Following UND's surprising loss Saturday to the University of Sioux Falls, an NAIA program, the Sioux held a players-only meeting to discuss the direction of the team.
"We just wanted to keep the focus on us and regroup as a team," UND fullback and team captain Marcus Tibesar said. "We said our goal of a conference championship is still attainable."
The goal of a Great West Conference title is the focus this week for the Sioux, who play Great West member Southern Utah on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Cedar City.
The Sioux are 1-0 in the Great West, with a win over South Dakota. UND plays Great West members Southern Utah, Cal-Poly and Cal-Davis three of the next four weeks.
A conference championship is "most definitely (attainable)," Tibesar said. "We've only played one conference game and we have a win. This week is a big one, another conference game. We have to concentrate and get as many wins out of the next five games as we can."
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One of the potential setbacks from UND's loss to Sioux Falls could be player psyche.
"We can't afford to think about (the loss to Sioux Falls) too much," Tibesar said. "We have a Southern Utah team this week that is very good and deserves our full attention."
Thinking revenge
It might be a little easier than normal for the Sioux to shift their focus off of last week's demoralizing loss. Southern Utah's win in Grand Forks last season still stings a bit in the Sioux locker room.
The Thunderbirds scored two touchdowns in the final 10 minutes, 8 seconds of the fourth quarter to erase a 14-3 UND lead after three quarters. Southern Utah won despite five turnovers.
"All of the guys coming back from last year have a bitter taste in our mouth after they came into our house and beat us," Tibesar said.
The Sioux have played Southern Utah the past two seasons. UND defeated the Thunderbirds 37-13 in Cedar City in 2007 before the close loss last season.
However, Southern Utah is a much-improved team. The Thunderbirds lost 24-23 to No. 19 Cal-Poly last week. Southern Utah missed an extra point with 9 seconds left that could have forced overtime.
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"They've gotten better every year," Tibesar said. "Watching film of them (Monday), they are a very good team again this year. They have guys who can run around and make plays, that's for sure."
Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .
