Irish

Sounds like you are asking "why replace the coaching staff just because most of the team is sub-par?".

Maybe you weren't here for the Bjorkman era or even the last couple of years under Gino - hockey fans do too not show up/leave early when we have a crappy product. Right now the hockey team can compete with anyone in the country (individual games nonwithstanding). Thats why fans stay and there is a buzz about hockey. Improve the football product on the field and people will stay there too.

Their ship was righted very quickly - ours continues to founder. It took them one year to get things straight - Plus Bohl had two 10-1 win seasons and some signature wins as credit - he still got blasted for that season. Their next 3 seasons were national quarterfinals, title, title. Anyone here think we are on the same track?

It's not just that we got beat by a better team or that we still have a ways to go in our transtition. We got absolutely pounded in our own house in Mussman's 6th year. We got pounded in part because of undiciplined penalties (again) blown coverages, arm tackling, and total lack of line play. Add to this the sideline clowning and Muss's press conference and you have a real cluster. It's not we played a hard, smart game and just got beat by superior talent. If the Sioux nation is happy with this kind of program then get ready for a lost decade or more of Sioux football while the team to the south wins championships.

I think that's what was said last year after Eastern Washington and Montana State. Well - I suppose we could move the bar a little lower again.

For some reason the sideline clowning really grinds my gears. This matches the undiciplined play - no excuse for either. I think this reflects very poorly on the coaches.

But our defensive front is little more than traction

Welcome aboard the slow train to mediocrity. The duckies and bunnies guys will have regrouped by tomorrow and will talk about how Muss hasn't really had a good chance to build this team - blah blah blah nickname etc. In the mean while, the idiots to the south are building a powerhouse. I really don't believe that at this point the Sioux at any level have the willpower and desire to do what it takes to build a winner. By the way - get used to the second half crowd - that's going to be the norm for all games soon.

Agree that there was reason to form the new league, but it seems like we are taking all of the hits with their decisions - seems like we have no influence even though we bring a lot to the league.

Jason - thank you for your patience - Here's the problem as I see it - I understand that UND got a lesser Hockey TV package because of a deal the new league made. I also get that the Athletic Department is trying to find a solution. What irritates me is this: UND is undoubtably the flagship program in the new conference. Denver is a good rival and good hockey team, but they can't even fill their own arena. The likes of St. Cloud State are lucky to be included. Having said that, it seems that every conference decision bites us - chief among them the new tv deal. I was hoping for a better reffing situation, but the director of officials is the only ref that has publically expressed a hatred for the Sioux and we have not one but two Sheppards. Add in the fact that perhaps our biggest league rival is trying to limit the amount of Sioux fans that can attend the away games and I am not as big a fan of the league as I once was. I get that people are trying to increase our tv exposure, but I am wondering if we have any say in the new league at all. Doesn't seem like we drove a hard bargin and are now trying to fix it. We seem to be paying a very high cost of business for forming a new league compared to some.

We could debate what an "accomplishment" is, but I think you get my drift (not saying you agree with it) - The fact that we can look back and find some positives helps make my point. I just think it is time we demand excellence at this level that is more than "we gave them a good game". Like I said, I worry about a lost decade of Sioux football while the Bison make hay.

Here's the problem with Mussman's tenure as I see it - Other than the disasterous Sioux Falls year, his teams haven't been bad enough for something do be done about the coaching. However, neither have they been good enough to get a signature win or a break-through season. Every year and every game it is possible to see some positives. Going into this year it was our receiving corps and talented young QBs. Looking at this game many saw some positive things. The problem is that we never quite manage to get it done. It's always a year or a game away. We seem to be on a slow train to mediocrity. The worst thing that could happen to this program (and in my opinion is likely to happen) is a 6-5 year. Then there would be some grumbling, but Muss's backers would get their way and we would be in for another season that probably would be a repeat of this year or maybe even slightly better. It is certainly time to demand that we get it done right now. With those nuckleheads down south building a national power we can't afford a lost decade of Sioux football. Sided note - I have been watching Sioux football for a long time and it drives me nuts to see our lines get bullied like they do against good teams.

Couldn't agree more - time to actually win some

A real victory would be nice though

You mean other than this week

Toe to Toe though

You mean - gets pass for the past 6+ years

The Mussman era - hey we almost beat a good team

Why do we have so much trouble getting a decent green for our jerseys - look at the pea green crap the football team had. Please don't mention the color number - we need someone who isn't colorblind to eyeball the colors on the jerseys. Quoting the number without looking at the jerseys is meaningless. We have had some great jerseys in the past - doesn't anyone look at them before ordering any more?

Agreed - but the key part of your post isn't "charisma", it's "get the job done". It's time Muss shows us something.

I wonder if this couldn't be a conference topic - Trying to limit a certain team's fans is certainly not what this new conference should stand for. I was very happy when the conference was formed, but now every decision seems to bite the Sioux. I think our AD needs to be more vocal and an advocate for fans.

Nice win by the Bison - can't really understand why there isn't more call for the Sioux to step up their game - getting sick of hearing from Bison fans already - come on Muss - show us something.

As much as I dislike the Bison it was an impressive win. This has to raise the bar for Mussman. Time for him to show us something.

I really think we are going to need a way better line push on both sides of the ball next week. Nice tune-up game - hopefully are injuries are slight.

Lots of talk about our receiving corps and QB battle - which is exciting and makes me want the season to start soon. Also many comments about the defense being more assignment sharp. Any information about our line on both sides of the ball? In the games we got blown out last year, both lines were positively bullied. In order for us to take the next step, I think we need to start here. Anyone have any insight as to the progress of the O and D lines?