NDSU game thread

[91rabbit]

Re: NDSU game thread

Following 89rabbit's admonition (although I probably hold Mike_H is higher esteem than most on the board), I will not reply to his question directly, but will hit it from a little different perspective.

I have not followed the Jacks close enough over the past few years like some so as to assess the mechanics/history/personnel of how/why the Jacks are now enjoying such success. What matters most now is that they beat NDSU in a truly great football game. NDSU was THE standard bearer for D2 football (I challenge anyone to deny that) for the past 30 years (especially relative to their dominance of SDSU during those years). Now they have taken their outstanding program with its unparalleled tradition and passion to D1AA. It is unavoidable that those same traits would be present at the D1AA level. Given that the Jacks have a long rivalry with the Bison, this win is all the better.

Compare this game with two other situations in the Minnesota sports scene this past weekend. The Twins and Gophers both played the elite in their respective endeavors. Both COULD have won, but the better teams prevailed. That much success and tradition gives the stellar programs a distinct edge just by walking on the field. To the point, the Jacks beat the Yankees of D2 now D1AA football.

Lastly, I don't but the argument put forth by Chris Solari (and echoed by many on this board--you know who you are!) regarding some type of inferiority complex broadly infecting South Dakotans. In my years at State, followed by frequent visits and other contacts, I find SDers (to quote my late grandfather) the salt of the earth and mostly wonderful people. What they may be exhibiting is a lack of knowledge about the behind the scenes machinations regarding scholarships coupled with a SEEMING lack of communication/input from the decision makers (a situation that is not unique to SDSU). The so-called naysayers/FESers need education and true dialogue, not scorn from perceived elites who already govern too much of their lives.

[TK22867]

Re: NDSU game thread

I am looking into getting season tickets for the last football game (to secure my seats for next year) and basketball seats ........even though I missed the deadline. Hopefully Erin can help me out!

I never thought the Chiefs ticket prices were too bad, especially after seeing the Vikings ticket prices. I had to give them up since I moved back to SF from KC. If I was down there I would probably still have the seats and be wondering why they are 0-2 at Arrowhead!

TK,

Welcome to the board.  Funny you should ask.  I also gave up my KC Chief tickets this year (15% price hike .  .  . third most expensive ticket in the NFL  > ), and got Jackrabbit season tickets.  Not only are they a bargain, and the Jacks are more fun to watch, but I have great seats (45 yard line 12 rows up).  I would encourage anyone who was interested to get season tickets and join the Jackrabbit club.  It is money well spent.  In the future, we have some of the best teams in the nation coming to Brookings.  Georgia Southern the current #1 team in I-AA (opened their season with a great showing against Georgia) is scheduled for Brookings next year.  As Timbuk Three sang .  .  . The futures so bright I gotta wear shades!  8)

Go State!  ;D

[CatchEmAll_Guy]

Re: NDSU game thread

Not to rain on the celebration, but here are a couple questions for the masses since my wife got sick of me talking about them.

1. With 5:40 left in the game and trailing by 7 facing 4th and 7, am I the only one who was screaming for Stig to go for it? My logic was that NDSU had put together sustained drives the whole second half even though they didn't score. After the field goal I wasn't sure if the defense would hold to give the O enough time.

2. Again, after the field goal to cut the NDSU lead to 4, was I the only one questioning the clock management taking place. We had three time outs and only used one at 2:40 to stop the clock after we stopped NDSU on 3rd down.

Both of these situations worked out in SDSU's favor, but were major concerns for me at the time. And I've already been told to leave the pass interference alone, but I've never walked away from a win feeling like I did Saturday. I can only imagine how the Bison fans felt. Feel free to bring the trapped ball into the equation, but they would have had an entire half to adjust to that non call.

I sat on the visiting side, 5 yardline on the south end. While I couldn't see all of the NDSU fans, I watched the SDSU side the whole game. IMO, our fans could learn alot from the Bison fans I saw. Seemed like there was no emotion until the last two minutes. Also want to throw this out - NDSU's colors are Green and Gold based on what their fans were wearing, SDSU's range from Blue and Yellow, to grey, white, black, some red, light blue, you get the picture. I'm not the first to point out that our fans don't whear school colors and I know I won't be the last.

[Jacks99]

Re: NDSU game thread

1. I think it was the right call to kick the FG. We needed two scores to win. I don't think going for 2 is an option or assuming winning it in OT. It was likely a pre-determined scenario decision.

If we converted for a 1st down without a touchdown, we would have had much less time for the last drive as well.

It worked out well for us.

2. I'm not sure on time-out management, but that was a nice final drive with the time left.

3. I don't like bringing calls into a close game discussion, in a close game the team that creates the slight advantage wins. You could argue that NDSU players lost their footing repeatadly and could have cost them the game etc....

[CatchEmAll_Guy]

Re: NDSU game thread

1.  I think it was the right call to kick the FG.  We needed two scores to win.  I don't think going for 2 is an option or assuming winning it in OT.   It was likely a pre-determined scenario decision.

Glad you brought this up. I didn't hear it myself, but was told that Stig said in the post game he wanted to go for it, but Luke Meadows convinced him to kick the field goal. Sorry I didn't mention that earlier.

[91rabbit]

Re: NDSU game thread

Since I wasn't in Brookings for the game, I will need to assistance on this one.

Jacks99: If the Bison lost their footing, why is that? Was the field beat to a pulp from BHS on Friday night? Great if it happens to the Bison, but just wait for Watson to slip and all of you will agree with me about the turf at CAS!

[CatchEmAll_Guy]

Re: NDSU game thread

Since I wasn't in Brookings for the game, I will need to assistance on this one.

