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North Dakota State, SDSU feel move up is paying off
Chris Solari
csolari@argusleader.com
published: 10/8/2004
(continued from an earlier post. Had to split. It was too long for one post)
Recruiting
It's too early to tell how well recruiting has been, seeing as how most freshmen aren't yet acclimated to the college game.
However, NDSU boosted its football scholarships immediately this year to 54.5, while SDSU is at 38 and plans to slowly inch toward the I-AA maximum of 63.
The Jacks do have a number of true and redshirt freshmen dotting their two-deep already, a testament to the job the coaching staff has done in the past two years.
"Within our program, we evaluated and looked for certain characteristics. We didn't go out there throwing darts," Stiegelmeier said. "We went after guys who believe in the mission of South Dakota State football."
In other programs, each school has landed their share of upper-tier regional recruits. But the impact of the newcomers won't truly be felt until next year and beyond.
EARLY EDGE: Toss-up.
Interest, marketing
The Bison's sellout crowd of 18,665 for their first I-AA game was the result of a concerted marketing barrage on the Fargo area. It was the first sellout of NDSU's dome for a game that wasn't against UND.
"I walked around and thought, ÔWe're actually here,' " Taylor said.
NDSU's three-game average of 13,739 is on par with last year's rate.
SDSU drew 8,718 for its first game of the season against Division II Winona State. Through two home games, the Jacks are averaging 6,973 fans. Last year's season average was 5,547.
SDSU's five-year average for football attendance coming into 2004 was slightly more than 6,000 a game.
Expect this year's season average to jump this weekend. Portable bleachers have been brought into Coughlin-Alumni Stadium in anticipation of an overflow crowd. The stadium record is 16,193, set Oct. 19, 1985, in a 24-12 victory against the University of South Dakota.
Both schools are trying to build this annual football matchup into one of the region's premier events. A first step was taken when the student bodies established the Dakota Marker traveling trophy at a ceremony on the border last April.
"The speed at which they put together the traveling trophy is a material goal," Stiegelmeier said.
While NDSU has aggressively marketed its program's shift in divisions, SDSU has fallen behind USD in South Dakota as far as plugging itself. However, expect the Jackrabbit brass to do more within the next year when more contests will be held at home.
EARLY EDGE: NDSU
Chris Solari
csolari@argusleader.com
published: 10/8/2004
(continued from an earlier post. Had to split. It was too long for one post)
Recruiting
It's too early to tell how well recruiting has been, seeing as how most freshmen aren't yet acclimated to the college game.
However, NDSU boosted its football scholarships immediately this year to 54.5, while SDSU is at 38 and plans to slowly inch toward the I-AA maximum of 63.
The Jacks do have a number of true and redshirt freshmen dotting their two-deep already, a testament to the job the coaching staff has done in the past two years.
"Within our program, we evaluated and looked for certain characteristics. We didn't go out there throwing darts," Stiegelmeier said. "We went after guys who believe in the mission of South Dakota State football."
In other programs, each school has landed their share of upper-tier regional recruits. But the impact of the newcomers won't truly be felt until next year and beyond.
EARLY EDGE: Toss-up.
Interest, marketing
The Bison's sellout crowd of 18,665 for their first I-AA game was the result of a concerted marketing barrage on the Fargo area. It was the first sellout of NDSU's dome for a game that wasn't against UND.
"I walked around and thought, ÔWe're actually here,' " Taylor said.
NDSU's three-game average of 13,739 is on par with last year's rate.
SDSU drew 8,718 for its first game of the season against Division II Winona State. Through two home games, the Jacks are averaging 6,973 fans. Last year's season average was 5,547.
SDSU's five-year average for football attendance coming into 2004 was slightly more than 6,000 a game.
Expect this year's season average to jump this weekend. Portable bleachers have been brought into Coughlin-Alumni Stadium in anticipation of an overflow crowd. The stadium record is 16,193, set Oct. 19, 1985, in a 24-12 victory against the University of South Dakota.
Both schools are trying to build this annual football matchup into one of the region's premier events. A first step was taken when the student bodies established the Dakota Marker traveling trophy at a ceremony on the border last April.
"The speed at which they put together the traveling trophy is a material goal," Stiegelmeier said.
While NDSU has aggressively marketed its program's shift in divisions, SDSU has fallen behind USD in South Dakota as far as plugging itself. However, expect the Jackrabbit brass to do more within the next year when more contests will be held at home.
EARLY EDGE: NDSU