siouxfan512

Especially when you've already been burned in that scenario way too many times.

I'm not football genius when it comes to scheme, but if we didn't have the speed, wouldn't it have made sense to overload an edge and bring more pressure from time to time? Bring in a corner or safety? I get that if you don't get to the QB you're likely giving him a more open target, but I'm not sure how often I ever saw us send that extra pressure ... and they seemed to convert deep anyway.

Possible. Totally depends on who is available at QB. I do think Feeney has shown confidence and potential. I'm really excited to see what Kaminski brings to the table as well (then again, I was excited about Joe Mollberg and Nate Ketteringham. It would definitely be nice to see them get more aggressive with the portal this year though. Its not a way to build a team, but it is a way to fill gaps. Now more than ever with the landscape of college football. Players are going to move around, that's just the way it is. So might as well utilize it and go after some talent. It would certainly be the quickest way to try to revamp your defense and make it work. Obviously, you'd prefer to land good recruits and develop them, and we have seen some of that, but not enough. Pick up some transfers to go with it.

That seems like the way our coaches think. The older guy starts. Not saying Feeney won't be the guy, but what if Jerry comes out and kills it. Or what if Feeney kills it but then struggles later in the year. You open up the competition, and don't be afraid to switch them out if the starter is costing us plays, drives or games.

I like the Berg transfer when it happened. Wow!!! That move is looking better and better. The guy just brings it!

I watch the highlights with my son (9 year old Mite) every week since he can't stay up for all of the games. Pointed that out to him as well. Pure effort and grit. Love it!

Boys need to keep shooting from the right dot. Hit at least 3 goals from Ryan Duncan's office last night. Couldn't believe they were giving us that lane. If you don't challenge Gaber or Blake from there, you're going to give up a ton. I was confident both of those shot were going to be goals before the shot happened. No defensive pressure on high end talent. I'm sure Carle will be talking to them about that today. That was one hell of a game to watch. Back and forth, lots of scoring, highs and lows ... glad we came out on top, but even if we didn't, that was pure entertainment. Now lets go get the sweep!!! DU is going to come out pissed!!

Probably! but we also probably made them look like all stars. Is Theo Day graduating? Not sure what UNI has lined up behind him. Not saying Tommy is going to UNI, but I could see that type of scenario working out. And a team like that where there is a good O-line and some play makers, he would probably fit right in. For all those who couldn't wait to see Tommy gone, I also wouldn't want to see him on the other side of the field either. Especially if the coach knows how to call plays to fit his strengths.

Isn't St Thomas non-scholly? Also not playoff eligible? I suppose if they have a grad program he wants then it might be a good fit, but if you can get some of that paid for, I'd be looking elsewhere. Though maybe money isn't in the equation. Certainly a good program and good school.

Possible, but I think another FCS school is more likely. I'm sure there are some schools out there that need an experienced guy to bridge them a year while they develop a younger guys. Or someone to create a QB competition with a current started who isn't very good. Tommy isn't going power 5 (even that would be super cool!), but there could even be some MAC schools that would give a guy with his experience and numbers a look. I get there are plenty out there who think he was mediocre across the board, but his numbers don't lie either. He may not have all of the measurables that some kids do, but he did a ton for UND. Personally, I think our deficiencies have more to do with poor situational play calling, but that's just me. I would think Tommy's landing spot will also heavily depend on school programs and location. Some in Michigan or Illinois?? E Illinois, W Illinois (moving conference)?? E Michigan? I really have no clue what type of QB situations those schools have right now. Or maybe he will go D2 route. I suppose it depends how much does he want to play vs get some more scholly money and schooling.

Got it, totally wasn't picking up on that.

What coaching change? Nielson is still the guy. Did they change a coordinator?

At risk of being tarred and feathered, I'm going to throw a little optimism out just for fun. South Dakota was 3-8 last year and is 9-2 this year. Who know what will happen, maybe some guys turn the corner and we get really hot next season! I'm not saying that will happen, but who knows.

lol, I had the exact same question typed up and then deleted it. Didn't want to poke the bear.

