UND92,96

This is just my opinion, but I would kind of expect LaFrance to back up Jossy at the point. As for the other newcomers, I would expect them to probably red-shirt, or else play very little except for in mop-up time.

Here are some possible reasons for optimism: In three games against UND (two while at UMD and one while at MSU), offensive coordinator Dan Ragsdale-led offenses have managed 10, 12 and 3 points. Also, if you throw out MSU's game against NAIA Peru State (which lost 36-7 to Jamestown), MSU is scoring just 19.5 points per game. I see MSU as a more talented, but only slightly more successful version of Augie.

I didn't realize this guy has been coaching in Mankato since last year.

I have a feeling most of the local sports media probably do.

Ryan Bakken noticed. link.

We'll know a lot more about USD after Saturday, as they play Central Washington on the road. If they lose, their season is hanging by a thread, as they still have to go to Omaha, and of course play UND. I'd be very surprised if USD can win at either CWU or UNO, as they just never seem to get that big road win over a good team. Plus, their defense is just not very good.

Chappell is now the leading rusher in dII, and Freund leads in passing efficiency: link.

IF Stroup is out this week, I really hope Bodoh is ready to play. No offense to Giles or any of the other weakside OLB's, but I get a little nervous when the top two guys on the depth chart at any position are out with injuries at the same time.

I don't doubt Mankato has some speed, but it's hard to be too impressed with their last two games--a 30-point loss in Omaha, and a pretty competitive 10-point win at home vs. Augie.

I'm not sure whether he's a grad assistant or volunteer assistant, a la Lotysz.

They were outstanding. To have given up fewer than 150 yards is almost unbelievably good. I was especially encouraged by the run defense completely shutting down Augie, considering Augie had some success running the ball against UNO last week.

As expected, it was a pretty small group of protesters at the game today.

I believe it's officially somewhere between 12,200 and 12,300, since suites aren't counted as part of the official capacity (don't ask me why).

12,148--one of the bigger crowds in some time.

I think that it's important to note that as of June 18 at the latest, there were apparently some concerns about Buning's performance on the part of Kupchella. Knowing what we now know, you don't have to read too far between the lines to interpret some of the quotes in a letter from Kupchella to Buning as being less than 100% supportive: link (scroll down to "Buning review").

Here's the latest Herald article on the subject: [url="http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=51830

I disagree. Look at how many rushing attempts Augie had against UNO. UNO is historically known for having a defense that's pretty good against the run, but weak against the pass. If Augie rushed that many times (over 30) against UNO, you can bet they're going to try something similar against the Sioux, at least so long as the game is reasonably close. We haven't given teams much of a reason NOT to stick with the run so far. I realize that getting pressure on the quarterback against a team that utilizes a three-step drop is difficult, but I still think that overall, the pass rush is far less effective as a whole this year. That's not to say it can't improve, however. Hopefully it will.

I'm just concerned about having to score on virtually every possession to win against the better teams, i.e. the playoff game last year in Omaha. That's a lot to ask of any offense. I don't think anybody's realistically expecting a repeat of the 2001 defense, but we do need to get better against the run, and generate more of a pass rush. I just don't want UND to be like USD from a couple of years ago--a record-breaking offense but only a share of a four-way tie for the NCC title, and no playoff appearance to show for it.

Even though the UND defense is still pretty banged-up, at least at linebacker, we should find out a lot on Saturday about whether the struggles of the last two games are an aberration or a trend. Statistically, the Augie offense is the second-worst in the conference, behind only St. Cloud State. If UND gives up much more than about 20 points to them, I think we've got very legitimate reason for concern.

They often do, although two of the last three in Grand Forks have been blowouts for the Sioux, most notably 52-3 in 2005.

I guess Buning must not subscribe to the theory that it takes money (more marketing) to make money (more tickets sold). It seems like common sense to me, but what do I know?

I'm listening to the coaches' show right now, and Coach Lennon mentioned how disappointed he was in the lack of marketing for the football program coming into the season. No names were mentioned, of course, but I think we know where the blame ultimately must be placed for that mistake.

Dean Blais wouldn't be my first choice, but I wouldn't completely dismiss him as a potential candidate if he's actually interested, either. Look at Wisconsin. Other than being a long-time head football coach, what really qualfied Barry Alvarez to become a.d.? Also, at U.S.C., was Mike Garrett really the most qualified candidate when he got the job? Things seem to have worked out fine at both schools, and undoubtedly there are countless other examples of people without all that much administrative experience (at least outside the coaching realm) who went on to become effective a.d.'s. With that said, I'd still prefer Bollinger or Purpur, but we have to be realize that the chances of neither being interested are probably pretty high.

Does anybody remember what happened with Ray Purpur the last time the a.d. position was open? I seem to recall he applied just before the deadline, but didn't he withdraw his application shortly thereafter?

I heard a rumor a few months ago that Blaiser might be interested, but I didn't pay much attention because it seemed pretty far-fetched. However, I have to think Fee must have talked to somebody "in the know" who confirmed at least the possibility of some interest on Blais's part to have included his name in the list of potential candidates.