fightingsioux4life

Even if the tackle hadn't been missed, it would have been a 1st down and the drive would have continued. So we can play "What if" all we want, but the fact is, the offense had to step up and it did. This pedestrian scheme we are running today wouldn't have got it done. The next thing you are going to argue is that scoring 7 points gives you a better chance to win than scoring 14 points because it somehow helps the defense. George Orwell would have loved you.

The title game was low-scoring. But I remember the D giving up a late touchdown. And I remember Klosterman driving us down the field for a TD that won the game for us. Under Rudolph, I don't think we would have done that. And I was talking about the season as a whole, not just the title game. But nice job cherry-picking.

The 2001 UND title team had a dual threat QB (Klosterman) and a couple of speedy WRs (Dan Graf being one of them) who could stretch the field and make things happen. We wouldn't have won that title without them, regardless of how great the D was (and it was great, don't get me wrong). NDSU's title teams had good, solid QB play and could pull out a big yardage play when needed. None of the above described teams went run-run-pass-punt most of the time. If they had, we wouldn't talk about them today.

Then we should at least go with a three-headed monster at RB. Run people over.

All that cash T. Boone Pickens has sunk into Oklahoma State hasn't brought home any championships. Facilities are important, but they alone will not get it done. UIW has to have a commitment to excellence in athletics or it won't matter how deep their donor's pockets are.

I wish these coaches would understand that a short pass is just as good as a run. As long as you stay in-bounds, you control the clock and keep your defense off the field. But no, all we seem to get is run, run, pass, punt. That ain't gonna get it done at the FCS level (or any other level).

Schmidt was the LB coach at SIU. Bubba was the D Coordinator.

I think a lot of the grumbling was over the dance competitions the players were holding on the sidelines while we were getting our heads bashed in by Montana.

Wasn't that the purpose of the downsizing of the athletic department the past couple of years?

I want to see that as well. Put all three of those guys on the field at the same time. One carries the ball, the other two throw blocks. On occasion, throw a quick pass to one of them out of the backfield to keep defenses honest. If you are going to run the ball 75% of the time, you might as well go all out doing it.

We all knew a young team like this would have some ups and downs. Last Saturday was an up. Last night was a down. It's a process. I think we'll get better as the season goes on.

There are schools in Montana that play 6 man FB. And somehow, Montana and Montana State do fine with those kids.

Don't bring politics into this please. That never ends well around here. We have one person's word against another person's word. That doesn't qualify as "fake news".

Come on people, we are 4-1-1 heading into the conference opener and have tons of potential to do some major damage in March and April. No reason to argue over petty crap like this.

Really? I am an "excuse maker"? Four years ago, I penned this epic venting of frustration over our lack of success in Division I athletics. I meant every word then. And I still mean every word now. And up until this season, Bubba and company were making steady progress. From 3-8 in Mussman's final season, to 5-7 to 7-4 to 9-3. This season has been an unmitigated disaster on all fronts, but to call for regime change and declare the program as being back to what it was in 2013 is a gross overreaction. And you conveniently ignored part of this comment, in which I wrote: "That said, if this happens next year without the injuries and there are more drug busts and whatever else, then I will start asking some tough questions. I do hope Bubba replaces Rudolph as OC (he has talent that he is just not using) and perhaps the special teams coach as well. If he doesn't, then I also will ask questions about that too." If we have a healthy team in 2018 and the season plays out like this one, then I will be in your camp asking tough questions. But I think we will bounce back next season and be back in the playoff mix. Only time will tell which one of us is right.

Except NDSU. All they recruit are FBS-caliber kids.

Well, if you don't want to send him a message, don't. If I do it, I won't do it until the end of the season, like you said. I just figured if we are going to bellyache on here, we might as well have the option to tell it to the person at the top. And I don't think Faison has "time to waste" reading our e-mails about scheduling and whatever else, so I guess we shouldn't bug him either, right? #wantsitbothways

Really? How is this different from e-mailing Faison about game scheduling or some other issue?

Okay, I'll just leave this here: bubba.schweigert@athletics.und.edu Please be polite and courteous, but don't be afraid to tell Bubba why you think Rudolph is the wrong choice to run the offense.

Remember all the Negative Nellies who said we would never, ever fill a 12,000 seat arena so we better not build it any larger than that? In hindsight, we should have built it to 15,000. Think big and you will exceed expectations. Think small and that is how you will remain.

And honestly, I think the Frisco talk was a little premature even before the injuries. I certainly wanted to make the playoffs again. And this time win at least one (maybe even two) games.

I do not "strive" for "lowly expectations on a regular basis". And neither do Bubba and his staff. That said, if this happens next year without the injuries and there are more drug busts and whatever else, then I will start asking some tough questions. I do hope Bubba replaces Rudolph as OC (he has talent that he is just not using) and perhaps the special teams coach as well. If he doesn't, then I also will ask questions about that too.

Yeah, true freshmen and redshirt freshmen should get the exact same results as veteran starters, some of whom are being looked at by NFL scouts.

This is what some people want.....glee clubs like "Higher Ground" and "Fall Creek" to sing the anthem every single game. Meh doesn't cover it, more like Ugh!!!

I have never said anything about 10 years. I don't think anyone else has either. All I have said is that building depth on a team that basically was starting over from scratch takes time, more time than our 24/7, instant gratification obsessed society is willing to give. You talk like they should be knocking on the door of Frisco, TX right now and that just isn't realistic. But keep indirectly calling for regime change if that makes you feel better.