Yote 53

State opener for pheasant season here in South Dakota on Saturday. It's a killer on attendance whether it's a State or U game. Whenever USD plays a game on the pheasant opener (which we try to avoid if possible) it is usually a night game to soften the blow to attendance. Pheasant opener in South Dakota is like the Walleye Opener in Minnesota, the state goes crazy. Don't you guys have the same issues with the deer season opener?

No offense, but even UND fans know that USD fans can legitimately use this same reasoning in every USD loss the last two years (except the debacle at UNO), including the UNI game from this year, the game at SLU, and the BIG game we lost to UND last year. If it wasn't for stupid penalties, turnovers, and questionable calls we would win most games we play too, but we don't, because those are part of the game and part of being a disciplined team. So you can say the game shouldn't have been close, but it was. I could also say that when SLU comes up to the Dakotadome there is a pretty good chance USD will blow them out, but this game was played on the road and the results stand by themselves.

Hold on a sec. Coyote Fan is the one saying USD's offensive line isn't as good as in the past. His opinion is based off their performance in the UNI game, however, UNI also dominated SDSU's O-line. I think it is more that UNI's front seven are real good more than USD's O-line isn't that good. From what I have seen USD has a much better overall team than last year. Shep has seriously stepped his game up from last season as well. Really, I think he is the best QB in the Dakotas right now (you know that statement includes the SU's). Best part is he's a junior. One more year of Shep, and the kid behind him is a highlight reel freak too, just raw and unseasoned. On the AGS board I picked SELA in a real tight one. I stick by that prediction. The difference maker in this game is UND is on the road. SELA travels to either Verm or GF and I think either U wins by 2 TD's. Can't wait until Nov 22. Should be a great game.

Reads to me like this guy finally came to the realization of what life is going to be like in the NSIC...boring. You know, because the Wayne State v SCSU gridiron rivalry goes back to the days of yesteryear. SCSU and Mankato should have moved up when they had the chance.

The game is at 12 this year? I didn't check the schedule. That is just stupid. I'll try to find out why. Every one of our other regular afternoon games has a 2PM start time.

With regards to game times. USD has used a 2PM game time for years. Lately, they have moved a few games to night games, but 2 PM is still the standard. I like the 2PM start because it still allows you to get stuff done in the early morning and then get some tailgating in, or just a lot of tailgating in. If I had my choice I would change the start time to 3 PM. It would be ideal, not to early in the day so you can get your work, outdoor activities, hunting out of the way, yet not so late as to interfere with postgame activities. Maybe 3PM would work for the Sioux. Start times I HATE, 11 AM. You ever gone to an 11AM game? You have to start tailgating at 5, or like some buddies of mine did for an Iowa/Penn St game a few years back in IA City, start the night before and don't stop!

