Irish

It's good to get a win, however - I'm not a real fan of the "standing around" school of defense. I felt we got out hustled and out hit. I was very disappointed in our play tonight.

The loss to Sioux Falls was the most humiliating defeat I can remember for the Sioux in the past 40 years. We were out-coached in every way. In a state that is divided between Sioux and Bison fans it was a public humiliation for the Sioux program and its fans. There was no excuse for it. That being said, I think Mussman earned himself some slack with his latest win. He still needs to grow a pair in my opinion and we must develop consistency. It was a step in the right direction. However, if we lose to another NAIA program he should be gone the next day. Not only is there absolutely no excuse, but I think the publicity will hurt future recruiting. We need to put up 50 on Sioux Falls this year.

The washed-out pea green uniforms are the worst ever

We need to pull out all of the stops and go for a victory. What really frosts me is that when the Bison go to Minnesota they go in with a swagger, play aggressively, take risks (lateral on an interception etc) while we take a knee on the 50. While we finally had a game plan that worked and showed some adjustments especially on the line, Mussman's lack of stones cost us. Come on coaches, cowboy up for a change. We have shown some real strengths in the last two games. Let's go for it.

I normally cheer for the Bison in non-UND matchups - especially out of state or playoffs that we aren't involved in - Not that I like them much, but because the represent North Dakota. However, Bison fans have been so obnoxious lately, some even on the Sioux chat board, that I am cheering for the Goofs this week.

The defense does seem far ahead of the offense - that being said, I totally agree with you that the D has the ability to get off of the field with timely third down stops. I've mentioned this before, but was accused by green_sioux of not being worthy to carry Mussman's clipboard - here goes - from my observations the d backs, specifically the corners seem to give a huge cushion to the receivers they cover. Teams seem to be able to pick up 5-7 yards at will. Don't you think some of our inability to hold on 3rd down is due to this. It seems we'll allowed ourselves to be marched on 7 yards at a time all game as long as we don't give up any bombs. I know that I am not the only one with this opinion. We let the Idaho QB complete 15 in a row. I know he and the receivers are up one division from us, but come on, 15 in a row? I wish we would get up in someones face once in a while. Your thoughts?

If we get beat by a team with superior talent, so be it - I have no problem with that I would like us to look like a team who came to play and plays hard until the final whistle. I would like Fresno to know they had been in a football game. To that end, I would like the coaches to look like they are trying to win - come up with some aggressive schemes on both sides of the ball. We have some good young talent - we need to instill a Fighting Sioux attitude in this team. That starts at the top.

Although I don't agree with most of your points, I appreciate that you have taken the time to back up your points and not made this personal. While I don't have time to respond in detail right now, and nothing is all black or white, I still believe my points are valid. Hopefully we can work out of this rut, but I feel changes need to be made, if not in coaching staff, then in game prep and philosophy.

I'll admit to being frustrated and rather hard on Mussman. This comes from more than one game - I hate to be 4th of the 4 Dakota schools green_sioux pointed out several of my "statements" he took offense with I'd like to engage in a civilized discussion about these or any other points people have about Mussman's performance so far. We'd rather give up 10 yards anytime our opponents want rather than taking a chance and maybe getting beat long" is one of them - My reasoning? - Watch the games and see how we cover receivers. Yesterday we had a quarterback in his 2nd collegiate start complete 15 in a row against us - I don't think the problem was playing too tight on the receivers Making absolutely no coaching adjustments at any time and getting out-coached almost every game" again from yesterday - we were up 14-3 at one point - who did you think made the better adjustments in the game? Did you watch the Sioux Falls game? who did you think won the coaching batttle there. How about running the clock out at halftime? What kind of philosophy is that? I'd love to hear about some times that we made adjustments that turned the game in our favor. Crappy offensive play calling game in and game out" - I stand by this statement and am open to any evidence to the contrary. Again, running out the clock at halftime. My point is - if you think I'm wrong, give me some evidence to the contrary - Personal attacks at me show a lack of any valid argument.

Don't agree with me - fine - make your points - You have mentioned several of my opinions - let's hear your arguments as to why I'm wrong. I could do without the snide comments you seem to make "when you are seated behind a keyboard".

