UND92,96

I wouldn't expect anybody to be excited about this game (if true), but it appears UND may be playing Valparaiso in either 2011 or 2012: http://www.post-trib.com/sports/mutka/2912516,jmutka-1122.article

That was the only game I ever attended in the Fargodome. I guess I picked a pretty good one.

Kelby Klosterman was a three-year starter, as was Kevin Klancher, but you're definitely correct that starting for more than two years has been the exception rather than the rule. I'm concerned that throwing a young quarterback to the wolves too early could damage his confidence. If we had an exceptional defense returning, more of a consistent running game, and more experienced receivers, it would be one thing, but this team probably can't win a lot of games with a "manage the game" quarterback, and realistically that's probably the best that could be expected from a freshman.

Chilly has been fired, according to multiple media outlets.

I don't think a future schedule at UND has ever been announced before the current season is over. Now that it is, if the rumor is true that it's complete, hopefully it will be announced fairly soon.

I read or heard somewhere that the schedule is complete for next year. No word on when it will be announced, though.

Bellmore also returns at DE.

I know he can't specifically talk about a potential FBS transfer, but I just think he could say that UND will be looking at bringing in a transfer. Period. No need to specify juco. Personally, I don't think the odds of finding a juco quarterback who can actually play, who isn't wanted by FBS programs, and who doesn't have eligibility issues, are very good.

Why does Mussman keep specifically referring to juco transfers? I would think the chances of finding a competent FBS transfer are at least as good as finding a juco who not only can play, but who doesn't have any NCAA clearinghouse issues.

I know Downing was let go based upon the body of his work, and not just this season, but it kind of underscores how disappointing this season has been for UND when you consider UNC is ranked ahead of UND in the GPI, Sagarin and Massey rankings.

I wonder if maybe it would make more sense to concentrate more on finding undersized "bigs" who have skills, but who are simply not tall enough to be seriously considered by bigger schools? I'd rather have a 6'6" post who actually has skills and who can score on the low block than a 6'8" or taller kid who may "look the part", but who simply isn't talented enough to play effectively at this level. Is there much of a chance of finding a kid like Chris Gardner in this day and age?

DeBoer.

Signings have been announced: http://www.fightingsioux.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=205031248

I can't comment on the Jerry Olson era, as that was before my time. However, with regard to RT, he struggled in his first season with a fairly empty cupboard thanks to Behrns, but came back with 6-4 and 7-4 in seasons two and three. I think almost everybody was happy with the progress being made. Granted, the situations aren't identical, but both coaches stepped into difficult situations. I just feel RT did a much better job through three seasons.

Actually now 4-6, with a good chance to finish at 5-6. Sounds like they've had some injury problems, and this is kind of their version of UND's 2002 season. I would expect them to bounce back in a big way next year. There are too many quality coaches on that staff for them to stay down.

Coming into the season, did the coaches know, or at least strongly suspect that if Landry went down, the passing game would disappear? I'm just trying to understand what the contingency plan was, because clearly neither Goska nor Hendrickson appears capable of effectively running UND's usual offense. I know this is armchair quarterbacking, but it seems to me that either a transfer quarterback should have been brought in before the season to be the backup, and possibly the starter next year, or else some sort of option offense should have been put in for Goska and Hendrickson to compensate for the fact that they don't pass very well.

The following is a quote from Texas head coach Mack Brown. I hope Chris Mussman feels the same way.

Klancher played some as a freshman when Clay Wagner got hurt, and may have started a game or two, but wasn't really a starter. I can't recall a freshman actually winning the starting position at quarterback at UND. But barring a good incoming transfer, I think there's a good chance of it happening next year.

From the Bozeman newspaper: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/app/msu-bobcats/?p=7064

Just listened to it. I was a bit surprised that Mussman guaranteed a victory a la Joe Namath. Talked about the benefit of having one conference as opposed to a separate conference for football, how excited everybody is to join the Big Sky, how recruiting has already expanded westward and will continue to do so, how UND is committed to being a competitive football program in the Big Sky, how UND doesn't have the depth yet to be where we want to be, how youth and inexperience has resulted in a lot of mistakes this year, and how UND won't be intimidated at Montana due to experience of having played FBS programs the past two years.

I think you're referring to Josie Dillon, who is now a junior. To the best of my knowledge, she's still committed to UND.

It appears UND has a commitment from Hopkins guard Brianna Williams: http://www.gprep.net/200rankings.html

These are the regular season attendance averages since 2006: 2006 9,578 2007 10,790 2008 10,167 2009 8,539 2010 8,154

Lennon's first real recruiting class wasn't until 2009, making most of them red-shirt freshmen right now. The 2008 recruiting class would probably be half Lennon and half Kill recruits. But there's little question that this season has been a setback in terms of him moving on to a better job anytime soon. I'm sure there will be some pressure next season to get back into the playoffs.

I've brought this up several times before, but in 2008 we had probably the worst home schedule ever, and also the best per-game attendance average ever. People showed up presumably because of the momentum which had been built up over the previous 15-20 years. Fans were used to seeing a winner, and were willing to show up notwithstanding the extremely unattractive schedule. Now, the momentum has been lost, and I'm not convinced that a better schedule alone will make people come back. It may very well take a win or two similar to the UNI win in 2006 to generate a buzz again. And of course, that's easier said than done.