Fighting Sioux at Southern Utah

[Cratter]

With the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota dominating the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State over.

We turn our attention to the next opponent: Southern Utah Thunderbirds, a future Big Sky opponent, and current Great West Conference opponent.

The Sioux should have all their hands full as SUU just beat a FBS (I-A) team in UNLV for a record of 3-1 with the one loss coming by a point at South Dakota State.

Massey Ratings give UND a 13% chance to win this game.

[UNDColorado]

Unfortunately SUU looked awesome, albeit against a not very good UNLV. Going to be a challenge.

[Cratter]

I am not sure the stats but I don't believe the Sioux the past few years have really beaten anyone they were not suppose to.

Cal Poly at home in '09?

Southern Utah has beat the Fighting Sioux the last three times these teams have met.

Go Sioux!

[dakotadan]

Southern Utah University Thunderbirds

Location: Cedar City, Utah

Enrollment: 7,509

Founded: 1897

Colors: Scarlet and White

President: Dr. Michael Benson

Athletics Director: Ken Beazer

Joined The Summit League: 1997

Joining The Big Sky Conference: 2012

University Website: www.suu.edu

Athletics Website: www.suutbirds.com

Sat, Sep 03 South Dakota State; Brookings, S.D. 28 - 29 (L)

Sat, Sep 10 Sacramento State; Cedar City, Utah 35 - 14 (W)

Sat, Sep 17 Texas-San Antonio; Cedar City, Utah 45 - 22 (W)

Sat, Sep 24 UNLV; Las Vegas, Nev. --------------- 41 - 16 (W)

Sat, Oct 01 North Dakota * Cedar City, Utah 1:00 p.m.

Sat, Oct 08 South Dakota * Vermillion, S.D. 3:00 p.m.

Sat, Oct 15 Cal Poly * San Luis Obispo, Calif. 7:05 p.m.

Sat, Oct 22 Weber State Ogden, Utah 4:00 p.m.

Sat, Oct 29 UC Davis * Cedar City, Utah 1:00 p.m.

Sat, Nov 12 Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa 5:00 p.m.

Sat, Nov 19 Northern Arizona Flagstaff, Ariz. 3:05 p.m.

[UND92,96]

I am not sure the stats but I don't believe the Sioux the past few years have really beaten anyone they were not suppose to.

Cal Poly at home in '09?

Southern Utah has beat the Fighting Sioux the last three times these teams have met.

Go Sioux!

The Cal Poly win seemed a lot bigger at the time than it ended up being, since Poly went into the tank after that game and finished below .500. To the best of my knowledge, since the start of the dI transition UND has one road win over a team that finished above .500, and that was at USD in 2008 (who finished 6-5 but had 5 non-dI wins). This will be a tough game, but SUU is not as good as Fresno State, so let's hope for a similar performance to that game and let the chips fall where they may.

[Feff]

They aren't as good as Fresno but can UND get motivated for them like Fresno? I really don't have a good feeling going into this game as SUU has looked terrific this year and has one of the best QB's in FCS this year, which does not match up well with the weakness in our defensive backfield.

[tnt]

They aren't as good as Fresno but can UND get motivated for them like Fresno? I really don't have a good feeling going into this game as SUU has looked terrific this year and has one of the best QB's in FCS this year, which does not match up well with the weakness in our defensive backfield.

If they can't get motivated when the Sioux were picked to finish last in the Great West, then something really needs to change. These are the kind of games where Mussman and the Sioux will be judged from here on out.

[Hayduke]

If they can't get motivated when the Sioux were picked to finish last in the Great West, then something really needs to change. These are the kind of games where Mussman and the Sioux will be judged from here on out.

Bingo.

[The Sicatoka]

Dear UND Football,

You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ...

</ Jedi mind trick>

[darell1976]

UND does need to come out and play like they did in Fresno except...win the game. Don't care how you do it, just win the game. These are the FCS games to get really fired up for. We have a chance to win the last ever GWFC title, lets win it all. We beat SUU as a DII team, we can beat SUU as a DI team. Just don't beat yourself with turnovers and penalties and JUST WIN THE GAME!!!

UND 34

SUU 28

[Cratter]

Dear UND Football,

You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ... You're going back for a second shot at Fresno State this week, ...

</ Jedi mind trick>

Beat SUU beat UNLV

Lets roll.

[Let'sGoHawks!]

Boy, what a huge game on the road against SUU. They are an awfully good team, I hope the boys can pull off a win. Stopping Sorenson is the obvious answer. SUU will be ranked around 20th this week I would guess with their blowout of UNLV.

GO SIOUX!

[UND92,96]

Looking at the SUU-UNLV box score, it looks like turnovers were the difference. SUU had just 256 yards of offense, but had five takeaways. I don't especially like the matchup of UND against a good passing team, but if the Sioux can control the clock with the running game, not turn the ball over more than once, and win the special teams battle, this game is winnable. We've seen three years in a row of poor performances against SUU. It's time to actually play well against them.

[WYOBISONMAN]

Southern Utah was usually an easy win when the Bison were in the GWFC. From what I am hearing on the SLC TV channels, things are drastically improved in Cedar City. The win over UNLV is surely a high mark in their FB program. It looks like they are a very solid team and will be a great measure of UND in the FCS. A win would be key for UND.

