UND-FB-FAN

If we don't represent our conference by placing Big Sky logos on the 25s, I'll be very upset. Schools much more likely to realign before us display them (e.g. Montana, Montana State). With all the glamour talk about the Big Sky, I find it slightly hypocritical to say we shouldn't display Big Sky logos because we may realign soon after. Here is what I hope UND decides on:

Well most schools place their logo at midfield, and currently our only logo is the interlocking ND. In addition, Notre Dame's logo is not interlocking and Notre Dame doesn’t use a logo at midfield anyways. I guess I would just hate to see a blank midfield.

Black end zones, interlocking ND at midfield, and Big Sky logos at the 25s! Now that would be beautiful in my opinion.

According to SFI, a WR has committed to UND. They are supposed to be releasing a blog on SFI shortly about the commitment. Also, the DL E.J. Welch looks like a really good get. He is both athletic and big, and since UND is only losing 1 of the 3 DL starters (B.Belmore), the DL looks to be in great shape! Don't forget about the DL Jean-Charles from NDSCS too.

I couldn't agree more. I have thought one of the major differences between NDSU and UND football the past few seasons has been the coverage of the two programs. Associated with media converge is the game day atmosphere-enhancing techniques put out by UND itself. The game atmosphere at NDSU games is far better than UNDs currently and that should be attributed to the respective school's marketing and athletic departments. As a UND fan, I understand how easy it is to disregard something that initially seems minuscule; however, the fact of the matter is that recruiting is the lifeline of the program, and recruits are attracted to loud, enthusiastic crowds on game day along with great marketing techniques both on game day and around it. The Herald does little to provoke excitement for the football team and it shows on game day. I don't think anyone can properly explain a horrible crowd at unquestionably the biggest game in the Alerus during the transition (South Dakota - Great West Championship). For those that offer the excuse it was deer hunting season, then I present this year’s big Cal Poly game which resulted in a mediocre crowd at best. As far as students go, they wouldn't leave if it wasn't so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I hope there is large-scale excitement next year during the inaugural Big Sky season; however, if the South Dakota game, current media coverage, and recent game day atmospheres are any indication; we have a long way to go. Also, I agree to a point that there is no reason to continually include NDSU in certain UND-based football discussions since we are moving on to the Big Sky; nonetheless, they will be competing with us for recruits from this point forward, and we will need to continue to win those battles if we are to be competitive in our new "NDSU-free" conference. Bottom-line: Improve media coverage and game day atmospheres via various techniques; it's much needed.

That's a pretty depressing list; quite a few NDSU players on it. It’s only more of a reason to be looking ahead, because the previous four years have been really disappointing. Any positive explanations are likely to be more of an excuse than anything else.

A couple of highlights from Bemidji's season; Woods has some nice catches in both highlights. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2TimrPZd_c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II9_AM9lM5U

You may have summarized that a bit obscurely; nonetheless, you may be on to something!

Article on why gamedays are so special in Madison: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/852388-why-wisconsin-is-the-best-gameday-atmosphere-in-the-country Some of these tactics need to be instituted - or at least considered to be instituted - into gamedays at UND.

The truth is recruits like monochrome jersey combinations. So many teams have gone to all-black jersey combinations the last few years and it’s all based on recruiting. The most well known school to do so is Oregon, yet I could come up with another 10 schools or so that have changed recently just to satisfy the interests of the players. Ultimately, all black is a great intimidation color combination; therefore, players love to be wearing that.

I respectfully disagree. I don't believe the only basis I had for being upset with today's performance was the fact that Sioux Falls is Division II. That is just a single factor; nonetheless, it cannot be ignored. There are several other factors and the one I chose to emphasize in my earlier post was coaching. I do believe Sioux Falls outcoached UND today and UND will not be as successful as we want them to be if the coaching trends that have been set the previous few seasons continue. .

Point taken - but an FBS team still should never give an FCS team so much credit to where they think they shouldn't win. Any FBS team should EXPECT to beat an FCS team just like any FCS team should EXPECT to beat a DII team. In terms of today's game, I think Sioux Falls is a good team just not a team that should require a last second FG to beat. Too much credit is being given to them only because we aren't examining UND’s own performance as a team. UND just didn't play well; therefore, they made SF look better than they actually are. This isn't the Sioux Falls team of a couple years ago - this team lost 3 straight to start their season. UND was not mentally prepared and it showed in poor play. I understand that Sioux Falls may have looked impressive, but in my opinion it was only because of very poor play from UND.

