During Wednesday's practice at the Alerus Center, UND receiver R.J. McGill caught a 30-yard pass from Braden Hanson. It was a tough catch and McGill had to make a big sacrifice for the reception. He hit the turf hard.
The catch likely left a few bruises and maybe a turf burn or two on the diminutive McGill, one of UND's leading receivers.
"This turf just wears on you," McGill said. "When you start playing out here, you start feeling stuff you don't normally feel. Any time you have to dive for a ball or hit the ground, it's much worse."
But the days of the Alerus Center's AstroTurf are numbered. After Saturday's annual Green-White spring game, the turf comes out. UND will have a new playing surface in the fall when the Sioux amp up their game for the Big Sky Conference.
"It's really big of the city, our athletic department and our university to step up and do this, not just for our program but for all football programs," UND coach Chris Mussman said.
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"It's perfect timing. We're progressing as a program."
After the spring game, plans call for the new turf to be installed. The new surface will be infill turf, a material that comes closer to replicating the feel of natural turf and is easier on the bodies of football players. The new turf has an approximate $4 million price tag.
The new turf will be similar to the one that's in place at Memorial Stadium, where UND conducts most of its practices.
Also, the new turf likely will have other advantages.
"Personally, I think it's going to be a huge recruiting tool," said UND senior Ross Brenneman, the anchor of the Sioux defensive line. "When I came up here as a freshman, it was like, 'Oh, so this is (artificial) turf.' But I could deal with it.
"Now, with this new turf coming in, kids will see this as a real prime facility."
UND's practice at the Alerus Center on Wednesday was the first time the Sioux have been on the old turf during the spring season.
"Even today, I feel it on my back and knees a little bit," Brenneman said. "It just wears on you."
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But UND has fared well on the 11-year-old turf.
The AstroTurf has been the only playing surface in the Alerus since it opened in 2001.
UND has played 73 games on the turf, going 62-11.
"This surface has served us pretty well," Mussman said. "We're really appreciative for the new field and we're looking forward to it but a lot of special things have happened on this field."
Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .
