SooToo

I like the potential of some of the current tailbacks, but it seems a bit strange to me we wouldn't sign a RB this year; I think there is effectively only one with last year's class (Sparks) after Garman played as a true freshman. I don't know anything about them aside from their post-season accolades, but Sam Sura and Antonio Ford out of the Cities would seem to be good prospects. I've heard very little about either, recruiting-wise.

.... or move the cameras to the west side.

I think it's called humor, buddy; a little joke for all those who insist on playing "mine is bigger than yours" with any subject involving UND and the AC. Thank goodness this is one instance where we can actually see who "lights it up" on the court. Sorry you couldn't play along.

During a period break of last night's hockey game, I noticed a tall young guy in the Sioux Shop wearing a T shirt referencing the Illinois 6A or 8A football championship. He appeared to be there with his father. After looking at his photo, I think this may have been Ryan Bartels, the Illinois QB recruit. Anyone know if other recruits were in town this weekend? Seems like a good time to bring some prospects through before the dead period.

...but on the bright side, UND is getting excellent coverage in The Forum; on the morning of the AC's biggest football game ever (I guess), UND warrants a six-column banner headline at the top of the Forum sports page. Obviously the always neutral editorial staff at The Forum finally has recognized just how many fans of THE University of North Dakota are within its circulation area. I for one look forward to this type of extensive coverage of football next fall, when UND enters the Big Sky

From the OPE report... NDSU Football Total expenses 3,332,907 Total revenue 3,332,907 NDSU Basketball Total expenses 1,988,215 Total revenue 1,988,215 I now have a better understanding of Dan's extreme suspicion of institutional accounting.

Great site and info. I was somewhat surprised to see that UND, according to the report, actually makes money on football (although only about $20k). Also note that Montana's budget is about $1.7 million less than UND's total but they spend and earn twice as much on football, roughly $5 million, and spend about $500,000 more on basketball. It will be interesting to see where UND can go with football revenues once established in a solid conference like the Big Sky

Gotta remember, though, its hard to learn milking on line.

A lackluster first game -- which they won, as you may recall -- and you're ready to write off the season? It's obvious you have no regard for Mussman, but why not give the team a chance? It's very much the same as the team that competed at Montana last year, with the addition of a serviceable QB, so maybe there's a chance they'll be more competitive as the season progresses. UND is losing right now at Fresno State, 14-9 at the end of the first quarter. The rushing yardage so far is UND 104 and Fresno -3, so maybe the coaching is improving.

Damn, Dan. Every day I read SiouxSports. And every day there are more and more posters from the AC. Right away I get my underwear in a bunch expecting more snide, smart-ass cheap shots that add nothing to the conversation. I'm rarely disappointed. Then you post a reasonable comment like this. Cut it out. You're effin' with my preconceptions.

Really? I think you're confusing "PC narrative" with "facts." I've forgotten on what basis you've concluded that statements from the BSC are "nothing but a bluff," but I've yet to see a good explanation -- or any explanation, aside from the Great Berkley Conspiracy against NA Nicknames -- why they would be bluffing at all. What did they stand to gain? The BSC is the second of two potential conferences to express reservations about accepting UND with the nickname controversy (thank God things didn't work out with the Summit). It's not just the position of NCAA bureaucrats but many member schools as well, who several years ago demonstrated their backing of the NA policy by affirming after the fact the NCAA executive committee's authority to make rules like this. Minnesota won't play us in any sport; Wisconsin has indicated a similar position. And yes, without conference affiliation, ALL UND athletes would be handicapped. More importantly, the athletic program would be decimated. Why in the world would UND choose pariah status with so little evidence -- if any -- that everyone else is only bluffing. Too bad at this stage of the game we're still dealing with this issue. As to your observation on the UND-Drake game, I would agree; Lackluster performance on the field and little energy in the stands, at least after the first half. Hopefully the O line improves (disappointing number of sacks versus a no-scholly team) and Mussman opens up the playbook and the team shows a lot more offensive potential against Idaho next week.

How in the world does planning violate the law requiring UND to keep the nickname? Everyone in the state, except ol' Al, seems to have acknowledged that given the potential ramifications for UND the law has to go. When did it become illegal to think about making a change? As many noted from the beginning, this never was about UND or the Fighting Sioux nickname; this always was, for Al and his cronies, about asserting legislative control over the SBoHE. Now he wants to lay claim to the right to micromanage administrators at the campus level as well.

Of course he's already switched positions at the request/suggestion of the coaching staff -- twice just last year. I haven't heard that they've asked yet another change from him this year. Goska and Hendrickson didn't look good last year, but Hendrickson spent most of the year practicing at WR. I'm certainly no football coach but for my money, he was the best looking QB at the spring game. He stood in the pocket when he needed to and ran well when it was time to scramble. He threw accurately on the run and showed a nice touch completing the mid-level throws, something no one at UND was able to do last year. I don't know who'll end up as the starting QB, but I wouldn't be too discouraged if it was Hendrickson.

