GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Although coaches like to move on after 24 hours after a game, the sting of last Saturday's football team's loss to Sioux Falls was evident at Tuesday's media day.

That game was what the media wanted to talk about, but it was pretty clear the team has moved on mentally. The team met without the coaches on Sunday and talked about what they wanted from the rest of the season. One goal remained clear: winning the Great West Conference Championship.

"We got everyone together and talked about what we had planned at the start of the season," senior wide receiver Ryan Konrath said. "It's still intact. Our goals are still there. Everyone knows we didn't play our best football offensively, defensively and special teams. We're going to fix that. We want to fix that and come out with a better the rest of the season."

That goal is no more evident that this Saturday, when the Fighting Sioux head on the road to play Great West foe Southern Utah.

"Regardless of how we finish record-wise," head coach Chris Mussman said, "our biggest thing is that we want to make sure we play with a passion and intesity that we need to play with every single week, regardless of who you play."

Tuesday also was the first day the Fighting Sioux were back on the field, and Mussman said UND has reacted well in this week's preparation.

"Our focus has been much better," Mussman said, "and there's been more energy on the practice field."

Noting Southern Utah

The Thunderbirds are 2-4 on the season with both wins coming at home at Eccles Coliseum. Ed Lamb is in his second year at the helm for Southern Utah. Last season, the Thunderbirds came into the Alerus and shocked the Sioux with a 15-14 loss.

"They do good things offensively and defensively," Mussman said. "This is a very good football team."

It will be another tough quarterback to handle in a vertical passing game.

"We've got our work cut out for us again," Mussman said.

Refocus on themselves

Mussman said, however, in order for UND to have success, they have to be the ones to improve their game.

"My whole focus was how we handle (losing last Saturday) as a team, how we handle it as a group, and do we stay together and continue to work hard and believe in the values that this program stands for." Mussman said. He added, "You only get so many opportunities in this game, and we let one slip away."

With a big game this weekend, letting another slip away is not an option for the Sioux.