The Racing World Mourns the Loss of Bryan Clausen

Prior to the 2013 Knoxville Nationals, World of Outlaws sprint car driver Donny Schatz had concerns about the safety of sprint cars.

Schatz expressed these concerns a month after the dirt track racing world had mourned the loss of former NASCAR/Sprint Car Driver Jason Leffler, who died as a result of an accident during sprint car race at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey. During the same time period, his car owner, Tony Stewart, had suffered a broken leg as a result of a violent crash during a World of Outlaws show in Iowa.

In retrospect, maybe Schatz was on to something?

"I'm not confident that safety measures are (being) met in this sport. There are a lot of people that are working hard to perfect things, to make things better. But sometimes people don't see things until people get hurt," Schatz told the Associated Press. "There are some areas that safety can be addressed. But it's also a gray area that no one wants to get involved in."

This week, fans will attend the 55th Annual FVP Knoxville Nationals with a heavy heart as they mourn the death of Sprint car driver Bryan Clausen. The Indiana native died on August 7, 2016, a result of injuries he suffered from an accident at Belleville (Kansas) Midget Nationals USAC midget race. Clausen was leading the race when he flipped and t-boned by another driver that was a lap down.

Many fans again will ask the question why?

Something to ponder – sprint car racing – both USAC and winged sprint cars are exciting race cars to watch. They’re also very dangerous. Everything happens in a split second. The race cars seem to get faster by the year, 410 sprints cars weigh roughly 1,500 pounds and are powered by a 900 horsepower engine. You wonder sometimes if the safety measures can keep up with the technology?

The driver is literally sitting in a high-tech rocket ship made out of lightweight metal. On the longer tracks, a sprint car can hit speeds of at least 140 miles an hour. Mistakes at a high rate of speed can be fatal.

The loss of Bryan Clausen is tragic. The racing world has lost another amazing, talented young driver way too early. Clausen was known for his ability to race at a high level on many different circuits and he will be missed. For now, it's hard to make any sense of this tragic loss. Prayers going to the Clausen family.

We have truly lost one of the great racers-and an even greater man. Our prayers are with Lauren and Bryan's family. pic.twitter.com/wuEzdMLgve

— Knoxville Raceway (@knoxvilleraces) August 8, 2016

@TonyStewart @BryanClauson Can only imagine what would have laid ahead of this young man #Megatalent #gentleperson RIP BC

— Arie Luyendyk (@ArieLuyendyk) August 8, 2016

The Tweet of the Night

Sometimes you just have to say.... wtf. This is one of the best responses to a moronic tweet from a Gopher fan.That being said, the guy has a point, the effort on the ice by UND in all three zones wasn't good. From the grab a  little perspective department, it's one game and UND is 5-1-0.

.@DerrickFidelman How about now? pic.twitter.com/JUamGk8uQM

— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) October 29, 2016

Did Austin Poganski Take a Dive?

When I saw this play for the first time, I thought holy cow, that looked funny. One might even suggest that Austin Poganski took a dive. Now, even though Poganski is from Minnesota, he isn't known for being a diver or a player that embellishes. So, did Poganski take a dive?

And Poganski decides he lives diving more than hockey, and Soucy to the box. #UMdmHky pic.twitter.com/IXHTHqJOo0

— UMD Hockey gifs (@UMDHockeygifs) October 29, 2016

A look at the Stats

I have no idea how this season plays out, but UND has been on a remarkable run. This morning I was reading the Brad Schlossman’s blog and I found a few stats that I wanted to expound on. Over the last 49 games, UND has gone 39-6-4 (.836).

Over the last 19 games, UND has a 17-1-1 (.921) record. The last team to beat the Fighting Hawks was the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in the Frozen Faceoff. The last tie came against the Denver Pioneers 1-1, in the third place game of the Frozen Faceoff.

Over the last 22 home games, UND is 20-1-1 (.931). During that 22-game run, UND has lost one game, in overtime, to the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks 4-3. The tie in question came during a game against the Colorado College Tigers. UND would go on to win the shootout.

Finally, for those keeping track, the last opponent to sweep the Fighting Hawks, the Denver Pioneers Feb. 12-13, 2016 at Denver (6-4, 4-1). That sweep came two and a half seasons after UND was swept by the St. Cloud State Huskies Nov. 1-2, 2013 (3-2, 3-1) at St. Cloud State

BSU vs. UND, Game 2

Dixon Bowen is in for Cole Smith. The rest of the lineup is the same. No changes. Brock Boeser now has 10 points after four games.

Check out the highlights from last night's game... Both teams put in good efforts and UND used their skill to take the game away from BSU. I also thought UND got a huge break on the penalty shot.