USD's 08-09 schedule is out. Go ahead and compare and contrast. Some good games on here for the Yotes and some snoozers, but that is what a transition year is. Highlights include @Cornell (who return to Verm in 09), @Cincinnati, @Notre Dame, @New Orleans, and, of course, the Sioux for 2 games! Nov. 14 Cornell* Ithaca, N.Y. 6:00 p.m. Nov. 16 Cincinnati* Cincinnati, Ohio 6:00 p.m. Nov. 21-22 Minnesota State Tip-Off Classic Mankato, Minn. Nov. 21 Post University Mankato, Minn. 3:00 p.m. Nov. 22 Chowan Mankato, Minn. 3:00 p.m. Nov. 25 Graceland VERMILLION 7:00 p.m. Nov. 28-29 West Texas A&M Tournament Canyon, Texas TBA Dec. 2 Notre Dame* South Bend, Ind. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 Chadron State VERMILLION 3:00 p.m. Dec. 13 Mayville State VERMILLION 8:00 p.m. Dec. 16 Dana VERMILLION 7:00 p.m. Dec. 19 Minnesota Duluth VERMILLION 7:00 p.m. Dec. 21 Midland Lutheran VERMILLION 3:00 p.m. Dec. 22 Southwest Minnesota State VERMILLION 7:00 p.m. Dec. 28 University of New Orleans* New Orleans, La. 3:00 p.m. Dec. 30 St. Olaf VERMILLION 8:00 p.m. Jan. 3 Valley City State VERMILLION 3:00 p.m. Jan. 10 William Penn VERMILLION 7:00 p.m. Jan. 13 Mount Marty VERMILLION 7:00 p.m. Jan. 15 Palm Beach Atlantic West Palm Beach, Fla. TBA Jan. 24 North Dakota* Grand Forks, N.D. 4:00 p.m. Jan. 31 North Dakota* VERMILLION 3:00 p.m. Feb. 2 Lake Erie VERMILLION 7:00 p.m. Feb. 7 SIU-Edwardsville* Edwardsville, Ill. 8:00 p.m. Feb. 14 Seattle University* Seattle, Wash. 8:00 p.m. Feb. 21 SIU-Edwardsville* VERMILLION 8:00 p.m. Feb 28 Seattle University* VERMILLION 8:00 p.m. Mar. 7-8 Independent Tournament* Grand Forks, N.D. TBA

Yes. Your friends down at USD are happy to confirm that D3 Lacrosse did go into Brookings and beat the Jacks. Something you need to understand about the Wisconsing D3 schools, they are pretty good. Madison is the only state school that offers schollies. The rest are "D3" in name only. In reality, with the recruits they get and the facilites they have they are more comparable to D2. The Sioux should win the UWL game, but it will be an entertaining one to attend.

Yes it would be, and we all have the name wrong. It is the Daunting Dakota Danger Dome.

The only Yote fan I know that refers to the DakotaDome as the Danger Dome is 14 years old, for what it's worth.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Cinderella lives. Go ND!

Watching this, Michigan is clearly the more talented team, in my opinion, but ND is playing with a lot of grit. I hope ND wins. Sorry about the L earlier tonight, we South Dakotans were pulling for you. I'm ticked about the two week layoff, I think if the game was last week the Sioux would have been in rythm and the game would have been much different. However, i noticed during the BC/Minny game earlier in the tourney that those BC players could fly, and they did tonight too.

Question: Why is Wisconsin rewarded with a home seating in the tourney when they are'nt the number #1 seed, same thing goes for BC? Two years in a row the BC has been in the NE Region. I think it's crap the Badgers get to play in thier home rink, should have been shipped out west or to the NE. Go Sioux. Good Luck tomorrow. I don't think jersey colors will matter in this one, the NoDaks are too strong. Bring one home for the Dakotas, the WCHA, and the NCC. Just wish the Lady Yotes could have brought one home to the Dakotas earlier tonight.

No Bincitysioux, it's true, the UND women's hoops team did not take the loss very graciously. Running off the court not even congratulating the winning squad after the tourney was only highlighted by the fact that they had to return to the court for the presentations. It wasn't a good representation of what UND is all about.

It's on. Next time the Sioux Faithful leave the DakotaDome you will be crying a river all the way back to Grand Forks. Save that quote for next fall, please.

Shouldn't that be 3 NAIA's. St Ambrose, Culver Stockton, and Southern Oregon are all NAIA according to their websites. Yeah I had to look up where these schools were. Not very pleased with this schedule, but not totally suprised.

None. USD is committed to D1.

