bincitysioux

I was just perusing the Big Sky statistics, and a few things stand out about the North Dakota-Northern Arizona matchup........................ We all are aware what a threat Zach Bauman is, so I was a bit surprised to see that NAU's success mostly seems to be based on defense and special teams. Despite the prolific Bauman, the Lumberjacks are just 6th in the conference in rushing offense and and 12th in pass offense. They appear to be disciplined, as they take the fewest penalties of any team in the league. They are #2 in total defense, #1 in pass defense, and middle of the pack in rush defense. NAU is +6 in turnover margin. The thing that stands out most to me is their special teams. They are averaging 24 yards on punt returns and have already returned two for TDs. UND is next to last in the league in punting. My thought is the game plan will be to stack the box and sell out against the run, take our chances by putting the DB's out on an island. They really haven't been tested all that much, so who knows what they can do? I'm the eternal optimist, the constant homer..................... But I'm gonna say: 34 Northern Arizona 21 North Dakota

Mussman just said on the coach's show that that he hasn't talked to either guy yet as to who is starting. I'm dismayed by the fact that he also said that the game will dictate which QB gets the most playing time. Given the effects of how last weeks "game plan" played out, I'd prefer to see one QB take the first snap, the last snap, and all those in between.

Cal Poly continues to be under-rated..............

Just don't know what to make of this team. There are 5 games left, and UND would have to win them all to make the playoffs. Chances of that are probably slim and none. North Dakota handled SD Mines just like they should have. They over-acheived against SDSU. I assumed they'd beat Portland St., but I was shocked at how it unfolded. PSU gashed the run defense, and that surprised me at the time. I chalked it up to the players being too amped up for the first Big Sky opponent, and shrugged off the sub-par run defense in that game because PSU was a new opponent who's M.O. is to run the ball down your throat. Sac St. played out like I thought it would, but another bad performance by the run defense. Prior to the season, I figured our best chance for a big win against a top Big Sky team would come against Cal Poly, because all they do is run the ball and we've always held them in check. Well, they smoked us............... Prior to the season, I figured EWU would likely win comfortably against the Sioux. But that was assuming we'd have an anemic offense and poor pass defense like last season. As this season unfolded, I changed my tune this week and assumed we'd have a chance in a high scoring affair. But then we make a below average EWU rush offense look like Nebraska of the late 80's or early 90's. EWU is usually almost reluctant to run the ball, but against North Dakota they almost felt obligated to because it was so easy for them. As far as the rest of the schedule goes....................maybe we have a chance against SUU and UNC? At this point I certainly can't expect us to hold NAU and Zach Baumen in check next week, or Montana the following week.

On the bright side from tonight: We had 3 sacks......... The webcast worked great........ That's about it.

Yeah, but I thought your D was suspect as well.....................

Forward.............. Play a little defense............

To put a bit into perspective on how badly this defense is struggling right now, EWU gained more than 1/3 of their total rushing yards for the season tonight........................... North Dakota is giving up 274 yards rushing per game against DI opponents.............. Every DI opponent faced has gained more than 200 yards rushing................... UND is 0-3 in games where they've lost the turnover battle...............

I agree. I recognize that Hanson is the pure passer and Hendrickson is the athlete. I don't fault the staff wanting to get Hanson playing time, I just don't like how they went about it. They probably decided early in the week that Hanson would play this week. Well, IMO, considering the way Hendrickson has played this season, then they must think quite highly of Hanson. Given that, Mussman should have just named him the starter for this game and stuck with him. The way it played out, Hendrickson gets the idea that he can't get the job done, and Hanson feels he can do no wrong. So what happens down the road if Hanson struggles or gets hurt again? You put back in the QB that the staff effectively gave a vote of no-confidence. I think the way they went about it tonight platooning the two quarterbacks, it puts a ton of pressure on Hanson going forward, and if he falters, well then Hendrickson already knows that the staff doesn't think too much of him......................

It was a bad loss to be sure, but I don't think it comes anywhere close to the loss to Sioux Falls as far as Mussman's resume goes. Losses happen, and some of them can be blow-outs. I remember Central Washington embarrassing us in our own place 9 or 10 years ago by a wide margin. North Dakota simply ran into a team tonight that is a whole lot better than we are....................

I've watched 5 games this season that would suggest otherwise.........................

I don't know if I agree so much with the idea of a lack of heart, leadership, or effort. What I saw tonight was more a lack of talent on North Dakota's side of the line of scrimmage as opposed to EWU's..............

If Hanson is apparently going to be "the guy" and start next week, I better not hear any BS in any interviews this week about playing 2 quarterbacks, and having a "package" for Hendrickson. Make up your mind and stick with it.................

I guess North Dakota has a ways to go before they will be a top 3 Big Sky team.............

48 Montana St. 41 UC Davis Final Should be a whale of a game next week between MSU and EWU..............

Good lord. Now they've got Hendrickson back in............................ Does Hanson not need the reps?

This is what I would call a good old fashioned ass-whoopin................

Derrick Goard

Good God. 2 backfield miscues in this quarter between QB and RB................

Helluva game in Davis. UC Davis 41 MSU 38

Man, North Dakota's defense is slow.................

This game isn't over. UND can score 34 in a half just as easliy EWU................. They need a little help from the Defense and Special teams though

UC Davis leading MSU 38-31.

Go buy some tickets there then..............

I know I sound like a Hendrickson super-homer, but I don't mean to. I have all the confidence in Hanson. I also have confidence in Hendrickson. I just don't like how this played out. Marcus had the lead, then had a 3 and out and Hanson comes to throw a couple dink and dunk passes, then Hendrickson comes in to run it and throw a post pattern down the field. Just make the decision and stick with it is all I have to say.