GDT: North Dakota State (11/04/23)

[Prairiehaas]

Good catch! I thought I spotted the falg but wasn't entirely focused on College Game Day yesterday...nice job getting the pictures. I wonder who the Jacks fan was that carried the flag.

The photo was sent to me by a friend that shares season tickets. He happened to be out west hunting elk this weekend. The flag was courtesy of his sister in-law's husband on short vacation to Alabama with attending that game on the itinerary. Game Day was a lucky development presenting opportunity to show yellow and blue.

[jackrabit1]

I'm fine with them missing the playoffs, even though that would mean UNI and SIU winning the next couple weeks.

I'm interested in how the people who were asserting that NDSU's dominance was "bad for the FCS" a couple years ago would view them missing the playoffs.

It could end up being like Nebraska. Dominant in the 80s and 90s… a non-factor now.

[jakejc795]

It could end up being like Nebraska. Dominant in the 80s and 90s… a non-factor now.

The Nebraska reference is interesting when viewed in context of their move to B1G10 and how that's seemingly been detrimental to their "relevance"

Seems likely the Bison could experience similar circumstances if they moved to FBS.

[jakejc795]

Just watched the end of the replay -- wonder how the lady in Bison garb made it to the balcony of the SFSAC (2:57:40)

[Prairiehaas]

Going into the game I thought the Bison would be well prepared and make it a close game. Their offensive and defensive stats were not dissimilar to the Jacks. On the Bison first series they looked well prepared. I figured it would be a slug out. Then, when the conversion was missed, I felt really good that the Jacks would prevail. I knew the Bison couldn't afford to fall behind with their style of play. As it turned out I overestimated them and their stats. I hadn't accounted for those stats being built up against lesser opponents.

The game was largely over at half time. Truly, it seemed the crowd lost interest in the game for a stretch late in the third after the interception. It seemed those that stayed into the fourth were mainly there to see The Marker celebration.

Last comment. On the way out of town I saw two Bison fans walking south on Medary carrying their Water Buffalo Lodge hats. They were carrying them down, nearly dragging on the sidewalk. Horns down. I wish I had gotten a photo.

[jakejc795]

Going into the game I thought the Bison would be well prepared and make it a close game. Their offensive and defensive stats were not dissimilar to the Jacks. On the Bison first series they looked well prepared. I figured it would be a slug out. Then, when the conversion was missed, I felt really good that the Jacks would prevail. I knew the Bison couldn't afford to fall behind with their style of play. As it turned out I overestimated them and their stats. I hadn't accounted for those stats being built up against lesser opponents.

The game was largely over at half time. Truly, it seemed the crowd lost interest in the game for a stretch late in the third after the interception. It seemed those that stayed into the fourth were mainly there to see The Marker celebration.

Last comment. On the way out of town I saw two Bison fans walking south on Medary carrying their Water Buffalo Lodge hats. They were carrying them down, nearly dragging on the sidewalk. Horns down. I wish I had gotten a photo.

For those who don't understand the reference

My parents and I were discussing those hats in the days leading up to the game (with my mom referring to them as "Fred Flintstone hats").

I'm waiting for Jackrabbit Central to make some H-shaped foam finger-esque novelties with the index and middle fingers raised for "Ears Up" on one side and the index and pinkie lowered and "Horns Down" on the other when flipped.

I bear no responsibility for folks also folding down the index finger of the "Ears Up" side to salute any rude Bison fans.

[AZjack]

Game was a great time and tailgating was fun.

Only complaint is that they need to have about 20 porta potties set up on the east side. Beer and concessions lines were too long, that needs to be fixed.

[mnjackrbt]

Game was a great time and tailgating was fun.

Only complaint is that they need to have about 20 porta potties set up on the east side. Beer and concessions lines were too long, that needs to be fixed.

If you are talking porta potties inside the east side of the stadium and not outside on the east tailgate lot.... Every single game, at all times of the game, there's a Men's Restroom in the SE Corner that never has a line while all the other Men's Restrooms on the east side, as you head north, are backed up into the concourse.

And for entering the game, the entrance on the SE corner is always quite long while the "main entrance" on the west side is quite short.

All Bison fans I encountered were extremely nice and complimentary of our team, stadium, fans, etc. and also seemed to understand that our team was superior to theirs.

[da_coach]

I honestly feel, and no disrespect intended to the Bison...they got our "B" game.

If they see our A game it looks a lot like the USD game.

The Jackrabbits are that much better, right now.