UND vs. BSU, Game 1

I noticed that there're a few changes in the lineup, defenseman Christian Wolanin is out of the lineup tonight. If I get any information on that I will post an update. Also, Rhett Gardner is back after being out of the lineup the last two games. Gardner has a lower-body injury. Finally, Dixon Bowen is a scratch. 

The Jet's Laine Scores the Game-Winning Goal Against the Leafs

In my humble opinion, Patrick Laine and Auston Matthews are the two  best rookie forwards in the NHL this season. Another game, another great effort by Auston Matthews. However, the fact remains, they're the same old Toronto Maple Leafs that can't hold a lead. Once again, they score four goals and then blow a four goal lead. Laine scored his first ever career hat trick including this beautiful game-winning goal to sink the Leafs. In three games, Laine has scored (4g-2a—6pts).

NDSU President Wants Fans to Discontinue 'Racist' Chant

I've never understood why NDSU fans still chant Sioux Suck? NDSU  fans chanted that after their favorite team won a NCAA FCS title in 2016.

Think about it, UND has played NDSU once in football since 2003. Apparently, the much maligned NDSU president Dean Bresciani is tired of the chant and wants NDSU fans to discontinue this practice. I imagine if UND ends up in the Summit League, Bresciani will hear that cheer a lot more.

Frankly, I think it's a dumb chant, too. I think that chant lacks originality. Same goes for the F#(K the Bison up the @$$, neither chant took a lot of thought. I guess no one told the fans that UND dropped the name Fighting Sioux back in 2012. Of course, Fighting Hawks suck probably doesn't have the same ring to it. Right?

Don't worry NDSU fans, there are many UND fans that think that name sucks, too. Now that being said, I realize this is a college sporting event. There’s going to be bad behavior and coarse language. That’s life.  I also love explaining to my nine-year-old what the fans are saying. Finally, UND fans are disrespecting the Fighting Sioux nickname like the NDSU fans are.

A letter to the editor in the campus newspaper, The Spectrum, calling for an end to the chant has prompted leaders at NDSU, including President Dean Bresciani, to urge students and others to end the tradition.

"We suspect people are continuing this chant out of a misplaced sense of tradition, and we are asking any who do so to re-evaluate their participation," an email sent Friday, Oct. 14 to the campus community said. The joint email was signed by Bresciani, the student body president, the presidents of the faculty and staff senates and several other top administrators.

"We challenge anyone using hateful, thoughtless language to reflect on that language," the email said. "We believe that people continuing to use these chants are not understanding that these chants are hurtful; they do not reflect the aspiration of NDSU to be a welcoming community." ( Patrick Springer, Grand Forks Herald)

Or buddies at the Spectrum are back and Erik Jonasson weighed in on the matter. Take a look at some of the comments at the bottom of the story. In all seriousness, that's the best cheer that you can come up with?

Erik Jonasson II of the NDSU Spectrum writes – Be it the band or football team, NDSU truly dominated the Fargodome this past Saturday.

In between the awful overpriced food, drunk children and chants of “F—k Iowa” it is hard to not hear the other chant:

“Sioux suck shit.”

Look I am not claiming to be a smart person. I am not a Midwesterner either. On a good hot-dish day I might be a Minnesotan.

Be that as it may, I don’t understand why you guys call it pop. I also don’t understand why you insist on reciting this terribly racist chant.

This chant is embedded in the fact that our only true competition for best university in the state comes from our neighbors to the north, the University of North Dakota.

Oh my. Look who chimed on this matter. I wonder if he knows the difference between NDSU and UND? He probably thinks this is UND's fault, but I digress.

UND No. 1 in USCHO Poll

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

October 17, 2016

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(50)	3- 0-0	1000	1
2	Minnesota-Duluth		3- 1-2	862	4
3	Notre Dame		3- 1-0	816	5
4	Quinnipiac		2- 1-1	814	3
5	Massachusetts-Lowell		2- 0-2	766	8
6	Denver		2- 2-0	710	10
7	Minnesota		2- 0-0	702	9
8	Boston University		1- 2-0	624	2
9	Minnesota State		4- 0-0	611	14
10	Boston College		2- 2-0	573	6
11	Michigan		2- 1-0	441	13
12	St. Lawrence		3- 1-0	434	15
13	Harvard		0- 0-0	428	12
14	St. Cloud State		0- 2-0	296	7
15	Providence		1- 2-0	255	11
16	Yale		0- 0-0	207	17
17	Northeastern		1- 1-2	185	16
18	Bemidji State		4- 0-0	170	NR
19	Ohio State		1- 0-2	157	19
20	Omaha		2- 0-0	105	NR
Others receiving votes: Western Michigan 82, Maine 75, Miami 38, Air Force 31, Penn State 28, Holy Cross 25, Cornell 17, Wisconsin 16, Connecticut 10, Lake Superior 6, Army 5, Clarkson 5, Dartmouth 3, Bowling Green 2, Rochester Institute of Technology 1.