Boy, do you have strange logic. I'm not a movie director either, but I could give you an opinion on who is good by the movies they put out. You attack me like I'm lobbying to get Mussman's job for myself - I'm not I didn't say I was a better coach, I'm saying that Rob Akey (Idaho), Craig Bohl, John Steigelmeier (SDSU), Mat Houk (USD) and many others are. Even non-coaches can judge the success of football programs by won-lost records and by watching the games and the product they put out. I never said that I have the perfect offensive and defensive schemes waiting to be implemented - I'm saying based on results that Mussman's aren't working real well. Mussman's tenure has been riddled with the type of poor performances that we saw in the second half. I'm also enough of a football fan to remember when it wasn't like that. If you think that attacking my football expertise makes Musssman's program look better, lot's of luck. I'm not the one being paid $104,000 to put out a competitive football team. If you can deal with the facts instead of attacking me, tell me the areas so far that you think Mussman has done an above average job and the areas where he has done a below average job - getting stuck by an NAIA team ,in my opinion, is an all time low for North Dakota Football.

Amongst the many reasons are such items as: Getting our A's kicked by an NAIA school and not giving us anything to get the taste out of our mouths Going from the best of the 4 Dakota schools to the worst Making absolutely no coaching adjustments at any time and getting out-coached almost every game Not playing to win Consistently playing so loose in the secondary that a very average at best QB can complete 15 in a row on us. We'd rather give up 10 yards anytime our opponents want rather than taking a chance and maybe getting beat long Crappy offensive play calling game in and game out Ruining any home atmosphere we had The constant recruiting whine - before the move it was "we can't compete with NDSU because they are division I" now its "we can't compete because we're in transition" Giving us undisciplined play game in and game out Not appearing to make any improvements to the program - every year it's the same old crap Last - having the ugliest Sioux uniforms I can ever remember

Anyone else here wish Muss would strap on a pair?

They're called coaching adjustments - Mussman never had em, never will

How do you like him now?

Time to open things up and make a statement - A very important game in terms of fan interest for the rest of the season Let's Go Sioujx

There is a Sioux Green, and you're right - some of the green shirts etc are much darker - However, Sioux Green does not resemble the green on the football uniforms.

Anyone in the know have any worries about Dell's weight gain? I'm not suggesting there are, but an 18 pound weight gain stands out. It could be solid muscle. A few more pounds on Brock and he'll be a monster

It's the washed out pea green color, I tell you. Doesn't anyone in the athletic dept. know what Sioux Green looks like?

Nice win - this is developing into a great program Congrats to coach and players

Think Mussman has done a great job so far - make your case.

Agreed that our QB is the equivalent of a red-shirt freshman. However, who's been in charge of recruiting for the past 4 years - Mussman? The fact that we don't have an experienced QB is a reflection on him. If we have to rely on being careful and methodical at this point in our home opener against a team that doesn't give scholarships, that says a lot to me - none of it real positive. The fact that you think this "redshirt freshman" gives us something at QB that we haven't had for a couple of years says a lot too about our transition. Bottom line is that we need something to be fired up about and Mussman is giving us vanilla all the way.

Ok, I might have been a little harsh on the Swimming and Diving team. The men's BB team has progressed - they are no longer getting beat by the DAC teams like Mayville State. The move to D1 was mainly pushed by the "football only" crowd. We heard two completely opposite whines from them. Before the move it was "we can't compete in recruiting with NDSU because they are Division I". After the move it was "we can't get any top recruits because we aren't playoff eligible". OK football program, it's time to put up or shut up. Two years ago we got smacked by an NAIA school. Last year 3-8. So far this year we look uninspired with the addition of trashy high school quality video for our games. We don't appear to try to take it to anyone. A full year of this scheme and there will be about 5000 people and no students at home games. Time to show us that we're ready to compete.

At the risk of being labeled a hockey only fan (I'm not, but have been very critical of Mussman and the product he puts out), I have to agree with Bob that the crap they put up on the screens is downright embarrassing. Fire the crowd up with sharp, aggressive play. Please dump the video crap that makes us all look like idiots. I know they are trying to fire up the crowd, but do it with play on the field. During the Lennon years we didn't need this high school side-show.