iramurphy

We both should have moved with UNI, Montana, Montana State, etc., in the 70's, and yes we should have moved together in 2003. We are where we are and we have to deal with it.

Don't know, I'm certainly not plugged into the AC. Mussman wasn't coaching there so we don't know how long he would have lasted. I wasn't sure he was the right guy but we needed someone at the end of the Lennon era and he was as good of a choice as any if we weren't going to bring in someone from the outside and make a more rapid and aggressive transition. I think Mussman has been blamed and criticized to the point that we are kicking a dead horse. We are where we are and I don't need anyone to blame. I really don't care how long he would have lasted elsewhere. The difference in where we are and where others are is multi factorial. The timing of the move up, Chapman's focus on athletics, Kupchella's lack of understanding of the workings and importance of intercollegiate athletics. Hiring Bunning instead of Bollinger. The 1997 flood. The lack of focus on the move up during the name debacle. The support for athletics from AC foundation and support from the Fargo Moorhead community vs Grand Forks EGF and the UND foundations unwillingness to make a major impact. The loss of the $10,000,000 Sanford donation, and their CEO's broken promise to be a major part of UND athletics. The media support from the Forum and Fargo TV vs the Herald. Lots and lots of factors, some bigger than others. I would focus on would be how to upgrade our program now. Day by day, game by game, year by year. Right now we need butts in the seats at games, improve our marketing and media exposure and phase I and II of the new facility done ASAP. Recruiting looks very good for next year so far. Let's see if we can get a win Saturday. Go Sioux.

How far back do you want to go? Dressler and the Manke brothers? Mollberg is just getting started. Nothing we can do now about the past. So what about now? Write these 2 names down. Elijah Grady and Mason Bennett. The immediate impact is UND has 2 early commits who can influence what other kids see and think about where we are going. You maybe don't understand that what is done is done. We move on and will get better day by day. Same thing the AC had to do after they were down. Same thing any program does when they have struggled. Most of the AC fans are enjoying the ride. Some don't seem to be happy unless they can try and make someone else feel badly. Who gives a rats behind who the last impact player was? Keep checking that rear view mirror and you might find yourself in the ditch. Doubt it will be this year and maybe not next but we are coming after you guys. In the meantime, enjoy your success and quit fussing over what anyone else does or doesn't do.

Mason Bennett is another great pickup for the Sioux. It has been awhile since we have had 7 early commits and this kid is a " blue chipper". Grady from Newtown is another one and they both had offers from one of the better FCS teams. This is already forming up as an excellent recruiting class.

Dressler was a better college player, Hardin maybe as fast but Thielen doesn't drop the ball. Dresser had too many drops in camp according to the Chiefs web site and then didn't really get much of a shot in pre-season games. Thielen is 6'1" runs a 4.5 and can cover on kicks and also can return. I don't think they saw Hardin and Dressler on kick or punt coverage. I think Dressler would have been good on coverage cuz he is very strong but Greg not so much. For a guy to make a team as a 5th or 6th receiver he needs to be able to contribute in more ways than one on special teams. I still think Dressler can play given the right circumstances.

Detroit Lakes Adam Thielen made the 53 man roster for the Vikes. Had great pre-season.

Posing the question on a blog will get you a variety of answers. There are quite a few folks who have trouble getting beyond the fact the Mussman didn't leave a boatload of talent and depth. Thus throughout the game thread and comments they will continue to feel better bashing Mussman. It's pretty clear what he did and don't do. Then there are the trolls who want to remind everyone that the AC is pretty damn good. We also have a large group of our fans who have to keep comparing us to what the AC did and didn't do and how they might have a reasonable chance of beating us this year or even next. Fortunately, Bubba and the new staff are concerned about the guys who are here and how to get better "day by day". Bubba wants to run the ball, but if we can give the QB time, I think they will try and open things up. It's pretty tough to be one dimensional and without an experienced and talented Oline, I think you will see this team will take whatever they think they can exploit. Our defense is better but must improve everyday. One of my pet peaves is dropping the ball. If you watch our skill kids in practice and warm ups not many look the ball into their hands every single time they catch it. If you are in the habit of doing that every time, you have the habit of securing the FB before you turn up field or make a move. One of most important fundamentals in catching the ball yet so many don't do it. If we don't drop the interceptions we are more competitive. Oline will improve but that group may take longer cuz of the skills and schemes necessary to be successful. Kids at skill positions can let their athletic ability carry them sooner than kids in the oline. These guys have a good attitude that they need to develop into a winning attitude and I believe they will improve as the year goes on. San Jose State is a decent team and they handed it to us. It's over, we get better and "on to Belle Fourche Mr. Natlinger".

I always thought Reed Manke was a better QB and should have started as a Soph. I think if you asked Lennon and Mussman they would both agree now but at the time Belmore was decent and he was a good athlete. I still think Manke was one of the best we have ever had at QB but I think your are mistaken if you think Lennon played another kid cuz his brother was a coach. I think they made a mistake but I wasn't at practice. Manke was a "gamer" and a winner with great leadership skills, was smart, and made great reads. I think his career completion rate was close to 70%. He also was a great athlete but apparently Lennon and Mussman didn't see it that way. Once they started Belmore, I think they stayed with him too long but I think coaches are sometimes reluctant to make a change esp at QB cuz they then may have to acknowledge they made a mistake. Belmore was no slouch and a good guy.

