fightingsioux4life

We are going to run into a lot of "darn good football teams" in DI FCS. Is this what we can expect when we play "darn good fotoball teams"? Are we going to settle for beating below average to average teams? I know we are in our first season of FCS play, but how come I keep thinking that our teams from earlier in this decade would have done better than this? Someone please tell me why this loss shouldn't tick me off?

Final. UC-Davis 34 UND 21 Time to regroup and get ready for Lennon and Southern Illinois.

I would go along with that theory.....except that we struggled against Western Washington last week at home (a Division II team). There have been too many apathetic performances by the defense this season and the previous two seasons to write it off as "Well, we are still a Division II team so it isn't a big deal". This year's defense would have trouble stopping Omaha, Central Washington and who knows how many other ex-NCC teams.

I don't think that is a coincidence at all. Ever since we switched to this "Co-Defensive Coordinator" system, our defenses have been much less effective. I just don't think you can run a defense by committee like that. Also, I think the losses of coaches like Tibesar and Bubba Schweigert have hurt recruiting. Our players look a step slower then they did just three years ago. And I'm talking about both D-II and DI FCS opponents. Something needs to be done and soon.

Agreed. Dale Lennon knows this team better than anyone outside the current UND staff and he'll know how to exploit our weakeness, which are getting worse by the week.

Last year, we gave up over 40 points vs. Western Washington on the road. The defense has been gradually deteriorating since Digger Anderson and company graduated and moved on after the 2005 season. If it doesn't change, we are going to have a rough time of it in DI FCS.

We've stopped ourselves on two drives in this half that should have ended in points. The Aggie defense isn't horrible, but it hasn't been great this season, either. We just haven't cashed in on our opportunities tonight.

J.T. O'Sullivan was the UC-Davis QB in 2001 when the Aggies came to the Alerus Center for a D-II National Semifinal game. UND won the game 14-2 (giving up an intentional safety late in the game). The Sioux D had several goal line stands in that game.

UC-Davis has been giving up points in bunches this season. I don't think their defense is "good" or "solid" by any stretch.

Freund intercepted. Can this get any worse?

At least we can't blame this on the "hot goalie" syndrome!

TD UC-Davis. PAT is good. UC-Davis 31 UND 14 That could do it, ladies and gentlemen.

The Sioux defense is actually outplaying the offense at this point. Hope that can keep up.

Alex Nicholas drops a sure touchdown. Then Hellevang misses a field goal. It doesn't get much worse than this.

INTERCEPTION!!! Fighting Sioux football at the Davis 42. Let's make some hay out of this!

Ouch, that hurts! But you are probably right.

In case anyone was interested..... Penn St. 13 Ohio St. 6 49 seconds left in the game. Ohio State driving. Just thought I would report on a game with some actual defense in it.

Hellevang's FG attempt is blocked. Sioux come up empty handed. UC-Davis 24 UND 14 I hope the D enjoyed their long rest because they are going to need the energy.

Freund sacked! Again!

3rd down and long coming up.

Freund incomplete in the end zone. 2nd down coming up. We need the TD here.

4th down and Mussman is going for it!!! FIRST DOWN!!! Freund on the QB sneak.

Big 3rd down from the Aggies 17 yard line.

A lot of flags in the second half. Another offsides on UC-Davis. Hey, I'll take the yards however I can get them!

Sioux dodge a bullet. Interception on Freund trying to go to Bamba. Offsides UC-Davis. Let's take advantage of it.