star2city

In the WCHA, Minnesota gets all the attention: FSN, multiple rivals, Exel tournament. In a BTHC, most of their games would be on the Big Ten Network, the tournament would likely move (to Chicago?), and Mariucci would be on the periphery of the conference: nonoe of those favor the Gophers. From the Badger viewpoint, they would gain in almost all aspects with a BTHC. IMHO, this is a huge story that is still playing out. It's very apparent Alvarez wants out of the WCHA and he's not going anywhere as the AD. For the first time, we know that a BTHC was discussed and that Maturi is the only AD strongly against the concept. If Delaney, other Big Ten AD's and presidents keep pushing, how long can Minnesota hold out?

Sellouts and the prestige of being a BT associate member.

That's part of the reason why BGSU and WMU are discussed: to put some fat in their schedule. BGSU and WMU would jump at the opportunity: practically guaranteed sellouts even with their losing records.

Can understand DU being upset with less games against UM, UW, and UND. DU could have voted no, not "abstain". Most expansion votes are officially "unanimous" for the sake of posterity and unity, but only after a much more confrontational initial vote. With Alvarez threatening to go to the CCHA, wouldn't he abstain as a matter of course from a WCHA vote that would theoretically have had no bearing on Wisconsin? McLeod and the other AD's would have insisted that Alvarez abstain.

Plan for Big Ten hockey league iced (for now?) This was brought up in another thread, but seems it warrants it's own. Gopher AD Maturi may have prevented a BTHC: Alvarez (not Eaves) threatened to move Wisconsin to the CCHA. UND wouldn't have been included in a BTHC: Wisconsin almost certainly had to have been the school that abstained when voting in UNO and BSU. Did the CCHA reject UAH, thinking they can still grab Wisconsin later? Or was the CCHA threat by Alvarez just a bluff to get Maturi change his mind on BTCH? BGSU, Miami, and WMU are all FBS level. Would UND have to move up from FCS to FBS to be considered? WMU and BUGS don't any what anybody can call real arenas, yet they would get consideration? Big Ten officials are obsessed with athletic classification, and only really want to associated with FBS level schools: not DIII, DII, or FCS.

As far as lack of progress on the defense, IMHO it's mainly athleticism and intuititive feel for the game at the LB position. While the LBs know the position and 3-4 defense, none of them disrupt the offensive game. The latest recruiting classes may very well have the type of LB's that are needed to take it to the next level: like Cordero Finley, Garrison Goodman, Dominique Bennett. The lower classmen on the DL seem to really be stepping it up: imagine Benjamin, Brenneman, and Bellmore in two years. The DB's are young and will get even better. If the development of the LB's come through, the Sioux defense could really start shaking some teams again, in two years.

Sioux are now 12-6 after sweeping the homestanding Texas teams 3-0 and 3-0. In pre-season polls, Houston Baptist was expected to be a stronger team than the Sioux. As it turns out, NJIT may be the strongest, as they beat Utah Valley this weekend. It would be a major accomplishment for the Sioux to get 20 wins, but doable. Next year, wouldn't be surprised to see a UND vs NDSU match. At the Betty, such a match might be packed. If UND keeps performing at a high level, it may be possible to host a 4-team invitational with Big 12 or Pac 10 type teams.

Have yet to hear one creative alternative from any of the Alerus naysayers. I'd also like to know how the Alerus has failed miserable as a venue for Sioux football. Please name one initiative any of you would do, other than firing the staff to save money.

This team may have less individual talent than many previous Sioux squads, but they are disciplined. A more talented Stony Brook self-destructed on penalties / turnovers. As far as a sixth win, UC-Davis, Cal Poly, and Central Arkansas all are struggling in the offensive arena more than last year. For UND to win vs any of those three, UND has to have opportunistic turnovers. To be highly successful at the FCS level, UND needs to have the defense of Digger Anderson era with the offense of the Weston Dressler era. Those are the benchmarks that need to be met again. Other than Bamba, Hawkins, and Schwenzfeier, would any other current player be a starter on those offensive and defensive teams? On a straight talent basis, UND would likely be 0-5, as SB, USD, and NW St were more gifted. IMHO, this team is overacheiving with good heart and character.

The linebacking core is technically proficient, but just overmatched athletically. With a 3-4 defense, the LB's are responsible for the extra pass rush pressure and the run defense. Neither has been happening. But on short distance / goal line defense, the LB's strength and positioning is the determining factor, not their quickness and athleticism, so UND has been successful on in that area. The DL has a short bench, so they're not able to substitute as much, making fatigue a factor. The OL is the least experienced and has the least depth in some time: not surprised that they struggle. Next week, with the 1 PM start, hockey games vs Minnesota, and no-name opponent in Sioux Falls, attendance may be worse. So if the students showed, the attendance would have been well over 10,000? At least when students don't show up, the ticket sales gross isn't changed.

WEEK 6 - Opponents Results 66 Texas Tech (4-2) 14 Kansas St 34 Central Arkansas (4-1) 0 Northwestern St (0-5) 16 Stephen F Austin (4-1) 13 McNeese St 38 S Utah (2-3) 16 Texas St 23 Cal Poly (2-3) 35 Montana 24 UC Davis (2-3) 23 S Dakota (3-3) 41 Sioux Falls (6-0) 8 Briar Cliff 20 S Oregon (2-4) 13 Azusa Pacific Next Year: 29 Idaho (5-1) 25 San Jose St.

31-24 Final! Sioux!

SB to Sioux 29

SB penalty on punt - illegal participation - 1st down Sioux at 23! 4th down 8:02 remaining 37 FG attempt Hellevang good! 31-21

Hawkins to 44 on Kick off. Konrath reception to 50 Landry run for 1st down

SB to Sioux 11 TD SB 28-21 Sioux 11:47 to go

Landry to Bamba at the 1! Bamba over 100 yds Landry for TD! 28-14

Roughing the passer on SB to Sioux 32 Bamba 51 yds to SB 16!! End of 3rd

SB at Sioux 36 Sutton with Hamstring SB run to Sioux 25 Fumble!!! SB RB Cuttino injured Sioux start at own 18

2nd & 8 at Sioux 25 Landry to Sioux 43 Tibesar runs for 6 Bamba reception to SB 44 Davis picks up 9 Davis to 31, 1st down Incomplete, 2nd down Bamba 13 yrd, 1st down at 20 Incomplete, poor throw, Bamba wide open at 5 SB sacks Landry on blitz, 3rd & 15 Sack on Landry, 52 yd FG attempt FG blocked

SB to Sioux 32 SB 32 yd TD run 21-14 SB announcers called UND Notre Dame!

Attendance: 8494 ?

Bamba 21 yd TD!!

SB at Sioux 18 after punt SB to 30 on run. INT!!! Hawkins TD!! 37 secs left in Half.

Solum in 3rd and 6, personal foul SB 1st down 2nd and 4 3rd and 2, at SB 44