I have a question for the NCAA. I do not know if you feel as strongly about this as I do, but I am little angered by it. Spring football is starting up here in the IIAC and well spring football has already started in every other division of college football. Why is that Division 1, 2, and the NAIA are allowed to have a full month of full-pad practices for spring football but when it comes to D3 football they are only allowed to have 8 practices with just jerseys if that. Not full pads, not half shell, not even just helmets....just jerseys. What is so different about division 3 football, NAIA has the same privileges as all the other divisions and they are basically D3 football......I dont know but I think the spring football thing needs to be revised for D3 football

Greetings everyone! I know it has been forever since I have posted but believe me I have been following this years IIAC action closely as well as the Spartans.....Going back to POY and the COY talk, Zachary the RB from Central has been pretty solid this year, and the QB from COE has been pretty good as well....You can help but nominate the coaches from Central and Coe for COY.....As for the spartans, despite their record I think they have a few solid players on their squad....Hansen for sure has done some great things, Z jr has shown everyone that he still can be a break through reciever and spaulding as well...but the low key players that I have noticed were the spartans OT Matt Fort, he does a pretty good job with his blocking and rarely misses a block, and then for the defense id say the lonesome senior Grant has done a decent job along with Burton the safety and Ingham the corner. Its not always about making plays but the three guys on defense that I mentioned have had some sort of impact, and with Grant being the lonesome senior he has his hands full keeping that freshman defense in tact so i applaud him I know it is not easy being the only senior.

Hey There! Sorry I was away for such a long time, Been Busy with work, with that way things are you almost have to work as much as possible to stay ahead. Well I am glad to see that the IIAC did pretty well this past weekend. Although Wartburg lost a close one I am sure the defending conference champs will right the ship. I actually got a chance to catch the Spartans game in Rockford. Despite the score I do not think they played to their potential, They need to work hard this week because they have a really good test ahead of them this Saturday against Plattville. I like the new look offense, and the new look defense as well. No penalties from that game this past Saturday which means they are starting to play disciplined football....I will try and make the game this Saturday at Dubuque, But good luck to the other IIAC schools and as always GO SPARTANS!

My apologies to everyone for making it seem as though I am always bagging on Mr. Hansen but truly that was not my intention.....Living in the town of Dubuque and having gone to all their games and seeing the players outside of the school I can only report what I hear, But I do apologize for having it seem as tho I am bagging on the young QB I understand that this is a positive forum to comment on and I respect that, please forgive me 

Hey there.....Long Time No Talk To, I know I know you have missed me dont act too excited  , just kiddin...But Football camp starts up August 14th atleast it does for UD and the New Zweifel era in Dubuque.....I know I am excited as I am sure the rest of you are. There is a good buzz around town about the UD football team this year and with the supposed additions of the "best" recruiting class at UD the spartans are said to be contenders this year....now only if we can close one out against Central instead of losing it by a field goal or in 3 overtimes  , But this year brings excitement for all the teams in the IIAC and I am more than excited to see the results at the end of the year.....As for gossip on the block, dont be suprised to see a change at the helm talking about the QB position this year...Colton Hansens leadership and popularity among fellow players is said to be in question from a valuable source....also look for coach Taylors defense led by seniors Matt Brown and Karl Grant to play "football" fast and bring size along with it, I actually ran into Karl the other day at the gas station and he said the defense looks great...bringing in some size as well as speed  and look forward to bouncing back from a terrible defensive performance last year, he said he feels great and his teammates have been workin hard this off season......But I am sure that is the same for every team and players.....But as always GO SPARTANS!!!!!!!!   

I can agree with you about the money and how D3 cannot pay for the night games, but I think that night games would generate a bigger crowd which would bring in more money. and the other argument is that if they can have night soccer games, why not night football games.........if you put the lights in, why not use them for a sport that would generate a bigger output in fans. just food for thought. im not saying that you have to play every game at night, but for some teams like central and BV who have a long drive a night game might be more suitable travel wise.

I know its just for fun  , its kind of the same thing as with UD and Loras.

Food for thought, With UD and Loras playing a Night game this year, Do you guys feel that More conference games should be played at night maybe early in the season...and save the day games for later in the season. A lot of teams have lights, and the night games would probably bring a better and larger crowd...maybe even more out of town family as well.

