Whatever faint hopes remained of the Purple digging out of the hole & extending their season past 17 games were improved today. It's still unlikely but they kept the door open a smidge. Now they will get some of the stalwart players back just in time for the border battle at the Palace. Even if Patrick Peterson is able to get back on the field in the form that he was at prior to his injury Cam Bynum needs to remain in the mix as a hybrid third safety. If they can get Anthony Barr back all the better but Eric Kendricks continues to be the centerpiece of that position so whatever approach they have to take to avoid a practice injury this week, take it!
There is never a scenario where losing to Green Bay is acceptable and that must be the mindset all week.
But back to today's game. Justin Jefferson & Dalvin Cook were the aces of the offense while Thielen & Conklin played well in complimentary roles. It's surprising that KJ Osborn was a complete non-factor, they could be setting him up for a bigger role next week though.
Have never been reluctant to bash the coach when he does things that are disagree with but the fake punt call as well as the two fourth down conversions are the sort of desperately aggressive plays that the team needs! Now they need to not revert back to the failing ways of playing it safe.
Being able to just keep themselves afloat with 118 yards in penalties is impressive. That they overcame the infractions as often as they did fits in right along side the aggressiveness.
The week began with a conquest of the crosstown Cobbers by men's 🏀 Tuesday.
It continued with a championship challenge as #3 Missouri visited the SHAC and performed up to their billing. It got easier for that lot Saturday as they hosted their own Open.
On the shores of Lake Michigan the women got their season rolling with a quality win over Milwaukee. They couldn't find their way to a 2-0 start as Green Bay pulled away down the stretch. In between the men began their Southwest trip with a slight edge of Cal Poly. They did so despite being without the services of Sam Griesel who had to undergo abdominal surgery in CA. With the high aspirations of the team there isn't a good time for an injury but now is as good a time as any for an absence. If the reports that he will make a full recovery remain accurate then all the better!
Friday also included the cross country teams in Iowa City for the regional races. To put it simply, the men & women could have done worse but they've been better.
A day later put a bow on their regular season road-tripping with a shutout win over UND. They have two more home dates before the conference tournament in Vermillion.
Which just leaves the game in Ohio.
Here's one nugget that was just shared: In over 20 years of regular season games the team has not racked up as many rushing yards as they did yesterday.
Moorhead began it's three day weekend with a loss in Marshall by 🏊 . 🏐 couldn't do much to turn the tide as they added two more losses to their season total to conclude the Fall. Nor could the women's 🏀 as they lost both of their games by double digits. 🏐 did have Amanda Carlson on the All-Conference, which is a fairly like a win.
The men did squeak out one a win over SE Oklahoma St. Friday lead by Lorenzo McGhee. A day later they played their way to double overtime but finished a three short of triple OT against Oklahoma Baptist.
As those seasons just begin their months of competition, 🏈 ended theirs against Wayne State in what could be one final valuable lesson before they begin to hit the weights again.
🤼 also took part in the Open on the north side of town with a mixed set of results.
As part of a great week for West Fargo, Telvin Vah was named Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in points & goals. As a junior he will have the chance to cement himself as one of the best to ever walk the campus. He was joined on the recognitions list by senior Nate Weaver who was All-Conference Honorable Mention. The women also had a pair of players included in the All-Conference announcement as Lauren Tschider & Sophia Robinson were Honorable Mentions.
When the games began 🏒 each had a pair against St. Mary's. The men teed off on the goalie scoring eight Friday & six Saturday to win their first set of the season. The women held the scores more in-check but finished on the wrong end of 3 - 2 & 3 - 1 finals.
Thursday 🤼 traveled to Aberdeen but were overwhelmed in most of the weight classes.
The 🏀 teams each hosted their first action of the season Saturday. A few days after an exhibition against NDSU Tyler Bormann got his first win against Martin Luther, a game which further solidified that several locals will be in the rotation this season. The women opened conference play against St. Kate's as Emily Beseman put on a show!
🏈 had it's final game of the season, a forgettable showing in the snow against Gustavus.
But that wasn't how the week would end as Munir Isahak was announced as a qualifier for the D3 cross country national race.
Minnesota headed to the southwest with a six-game losing streak but were able to avoid the seventh against the Lakeless. In a game that didn't include the games greatest mercenary, LA was brushed aside in the third quarter. In the same building the next day it was the other Los Angeles team that served up a dose of domination, 38 - 17 in the second from which the Howl could not recover. They are following the trend of the MN pro sports teams in squandering the talent that has been assembled. Perhaps the 🏒 team can reset the trend, but even that would be of no use to this lot.
The Bolts extended their losing streak to eight games with 3 - 0 losses to Sioux City Friday & Saturday. If it hits double digits it will mean they lost every game over a months time. There is plenty of time to get it turned around but there is enough of a sample size now to think that they won't have a max-length season.
Reminder that scores are added daily, so check back often.
But now for the highlights
The Fall season continue it's run of conclusions this week, beginning with another milestone on the 🏐 court. This time it was Central Cass' Tori Richter who hit quadruple digits. Their county neighbors will have some additions to club soon with the way they excel at the game. To wit, Northern Cass repeated as region 1 champs with a shutout W over CC Thursday. They will carry the undefeated season into a first round game against Garrison as the top seed the upcoming Thursday. The All-Region Team was flush with locals!
That laid the groundwork for the Class A East Region tournament. Sheyenne & Davies qualified for State while West Fargo faced Shanley for the conference crown with the Bulls coming out ahead, 3 - 0. Here's how that bracket will begin:
The Fargos were also well represented on that All-Tournament team:
To the East of the river Hawley began their first experience at the State 🏐 tournament with a comeback win over #2 seeded Cannon Falls 3 - 2. They lost in the semi-finals but were able to bounce back with a 3 - 2 win over Mounds Park Academy to take home third place. With the success came All-Tournament recognition for Faith Rustad & Alex Eilertson.
At the same time 🏊 & 🏈 were advancing their seasons. Moorhead had a slew of qualifiers for the State meet this Friday/Saturday, in so doing they reset many records & placed third at the section meet.
On the gridiron Barnesville advanced to the semi-finals with a win over Eden Valley/Watkins, Fertile/Beltrami doubled-up Mountain Iron/Buhl to continue their undefeated season but D/G/F's season was ended by Annandale.
Back in North Dakota, the Friday finale unfolded. Kindred had the first chance to keep a trophy in the region and did so in emphatic fashion against Hillsboro/CV. Jamestown played the third game of the day, against St. Mary's and were also victorious. When the awards were being handed out postgame, North's Adam Roland was named coach of the year for the second-highest level in the state.
Then came the All-West Fargo encore. Sheyenne's third chance at the championship proved to be the right one with a 27 - 7 game which they dominated that completely. Jeremy Newton was then named coach of the year for leading the Mustangs to an undefeated season. Senior Athlete of the Year went the way of Shanley's Aidan DeVine, who may join his running mate John Gores on the next level. Gores was one of the last to make news on that front as it was recruiting Christmas this week!
And not to be missed, Friday/Saturday also included time pool-side in Bismarck with a flurry of locals having the best days in their various events. It culminated with Sheyenne finishing a close second to Century.
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