Jacks99: If the Bison lost their footing, why is that? Was the field beat to a pulp from BHS on Friday night? Great if it happens to the Bison, but just wait for Watson to slip and all of you will agree with me about the turf at CAS!

Field looked great. Started getting damp as the night wore on from the drop in temperature.

Can anyone tell me what was below the stretch SD at mid field. I couldn't tell from the east side.

[Mike_H]

Re: NDSU game thread

91: You are not going to let that go, are you?

Just don't get to the point where we are comparing you to SDSUFAN and his helicopters!

[Jacks99]

Re: NDSU game thread

I disagree, I think the field looked very hard with the grass tore up decent for only two prior SDSU home games. I saw at least three times that the NDSU player slipped to the ground on a cut before an SDSU player could touch them. The field was in average CAS shape, poor in general standards.

The painting was better this week and they had "190" below the SD and then "M" below that, had to do with the border marker.

[jackmd]

Re: NDSU game thread

It was the the same as the insignia at the base of the Dakota marker.

[Jacks99]

Re: NDSU game thread

I sat on the visiting side, 5 yardline on the south end.  While I couldn't see all of the NDSU fans, I watched the SDSU side the whole game.  IMO, our fans could learn alot from the Bison fans I saw.  Seemed like there was no emotion until the last two minutes.  Also want to throw this out - NDSU's colors are Green and Gold based on what their fans were wearing, SDSU's range from Blue and Yellow, to grey, white, black, some red, light blue, you get the picture.  I'm not the first to point out that our fans don't whear school colors and I know I won't be the last.

Have to respond to this one as well.

I agree we have a less motivated crowd than NDSU, less colors.

Reasons (not excuses) Their best fans are going to make the road trip. A majority of our fans are still going to be from the Brookings community and aren't going to lose their voice like me :-X and yell the whole game.

SDSU doesn't have the football tradition that NDSU has, I hope this changes, but you can't compare the two. Hopefully in the BBall season this switches sides.

Lastly, as discussed in other threads/forums, there hasn't been very good marketing for the school colors and what there is available is really expensive. I looked for a good sweatshirt or pullover at the Union and downtown and found neither under 40-50 bucks. To some that isn't much, but for the average fan it is.

[91rabbit]

Re: NDSU game thread

Mike:

Remember who your friends are!

I only jumped in because it was mentioned that Bison were slipping on the field. I actually don't lose that much sleep over it!

While I am an avid conspiracy theorist, I don't think that letting BHS play at CAS is related to black helicopters or the CFR, just merely a stupid and very short-sighted decision. I know that I promised to let it go but I was provoked!

[jackmd]

Re: NDSU game thread

Not to rain on the celebration, but here are a couple questions for the masses since my wife got sick of me talking about them.

1. With 5:40 left in the game and trailing by 7 facing 4th and 7, am I the only one who was screaming for Stig to go for it?  My logic was that NDSU had put together sustained drives the whole second half even though they didn't score.  After the field goal I wasn't sure if the defense would hold to give the O enough time.

2. Again, after the field goal to cut the NDSU lead to 4, was I the only one questioning the clock management taking place.  We had three time outs and only used one at 2:40 to stop the clock after we stopped NDSU on 3rd down.  

Both of these situations worked out in SDSU's favor, but were major concerns for me at the time.  And I've already been told to leave the pass interference alone, but I've never walked away from a win feeling like I did Saturday.  I can only imagine how the Bison fans felt.  Feel free to bring the trapped ball into the equation, but they would have had an entire half to adjust to that non call.

I sat on the visiting side, 5 yardline on the south end.  While I couldn't see all of the NDSU fans, I watched the SDSU side the whole game.  IMO, our fans could learn alot from the Bison fans I saw.  Seemed like there was no emotion until the last two minutes.  Also want to throw this out - NDSU's colors are Green and Gold based on what their fans were wearing, SDSU's range from Blue and Yellow, to grey, white, black, some red, light blue, you get the picture.  I'm not the first to point out that our fans don't whear school colors and I know I won't be the last.

I had to argue with a former SDSU coach in support of the FG, he wanted to go for it. Having followed the Bison closely this year I suspected they would stick to the ground game, completely abandoning the pass and I knew we could stop them.

Watched the game via satellite and it was a definite hold on the bison DB which prevented that catch. Thats what I saw.

Clock managment is debatable. Can't stop the clock on D except with a TO. Offense can stop the clock as they wish (almost). Might have been wise to use another TO on D.

[jackmd]

Re: NDSU game thread

99:

I am sure jackmd will be along shortly, but if I may take the liberty of answering for now...Small crowd (from both schools) but a good time was had by all.  Only 8 Jacks fans (four from jackmd and me and our wives).  Only thing better would have been to be at CAS.  In fact, at 9:30 I mentioned that if we left Rochester at that time, we could have made last call in Brookings.

Right after 91 made that comment about last call his wife laid a backhand on him that would have knocked a lesser man on his can.  

Otherwise, agreed.  It was a good time made great by a Jackrabbit performance that I will never forget.  The sound was terrible but thats the fault of the establishment not anyone else.  I believe next years match-up conflicts with pheasant opener, bad news for me.

P.S. 18 people on the board on Monday afternoon. Someone must be interested in SDSU. For those who allow themselves to feel bullied, try to remember, sticks and stones.... life is easier and more enjoyable that way.

[91rabbit]

Re: NDSU game thread

jackmd:

As you witnessed, she does keep me in line! ;D

BTW, did you plan the open date to coincide with the SD state holiday (pheasant opener)? Nice timing! Given your vast and dignified connections, I assume it was a piece of cake!