Unfortunately, the direction of this program has got to change. In other words, there needs to be staff turnover – including Mussman. The football program has been a complete joke the last few years and there is no question about that. Any UND fan knows this and should expect better and deserves better. Whether it’s the “just try stay in the game” mindset utilized in FBS games or the “just try to win the game” mindset emphasized in today’s game, the leadership of this team is pathetic in comparison to what it was during the Lennon era. Everyone knows Mussman never should have been hired in the first place and it has shown. For whatever reason, the optimistic outlook by UND supporters has attempted to ignore this; however, today’s game vs. Sioux Falls is just too much. Being playoff eligible next season will give us an opportunity to actually hire someone who can lead a program and make intelligent decisions. NDSU’s success should most definitely be attributed to the former FBS coach Craig Bohl. Despite how much I envy NDSU football, they have a program that is very legitimate at the FCS level and that is due to their leadership. A football team takes the attitude of their head coach. There is no reason UND shouldn’t be around NDSU’s level. Our recruiting, leadership, and organization have been mediocre at best. Of course, it all starts with the atrocious hire (or should I say ridiculous, unwarranted promotion) made by UND to start the FCS era. In respect for the fans that truly care and deserve to see better, make the move Faison. There is not a single FCS program that expects to "just beat" a division II team. In UND's case, it definitely should not take a last play FG to win the game. That is just ridiculous. Don't give Sioux Falls too much credit - they are still Division II. That's obviously the approach Mussman took and the team had no confidence and they played down to the level of Sioux Falls. As far as preparing a team psychologically, today was a failure for UND.

Everything about the Alerus in terms of it's layout is fine except for the lack of endzone seating. This sort of "boxed-in" orientation is not real great in my opinion. However, I definitely agree that the atmosphere is way about average when at near capacity. On-campus football would be the best choice ONLY if Memorial Stadium was rebuilt; it couldn't simply be what it used to be as the Alerus is better than that was.

On-Campus Venue (Memorial Stadium) = Real, Traditional College Football. I hope this happens sooner rather than later. Not to mention the Alerus is just not a great FOOTBALL facility.

Those Portland State videos are very good. I would absolutely love to see something like that done for UND football. Of course, any sort of marketing improvement would be well over-due. And, as I've mentioned before, the atmosphere at the Alerus has got to be improved. Even just playing more music would help drastically. There's no reason that at least some tactics that go into creating the electric atmosphere in the Ralph can't be somewhat transferred over to the Alerus for football.

Unfortunately, that is the truth. Hopefully Iowa has someone else on their radar who is performing well this fall.

The attendance was absolutely appalling. Was it to be expected? Maybe, but I think the attendance indicates one of two situations. The first would be that drastically inferior opponents such as Montana Western and Black Hills State affect attendance even after a signature win that SHOULD increase excitement and following. The second situation would be that the football team just hasn’t put together enough to build overall program excitement, which is why a hockey game causes students and fans to forget about the game altogether. I think a good season record wise (including a win against both Cal Poly and South Dakota at home) and going into the Big Sky next season would help produce that much needed hype around the program. That hype would bring fans in. When there are such few people at the game it affects the atmosphere which ultimately affects the team. The slow start was due to a lack of emotion from the team and that led to a 3 – 0 Montana Western lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Thankfully the next game is homecoming against a quality opponent- such circumstances satisfy both of the conditions I gave earlier which should increase attendance drastically. From more of a football standpoint, the lack of a passing game is scary. Hopefully it develops because right now it just complements the offense but one of these upcoming games is going to require a passing game. In the first half of the game, all the passing plays called were down field “big-hitters” off playaction. This means there were no 3 step drops or “quick-hitters”, which ultimately are the passes that build a rhythm for the passing game. They finally got something like that going in the second half. Hopefully something develops in terms of chemistry and trust so they can air it out more for the entire game; otherwise, it is possible there will be a lot of pressure on the coaches to consider playing Mollberg next season. Also, Mussman mentioned Broc Bellmore is out for the season. This is a huge hit to what WAS the strongest position lineup (D-Line) on the team. Jay Nelson and Spencer Cummings are going to have to step up big for the Cal Poly game. Realistically, the whole team will need to against Cal Poly. GO SIOUX!

I agree that we should simply change the uniform color shade to match the helmets - even if it isn't Kelley Green. It would be the simplest solution and it would look way better. Also, a black home alternate would be a real nice touch. As I've mentioned before, entering the Big Sky next season is the perfect opportunity for us to obtain some new STYLISH uniforms!

Simple things such as more music and less pathetic interviews and games would increase the entertainment factor substantially; and from talking to current UND students, there would probably be another 500 - 1,000 students in attendance if the entertainment factor was similar to that of the hockey games.

Let

Last night in the fourth quarter while we led Fresno State 22

After last night's game, I think Mussman deserves a hold on the criticism. I'll admit I was upset to see our team's second half performance against Idaho; however, we did MUCH better than I think anyone expected last night. With that performance against Fresno State, fans should be excited as UND has a legitimate chance to win out or at least be in the running to do that. If our team ends the season with a 9-2 record, or even an 8 - 3 record, I think this season would be a success under those circumstances considering South Dakota and Cal Poly's already impressive seasons thus far (both of those games are at home!). So, as I mentioned earlier in this thread after the Idaho game, let

Unfortunately, this loss is tough. Idaho is not the team they were last year and our second half showing was similar to last year

The current UND football uniforms are a joke. I hope the athletic department gets new uniforms to help kick-off the Big Sky era next season.