Like my buddy of mine said, you don't win banners for being number one in the polls during the month of October. I don't even know if I would put UND as the number one team in the nation.  Polls are fun to look at and are basically meaningless when you have teams that haven't played a game yet ranked in the top-20.


Read more: at USCHO.COM 

Grand Forks Herald Letter: Fighting Hawks end UND's logo curse

From today's letter to the editor, Travis Oliver from Crookston, Minnesota says that the old Fighting Sioux logo was cursed. Thoughts?

To sum up, Ben Brien's Sioux head logo never won a NCAA national title. All the great players, all the great teams—and that logo cursed them.

Sure, it's possible that UND wasn't cursed, and they lost those games for other reasons. But the next time you look up at the eight national-title banners hanging in the Ralph, realize that not only were none of them won with that logo, but the two most recent wins bookend the logo's use.

These are the exact elements that make up curses throughout sports history.

UND fans still despise the NCAA for taking the Sioux logo. Seems disrespectful to me, to hate the very organization that supplies you with what you cherish most: national titles.

Jonathan Toews Versus. James Neal

Former Fighting Sioux All-Amerian Jonathan Toews isn't paid to get into fights, but he isn't afraid to defend himself either. Especially, if he's getting cheap shotted. Last night, Toews had enough of James Neal and agreed to fight.   According to Hockey Fights, Toews has been in 6 NHL hockey fights.

HOF Game: UND vs. RPI

There are some changes to the lineup tonight. UND's Rhett Gardner will be out for tonight's game. He's listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Chase Perry starts in net for RPI tonight. He's the son of former UND goalie, Craig Perry. Cole Smith makes his UND debut.

Jordan Kawaguchi Might Be the First

When a University of North Dakota hockey player makes a commitment they usually send out a tweet thanking those that helped them along the way. I believe that Jordan Kawaguchi is one the first ones to make this tweet.

Extremely happy to say I am going to be a North Dakota Fighting Hawk. Very thankful for everyone who helped me along the way! #UND

— Jordan Kawaguchi (@Guch_28) October 13, 2016

The Carson Wentz Phenomenon

Embed from Getty Images

During week four, the Philadelphia Eagles had a bye week. During his week off, former NDSU quarterback Carson Wentz returned native North Dakota and had a pretty good week. Wentz watched his former team, the NDSUBison beat Illinois State 31-10. He shot a commercial for a truck accessories business. Scheels is smiling, they can't keep his jersey's in stock.

Mike Greger, CSNPhilly.com --- The place has become pretty synonymous with Wentz these days. ESPN and NFL Network have both broadcast from there. And Wentz held a private party in their back room last Saturday night, right after watching his alma mater roll to a 31-10 win over Illinois State. The party was a low-key affair, but waiters and bartenders were still swapping stories days later.

"As I was waiting on him, I had to look up. He is so tall,” said Rachel, a junior at NDSU who works as a server at Herd & Horns. "He was very humble, especially as a guest. He didn’t treat anyone like they were below him or anything.”

(In case you're wondering, Wentz picked up the entire tab, $1,000 and left a $500 tip. He was whisked off by his cousin in a 1996 Chevy pickup truck. No frills.)

For the common everyday people like myself, I was pleased to know that Wentz shot a really nice buck with his bow. Finally, as you can see from above, Wentz left a really big tip at one of the local bars that he visited. The Carson Wentz phenomenon is growing with each day in North Dakota.

Next week, the Vikings and the Eagles will play in Philadelphia, PA. It should be an exciting day, Wentz will take on the quarterback that he replaced in Philly.

What do you do on a bye week? You get your First bow buck! #ndlegendary

A photo posted by Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz11) on Sep 28, 2016 at 7:16pm PDT

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Weighs in on Kaepernick's Anthem Protests

Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Kaepernick's anthem protests: 'It's dumb and disrespectful' https://t.co/OPT0kt3y8L via @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/v1GV9KcMqj

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 10, 2016

Check this out, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice, United State Supreme Court, checked in with her opinion of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and him not standing for the National Anthem. Justice Ginsburg thinks it's dumb. In case you didn't know, Justice Ginsburg is one of the most liberal members of the Supreme Court, so I found her response surprising.

"I think it's really dumb of them," Justice Ginsburg said. "Would I arrest them for doing it? No. I think it's dumb and disrespectful. I would have the same answer if you asked me about flag burning. I think it's a terrible thing to do, but I wouldn't lock a person up for doing it. I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act.... If they want to be stupid, there's no law that should be preventive. If they want to be arrogant, there's no law that prevents them from that. What I would do is strongly take issue with the point of view that they are expressing when they do that."

