UND-FB-FAN

UND and Richmond have two completely different situations when it comes to attendance. What's Richmond's enrollment? How many in-state FBS and FCS schools does UND have to compete with for attendance? How many in-state FBS and FCS schools does Richmond have to compete with for attendance? What's the capacity of the Alerus Center versus Richmond's stadium? Is one outdoors versus indoors? Just a lot of factors so I was a bit curious why Richmond would be used as an attendance benchmark for UND, besides the obvious answer of that's this week's opponent for UND.

2010, junior

True, but tough for UND to get a Natty without a great home field advantage. Fargo hasn't even figured out a way to get a FCS championship without homefield advantage .....

Why compare UND to RIchmond? I don't want to sound too hasty, but UND should have higher expectations; just look at the facilities UND has at their disposal...

Completely agree with this. Now, the question remains: What is the *QUICKEST* way to improve attendance so that UND can benefit from a tremendous home field advantage?

Unfortunate truth, I'm afraid. Nevertheless, this is a start.

I agree. I certainly expect and hope for over 10,000 at the Alerus Center.

You betcha Go Hawks! MAGA make Alerus great again

10,000+ or bust in my mind. I honestly still think that is attainable as of now. This team deserves a top-notch following and UND needs to help them out (simmer down the NYC and MSG spiel - cool but regular season). Everyone who is at the Alerus Center on Saturday needs to be excited and loud. Playoff football baby! Go Hawks!

Backup played a horrible team (NC A&T) and played with no crowd noise at home. At the Alerus Center, their QB will struggle and UND will win if the crowd is as excited and noisy as they should be. Think back to the fun, loud playoff days in the early 2000s of the Alerus Center -- let's get that back again!

Does the H in Tim H. stand for Hockey? Tim Hockey would fit Hennessy nicely. Nevertheless, I am just kidding for those sensitive about hockey. Go Fighting Hawks!

UND desperately needed the second half play from Studsrud or else UND would've lost to NAU. Furthermore, Studsrud was off to start the NAU game (contributing to his horrible completion percentage for the game) which is partly why UND dug themselves into a huge hole (31 - 10). If Studsrud and the offense comes out slow like that again, they just might not be able to come back again this time. Need to start fast -- which the fans are partly responsible for; be loud and energetic from the opening kick!!! GO HAWKS!

Welcome! I sure hope he enjoys his time in Grand Forks! There are plenty of hotels located very close to the Alerus Center, including the attached Canad Inn which has bars and eateries to pass the time before or after the game.

This is a big, big part of this game. If UND's defense can do what they do best - stop the run - then I think the amount of pressure on Richmond's QB would be overwhelming. It is very important that the crowd get into it early and often; this is Richmond's quarterback's first road start!

But UND should be able to give a great effort due to the amount of rest they've received. It may be close, but I expect the combination of plentiful rest (3 weeks) and homefield advantage to be the difference for UND.

Big-time football UND fans should be excited for the chance to witness DI playoff football at the Alerus Center! As for the UND football team, they should also be beyond excited for the opportunity they have in front of them! Go Hawks!

Couldn't agree more. The best scenario for UND would be NDSU losing head-to-head to UND.

Oh, c'mon

Football, just as it is everywhere else in the country, is the most popular sport in North Dakota (just assess the number of NFL/Vikings fans). The $100 M Ralph Engelstad Arena and its amenities bring in several folks who are not diehard hockey fans, or not even hockey fans at all for that matter. So, where are all these football fans for UND home games? Well, the NDSU vs. UND argument occurs in the minds of many; when UND produces an obvious advantage over NDSU then I would expect UND will increase their attendance a bunch. In the meantime, its important for UND marketing and us - the supporters - to get the word out as much as possible that UND is quickly closing the gap with NDSU. All of these factors combined, along with UND doing the essential which is to continue winning, will lead to better attendance. The most disappointing thing in this whole attendance issue is that we've seen over 10,000 THIS SEASON (in fact, UND had over 11,000 vs USD this season); therefore, you would think UND could get at least that for their first DI playoff game!!! The nosedive that attendance takes as the year progresses is interesting, particularly since it appears to be independent of the opponent or game importance.

Yes, would be at Alerus Center.

There are a good 500 to 1000 "NDSU fans" at every UND hockey game. It is what it is. Those 500 to 1000 would sure make a nice impact at the Alerus if they followed UND football.

Many UND hockey fans are NDSU football fans. What do they have in common? They both aren't true fans and they settle for winners (bandwagon fans). Until NDSU football CLEARLY goes behind UND via a head-to-head loss, it may be tough to convert UND hockey-only fans.

Spread the word, buy some tickets for family and friends or just hand the suckers out. Be proactive. Culture change has to start somewhere. It's not even on all the supporters for the big first step; Bubba and the team have already completed the initial steps. Dont settle for the lazy excuse of contemporary inadequateness.

We aren't a contender now? Shame on you. Don't feed the pessimists. CONFIDENCE. CONFIDENCE. CONFIDENCE. The teams in Missoula, Bozeman, and Fargo were all at one time "non-contenders" that ended up winning their first DI national championship.

@ Sacramento State 40-7 win for UND