[bigticket1]

Combined rant and rave -- I'm tired of the Ungulates' lamentations about the number of 6th year seniors (by both Fargo media and Entz), as if they didn't have the same opportunity to keep their players. First, it's not the Jacks' fault NDSU had players bolt for the portal.

Second, which doubles as the "rave" -- the Jacks were confronted with circumstances over a decade ago that represented an inflection point in the program's development. They could either adapt and consistently recruit the athletes necessary to compete with, and ultimately vanquish NDSU, or they could whine about having to play future NFL QBs, WRs, and OL.

It's obvious that Stig's and his staff's decisions have not only contributed to the Jacks' supremacy, they have also fostered a culture where players like Gales feel empowered to bring players like Freeman to the team. Moreover, "independent" transfers like Stalbird are vital contributors.

It's ironic that folks in Fargo (mostly media at this point) are now wondering if the Bison would even want players who would be their 6th year seniors to return next season (and frustratingly whether Jacks will be as good next season and whether players like Gronowski will transfer)

Sam Herder had an interesting tweet today about the whole senior class debate between the two rosters. Both teams have 10 sixth year seniors, while NDSU has one more senior listed on their roster compared to the Jacks.

[SteelSD]

Just a bit of a PSA for Bison HC Matt Entz based off the listed starters for the game:

2018
Jadon Janke
Jaxon Janke
DyShawn Gales
Mason McCormick
Garret Greenfield
Zack Heins
Cade Terveer
Ryan Van Marel

2019
Adam Bock
Quinton Hicks
Jared DePriest
Caden Johnson
Evan Beernsten

2020
Hunter Dustman
Mark Gronowski
Isaiah Davis
Cale Reeder
Dalys Beanum
Gus Miller

2021
Amar Johnson
Tucker Large

Transfers
John O'Brien
Jason Freeman
Saiveon Willaimson

So please tell me again how we only beat you because of that "one class?!"

[WestSideRabbit]

Just a bit of a PSA for Bison HC Matt Entz based off the listed starters for the game:

2018
Jadon Janke
Jaxon Janke
DyShawn Gales
Mason McCormick
Garret Greenfield
Zack Heins
Cade Terveer
Ryan Van Marel

2019
Adam Bock
Quinton Hicks
Jared DePriest
Caden Johnson
Evan Beernsten

2020
Hunter Dustman
Mark Gronowski
Isaiah Davis
Cale Reeder
Dalys Beanum
Gus Miller

2021
Amar Johnson
Tucker Large

Transfers
John O'Brien
Jason Freeman
Saiveon Willaimson

So please tell me again how we only beat you because of that "one class?!"

Only correction, Saiveon should be with the top group. Isaiah Stalbird should be on the transfer group.

[mnjackrbt]

Only correction, Saiveon should be with the top group. Isaiah Stalbird should be on the transfer group.

Speaking of Saiveon WIlliamson, I am very impressed with how he has handled his time at SDSU. From pretty much knowing his entire career would be behind Adam Bock and yet sticking it out. Suffering a severe injury in the spring FCS championship game? ACL? Achilles? Missing that next fall season. Still sticking it out and not transferring. I am not a LB expert, but I have not noticed him hurting our defense in any way. I've noticed him making plays. Bock is obviously very good, so I'm sure there is a drop off between him and Williamson, however it is not noticeable to my casual fan eye.

[JacksFan80]

Just a bit of a PSA for Bison HC Matt Entz based off the listed starters for the game:

2018
Jadon Janke
Jaxon Janke
DyShawn Gales
Mason McCormick
Garret Greenfield
Zack Heins
Cade Terveer
Ryan Van Marel

2019
Adam Bock
Quinton Hicks
Jared DePriest
Caden Johnson
Evan Beernsten

2020
Hunter Dustman
Mark Gronowski
Isaiah Davis
Cale Reeder
Dalys Beanum
Gus Miller

2021
Amar Johnson
Tucker Large

Transfers
John O'Brien
Jason Freeman
Saiveon Willaimson

So please tell me again how we only beat you because of that "one class?!"

Obviously the 2018 group is the most impactful in terms of overall importance this season, but that’s to be expected when those guys are 24 year olds. What I love about this list is that there’s key contributors in each group, with the possibility of all those guys returning next season, outside of the 2018 class.

As a side note this got me looking at the roster and I saw quite a few 5th year seniors who aren’t starters, specifically on the O-Line, who could return next year as 6th years. Would be great to replace our current 6th year seniors with another group of 6th years.