siouxfan512

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.

Definitely agree here! I wonder every game why Klein doesn't get at least a few targets. I'd rather see this over a 2 yard pass to Dennis on the sideline. I've said it before, I don't think Dennis is a bad player, but I have yet to see what the hype is. I keep hearing about his speed, but either he can't get open or the coaches aren't giving him those kinds of routes. If we can't get open at least try throwing it to the kid who can go up above everyone and bring it down. Especially in the Red Zone. I'm also wondering if Bo is still dinged up, because we certainly haven't seen much of him either lately.

Light years better than where they were just a few years back.

I like Kelly, he is the majority of why I listen to the 360 podcasts. What is he going to do, call out Bubba and Danny with Bubba's brother sitting right there? Guessing that wouldn't work well with future podcasts. I like Shannon too, but there is definitely no questions coaching decisions there either, at least not vocally, and lets be honest, what is going to be achieved by doing so on the podcast? Regardless, I like the insight. Love listening to their show every week.

I'd have almost felt better if we had lost by two scores. Tougher pill to swallow when you beat yourselves. Not to take away from what USD has done this year, but between ST and Def (for the most part) UND should have won this game. Questionable play calling is still my number one factor in this one. Stop throwing outside for 1 yard and stop running off the edge against this defense. Run it up the middle, chew the clock, convert using 3 or 4 downs. Basically, mimic our 1st drive of the day (less the INT). They may be the #6 team in the country, but if we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, we are the #7 or 8 team in the country. Instead we are on the bubble, in a do or die situation, without a seed, staring at a 7-4 record...AGAIN! I disagree with some people about plenty with people on here who have chirped this, but it would be nice to see another step forward. NOW TO SEE THE POSITIVE: We also should have won a game, on the road, against a top FCS team. IF we crawl into the playoffs, we are going to need to do this, so if we learn from our mistakes, who knows what will happen. UND has shown they can play with top teams (not consistently, but they can do it). We could very well end up back in Vermillion or Brookings at some point, or possible in MT. All of which will be tough venues. Have to dial it up and figure it out.

Makes me wonder what we could have done with that transfer that went to Youngstown. I believe he was a smaller guy, but electric. Need a Hoosman or Oliveira type though.

Would love to hear him really let it all out!

DUDE, READ! I've already apologized twice. Just get sick of some of your same BS on here. Enough already! And fine, if you think hockey blows, don't watch it. I personally like it, as do all the other fans packing the Ralph and paying for NCHC subscriptions. Who the hell cares? I'm not a huge fan of pro soccer, but the rest of the world sure loves that. Who cares?

Truth is we are aligned with our frustrations. It definitely sucks to watch this program consistently trip over itself. I'd argue that we have actually improved our recruiting (still need more and better), but we can't get out of our own way with other stupid stuff.

Do you read? I already said you're not an idiot, just sick of your same old BS. Also recognized that someone may bring up hockey because they want to see a team that wins. UND has definitely had some down years with hockey, but I don't think you even want to compare program success; even in the past ten years. Besides you don't need to like hockey, you also don't need to bash on it in a football thread.

Absolutely. Not touting it as being the most popular, just making the argument that the majority of the country doesn't "hate it". And even so, college hockey may have a smaller market, but the fans that watch still like it. If he doesn't care for it, nobody is forcing him to watch it. He can shut up and be miserable over the football loss.

And we kept it damn close having only scored 14. Any miniscule showing of offense would have gotten the job done today. Would have also helped to be able to hold a team on 2nd or 3rd and a mile. It is unbelievable how bad that looks. That being said, the defense did plenty of other great things. INT in the end zone was nice and the forced fumble was a thing of beauty. Just hope some of these talented players don't transfer out because of incompetence in the staff. I don't say that lightly, but you can't help but question coaches costing us games. It has happened a few too many times in the past few seasons.