatic to those involved and to those who feel they have given their heart and soul to the University and the program. When I comment we should show class and cut them some slack, it shouldn't depend on what they do. You either have it or you don't. As UND alumni I guess I thought we could take the high road and show some class. Should be who we are as a UND family.

The Lamoureaux twins were two of the best athletes ever from the state of North Dakota. In addition to playing hockey at the highest level available they were blue chip soccer players who could likely have played college soccer. I can't remember if they won an NCAA championship at the U of Mn but I do remember how excited people were when they transferred back to UND and what that meant to our young program. They are still two of the best women's hockey players in the world and have been great ambassadors for UND. Their parents and brothers have also been an important part of the UND hockey family. I get the financial pickle UND athletics is in but I don't believe there was ever much of an effort by the University to explore fundraising options. One of our million dollar donors was never approached. I know donors listed in the top 100 athletic donors weren't asked. Having said that I doubt $60 million was ever going to be raised. These young athletes feel betrayed. You would too. The fact that there aren't many fans at their games doesn't lessen the time, effort, hard work, and passion these women have dedicated to the sport and our University. We didn't have the financial backing to start women's hockey in the beginning and we we lose too much money. No surprise it was cut but put yourself in the shoes of not only the twins but of the other athletes male and female who committed to UND and feel betrayed by the University and the schools administration. Most people on this board would be rioting if UND dropped Men's Hockey. Look at the fuss over the name and logo. The Lamoureaux twins have made comments and accusations because they and others are hurt and angry. Look at how people have acted over the nickname fiasco. The Lamoureaux twins and the other athletes have done nothing even as close to the dumb ass comments and accusations related to the name and logo. I'm not agreeing with them, but I understand their anger and frustration. Show some class and cut them some slack. The rhetoric isn't going to change anything and it makes us all look stupid. Sometimes our family members say and do stupid things and the rest of us need to let it go.

I believe he has over the years

Yeah, I eventually figured that out. You are correct. I don't understand why, as a sports minded society, we don't let kids mature physically and emotionally and be patient with their development. The high end kids will make it no matter where they go. The other kids, most of whom won't play in the NHL and many who won't play college at the highest level, give up too much in order to attempt to accelerate their hockey development. The one sport athlete mentality is stupid and not in the best interest of the athlete. AAU basketball leagues have expanded to include multiple levels and include some very mediocre kids but most of them are overpaying a lot of money for the experience. Those that are convinced kids develop better going to juniors early may be right but we don't have evidence to support either argument other than the individual stories or success or failure.

The Oshie kid playing for Warroad the next year was really good. He was a senior. The program said it was TJ. Your comment about setting him back 2-3 yrs is unfounded. Is taking kids away from the families, friends and communities really what is best for these kids? I have always contended that high school kids should be in high school and playing other sports and being involved in other school activites and not be deprived of all of the opportunities, academically, and socially. For those who aren't ready to go from high school to college, they can go to Juniors after HS. None of these kids should be playing hockey or any other sport exclusively. The medical studies all show the potential harm to these one sport year round athletes with an increase in injuries and peaking at earlier ages. What we are doing to our kids is shameful. When Dave Hakstol was looking at one of our kids a couple of years ago he said " tell the kid to stay out for football". Kids should remain in HS and play soccer or FB or tennis or lacrosse and be in the choir and student council and get caught in the basement by their girlfriends Dad that senior year. Staying loyal to their community, school and teammates who helped develop their game may be important in building leadership and life skills . They can to Juniors the next year. All of those goals and aspirations can wait one year. The best kids will be fine and those that need more time can have an extra year of two. I hope all these kids stay in HS.

Connor O'Brien finished? ( Concussions).

This best reason to move on is that we have Regional Hockey tomorrow and we still have people who give a rats behind about the logo issue. Who cares anymore? Not only has that Sioux ship sailed but it sank! Those PC folks and activists whose lives were so miserable because we had the name, have nothing on the folks whose lives seem miserable without the name. Who cares, it's a name and logo. I'm more concerned about whether T Poolman, who I think is one of the most complete and outstanding defensemen we have ever had, will be healthy enough to play.

Actually, today all people have said was the Hawks gave Arizona a great game.

This team was well prepared to utilize the talent we have against a top 10 team. Bernstein, Crandall and Hooker showed they can play at the big time level. Jones and his staff have recruited some very good players and they won a conference title and made it to the tourney. He and his staff have earned a new contract and salary increases.

No excuse. Conference Champs and WNIT bid is a big deal anytime our MBB or WBB teams are in. The herald staff should be able to read a schedule, know that we have 3 UND teams in tourney's this week and HS BB. Get stories and photos Sun, Mon, Tues for yesterday and today. Work with UND's SID or hire the Dakota Student reporter to help with UND coverage or send an intern to cover HS stories. Disappointing.