If Minnesota's run-it-back strategy is going to work then the previous week's developments will have to be everything they can be. That means king Ze'Darius & Danielle Hunter combining for 25+ sacks. If the outcomes don't yield better than 6/7/8 wins then perhaps the ownership will see the light and let a full-blown rebuild happen. In either case, the team is better than they were at this time last week and Rob Brzezinski is still the chief cap wizard for the fine print in the Smith deal. They then took another step toward turning the defense around by adding another depth member for the defensive back group, CB Chandon Sullivan on a one-year deal.
In addition to those moves, the first mock draft was released!
Before the competition began NDSU had a big week for it's 🏈 players! On campus it was through the annual pro day as Christian Watson & three of his former teammates put themselves to tests. As they went through the drills Chris Board showed what they are aspiring to as he signed a contract with Detroit.
Mid-week also included Player of the Week recognition for Maddie Herzog after a quality performance in Arizona.
That gave way to the men & women competing in Raleigh, NC Thursday through Saturday. The newly named Indoor Athlete of the Year, Trevor Otterdahl, kept his season soaring. It was far from a one-man show as Amanda Anderson had the third-best day with the discus while the men held their own. They saved some of the best for last as Amy Phillips & Otterdahl had two of the best hammer throws in school history!
Across the country decimated Northern Colorado 20 - 3 in the series opener and then finished the sweep Sunday, 15 - 1. The middle game was closer but a five run eighth inning broke it open for the Bison. It was a different story on the softball diamond as NDSU split with South Dakota Saturday and were routed in the rubber match.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, Mayville State made the drive down Thursday for a pair of softball games. They got the third win of the season but weren't able to double their season win total. The other competition of the week was a visit by Mary Saturday which finished 5 - 2 in favor of the guests.
Even if there had been 10 events that all finished as blowout wins the headline of the week would be the same - Chad Walthall decided to hang up his whistle after 12 years with the university so that he can be there to watch his kids in their college competition. He built the men's 🏀 program into a consistent contender so now it will fall on the next guy to maintain & improve the talent quality even more, big shoes to fill!
Concordia's week was on the lighter side but still included some significant developments. Thursday it was announced that Nathan Kahlbaugh will take over as the head men's ⛳️ coach.
Due to cancellations softball was limited to two games this week against Wisconsin-Superior. Even with their ace, Megan Gavin, in the circle they lost 4 - 1 but then were able to salvage a split with a 3 - 2 victory.
Both 🎾 teams took the court against Northwestern-St. Paul Saturday, neither was able to secure victory. They each flipped the script Sunday in the first of two against MN-Morris 9 - 0 (M) & 8 - 1 (F). The guys victory was the first for coach Nate Young. The second set was against Hamline, the women played the Pipers to the same outcome while the guys heard the music in a 7 - 2 loss.
The third-to-last week of the regular season had a tough beginning as Dallas put the PitWolves down a peg or two, followed by a statement in Phoenix as to what it looks like to truly be one of the best teams in the Association. Back at home Friday, it was Dallas again and for the fourth time this season the home team was victorious, which adds some intrigue if the two teams meet in the postseason. They concluded the week in Boston and it was no tea party. If the players thought they could coast into the playoffs that has certainly been shown to not be an option even though they briefly bumped Denver from the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings. Even with the outcomes the chance to avoid the extra games remains. The April Fools Day game in Mile High will have as high of stakes as any game for this franchise since the win & in game in 2018 versus the same club. Only way the pressure could be amplified is if it were the regular season finale again!
All that followed the third Conference Player of the Week award of the season for Mega-KAT. Individually the week got even better as Towns joined KG as the only player in franchise's history to score 11,000 points, in 100 fewer games!
Saturday evening embarrassment gave way to Sunday fun for the Bolts. In over two months Des Moines had not been victorious away from their home ice. That streak was broken in lopsided fashion as the final four scores went DM's way. Fargo stormed back Sunday afternoon with a five-goal second period which propelled to a 6 - 0 W. It was the most potent period for the team yet this season. Sunday was also the first shutout of the year for Matej Marinov against 27 SOG. They begin the final month of the season at home Friday against Omaha.
We are one week closer to first pitch at Newman there are two more names on the roster for the Birds. A blast from the recent past, Sebastian Kessay will be back on the bump. They will also once again have the services of John Silviano this Summer after his 116-hit 2021 season. With a little more than a month remaining til they open up at Winnipeg more moves may take place but there's already plenty to be excited about!
Reminder that scores are added daily plus there's a new home for recruiting news, so check back often!
Now for this week's highlights
Even with a sparse amount of competition the prep level made some waves this week. Locally that included a strong contingent for both the girls & boys all-state teams.
Between the lines, Moorhead boys 🏀 had it's season come to an end in the consolation semi-finals at the state tournament after being held to 28 points by Wayzata in the opening round.
This week also included NDSU hosting an indoor meet. Among the winners was Oak Grove's Jon Asche in the 800M while Kindred finished as the top boys team, Central Cass did likewise on the girls side.
Outside the lines, Shanley will be looking for a new coach for their boys as Tony Paper decided to step down from their head coaching position.
After a week in Florida Post 400 traveled to Iowa for what was supposed to be a pair of doubleheaders. Due to field conditions that was cut in half but the Stars still shined with 29 runs scored to one given up Saturday.
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