GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Senior defensive lineman Mike Ebanks sums up the rest of the University of North Dakota's feelings quite well.

"We've been going at it with our offense so long, we're just ready to hit somebody new," Ebanks said.

The Fighting Sioux, who have had the past two weeks off, are back in action this Saturday at 1 p.m. against Western Washington in the Alerus Center.

"We're just ready to get back out there and play," senior quarterback Danny Freund said.

Homecoming 2008

The game also holds a heavy importance to the team because it is the 2008 Homecoming game. Beyond the normal Homecoming events, the football team usually gets some unscheduled visits from letterwinners that are back in the area.

"We have a lot of alumni that come and talk to us during the week," senior wide receiver Alex Nicholas said, "which is always nice to hear what they have to say about their careers, and what they liked about being at UND."

Head coach Chris Mussman said that a few letterwinners have already returned in the first half of the year and are always welcome, but during Homecoming it's takes on an extra special meaning.

"You can see it in their (the alumni) eyes," Mussman said. "Their time at UND flash before their eyes, and they become that age again, where they can visualize themselves doing the same things our guys are doing."

Ebanks said that with the alumni back, winning takes on another meaning. "We want to win and make them proud," he said.

Homecoming Events

Events are happening throughout the week across campus in all departments. A full list of events can be found at www.undalumni.org, the UND Alumni's website.

Some notable athletic-related events are listed below:

• Friday, Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m. Sioux Booster luncheon. Alerus Center Ballroom. $9 per person.
• Friday, Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m. Ralph Engelstad Facility Tour  $3/person, children 12 and under are free. To register contact REA Sioux Shop at 701.777.6636.
• Friday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. Alerus Center Facility Tour. Free, Reservations available at 701.792.1200. Meet at Administration Office.
• Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. Tailgating begins. Alerus Center parking lot.
• Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m. Homecoming Parade. University Ave.
• Saturday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m. Football game. Alerus Center.
• Saturday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. Sioux-per Gala. Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

The game

Mussman expects to see a similar Western Washington team to the one UND faced last season in a 63-42 shootout in Bellingham, Wash. Does he expect another shootout? "Ahh ... no," Mussman said.