[UND92,96]

Southern Utah was usually an easy win when the Bison were in the GWFC. From what I am hearing on the SLC TV channels, things are drastically improved in Cedar City. The win over UNLV is surely a high mark in their FB program. It looks like they are a very solid team and will be a great measure of UND in the FCS. A win would be key for UND.

It WAS an easy win, until about 2008. DII UND went to Cedar City in 2007 and dominated the game (I believe final was 37-10). They turned things around quickly, though. In fact, that program is the example I like to point to as proof that if a successful FCS program can be built there, it surely can be done here. SUU is closer to major population centers than the Dakota schools, but there are some major handicaps there that we don't face which probably more than negate that advantage.

[UNDColorado]

I noticed that SUU also uses neulion to webcast their games. Anyone know if there is a chance if fightingsioux.com will pick it up?

[UND92,96]

Over the past seven games, UND quarterbacks have combined for one td pass.

[WYOBISONMAN]

It WAS an easy win, until about 2008. DII UND went to Cedar City in 2007 and dominated the game (I believe final was 37-10). They turned things around quickly, though. In fact, that program is the example I like to point to as proof that if a successful FCS program can be built there, it surely can be done here. SUU is closer to major population centers than the Dakota schools, but there are some major handicaps there that we don't face which probably more than negate that advantage.

Not sure if you have ever been to Cedar City......But I would think unless you are Mormon, it would be very tough to recruit there. Absolutely nothing for a heathen Lutheran such as myself to do for entertainment in that town.....or that end of the state.

When I used to go down to the NDSU games, I would always drive an extra hour to hour and 15 minutes and stay in Mesquite, NV. I would suggest that for anyone traveling to the game. The Casablanca is the nicest casino to stay at, and the Eureka is not bad either. The best value for a steak house is the one in the Eureka. Also......save a day for golf as there are some great courses down there. Falcon Ridge is spendy, but outstanding.

[UND92,96]

Not sure if you have ever been to Cedar City......But I would think unless you are Mormon, it would be very tough to recruit there. Absolutely nothing for a heathen Lutheran such as myself to do for entertainment in that town.....or that end of the state.

When I used to go down to the NDSU games, I would always drive an extra hour to hour and 15 minutes and stay in Mesquite, NV. I would suggest that for anyone traveling to the game. The Casablanca is the nicest casino to stay at, and the Eureka is not bad either. The best value for a steak house is the one in the Eureka. Also......save a day for golf as there are some great courses down there. Falcon Ridge is spendy, but outstanding.

Yes, the Morman issue was what I meant by SUU having handicaps we don't. I agree that it likely makes it difficult to recruit non-Mormans.

[bincitysioux]

I think the Sioux can win this game. But SUU is a terrible match-up for North Dakota. If a guy starting his first collegiate game can throw for 200 yards on us, then I fully expect Sorenson to approach 400 yards passing on Saturday.

Basically we need to play exactly the way we did against Black Hills. Need to have alot of success running the ball to keep SUU's offense of the field. Need to have one or two big special teams plays, and either a defensive score or multiple take-aways. Basically we need a perfect game. On the plus side, we have put together two very good games in a row. If we can't establish the running game early, it'll be a long day. Also need to get alot pressure on Sorenson. I don't think our db's can cover their receivers, so we need to make the qb uncomfortable.

[GeauxSioux]

I think the Sioux can win this game. But SUU is a terrible match-up for North Dakota. If a guy starting his first collegiate game can throw for 200 yards on us, then I fully expect Sorenson to approach 400 yards passing on Saturday.

Basically we need to play exactly the way we did against Black Hills. Need to have alot of success running the ball to keep SUU's offense of the field. Need to have one or two big special teams plays, and either a defensive score or multiple take-aways. Basically we need a perfect game. On the plus side, we have put together two very good games in a row. If we can't establish the running game early, it'll be a long day. Also need to get alot pressure on Sorenson. I don't think our db's can cover their receivers, so we need to make the qb uncomfortable.

Reading the box score from last weekend, I see that UND only had one sack on Black Hills . I would have thought the Sioux would get a better pressure on them than that.

I have confidence that the Sioux will be able to establish the running game, as they have the last two games. Miller had a 180 yards and Garman 90 yards last week. Miller was once again the Great West player of the week.

I'm still waiting for that big game from Bradley,as I think he is capable from his stats from last year. I think the coaches are somewhat holding him back and having manage the game rather than having him press and throw a possible INT.

This game should be a good measuring stick for where the Sioux are.

[Let'sGoHawks!]

Just checked out the SUU UNLV boxscore. SUU had THREE pick-6's. THREE!

[darell1976]

This game against SUU will be our make or break season. If we win we have a great chance of going at least 8-3. If we lose we could go 4-7.

[jnmb422]

Any word on a Live Stream for this game.

[UNDColorado]

Any word on a Live Stream for this game.

I asked earlier in the thread because I noticed that they also use neulion to webcast their games; no answer yet. Someone in some other thread a while back mentioned that when other teams use neulion there is always a chance that we could pick up the feed.

At worst you pay $10 on the SUU site.