Yep, he's done it again. Still adding 2 + 2 and coming up with 5. Say what you want about Kelley, but I think we've hit the jackpot with this guy; Star's convinced me he has single-handedly dictated policy and position to the NCAA and two conferences of which we're not even a member. What can he accomplish for UND two years from now working a gaggle of addle-headed legislators? Seriously, I doubt you'll find many critics here of a meeting with the NCAA. If you want to pat Al Carlson on the back for making it happen, well good for you. It's just that most posters think there's zero chance of a meaningful change. But go ahead; surprise us. What I'm waiting for are the promises from the nickname-only crowd that when the NCAA-Carlson meeting ends, the issue is over. No more talk of "letting it play out" into eternity. No more talk about lawsuits, referendums or appeals to the state's congressional delegation, all of whom (John Hoeven included) have run as fast as they can away from this issue. Give the meeting a chance, but when it's over, give it up for the sake of the university.

When did Kelley say anything like that? Yes, he refused to drive the bus over the cliff to satisfy a dwindling few in the nickname-only camp, but why put words in the man's mouth? All I've ever heard him say is that the on-going nickname fight is hurting UND and athletics. If you've got quotes from him saying something different, please post them.

I agree; great post by Yote 53. Overall, I think Faison's done a great job, but I don't understand the reluctance to schedule USD. Personally, I'm all for it on an annual basis. I've seen and enjoyed a ton of UND-NDSU games -- who can forget Jim K. outrunning the Bison D-backs for a TD? I have reservations about a renewal, though, as I find their fanbase increasingly tiresome. Nonetheless, playing the AC, SDSU, USD and maybe UNI with some regularity just makes too much sense not to happen. Maybe time for a Siouxsports letter-writing/telephone-call/e mail campaign to convince Faison?

Getting back to football.... The passing yardage certainly tells a lot of the story and I Bradley had a great looking pass down field to Bickle late in the game, but I thought the quarterback who looked the best was Hendrickson; he stayed in the pocket when he was supposed to, he didn't stare down his receivers and he threw the ball accurately, including some nice middle-distance completions on the run. Alternate opinions?

Agree wholeheartedly. Kelley, rather than a "bumbling bafoon," looks to me like a quy who understands the NCAA holds most if not all the cards at this time. The NCAA appears to want a clarification on the constiutional question before wading any further into this issue. Regardless of whether you believe their stated reason for cancelling, it's probably a prudent position on their part.

Nothing personal, but you've got to love the difference between basketball fans at UND and NDSU. The AC gets a verbal from some guy no one has ever heard of, and the rubes at Siouxville proclaim him a "bigtime get," 'explosive" and "athletic as hell." At UND? A player is scheduled for a recruiting visit and no one has learned his name -- spawning immediate speculation he must be a bum.

I noticed the same thing with the same questions. Seems curious that one of the top prospects for starting QB would not participate in one of the spring's few scrimmages unless there was an injury -- and I didn't hear anyone who was there mention any apparent problems this past Saturday. Hope it doesn't suggest something else. Maybe the Sioux Football Insider guys will have some insight? I was looking forward to seeing Ivery as well.

Reassuring to hear that Ivery and McGill are impressing at WR. Add Hardin -- and Blair Townsend in the fall -- and the team could have a very solid receiving group next fall. In both Nelson's article in the Herald the the scrimmage story on fightingsioux.com, Mussman sounded particularly encouraged by Bradley's progression at QB.

Not questioning the accuracy of your info and, of course, its a moot point now, but I'm wondering about the assessment of the young man's talents. As posted earlier, you never know how recruits will adapt to the college game, but my recollection from signing day a year ago was that Demler was considered the more mobile of the two quarterbacks, and there was some talk at Sioux boosters that he could even play other positions. IIRC, Comes was described as the more classic drop-back passer. I presume with the "pistol," mobility is one of the attributes we're looking for. I agree with Bin; it'll be concerning if we come out of spring ball and still are searching for a QB. It's not exact science to be sure, but if we've recruited 5 QBs over the past 3 years and can't find anyone capable, then it's time to re-evaluate the recruiting strategy. Definitely looking forward to seeing who can throw the ball at the spring game.

I don't have a link, but IIRC the last NCAA report on college athletic expenses and revenues indicated UND made money on broadcasting rights, far in excess of any other school in the Dakotas. Also, if you read the story closely, it appears to say UND makes no money on cable distribution through FSSN and Midco. There's no clear reference to income from the FCS deal, and I wonder if that might not be a money maker.

I hear ya. The mere fact he's stated publicly in several forums that he favors the nickname but thinks options to keep it have been exhausted is not going to convince me he actually favors the nickname but thinks ... well, you know. Especially now that we have hard, third-hand evidence that someone identifying himself as Grant Shaft's son posted on facebook that UND would get into the Big Ten if it dropped the nickname. Based on that rock-solid evidence I too must conclude that Grant Shaft has never been in favor of the nickname and sabotaged efforts to keep it and is clearly undermining attempts even today. Sorry. Just couldn't resist.

Spirit Lake maybe. But why would you want anyone from Standing Rock? An opportunity to remind the NCAA which body of legally elected representatives didn't approve the nickname? In any event, I expect we'll hear very soon just how anxious the new "knights" in this fiasco are to take an active lead role in the very public negotiations with the NCAA.