UND-FB-FAN

Well if conference affiliation is the difference between winning and losing, we should see a quality product on the field next season; unfortunately, I'm not holding my breath.

I realize the transition was tough on the program, but it really is nothing more than an excuse for inept coaching and mediocre talent. I mean, if the transition from DII to DI is so tough on teams, how was NDSU able to put together a 10-1 season during their transition? If you can develop talent and demonstrate quality leadership, in terms of the entire coaching staff, you should still be able to compete at a high level. UND didn't do that during their transition and this year's team certainly didn't compete at a high level either.

For the last five years, UND has fielded teams that do not have that "winning edge" or fire to them. This year, I heard numerous times about how our defense had no fire or attitude to them, which I guess is why they were playing so horribly. Well, teams take on the attitude of their leader - the head coach. Mussman's record vs FCS teams at home: 10 - 6 Mussman's record vs FCS teams away : 8 - 13 Overall record vs FCS teams: 18 - 19 I guess we're heading in the right direction so let's not fix it.................

Umm, I want nothing but for UND to have a playoff team and be a more successful team than NDSU, but NO - that won't happen at this pace. I’m afraid this assumption is just pretentiously over-optimistic.

GIVEN THE SITUATION you kick, but you are right that 45 yds < 51 yds ( 6 yds to be exact).... It's 4th down so if you dont convert, which is what happened, you lose the game! Also, how would we have managed 20 additional yards (from 51 yd attempt to 30 yd attempt) in less than a minute with no timeouts when we had only scored 3 points in the entire 2nd half?! Look at it this way: If you kick a field goal, you win if you make it or lose if you dont If you go for it, you lose if you dont get it but yet dont win if you make it - you still have to score points and converting a 4th an 1 will not get you points. By simply analyzing what was on the line, its pretty obvious which is the correct decision. Dont make more work for your team.

So we would improve the opportunity by 5 yards, maybe 10 at best. If you're comfortable at 45 yards, you should be content at 51 yards given the situation, but I digress. geaux sioux, what are your expectations for the program on an annual basis? National Title Contender Big Sky Championship Contender At-Large Playoff Participant Middle-of-the-Pack in the Big Sky Based on your posting history, I would imagine you expect this team to compete for Big Sky titles each and every season. Well, with Mussman that will never happen; he won't ever assemble and lead UND to a Big Sky championship. So just remember me telling you this when your patience finally does run out. The only way to beat out football first schools like Montana, Montana State, and Eastern Washington is to have a great coach that turns lesser talent into great teams - Mussman will never do that.

Mussman didn't have much credibility before yesterday's game, so now it's a completely nonexistent. You can't win games with a head coach that has NO respect from his players, the individuals he is supposed to lead and set an example for. We can make up excuses all we want, but that won't change reality. For five years now we have gave Mussman an opportunity to build up the program and he's done nothing. We keep making excuses from the transition to the first year in a new conference, but the bottom line is he just can't coach or lead. There's been question marks ever since we lost to Sioux Falls, but yet there are unrealistic homers who continually expect Mussman to turn into some great coach overnight, or even worse believe he already is there. It was Einstein who said "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Anyone who thinks this team will be in the playoffs next year or the year after with Mussman trying to lead is insane. Sticking with Mussman only indicates to me that Faison and the athletic department are content with being only "middle of the pack" in the Big Sky and not competing for national titles. As far as post-season success and what an athletic department/administration is doing to help, hockey seems to be the only thing UND cares about; hopefully that changes.

why would he state the obvious?

Those arent the only issues. Not having a running game or defense shouldn't affect your game management skills or leadership as a head coach. This team has no leadership and teams with no leadership go no where. No good place for this football team to go with Mussman at the helm - its that simple.

If not Mussman, the defensive staff needs to be changed or reshuffled a bit. JUCO and FBS transfers for any spot on defense - this defense is BAD Also, a JUCO/FBS transfer at both RB and QB (for depth) In terms of recruiting, just get the best players available at all positions. Depth is key in the Big Sky conference.

