iramurphy

Glad I didn't have to go to war with some of you guys. After 18 beers some of you think you could coach. Mollberg wasn't sharp but don't forget he earned the starting job through spring ball and fall practices. If anyone watches game film you might notice that on the firstlong pass he "over threw", the young receiver broke free from the db then stopped running. Had he kept going that pass looked like it was on the mark. I suppose the AC needs to replace their QB cuz they struggled and he threw 2 picks. Rotating QB's did us a lot of good last year didn't it. Mollberg remained calm went through his reads well, and didn't turn the ball over despite not being sharp. If you think Bartels or Studsrud are going to step in and play better you didn't watch fall practice. The coaches went with Mollberg for a reason. Defense played better esp db's. Labat and Reinke played very well. The young kicker and punter did a good job. Kids played hard and improved from last week. Long way to go.

Set your goals a bit higher, quit comparing to the AC. Nothing we can do about the Ag School. They are good and I wouldn't wait around for them to stumble so I would expect Bubba and his staff to approach this program with a sense of urgency and high expectations. Don't worry about next year until next year and certainly not 2017 or we likely won't be any good until 2017 or later. Worry about Saturday and the preparation needed and the recruiting work that needs to get done this week.

I have never referred to anything UND as "cavalry". Bubba and his staff have their style and it will work with kids just like the AC coaches style will work with kids. There are enough good players out there for UND to be competitive at this level and they will be. There are 7 players who have committed to UND for 2015 that must agree. HS coaches in our area have already had a positive impression of this new staff. Some of you fans seem to think that success in FB at a rivals school or even lack of success at my school will dictate how we feel about ourselves or families. It doesn't affect the stock market, the price of oil or the price of hogs for that matter. As this team improves, it may cost more to buy one of those goofy hats though. I have no idea what your coach wears on his head, if anything, cuz I don't give a rats behind.

I thought he stole that hat from his mother -in-law. I don't think Bubba cares what anyone, much less some Ag school fans, think about his goofy hat. It protects him from the sun better than a baseball hat. He and his staff seem to be able to relate to young men just fine.

Did his dog crap on your porch or something? Maybe you were on the team and you didn't get to play. Not sure what you want to hear. Mussman didn't get the job done. A lot of hs coaches and alums felt he was aloof and not approachable. There seemed to be some improvement and we changed presidents and we changed AD's. If Kelly was here all along or Faison was here all along it may have been different but it isn't. People on this board don't make these decisions unless you count gfhockey and he makes all of the decisions Monday mornings at the truck stop with his " good ole boys". If it makes you happy he would have lasted 4 yrs and 3 mo at the AC. What else do you want to say about him. I don't think he is a bad guy and he left without bad mouthing the program. His kid is a prospect at this level, maybe higher if he continues to improve. I hope we get a shot at him and I hope Mussman does well wherever he is. If that isn't good enough get out to the truck stop Mon AM and look for a guy with blood shot eyes, and a 3 day hangover. He can answer your questions better than any of us if you buy him a cup of coffee and the truckers special.

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.