Where did you get the idea that kids played cuz of where they are from? I also don't think Kuska, Jake Miller, Golladay to name just three, to "wait their turn". Everyone does have a chance to make the field. Do you really think coaches don't put the kids on the field they think give them the best chance to win? I always disagreed with not playing backups, especially juniors and srs when the outcome is in doubt. I think that was a mistake the previous staff made. We can all think of players that should have played ahead of someone else but the coaches go to all the practices, film sessions and review tape. We hear that kind of stuff from parents at the HS level a lot. Their kid didnt get to play cuz the starter's uncle is the bank president or coaches paperboy or whatever. You see some of that in youth hockey or fb or basketball with parent coaches but I believe the coaches put the kids out there they think give the team the best chance of winning. What bites you in the butt more than anything is not recruiting the right kids.

What a load of baloney. Faison asked the FB alumni last month in Prior Lake if we wanted to resume the rivalry if it meant we play them in Fargo twice. I stated I wouldn't cuz the game is no longer going to have the same flavor with both teams trying to win their conference title and make the playoffs. I said get better and we will play them in the playoffs. Bubba said he would rather play the game even if we played in Fargo. Once he said that I said if our coaches want to play them then play them. A lot of guys said we will play them anytime anywhere. Bubba wasn't instructed to say anything by Faison. Quit making crap up.

No, but I would say year in and year out they are treated fairly. Players everywhere are treated differently. They have to be cuz they have different personalities and abilities. We have had players make valuable contributions to the team that may see little playing time..if you are good enough to go through practice and film sessions and off season training, you deserve to wear the same uniform. Why waste time keeping track of who wears the helmet ND? If you like that sort of thing use the helmet decals for game accomplishments like Ohio State does with the Buckeyes on the helmets.

We don't use tricks or gimmicks. You are part of Sioux family from day one. We are a team and in this together. Senior, redshirt freshman, super star or backup longsnapper. They are all part of the team. We wear one uniform. That has always been a strength of this program.

Defense is more athletic and faster, moved to ball much better. Tackled much better. DB Corners weren't playing off 15 yds then backpedling at the snap. Labat started at OLB and had a good day. Had two pass break ups. O-line needs to get quicker and didn't have good day. QB' s didn't have much time and running game wasn't good. Mollberg was better QB. Threw pick 6 on what looked like an out route that receiver broke up field on. Bartels didn't look like the same guy he was last year. Had a couple of potential picks dropped by d-backs and threw poor pass for the one intercepted. He had a couple of nice runs when protection broke down. . Stensrud threw ball well and ran well for a rookie but not ready. Carter looks like he will be playing. We lack breakaway speed on offense. Noticed Fiedler at TE spread out in some sets. Made play early. They need to follow Bubba's plan and get better everyday. O-line needs to develop some confidence and a nastier attitude.

Still is a big deal. Kid has all the tools and should develop into one our best ever. Coaches are impressed with his skills and as he develops as a leader and we improve as a team I predict you will see why Mussman, Bohl, and the others were high on him. He has done nothing to temper the enthusiasm as an excellent recruit.

I'm glad you got that off your chest. If the gentleman didn't already feel welcome before, I'm sure your post was the the frosting on the cake. I hope the kids Dad understands his son and family are welcome and he has our full support. I appreciate that someone who knows this player as well as his Dad gave us some insight. What would make someone think it important to point out the obvious that we expect from all of our players and coaches baffles me a bit. This kid will be a very good FB player for us and we are fortunate he chose to join the Sioux FB family.

Grady is big time recruit. 6'5" 280 lb kid can run a 4.9 40. Great feet good quickness and good student. He plans to major in nursing so UND with all of the other health care options provides more flexibility. Smart academic choice with great opportunity to be part of the group that gets our program turned around again. This kid is blue chip recruit with potential to be one of the best ever.

Detroit Lakes Adam Thielen has been getting a lot of notice so far in Vikes camp. Made "catch of the day" yesterday and took some reps with first team. Word is he had impressive OTA's and minicamp and has good shot at making team after spending last year on practice squad. Sioux could have had him for small scholarship. Played at Mankato.

McPherson made great catch on TD pass from Herzog. Nice sized kid. He can play. Can't remember where he is going but he will be an excellent college receiver. Big target, decent speed.

Gave my program away. Name and position? North had 3 LB's who played well. The kid from Little Falls who is going to Bemidji played well. The big RB from Eden Prairie, Anthony Anderson was tough to bring down. Wasn't quick and only time I watched him try and block it was weak but he broke tackles and some of the DB's didn't look like they wanted to get in his way. He was South Offensive MVP.

