bincitysioux

Also, there was an article in the Forum a couple months ago that said Buning and Taylor had discussed it for 2006, but the date was Oct. 21. That's the same day the Gophers wanted NDSU. You can't fault NDSU for taking a $300,000 game. UND would do the same thing. Don't worry, whether UND goes DI or not, the two schools will probably be playing again by 2007. The fact that Buning pursued an NDSU game coupled with the addition of UNI now on the schedule makes me believe that our A.D. is actively pursuing games against higher quality competition, and I like that. It is a nice turn in direction from the RT era, when we saw teams like Crookston, Mesa, and Newberry.

I think you may giving the Gophers too much credit!

Highly unlikely that this is a home-and-home agreement. It is for straight out cash, a guarantee game. A program like UNI isn't likely to travel to a 1st year DI school (which is what we'd be in 2007 if we declared an intent to move by this coming Semptember), and is no way gonna travel to a DII program (if we stay).

Anybody know if UNI televises its games on KU Free-to-Air Satellite? Iceberg, are you there?

Here's the link. UNI Releases 2006 Football Schedule; Six Home Games on the Docket

IMO, that would be the best way to go if a change does occur. It be giving the NCAA the middle finger, because fans would always carry on the Fighting Sioux name, and there is nothing that they could do about that. Please, no more name suggestions referring to weather events. That's just lame.

I absolutely do not want to change the name. I understand that the post-season implications would only minimally affect the Hockey team, therefore alot of the fans that only follow the hockey team support keeping it no matter what. However there are many like myself who are football fans first, and follow the football, hockey, and basketball teams with equal enthusiasm that understand that the inability to host playoff football and basketball games would be devastating to the programs. It is highly questionable that the football team would have made it to Florence in 2001 & 2003 if we hadn't had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. One has to prioritize. If the Sioux fb team is ranked #2 going into the playoffs and has homefield advantage, they'd probably be the favorite to get to the title game. If they were #2 going into the playoffs, but had to play every game on the road, that would be difficult.

No, that's why it's #5 on thel list. Unfortunately I think that'll end up what it is if we are forced to change the name.

ditto

I think it is more likely a trickle-down effect of the fact that I-A schools can now schedule an extra game. Most of them are gonna fill it with a I-AA team. In turn I-AA's will add more games against a DII, knowing in most cases it will be a sure win, to offset their likely sure loss to a I-A. Eventually you'll see DII school scheduling more DIII or NAIA schools to offset their I-AA guarantee game. With the new rules put in place by the NCAA, guarantee games are just gonna be more common, and a regular part of college football. If UND does stay in DII, look for a yearly games against both a I-AA, and a low-teir DII/NAIA/DIII. If UND does go DI, even when we do get into a conference, there'll more than likely be a I-A and a DII on the schedule most years. I never heard that. I find it hard to believe that Minnesota ever considered playing a DII program. I for one am very excited about this game. I'll take a loss to a program like Northern Iowa over a 50 point shallacking over a program like Ferris St any day. You never know, UND may just surprise alot of people.

Here's a list of the DII players to get drafted this weekend: Danieal Manning - DB - Abilene Christian Round 2, Pick 10, Overall 42 Jahri Evans - OL - Bloomsburg Round 4, Pick 11, Overall 108 Chris Kuper - OL - North Dakota Round 5, Pick 29, Overall 161 Delanie Walker - WR - Central Missouri Round 6, Pick 6, Overall 175 Dave Tollefson - DE - Northwest Missouri Round 7, Pick 45, Overall 253

I still like this as my #1, although I know it would probably never fly: #2) No nickname. Just North Dakota. Sell the rights to the Sioux-Head logo to REA Inc. They can put it on as many hats and shirts as they want, just with no reference to UND or Fighting Sioux. The fans will carry the name on. #3) Dakotans. That is what all residents of the state are, and a majority of UND's students. #4) Since UND is the premeir aviation school in the nation, something like Flyers, Jets, Aeros, Dogfighters would be fitting. #5) Rough Riders. I don't really like it, but if a name-change does happen, I'm 99% sure that this is what it will be. --or-- I've always had a soft-spot for "Troopers"

Is there a specific date that UND's DI Task Force is supposed to submit their findings to Kupchella?

Here's a quick update on John Bowenkamp in NFL Europe. 1 completion, 5 attempts, 10 yards, 1 INT Rhein Fire Too bad he got stuck on a team behind the great Drew Henson . The 2nd and 3rd string QB's on every other NFL Europe team have seen alot more action than Rhein's back-ups. It seems like John has had a run of bad luck. First the injury early in his senior season. Then signing with an NFL team that had Culpepper and a Super Bowl champ for a back-up (Brad Johnson). Then getting released before Culpepper got hurt and the roster spot for another QB opened up. Then going to Europe and getting stuck behind Henson, who seems to get as many chances as he wants. Has he tried the NBA yet?

I agree. The last game was in GF, so when the rivalry is finally renewed the first game rightfully should and will be played in Fargo.

If the UND @ UNI game was supposedly confirmed on a radio interview by Northern Iowa's head coach 3 days ago, how come we still haven't seen an offical press release from UND, UNI, or the Herald? It only took UND two hours to post that Kuper got drafted on their official site. Is this game really happening? I sure hope so.

I never saw it until now, but Denver also drafted Greg Eslinger today.

Actually, the Big Sky was 17th in RPI while the Mid-Con was 29th (third worst conference RPI in the nation). RealtimeRPI.com The Big Sky is far more attractive in nearly every area, from quality of athletics to quality of institutional members. The only thing the Mid-Con has going for it is possibly being more geographically friendly, but not much.

I'd think Digger could get a free agent contract somewhere, and maybe find a role for himself as a special teams guy. I think he is just too small to play linebacker in the NFL.

Kuper just got drafted by Denver in the 5th round, #161 overall! Congrats!!! He was the 28th offensive linemen taken and the 9th Guard taken. Going to Denver is probably the best situation for Chris, due to the style that they play.

I don't agree with that. IIRC, Tom Bunning extended the olive branch long before CSP was scheduled. Gene Taylor's thoughtful and intellectual response was, and I quote, "They've made their bed, now they have to sleep in it."

I also agree 100% with that assessment.

According to Jeff Culhane, who covers USD and does a radio show in Vermillion, their has been negotiations between the Big Sky and UND/NDSU/SDSU going on. He interviewed Kolpack and Brandon Misenor (D2football.com) on his show yesterday. While I missed the show, their is some discussion of what was said both on Bisonville and on D2football.com.

I agree 100% with that assessment. Had UND gone DI with them, UND could have been playing Minnesota in 2006, and NDSU play them in 2007, or vice-versa.

I for one hope tha a move is announced before this game is played.