Unless you find a Braden Hanson caliber guy, I say you stick with what you got and let it develop. There will be some growing pains, but that is where Danny needs to develop as well. I'd be more concerned with adding another RB out of the portal. Z is going to be good, but we see what injuries can do. As someone else mentioned, we could be sitting here next year wishing Tommy had stuck around, but it is worth the risk to see what is next for this program. Tommy definitely was able to make some plays that I don't anticipate a new and younger QB will make, but I think there will be throws that these younger guys can make that Tommy couldn't. Or as was also mentioned, this will really reveal how much of the issue was on play calling and not the capability of the player. I guess time will tell, but best luck to Tommy! Looking forward to see where he lands and how he does next year.

The WR from Moorhead (Richter) wasn't too bad. Michael Coe was really good on the OL too.

Haha, there are definitely nicer places than Frisco, but that's more on the NCAA than anything. I mean Frisco is no Florence.

As long as we edge our way into the playoffs we can call the season a complete success. A home playoff game or a win (or both) would be nice, but definitely not necessary. I think we can all agree this would more than justify a 5-6 year extension for Bubba and Co. because if there is one thing this fan base and program needs .... its more griddy (but not too often). It also might be a lot to ask, but if we can keep within 2 scores of SDSU, its basically a win!

Sounds familiar. Same problem and same result as the USD game.

With one of the projected brackets I saw (I think STATS) UND could very well end up travelling back to Vermillion if they can win a first round playoff game. I'd welcome that challenge, and would definitely rather go there that Brookings.

It just looks cheaply done to me. The gray helmets are sweet, but the giant sticker just doesn't seem to match or flow. I know it has nothing to do with the sticker or logo, but these are still so sick. Especially compared to the hideous greens we have now. Get these and throw a number (not racecar number) on the helmet.

Classic ND is the best. Not a huge fan of the oversized hawk logo. But I don't really care what the hell they put on there, just want to see them start winning more.

I have to say that I saw a lot of the game comments on facebook and was kind of shocked by the reactions of so many people out there. The common theme was "Jeez, lower your expectations. We lost to the #6 team in the country". I have a hard time thinking these are actually football fans; they are spectators. No, you're not going to win every game against top end opponents. Teams lose. It happens. Whatever! BUT, the issue with this weekend was that we seemed to truly beat ourselves. That is not to minimize what USD did; they played well and far beyond pre-season expectations, but USD did not just beat us, UND took themselves out of contention in that game. The mentality of justifying losses based on a ranking is just dumb (maybe more explainable with #1, but that is because SDSU is on a whole different level than the rest of the FCS). USD isn't that different of a team than they were last year. They just aren't shooting themselves in the foot and they are executing more consistently. Some of these fans forget, there is a number next to our team too, and if we hadn't killed our own chances, we would be the higher ranked team as of today. This isn't a bottom feeder UND playing against a top end team. Obviously still hoping for playoffs and to see what happens there, but was really hoping for something a little more special this year. I know we aren't on SDSU level with talent, but this season had a ton of potential and this team just didn't take it. I guess it is a good thing that just making the playoffs isn't enough for a lot of fans though. I'd like to see this team getting a seed on a regular basis, or at least every other year as we continue to build. Just sick of always going on the road and playing like crap. Maybe something clicks this year, I guess we will see. Gotta win next week first!

This is such a legitimate question! I don't get it! We weren't running on them like we were against NDSU, but thats ok. That first drive was working perfect; grinding out yards, chewing up clock. converting on 3rd and short or 4th and short. Took a shot and it got picked, that happens. But next drive we should have gone back to what was working.

And at this point in the season, I probably agree with that. Playoffs come down to winning the next game, and that is not all on Tommy. The seasons downfall has been spread out across the team at different times. I'd have liked to have seem more of the other guys earlier in the season, but it is what it is. Really hoping Feeney can be a solid player for us, but even more excited to see what Jerry can do. (Then again I was really excited about Mollberg and Ketteringham). I'm not sure I'd want our playoff hopes riding on a kid who hasn't any live actions other than garbage time either. At this point, let Tommy wrap up his career, and let the other two battle it out for the starter spot next season. If Tommy is still in GF and in school, maybe they can keep him involved as a volunteer assistant or something. There is certainly plenty of experience there that would be beneficial and he could help mentor the younger guys.