Coyote Fan, more doom and gloom from you? Do you sell funeral plots for a living? Just wondering. I can tell you first hand that UND is a rival. Someone said it best when they said we are not arch-rivals. Our arch-rivals were our respective ag institutions. Since they cleared out of the picture the UND/USD football game has taken on more and more significance. One only needed to be in attendance this past year to see that. USD had virtually no shot at the post season and the place was still full and electric, one of the best games I've attended. I'm sure the Sioux fans who ventured down would agree with that statement. As we venture on and these games remain competitive, like they have the last 3 years, the rivalry will heat up more and more. We've been playing each other for over 100 years, ones perspective on the rivalry depnds on what era you came from. I think old timers see the rivalry much differently and more relevant than some of the younger ones, but I will say that I think it is taking on much more significance on the current student bodies (at least in Verm). As for travelling trophies, Sitting Bull had a long history that dates back to the fight the two Dakotas had over the late American Indian Chief's remains. The trophy was steeped in history and meant something special to the team that took it off the field (at least it did on the USD side, since we saw so little of it as of late). The trophy existed for 43 years, not 43 minutes. It was not contrived. I say bring it back, but that will never happen. Given that, I do not think it would be innappropriate to replace Sitting Bull. Unlike other schools, we do have a history of playing for something. Heck, it should be easy to come up with something. We've fought over territory capitals, whose state was first, human remains, you name it. During an ensuing struggle between Sitting Bull's followers and the police, Sitting Bull was shot in the side and head by police after they were fired upon by his supporters. His body was taken to nearby Fort Yates for burial, but in 1953, his remains possibly were exhumed and reburied near Mobridge, South Dakota by Sioux who wanted his body to be nearer to his birthplace. However, some Sioux and historians dispute this claim and believe that any remains that were moved were not those of Sitting Bull. 1953, interesting year. When did we start playing for the Sitting Bull Trophy? I'd say it was steeped in history and if the trophy did not exist I would be a poorer man for not learning about Sitting Bull, his life, what he meant to the Sioux people, and his place in history.

The word out of Verm today is that UND/USD will be played down here. Just the latest rumor. Don't throw stones. Nice get on the SIU game. It seems to me we can both get good opponents on the road, but it is crap at home.

So are we the #3. I sure hope so. See you in Grand Forks for paybacks this fall. Mankato will win the nsic (lower caps on purpose) next year. They finally have a coach (USD guy). I'm expecting a Christmas gift from those folks in Mankato next year, at least a card for the conference title we're giving them.

Late post but just wanted to chime in and say that I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at the Saturday night game. What a game and what an atmosphere. As for the extra curricular activities, it was just two hated rivals going at it hard. It must have been frustrating for the players to have that game end in a tie, both teams wanted it so bad. Got a chance to party with some of the ND faithful after the game, I think you guys emptied out the state for that one. Even though my boys (the Gophers, sorry) didn't come out on top it was still an awesome night of hockey. Already lining up some tickets for a game at the Ralph. Have a friend whose pop has season tickets. Can't wait to go to the shrine of college hockey. BTW, praying for the Gophers to come on strong after this series and make the Final 5. If they do, I have already made plans to be in attendance for that inevitable game against the Sioux. That would not be one to miss.

You can also follow what i s going on down South at USD's blog at the Argus http://blogs.argusleadermedia.com/sports/category/usd/ Looks like you guys got some beef coming. NLI day is kinda like getting plant seeds for Christmas. you're all excited, but you don't really know what you got yet.

Check that. USD is the oldest university in the Dakotas receiving the first charter in what was then the Dakota Territory. As far as out of the price range, a $200k increase in salary is not that difficult for any school that has a $10 mill+ athletic budget. In fact, it's a drop in the bucket.

Yeah, we knew about the Mont St game for some time now. We have a really good road schedule, the problem is the home schedule. We can't get anybody to come to Verm. Look at the rumors. What kind of weird schedule is that where in one year you ar playing UNI and MSU then a few weeks later playing Dakota Wesleyen (rumored, I don't believe it)? That's just nuts. This is the last bi tof info that we have from the USD board: @ UC-Davis @UND @Cal Poly Southern Utah@ Dakota Dome? Missouri-Rolla @ DAKOTA DOME FOR D-Days! @Montana St @UNI Dome @SE Louisiana WTAMU@Dakota Dome Dates and times we are unsure of.