UND92,96

Here's the week 4 release: link.

This was in the Herald on Sunday:

The new poll doesn't come out until Tuesday. Not that it really matters, but I wouldn't be surprised if UND moves up to 2. I can't really explain why many polls have Grand Valley State ranked ahead of UND. I'm more interested in how the regional poll will shake out. I believe that will come out in about a week.

I imagine there's a question as to whether the contract between UND and the Alerus even allows UND to play a home game anywhere other than the Alerus during the term of the contract.

This may very well be the most impressive first three games of a season that UND has had in a long, long time. You expect big margins of victory in home games against weak competition, but to have done so against two 2004 playoff teams and another solid dII program, particularly when two of the wins were on the road, is especially noteworthy. The offense has probably exceeded expectations so far considering the loss of Braegelmann before the season even started, and the season-ending injury to Strouth. Thus far, both the run and the pass have been pretty consistent (both averaging over 200 ypg). Obviously there's a long season ahead, but this has definitely been an impressive beginning.

Winona is a little down this year, but you have to hand it to them for what they've done the past several years with between 9 and 14 scholarships. I'd love to see them in the NCC within a few years.

He's moving within the city of Grand Forks.

Interesting excerpt from a St. Cloud Times article today:

I believe he said it because he said virtually the identical thing to my wife (who was friends with his daughter in high school) in a conversation about 4-5 years ago. However, based upon his rhetoric of recent years, I'm surprised he's still willing to acknowledge that UND does virtually everything possible to ensure that the name and logo are used in a respectful manner.

I think he's been primarily a special-teamer. I know he's made some tackles on the kickoff team. But he hasn't played yet at running back this year to my knowledge.

On the coach's show last night, Lennon said Beatty would start, and that Armentrout, Brady and Charles were in competition for the backup spots. He didn't mention Dressler, although it wouldn't surprise me if we see him in the backfield for a handful of plays a game. Lennon mentioned how it's very difficult to replace the big-play ability of Strouth. If he's used in limited plays, I would think that Dressler would more than fit that bill.

I'm listening to the coach's show right now on the radio, and it sounds like there were more injuries from the West Chester game than just Strouth. No other names were mentioned. Does anybody know of other players who may be out this week?

You are correct. I guess I just assumed he was a senior since you so rarely see a first team all-state sophomore offensive lineman.

No, but I can think of a lot of people who are up in arms about things JBB has said over the past several years. Seriously, I listened to the interview with Buning at halftime of the Central Washington game, and I didn't hear anything remotely derogatory about anyone or anything. I didn't have a radio with me at the game on Saturday, but if he was interviewed again, I highly doubt he'd have said anything un-diplomatic judging by what he's said in the media so far. To the best of my knowledge, archives of the radio broadcasts aren't available online.

A few more of the top ND seniors this year: Austin Richard, Fargo South, OL, 6'4", 305 Cole Zarak, Wahpeton, OL, 6'3", 285 Reggie Stecher, Bismarck St. Mary's, kicker Landon Smith, Dickinson Trinity, TE/LB (ex-Sioux Lee Smith's brother, I think) Michael Arndt, LaMoure, OL/DL, 6'6", 260 (brother plays for NDSU) Lee Vandal, Rolla-Rock Lake, LB, 6'0", 210 Adam Forsch, Washburn, OL/DL, 6'3", 240 Chris Bauer, New Salem, RB/DB, 5'10, 160

There must have been some sort of problem with the counting, since it wasn't reported in the box score or on the statistics page of www.fightingsioux.com. It looked like around 8500 to me.

It didn't look too promising for Strouth to be back anytime soon based upon the way he came off the field without putting any weight on his leg. I definitely think Beatty can do the job, if he can stay healthy. But if Strouth is out for an extended period of time, does that mean Armentrout or Brady get more carries, or might Dressler be shifted more to running back to fill the role Strouth did when Roland was the primary ball carrier, i.e. the lightning to go along with Beatty's thunder?

Last night was evidently a pretty terrible performance by Central. On paper, they should have had little trouble with an inexperienced Minot team, but of course games aren't played on paper.

According to a report on the WDAZ news tonight, the Spririt Lake tribal council delayed a vote on the resolution to oppose UND's use of the Fighting Sioux name until they can meet with Kupchella next week. According to the report, an informal vote was taken today, with two members voting to oppose UND's use of the name, and two voting not to oppose it. Presumably, the tribal chairperson would be the deciding vote. At least the door remains open to the Spirit Lake tribe offering some semblance of support for UND's continued use of the name and logo.

No, I don't typically read the Williston paper. But I will do a google news search almost daily for North Dakota football-related stories. It's a good way to read up on local angle stories from players' home town papers, as well as to get recruiting info. I thought the Hoffelt info was news-worthy since when his name was removed from the roster a few weeks ago, it appeared that perhaps his career was over.

Grand Forks Central's Alys Seay has verbally committed to UND. link

Although this isn't about Drew Thomas, it appears that another injured player, Andy Hoffelt, will be returning next season, according to this article in the Williston paper.