SooToo

Seven. S-E-V-E-N pass plays called the entire game. Hard to be the problem when you're just handing off the ball.

Well, nostalgia's always comforting, I guess. Don't get me wrong, quality young man who represented the program and university well through a difficult transition and, if IIRC, also was the unlikely hero of last-second win vs USD that won the Great West championship in 2012 (and doomed the program, according to some here, by extending Mussman's tenure). But my recollection of most of Goska's time under center was of 7-yard passes drilled at the feet of receivers running 10-yard out patterns and defenses playing nine in the box against us. In the first offensive series last night, Mollberg sailed a pass just over the head of a receiver running a sideline route. It was a three-step drop and a quick throw to what appeared to be the first (or only?) read for the play, but already a defensive lineman was draped all over him, affecting the throw. Maybe that's why neither the coaching staff nor Mollberg seemed to have confidence in the passing game. I agree with the bubble screen. I'd like to see Mollberg roll out more with pass-or-run options, but can we even contain the defensive end and/or OLB consistently enough to allow that to happen? I don't think Mollberg's the problem -- and I don't think Goska would have been the answer. We just seem to be stuck with puzzlingly ineffective OL play that limits almost all offensive options.

Wait. What happened to all the enthusiasm to "pound the rock?" You know, grind out yards on the ground, eat up the clock and keep the opposing offense off the field. Four games into a rebuilding year and everyone's ready to jump ship? When your leading ball carrier averages less than 2 yards per carry, there's obviously a problem. And that's not a knock on Norberg. How many running plays were blown up in the backfield? How many pass attempts came on third and eight? The reality is if you can't get effective offensive line play there isn't much that's going to work well or consistently. ONE new Juco offensive linemen was brought in during off season (not counting true freshman) and somehow people are surprised the running game looks a lot like last year's, except with more attempts. Aside from the one pretty TD pass, Mollberg wasn't stellar tonight -- overthrew a potential touch down in the first half and shorted a possible catch in the second -- but two other passes went off or through receivers' hands and, really, how much impact can you have when you attempt just seven passes in an entire game. Those are Goska-esqe passing numbers. What changes in offensive philosophy do people on this board think would be effective with the current players on the roster? Ramp up the passing attempts? (Mussman was tarred and feathered on this board for promoting that kind of "soft" offense.) More trickeration? And somebody please tell me how long Bartels, a drop-back passer, would last with the current protection.

"The Urines" always stand out on the tube.

24-10, Mizery. Not enough offense yet, unfortunately, to get all of 16 points against a better defense.

How many dropped passes? I counted at least 4.

Amen, Ira. Perfectly said. Lots of factors involved in how we got to where we are. In the end its all academic. The whole fanbase looks a little petty with the apparent need by some to continually bash a coach who's no longer with the program. Time to move on.

Well said.

If you feel UND comes out "pretty good" accepting a low-ball offer many D2 teams would reject, I congratulate you on your rationalization skills. But you're right about one thing: This isn't about money. It's not about standing up to the competition. It's about stooping down to accept any offer from the AC, however one-sided, because some fans - and apparently our new coach - seem unable to define success in any other way. I enjoyed UND-NDSU football games for 30+ years. I look forward to the day when real rivalry resumes. But UND is in a great new league now with great competition. Its too bad you and others here can't see that and continue to obscess over playing the AC as the only way to legitimacy for UND football. The rubes at Bisonville love to cackle that "we're their Superbowl." Sadly, you're living proof that for at least a minority of Sioux fans they're absolutely right.

Not sure what lousy business deals and obsession with the AC have to do with cajones.

Wow. Talk about conjecture. To assume that the second game in this low-ball contract constitutes the first game of a renewed series stretches rational thought. It doesn't matter if someone talked with their neighbor who knows a coach at the AC who said it will be OK, what you've got is what's on paper; a bargain basement deal for two games on the road stretched out over FIVE years. Anxious to resume the rivalry and want to appear above the petty bickering? Why not agree, as Faison suggested in an email, to go to FU for free next year and wait to negotiate further games with their new AD, who some here seem certain will be open to a home and home. What's done is done, I guess, and UND will move forward. Here's hoping Thursday's game is the start of a bright future for Sioux football. But the apparent desperation to schedule something -- anything -- with the AC suggests a lack of vision/lapse in judgment by Faison and, yes, Bub a Schweigert. Anxious for relevance? Put a capable team on the field and make some noise in the BigSky, the preeminent FCS conference in the west and the home we' ve chosen. A reasonable deal with the AC can wait for their new, more reasonable AD. Instead we feed the perception of inequality by grasping at a one-sided offer intended as an insult and persist in defining our success on an opponent we no longer play in a conference we don't' t belong to.

Seeing reports now that UND will get $120,000 for game 1 of this scheduling debacle and $140,00 for game #2. Incredible. The AC has found NOBODY willing to come to town for that kind of money, even from D2 ranks. If you're going to be a whore, Mr. Faison, at show enough self respect to not be a cut-rate one.

Too bad a minority of UND fans seem unable to get by the fascination/obsession with the AC. Win against the premier teams in the Big Sky and UND will have established its credibility without accepting a one-sided deal that is an insult to the institution, its fanbase and its players.

Extremely disappointed to wake up to this news today. As a student and alumnus/fan, I've enjoyed 40 years of battles with the AC on the field and court. But when you have their president and media stooge on the radio proclaiming that neither the AC faithful or administration are really interested in this game, why is UND so desperate to get it scheduled? Want relevance in ND and the RRV? Put a disciplined team on the field and win some marquee football match ups in the Big Sky, a superior conference, IMO, for UND sports. By accepting this two-game road contract -- something no other FCS team is willing to do -- Brian Faison leaves area residents/casual fans with the impression that either (A) UND owes something to the AC for the treatment it received when it bolted from the NCC a decade ago, hurting all of the teams that remained, or; (B) the AC really is at a higher level and can demand from UND any terms it likes. It's hard to see how this deal benefits UND in any way, especially as there have been no reports of agreement - either contractually or informally -- on resuming any type of regular home-and-home schedule for this game. Agree with Bin on this one; this is a slap in the face for UND alumni and athletic teams.

This thread still alive? I thought it was crystal clear long ago, to anyone with a modicum of intelligence and objectivity, that Taylor won't agree to a resumption of this series in any fashion because his feelings were hurt a decade ago. He's just not man enough to say it publicly.

In North Dakota, all bills are guaranteed a vote on the floor -- no killing bills in committee.

Still disappoints me some, but hear what you're saying. A tired subject. I sincerely hope Faison's working hard to fill the holes in upcoming schedules and not waiting for this debacle to come to fruition. It's clear, on this subject at least, Taylor's not a reliable negotiating partner and has no real interest other than covering his ass for PR purposes.. Long past time to move on to other options. This one's dead.

Thanks for the day-brightener!

Mr. Sunshine. Gotta love the endless spin. LOL when I read that gem.

It's early, but yours has to be odds-on favorite for moronic post of the day.

Thanks for being the voice of reason on this thread, albeit a lonely one. No basketball genius here, but I find it laughable the number of experts on this site who "guarantee" Jones can never win the big one after just two years of conference play -- with second-place and third-place finishes to show for it -- and "know" an assistant's departure reflects impending staff dismissal instead of the lure of a $30,000 pay raise. Like the previous football staff, basketball has been handicapped by limited resources to hire and retain quality/experienced assistants in the D-1 era. This team's inconsistency was troubling over the last couple of seasons, but as you noted, the next couple of years should provide better evidence whether or not the problem is coaching.

I have four tickets in section 114 available for Friday. $25 per ticket. Text 701 866-3872