siouxfan512

We also don't know what was happening behind the scenes between these guys. Was Bubba allowing Danny to actually call everything, or was he restricting options? I'm don't like the idea of an offense having too many trick plays, but those almost completely disappeared. Was that Danny's decision or Bubba's? If Danny felt he was being allowed to really do his job, maybe that was just another factor. SDSU is going to be a far better resume builder than UND is. I'm sure Danny would have loved to stay at UND, but everything is pretty mucked up right now. Have to do what is best for your own family and career.

Agreed, you would expect and FBS move and that would make even more sense, but money talks. That paired with working under someone who seems to have stalled out a few years back. Its strange to move to a rival school for a slightly lesser role, but if they are going to pay you and you get to work on a championship staff, maybe its worth the move. We will know in a few years if he is still there, at a lower level school, out of coaching, or has moved up to bigger and better things.

Kind of crazy coming from EWU when they were doing so well. I remember seeing the hire thinking it would be a really great move for football.

Personally, I don't blame Danny one bit for this move. He left for a good program and more money. If the team has success (which they will) then he will get more opportunities. Maybe him and his wife decided they were ready to try moving around and seeing what happens. The alternative was to wait in GF for Bubba to be removed or retire and hope that he would be the next guy, with no guarantees. I do place more blame on Chaves for letting the program get to this spot with coaching. I've acknowledged many times over that Bubba seems like a great guy and has done some nice things for this program, but if you have watch this team over the past few season, it just seems like he has consistently hit his ceiling.(If I have to continue to watch Bubba ball, then I hope I have to eat crow on that). Also disappointed in Bubba if he is really pissed off about the move and couldn't wish Danny well on taking an opportunity that may be best for his family. Seems tacky given the circumstances. I know Danny bleeds green, and maybe he will still come back to UND and coach again, but maybe he also saw how stagnant this program has been from a coaching, funding and leadership standpoint and decided a change was best. Who knows.

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.