UND-FB-FAN

I agree; there are so many talented (or at least appear talented) football players that don't see the field enough. Sparks, Butler, and Edwards to name a few. There probably are a few more but I'm not completely sure on them because I haven't seen them in game action! Given the last two horrendous performances, there's no excuse for why some sophomores and redshirt freshman didn't get some game reps.

Let's wait a year or two before we anoint Iverson as the best ND player of 2013 class. I'm a bit skeptical of that claim.

The fact there was no mention of football during Hammer's interview of Faison tells me this is a delicate situation. Faison is likely sick of hearing complaints and just wants the season to play out; thus, he just told Hammer not to bring up the football. Also a sign that Faison is not very happy with the FB season thus far, which is a good thing for the entire program because we're that much closer to getting rid of the cancer that is a Mussman as a head coach.

I agree entirely with this post - very well said. There are two major differences between Bohl and NDSU's staff (or any winning college football staff) and Mussman and UND's staff: local recruiting and football psychology/leadership. Bohl does indeed recruit every football-playing high school in the state of ND and he comes away with talented kids from the state year in and year out. Examples are Beck from Munich, Ryan Smith from Wahpeton, Carson Wentz from Bismarck, etc. Not to mention the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and even Nebraska kids who are prevalent on their roster. Now, simply acquiring the local kids is only half of the story. You need to be able to get the local kids to buy into the program, which includes workouts, team meetings, and ultimately build the confidence of a winner. NDSU has put a winning PROGRAM in place that local kids can plug right into and produce. And we all know local kids are generally going to play with more pride and enthusiasm than non-local kids from California and Florida. They are familiar with the UND's tradition and have a sense of commitment to UND's alumni group. With Mussman and staff, the local recruiting emphasis is not there. In addition, his players are not disciplined or confident because they are not held to a high standard. Mussman is an arrogant individual that has no plan (or at least a good one) in place and the kids have lost all confidence. There's no reason you can't get players to come in, buy into a program, and work their butts off for each other. That's simply not going on here right now; the players are not being held accountable because Mussman simply doesn't know how to do that. At the end of the year, I expect Faison to bring in a proven DI coach that can lead a program and assemble a quality staff. I feel bad for the players, because the talent is there to compete with each and every Big Sky team, but the student-athletes aren't being prepared correctly, both physically and mentally.

No question Tibesar would be a great hire, but I'm not sold on the athletic department's willingness to pay him the $200,000+ that would probably be required to acquire him.

Most of those you mentioned are defensive players, so I can see your point. Our defense has really improved from last year to this year with those young recruits…

Other than Golladay, nobody in the last couple classes has been phenomenal. Not to mention those players from those classes are frustrated with the coaches and unmotivated due to the current situation. The next class will likely be much worse than that of the last two years if Mussman and his staff remain.

I think Faison has handled his responsibilities fine, and given the additions you mentioned, he has helped move this football program forward. With that said, the most important aspect of a football team is the coaching and recruiting. In my mind, if UND finishes with a losing record, it's up to Faison to do the right thing and hire a new coach who can instill confidence and recruit top FCS caliber student-athletes. Mussman does not cut it, in both the leadership and recruiting departments.

99% of the candidates wouldn't be available until the end of the seasons regardless; however, that's still not the reason Faison hasn't done anything yet. You can't hire a new HC mid-season. That's essentially never happened because the coach needs time to hire his own staff and implement his own system.

I too question what Faison and the athletic department are willing to pay the next head coach, that is if Faison does indeed do the obviously required thing and remove Mussman and his staff. I hope they get a 200k+ kinda guy but that depends on how much Faison is willing to commit to the football program. So far there has been no indication that Faison wants UND's football program to be a top 3 Big Sky program.

I agree 100%. This current staff is a joke and they're the primary reason this program has been run into the ground.

Relieve Mussman of his duties now and promote Kotelnicki to intern HC to let the players and fans/alumni know that these kind of performances won't be tolerated by Faison and the athletic department and change is coming. At the end of the season, clear out the staff and hire a coach who has been apart of a winning DI program, whether that be as a coordinator or position coach.

They're understandably frustrated, just as the fans and alumni are. A lot of "I'm done" and "so sick of this" kind of stuff.

UND may not be the most talented football team in the Big Sky, but there is absolutely no reason this team should get blown out consecutive games at home! This team, if properly coached, should be able to COMPETE with nearly any FCS school at home. The fact they can't compete with the schools in the conference-the same ones we will see year in and year out- is absolutely unacceptable. The effort isn't there cause the team has quit on Mussman. The goofing off on the sideline is simply proof of the lack of disciplines. I'm glad Faison noticed this; he'll make the correct move if this continues. Only question now is whether or not it's mid season.

If McGhee is playing, it will be a very difficult game, if it wasn't before. UND coming out on top of this one would be a very good win. Doesn't look good though.

I can't speak for the whole team, but some of it, yes.

Because the players themselves don't respect Mussman. Players at NDSU are terrified of/respect Bohl to death; that's definitely not the case at UND. Hard to have success when the soldiers think the general is full of himself and doesn't know what he's doing.

Not gonna try sugar coat this, I HATE that UND is all about hockey. If anything, I would love for football to be equally funded with the hockey program, but that'll never happen. NDSU having success at the FCS level this season already has had more national exposure than UND would have with a national championship in hockey. I guess I just see it the same way the nation does: football is #1 and basketball is #2. Nevertheless, I'll always be loyal to my alma mater. After all, I did not decide to be a part of UND just to be a sports fan, but rather to get a quality education.

Facts, buddy. UND's men's basketball went 12-8 in the conference last year and were third, not last. They actually had the best conference record for a league newcomer and almost made it to the conference tournament championship game.

If UND can come away with a win, it would show well for the coaching staff. The Montana game was tough on the players and coaches, as well as all supporters, and if Mussman can right the ship with a victory vs. MSU, then that will show well for Mussman's leadership. Now, if UND loses, it just shows this team can't beat an MSU team desperately missing their starting QB, our defense is what it is, and perhaps the team is still in the dumps after the UM game.

Heart is telling me yes, but my head is saying no. At the end of the day, I need the defense to prove me wrong. Montana State 42 North Dakota 31

So a week after we get embarrassed at home against Montana, I watch NDSU get recognition and major promotions on national television. Proud for the state of North Dakota and excited for basketball season though!

Absolutely, well said.

Yeah, I think outstanding is a bit of a stretch, especially since we haven't played the majority of the true freshmen and only a selective few of the redshirt freshmen. Don't know what those classes can be until they see consistent playing time.