tnt

How do you know they did an outstanding job? If you are playing guys that can't stop an opponent once in a game, you would think those young guys should be playing if they are outstanding. I guess I'll wait to see how they eventually pan out until I say that they are outstanding classes.

It's great exposure for a UND player to go high in the draft, but in the same token, higher draft picks are pressured more to sign early with their NHL team if they are developing well, and even if they aren't developing as the team hopes. Beyond that, whether he is firm in coming to UND, that won't stop the vultures from circling him and giving him reasons why a person with a high draft status should go a different route. Not saying he will bite on that, but nonetheless the higher he goes, the more pressure will be put on him by those outside sources.

Don't know, if he moves up the list too much, depending on the team, they might push him the Major Junior route, especially if he perceives he would be a one and done college guy.

I do know that Fox College Sports has some of their best ratings when North Dakota is playing, and they play Boston College, Notre Dame and a lot more of the "Big" name schools.

My biggest concern is if by chance that in a few years the defense and o-line do come around, do you have to start all over trying to assemble the talent at the receiver and quarterback positions. We were told a couple of years ago that it was just a matter of getting a little depth at defense and the offensive line so when someone goes down with an injury, you can plug someone else in. Right now, I am not so sure our starters in any of those positions are top-notch Big Sky talent. What scares me more is everything that was stressed over the summer doesn't appear to have made any strides, including the offensive line which Mussman should know better than any position having been a lineman and worked with that group. Our signature win as far as I'm concerned is still beating Northern Iowa in the Division 2 days. You would think you would luck into stopping a team on defense just by being aggressive and blitzing here and there.

Guess most people respect what Montana can do on the field, but obviously gaining respect for off the field behavior is going to have to be earned.

While Goodman is a key cog in the defense, I do not want to hear the coaches use that as an excuse. I hear how banged up they are all the time, but I think that is the case for most football teams from week to week. NDSU has missed key ingredients from time to time and don't seem to dwell on it, they just plug in another guy, and while I know their depth should rightfully be better, I would think UND should be improving their depth quite a bit by now after the transition. Perhaps the difference is older depth compared to younger depth.

Think when Gropp verballed, there simply wasn't any room, at least in the near-term future.

If Mollberg does get the start, then I would hope they take full advantage of his running ability and allow him to run for the first down when it is there.

They will also say all they need is a game manager with AP. The stat line doesn't sound like a game manager to me. Also, if all you need is a game manager, why when you are in field goal range with a 14-6 lead, and a 3rd and 1, do you roll out Ponder and let him throw an ill-advised pick? AP better get used to throwing everybody in the box to stop him, because I don't think many teams respect what Ponder brings to the table.

But the bottom line is that Mollberg had nothing to lose when he came in. If receivers don't drop balls in the second drive we might not be talking about this. So if Mollberg starts, how long do you go with him if he makes mistakes? I don't think you want to be going back and forth based on a mistake here or there and dropped passes here or there.

Play of the game -- drop by Jameer Jackson when the Sioux were driving again to make it 14-0. 3 turnovers, a record rushing performance, a bunch of penalties, and a one-dimensional attack, and the Sioux were right there. The fact that the points of emphasis by the Sioux -- focusing on being able to run the ball, being able to stop the run, not turning the ball over, and forcing turnovers -- the team was 0-4, doesn't give me abundance of confidence going forward, especially since they spent a ton of time in those areas. The fact that we have two freshmen quarterbacks that are only going to get better kind of offsets that skepticism a bit.

Ryan Gropp off to a good start in the first regular season game with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win by Penticton.

When he played against the Sioux at the Ralph last year, he didn't look out of place at all.

Any word in the Minneapolis media about Guertler yet? Remember when Schlossman and other G.F. media got called out for not reporting much on problems in the UND program, when indeed they covered court dates, etc. etc.

NDSU in my opinion can be beat by a team that is a little more balanced and can pass the ball when needed. Of course it would take great line play, but I would like to see the Big Sky teams actually come out of the playoff games against those running teams NDSU beat, and actually see if NDSU is more susceptible to less predictable offenses.

Hmmm, look alike high school jerseys. You mean like Minot and Minnesota's jerseys. I could probably name a lot more schools that have just their letters on the front of the jersey as well.

So we can watch for the deterioration of the facility, what corners were cut?

I have always seen Craig Perry's son from Andover rated pretty high as far as goaltenders go. Wonder if there is any interest in him still. I assume he would be a few years down the road yet though because Junior hockey is always beneficial, especially for goaltenders.

Actually, we do use that by copying the 'sota, sota spelling lesson with Dakota, which I think is even more lame. We certainly should be able to come up with something, but I have no doubt that "Light em up" will be used by many teams as well.

But in the same way, when we lost Miller, Matteau and Koules, I don't think we replaced those players with high scholarship players, and I believe even some walk-ons, rather than give high scholarship money to a player just to fill a roster spot. Perhaps they have a little scholarship money in the bank because they didn't just throw scholarship money to players for the sake of filling a scholarship roster spot. We do have quite a few players that were walk-ons on our roster now.

That '96 class looks like it could be special. I like the odds of at least a few of those guys continuing their development as elite, impact players and bringing that same element at the college level. The chances of all of them being elite players is probably not all that great, because they won't all have the same role at the next level, but I think each can contribute something special. I just hope the fans understand that not all of them are going to be elite players in college, so take them for what they can bring to the table.

Exactly, I was able to pick seats fairly early on in the transfer of seats from the old Ralph, and picked seats in one of four sections that didn't have a Club Membership attached. Little did I know that a year later, Club membership would be required for every season ticket in the new Ralph. Have to say, I was a little upset, because I would have picked much better seats the first time, had I known the changes were coming. Oh well, live and learn.

Don't know that I would be that harsh. I would bet his goals per game average ranked pretty high on the team. Realize he didn't always look in step, but he didn't produce that poorly.

Can't remember, did Pattyn get in trouble once last year, or was it twice? The fact that Simpson stayed away from that might help him in the way of becoming Captain. Really depends on if the coaches have a hand in it, or if they let the players have the final say in picking the Captain. If Simpson has the leadership qualities, I say give it to him with his great image. If he isn't a natural leader, then look elsewhere.