Went to Minnesota HS All Star game today at St. John's. 5 UND kids played. Reid Taubenheim kicked for South team. Had 53 yd FG and boomed all but one kickoff into end zone even those into the wind. I was sitting in Mn HS coaches Assn. Box and he caught everyone's attention. Some said he could have been South MVP. Connor Bolduc boomed his punts to sideline and all perfect spirals. Had great day. He might get his redshirt pulled if we don't have anyone better than what we saw in spring ball. Keaton Stensrud started for the North team. First pass was dropped then he completed next two but suffered hip pointer and didn't play the rest of the game. He was replaced by Michael Herzog from Detroit Lakes who threw for 246 yds and 3 TD's and ran for 67 yds. Was named North Offensive MVP. Dion Harris from Hibbing started at corner and made some good plays. Tall and slender but not afraid to hit. Will need to get stronger. Grant Aplin (PWO) had great game at guard for South. Started and went up against 2 Ag school recruits. (The kid from Alex who had a good game but Aplin held his own, and the 6' 5" kid from Delano who looks like a project and Aplin handled him.) Ezra Szczyrbak who we wanted and lost to UNI didn't look good at all. I don't know if he made a tackle. He looked like a duck out of water and had trouble following the play development. Too many times took himself out of the play by misreading the fake or play action. If he isn't any better than that we dodged a bullet. The Ag guys who said they pulled their scholarship offer on him may have been correct. The five UND kids all got together after the game for photos pretty cool. Stensrud's injury was only a hip pointer so he should be ready by this fall. In short time he was in, looked athletic and had strong accurate arm.

That is believed if you forget the impact of US industrial might and the impact of the Royal Air Force and the the US Army Air Force on Germany's war industry. You also seem to forget It is more likely that if Hitler had let his military commanders do their job they would have taken Moscow instead of the detour to Stalingrad which led to disaster. The Russian winter did as much if not more to hold the Germans at bay than did the Russian Army which had still not regrouped. If you said "if not for the tenacity of the Russian winter, the Germans would have defeated the Russians" I might buy that. If you said "if not for the industrial might of the United States of America" Germany would have won" I would agree. Without the tenacity of the RAF fighter pilots the Luftwaffe would have been a bigger factor in Russia. The United States Military had been neglected by our politicians and we were not prepared to go to war in 1941/1942. Similar to WWI and Vietnam when our politicians had neglected the military. The English, Canadians, Australians, and Americans were all excellent fighters. The Germans were well prepared for war and by 1942 were experienced fighters who killed without regard to rules of engagement. So did the Russians. Once the US was on a war footing we would have been very difficult to defeat.

Detroit Lakes girls team set all-time Mn. state record with a team total of 284 on tough Wildflower course. All six golfers shot below 78. Defending state co-champ shot 4 under 68. Teammates shot 70, 72, 74. Other defending co-champ shot 75 and number 6 kid shot 77. UND women's coach wasn't interested in these kids. I spoke with her last summer about these kids and told her they were interested in UND. The kid who shot 2 under 70 had sister play golf at UND and wanted to come here. Kid who shot 74 had Dad play FB at UND and wanted to come here. This team might be able to win Big Sky this year. 2 time defending champs undefeated last 2 yrs but UND's coach didn't recruit when she could have had at least 2 if not 3 of these kids. Wonder if Faison might take an interest in what the hell is going on. If they aren't going to make an effort they should drop the program.

Couple of thoughts. There is no excuse for bullying and other kids, teachers, administrators, bus drivers should all try and help stop it. Other parents can also be pro active if they wish. This isn't the playground kids get in an argument and call others names it is the daily harassment that no one should have to tolerate especially. Some of you may not realize that laws in Minnesota restrict what the school administrators can do to the perpetrators if they are "special ed" . Those kids can't be expelled or disciplined the asme as the other kids. "Special Ed" designation includes a wide range of kids now including those with emotional or behavioral issues. Not knowing what the parents have done nor how the admin folks tried to respond makes it difficult for those of us on the outside looking in to judge.

This kid is very athletic and I think will be an outstanding player for us.

I speak from a soldier's perspective. The politicians will send our sons and daughters and our military will answer the call. I'm not saying we should or shouldn't go but our military goes where they are told the mission will take them. The question was why we go not should we go. Too many people have an opinion not based on what is right or wrong but based on which party is in power. No matter which side of the political fence you sit on, we must always maintain a strong and ready military. What we as a country have done to our National Guard and Reservists these past 10 yrs is scary. The guard and reserve were never meant to be our frontline military but as a ready reserve in time of need and a home force always ready for our nations defense and emergencies and when necessary to augment our active duty forces. To send these forces for 6-12 months or longer every 2 years is taking a heavy toll. Sioux MD, God Bless him is on his 4th or 5th tour in Iraq and Afghanistan. He serves in the guard. Our politicians think we should cut back our military yet they entertain the idea that we would intervene in Syria or other areas. There are not many combat veterans who support that dumb-ass idea. But no matter what the politicians decide, our kids will strap it on and buckle up and move toward the chaos. We don't get to decide if we want to go nor if we agree with the decision. I don't know if we should intervene in Africa or not but if our kids go, it's likely some will give the ultimate sacrifice. But rest assured they will serve with pride and courage and if anyone can rescue those kids the United States Military is the best in the world. (Makes Natty's and FCS championships irrelevant in the grand scheme of things)