Come on now guys, just a few years ago people were wondering if UD was still in the conference to and then they ripped off two back to back winning seasons....As much a fan I am of UD, Simpson had a pretty good team last year to compliment a good runningback. Dont worry Simpson as a Cubs fan I have heard this quote all too many times, "there is always next year", or could it be this year ?

So I was watching the Cavaliers and Magic game and for some reason I began to think about some things to look out for this year in IIAC football.

Central: Can the Dutch rebound from making a late season charge to the front and reclain their IIAC crown?

Wartburg: Can the Knights capitalize on their success from last season and do what that Dutch have done for many years before this past and repeat?

BV: Can the Beavers, take last years surprise success and clinch a much wanted and desired IIAC crown?

Cornell: With the loss of Dallas and their stud running back can they Rams get back on track and make tremendous strides and rebound from last year?

Coe: Played well on the road but can they return to homeland dominance and still maintain their road warrior mentality?

Loras: Mayhem Mgrew is out, can the Duhawks find a new locomotive to carry the Duhawks to the promise land?

Luther: Started off strong last season, have a few options at QB, but can the Norse start strong and finish strong?

UD: New coaching staff, New season. Can the new coaches take the returning players and the incoming recruiting class and do a 180 with last years failures. Can they renew the rivalry between UW-Platteville, and between the Duhawks?

Key game to watch. First time ever Rivalry by the river Loras vs. UD for UD's homecoming at night

see the Luther Norse Gods from above have listened to the message boards posts and are working their magic  

doolittledog, I believe that I am going to have to agree with you on Colton Hansen not being the type of leader that a Qb should be. He did not seem very outspoken towards his teammates or did he seem to bring the excitement that starting QB should bring, I also am going to agree with you on the speed over the size. In the IIAC size means more than speed. Now if you can get size and speed thats even better. We will have to see what Coach Z brings in, in what is said to be the best recruiting class he has ever had. But I dont know, that outspoken, exciting leader that the Spartans need just might come from the other side of the ball this coming year. we will see, I am interested to see and hear how other teams are doing so far, this year should be a great one   

I thank you all for welcoming me into the message board and yes I am a Spartan Fan  if you could not tell already. But let this be known colton Hansen was a Junior last year and will be a Senior this year. I have followed my Spartan football and have done my reasearch, Colton as a freshman was taking snaps over what was second string QB at the time Byron Abrham as a freshman, and continued into his sophmore year taking many snaps in varsity games if I might add both freshman and sophomore year into last year (his junior year) where he finally became the starter....So to say he has had little experience playing varsity ball, is untrue.

I wana ask you all your opinion on something if you do not mind....First to clear things up, UD had a pretty decent spring ball looks pretty good but again with the new staff its tooo early to say whether or not they will be a great, good, or horrible team...Hopefully good though  ...Now what I want to ask is why is Colton Hansen still the focus of this football team...I mean I know the QB is the face of the franchise, but based off of last year he is not living up to his standards and it makes me worried, because from what I saw he did not have a great spring ball....So why are people placing the star over Mr. Hansens head? But because I am a defensive guy, from what I saw I think that UD's defense under new coach Lance Taylor will be great...They look good, play fast, and are understanding what needs to be done to win...Watch out for LB Matt Brown, LB Jajuan Burton, DE Hightower, and Mutli-purpose D-lineman Karl Grant, who by way has played every position on the D-Line and did pretty well as an undersized Nosegaurd last year....But we will see 



But Like Always Go SPARTANS!

UD did have a pretty nice natural grass field although as many fields did towards the end of the season it was tore up by seasons end, Cornell is pretty decent, as well as BV but without a doubt I think that Luther has the best natural grass field. The stadium itself is really nice and with the addition of a new track, and some new visitor stands that stadium would be a little better. UD does it for me though. Their stadium is one of the best in the conference, and with the addition of a new coaching staff and maybe a .500 or above season those seats there will be put to use. To touch on another issue, I think that this years team will be pretty solid. After watching some spring practices the coaches there are doing great things. Hopefully either Hansen grows up or they bring in a solid QB. As far as defense goes, they have some great returners that now have experience under their belt to contribute alot more, along with a few seniors that can command a last ranked defense from a year ago.

Look forward to a great year, GO SPARTANS!