GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Three weeks ago, the University of North Dakota football team began its spring practice season. On Saturday, April 24, the Fighting Sioux will have the opportunity to bring all they have learned to the Alerus Center for the 2010 Canad Inns Sioux Spring Football Game. Pregame festivities are slated to begin at 8 a.m. with kickoff at 1 p.m.
A FREE live audio/video webcast of Saturday's game can be found on FightingSioux.com. The game will also be broadcast live on 1440 AM "The Fan".
Second year head coach Chris Mussman and his staff will run the game with four 15-minute running time quarters.
1st quarter :: Ball placed on -30
2nd quarter :: Ball placed on 50
10-minute halftime break
3rd quarter :: Ball placed on +20
4th quarter :: Ball placed on -30
"In the fourth quarter we'll try and take out some guys that we don't need to see anymore," Mussman said. "We'll let the young kids play at that time. The fourth quarter will be frustrating for one side or the other as the momentum swing is greater with the younger guys as they try to fight their way through things.
"We'll get a good look at some of the kids. Its evaluation time so some of these kids will be fighting for roster spots on Saturday."
This year's game will pit the white jersey-clad offence against the defense in green.
A special scoring system has also been set in place for Saturday's game. The offense will receive one point for a first down, three points for a field goal, and six points for a touchdown. The defense will receive two points for a defensive stop, three points for an unforced turnover, and six points for a forced turnover.
The offense and defense have scrimmaged against each other at Memorial Stadium each of the past two Saturdays. The defense outshined the offense in the first scrimmage (April 10) with a trio of interceptions, including one by defensive back Justin Belotti (Kenosha, Wis.). Last Saturday (April 17), the offense evened the score as running back Josh Murray (Pepin, Wis.) found the end zone twice and running back Mitch Sutton (Plover, Wis.) rushed for a touchdown of his own.
In addition to the pregame activities already set in place, over $500 in gift cards from area businesses will be given away to fans in attendance and two lucky fans who purchase their 2010 football season tickets at the game will each win $150 in gift cards.
One fan will also win a free trip for two to the Oct. 23 Cal Poly game in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The prize includes two tickets to the game, two reserved seats on the UND football charter plane, and lodging. The winner will be drawn from a list of fans that completed the online survey last December.