UND Remains atop of USCHO Poll

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

October 10, 2016

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(45)	2- 0-0	995	1
2	Boston University	( 5)	1- 0-0	912	4
3	Quinnipiac		1- 0-1	893	2
4	Minnesota-Duluth		2- 0-2	828	6
5	Notre Dame		2- 0-0	699	9
6	Boston College		1- 1-0	657	5
7	St. Cloud State		0- 0-0	654	7
8	Massachusetts-Lowell		0- 0-2	652	8
9	Minnesota		2- 0-0	571	13
10	Denver		0- 2-0	511	3
11	Providence		1- 1-0	443	10
12	Harvard		0- 0-0	442	12
13	Michigan		1- 1-0	412	11
14	Minnesota State		2- 0-0	354	19
15	St. Lawrence		1- 1-0	255	16
16	Northeastern		0- 1-1	248	15
17	Yale		0- 0-0	208	18
18	Air Force		1- 0-1	160	NR
19	Ohio State		1- 0-1	151	NR
20	Bowling Green		0- 2-0	63	14
Others receiving votes: Miami 59, Nebraska-Omaha 57, Bemidji State 48, Penn State 47, Cornell 38, Clarkson 32, Maine 30, Western Michigan 21, Connecticut 16, Michigan Tech 11, Rochester Institute of Technology 7, Bentley 5, Union 5, Wisconsin 5, Vermont 4, Dartmouth 3, Ferris State 2, Holy Cross 2. While no one receives a banner for being in the USCHO poll in early October, UND does remain at the top of the USCHO Poll.

UND 18th IN FCS Coaches Poll

Rankings - FCS Coaches Poll

Last Updated - October 10, 2016

FCS Coaches Poll

• FCS Coaches Poll
• STATS FCS Top 25
• Simple Ratings System

FCS Coaches PollSTATS FCS Top 25Simple Ratings System

RANK	TEAM	POINTS	PREVIOUS	RECORD

RANK	TEAM	POINTS	PREVIOUS	RECORD
1	North Dakota State (26)	650	1	5-0
2	Sam Houston State	617	2	5-0
3	Chattanooga	588	3	6-0
4	Jacksonville State	577	4	4-1
5	Eastern Washington	555	5	5-1
6	James Madison	506	6	5-1
7	Richmond	493	7	5-1
8	Charleston Southern	440	8	3-2
9	The Citadel	439	9	5-0
10	Montana	413	10	4-1
11	Villanova	376	12	5-1
12	Youngstown State	361	13	4-1
13	Western Illinois	301	14	4-1
14	South Dakota State	299	15	3-2
15	Harvard	266	16	4-0
16	North Carolina A&T	241	18	4-1
17	Eastern Illinois	207	20	4-2
18	North Dakota	202	21	4-2
19	Albany	178	17	4-1
20	Cal Poly	133	22	3-2
21	Northern Iowa	128	11	2-3
22	Central Arkansas	125	24	4-1
23	Grambling State	67	25	3-1
24	Samford	64	NR	4-1
25	New Hampshire	51	NR	4-2

Others receiving votes: Stony Brook (45), McNeese State (22), South Dakota (21), Wofford (18), Southern Utah (16), South Carolina State (14), Tennessee State (12), Illinois State (9), Lehigh (8), Kennesaw State (3), Liberty (2), Monmouth (1), North Carolina Central (1), San Diego (1) 

On Poll Monday, the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team is ranked 18^th in the FCS Coaches Poll. Of course, the guys to the south are ranked number one. What is really interesting is that they’re still receiving votes in the AP FBS Poll.  I actually think that NDSU should be ranked higher.


Others receiving votes: Georgia 59, Arizona State 53, North Carolina 51, LSU 50, Oklahoma State 48, North Dakota State 36, Stanford 26, Colorado 22, South Florida 20, TCU 14, Washington State 9, NC State 9, Iowa 3, Air Force 2, San Diego State 2, Wake Forest 1

Philadelphia's Radko Gudas has Hearing for Hit on Austin Czarnik (Video)

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas has a phone hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety for this dirty, high, dangerous hit on Boston Bruins forward Austin Czarnik. After the hit, Czarnik left the game and didn't return. Gudas was given a two-minute minor for interference.

(1/2) Philadelphia's Radko Gudas has been offered an in-person hearing for interference on Boston's Austin Czarnik.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 9, 2016

(2/2) Gudas has waived his right to an in-person hearing. A hearing will be held tomorrow via telephone.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 9, 2016

UND vs. Canisius Game 2

There are few changes tonight. Mike Gornall is in, and Rhett Gardner is out with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day. Will we see a traditional circle of sticks at the end of the game?

Canisius vs. North Dakota Game 1

Nice to see the UND coaching staff come back with the big line of Brock Boeser, Tyson Jost, and Shane Gersich... Heavy Line 2, is very interesting, I like it. Those are some big heavy bodies on that line.