A disappointing losing season is one thing, but when you have a leader/coach that will NEVER allow this team to accomplish a lot, it really is depressing and difficult to get excited for another season. Faison should realize the football team is not gaining recognition or support, its losing it. He needs to make a change before this team is dug into too deep of a hole.

Kicking a field goal when you're down 1 isn't trying to win?

The difference is Bohl had already established himself as a good coach before the 2009 season. He had his team ranked #1 in the country before 2009 and had demonstrated quality leadership - Mussman has done nothing of that sort and that won't change. He's running this program into the ground and alumni and fans are realizing it and not showing up.

Alright, I guess losing by 25 is acceptable then.

umm NO; you only take that shot 100% of the time if youre Mussman. There are exceptions to throwing that pass with that coverage, like if you have the lead late in the game or if you're in field goal range. I understand it sometimes works and therfore I don't necessarily disagree with the call, it just shouldnt be called 100% of the time because it obviously doesnt work 100% of the time.

Mussman can't coach or lead and that won't change overnight or after a year. All we're doing is allowing the program to suffer more and the fan support to decrease while we HOPE this thing turns around with Mussman at the helm. Let me save you the trouble of wondering and hoping, it won't turn around.

I agree; I forgot about Hardee and overlooked Brewster. The other revenue sports (Football and Men's Basketball) have question marks at head coach, that really sounds like a great strategy.................

Yeah, they have two plays to pick up a yard (if you expect to go for it on 4th down) and they decide to throw a deep route and run a dive straight up the middle when the whole world expects that............... Mussman is a horrible coach and an even worse leader

Perfect Sounds about right

Refer to my post(s) in the Northern Colorado threads. Basically, get rid of this absolute idiot. Blowout losses, horrible game understanding and awareness, no leadership, blown leads and playcalling woes, losing seasons.... the list goes on and on and on Lets get this program going in the right direction. Not only the fans and alumni but the players deserve it and I'm sure they want it. I'm now off to watch our one lone team that has a competent head coach. I don't even want to start on basketball after today's game versus Northern Iowa, another mid-major.

If you want butts in the seats Faison, fire that idiot we call our head coach.

LET THE AXE DOWN FAISON IF YOU'VE GOT ANY LOSING SEASON DUE TO HORRIBLE COACHING FIRE THAT IDIOT SO WE CAN GET THIS PROGRAM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, I'M SICK OF WATCHING INCOMPETENT UND FOOTBALL Now that I've got that out of my system, this may have actually been a blessing in disguise - we now have a final reason (one to add to a long list) to fire Muss.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!

Against Crown College, the team should have more assists, points, rebounds, and other statistics regardless of whether Huff is playing or not. Down the stretch, Huff will be NEEDED. Although I haven't seen Nash play in person, HC Jones said in preseason interviews that Nash would likely be the starting 4 because of the versatility he brings, in fact, Jones said he presents the type of player he has never had here at UND. He is a long lengthy guy with tremendous athletic ability. Just because he averaged 2.5 ppg last year doesn't mean he is incapable; after all, he played in the Big 12 and he only played in one game for more than 30 min (vs. Wake Forest - 15 points, 7 rebounds). This guy would make a considerable difference.

Okay, so by the sounds of it Huff only sat this game because they're treating the concussion with precaution (as they should). With that, Huff should be back against either Northern Iowa or Hawaii. Also, Jamal Webb should be back for the next game because he was suspended for only this game. With those two back either next game or the one after, I'm not too worried. After all, there was no reason to play them - we ended up winning by 30+ anyways! The only other ? remaining is Jaron Nash. It's frustrating because he SHOULD be able to play immediately and he could be the difference between being a top 3 Big Sky team or not as he provides that crucial front court depth required to be a good college basketball team. I hope he gets cleared and can be on the court sooner rather than later....I'm growing impatient.