August 25, 2025 • 11 mins
Sports Editor of the Grand Forks Herald Tom Miller, drops in to discuss the quickly approaching game 1, for UND Football.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Friday morning, It's seven forty. Let's leading Cup with the
sports editor the Grand Pork Serum, Tom Mellan more in Tom.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Good morning, guys. Good a chat with you.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Yeah, huh see, you were busy, busy with a mail
bag that I know many of your readers look forward to.
My question is this is a non question from those questions,
it's how many questions do you have submitted? How many
are often replicated? Because I'm assuming a lot of people
have the same question. What do you usually say come
(00:30):
your way when that happens?
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Oh, I usually just put the call out on Twitter.
So you know that's only a limited number of folks,
I suppose. But I would say, I don't know, anywhere
from ten to fifteen people reach out in the first
couple hours, and you know six of them are who's
going to play quarterback? So yeah, there's some there's some,
there's some dutiplication. But I've never I've never had to
(00:55):
make up any questions. That's always been my fear. So
I'll keep doing it as long as I don't have
to make up any questions.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Tim, So that was the Yeah, at least half of them,
who's going to be the quarterback right, and who knows?
The answer is who knows right?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yeah, for the most part, I mean, I think we've
found some clues a little bit. You know, I think
to some extent it's come down to, you know, if
they're going to run a little bit more of their
traditional offense, it's going to be Simon or Jerry. You know,
I'm not sure that they're confident going with with Javans
at the if they're going to look as they have
(01:35):
in the past, a little more traditional. I think at
this point in his career, I think Javans is maybe
a little bit more of a change of pace quarterback
that can give you a run heavy look. And it's
it's entirely possible that you and you will opt to
give a run heavy look. But I think I think
they're probably a little bit more likelihood that the conversation
(01:57):
is between Simon and Jerry, and you know, Jerry Kaminski,
you know, has maybe had the upper hand here the
last couple of practices. Simon has the experience, but it's
also a new staff that that may be thinking, you
know what that that if if the two quarterbacks are
even yeah, you know, the younger one maybe gives you
(02:20):
some some play down the road.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
So let's just step away from the quarterback conversation slightly
in this from this angle because and I would argue
this from maybe a year ago and actually the last
handful of years other than bow Belquist, certainly, because no
matter who the quarterback is, you're gonna have to have
some receivers win some routes. The ball no win some routes.
(02:45):
And and I felt, I felt that we struggled at times.
We've struggled over the last couple of years winning some routes.
We've had some guys in our pockets a lot. It
does not make it for an easy throw. We've also struggled,
you know. I mean sometimes our past protect has been better,
but at times we've you know struggled, uh, you know,
with time to keep the guy back there so he
(03:07):
can actually look down the field and get through a progression.
All those are a factor too of whether or not
whether it's Jerry Simon, Javance, whoever it is. Those are
the types of things that will determine how successful a
quarterback is.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, I think if you look at who did Eric
Schmidt bring in at the wide receiver position in one
of their skill sets. Well, they brought in DJ Fleming
and Northern Arizona, Jamal Young of Arizona State, and Christian
Hoskins of of the Minnesota Golfers, and I think all
three of those guys are a little bit undersized, but
give you a little bit more twitch. I think if
UNI's lacked something. They had a a lot of body
(03:41):
types that looked like Travis toyven in, which Travis Toyvenan
was a great wide receiver. But you know, I think
they're they're just lacked some you know, dangerous players. You know,
if you want to get guys the ball in space,
they need to be dangerous in that space. I don't
I think the oster wasn't dangerous enough at a wide receiver,
(04:04):
and and they've addressed some of it. I certainly don't
think their wide receiver position is in an ideal place,
but there's there are a few more weapons. And I'm
certainly curious about Christian Hoskins. He's had moments that have
been impressive. You know, one of their scrimmages here recently,
I feel like I can say it because they're in house.
(04:24):
Media put out a video of it. But Hoskins Hoskins
took a jet sweep and uh took it, I don't know,
sixty yards for a touchdown and he so he's got
he got some playmaking ability. It reminds me of a
little bit of a Red Wilson type and B J.
Fleming has probably been the most productive wide receiver. So
you know, there's there's a few options. But yeah, you're
(04:47):
you're you're right, You're both right. I mean, they haven't
caught it well enough and they haven't they haven't made
separation well enough, and that that's that's gonna need to
change if if they're going to help their quarterback developer.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Right, Tim, No, I'm good. Oh, okay, you know that's okay. Well,
you know, there's two ways to look here at what's
happening here with Kansas State. Obviously, they're going across the pond.
I do think returning back, heading east to west to
get back home to Kansas is an easier adjustment. And
the other thing I think that actually helps Kansas State
(05:22):
is just live football. You know, when you're playing against
a formidable opponent, so and as much as you try
to emulate live action, it's tough having that game in
the back pocket. You know, for the Wildcats that already
have all the advantages their home and the big time
that they are, I think having this game at week
zero this week is only an additional advantage to get
(05:42):
that out of the way.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah, it could be. You could look at that two
different ways for sure, that you know, you get I
know U and D's got a decent amount of guys
in their roster that they'd like some more knowledge about,
and you can only really gain that knowledge by putting
them in live Scenariosquarterbacks included. You know, how slippery is
Jerry Kaminski, how elite of a runner is?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
You have?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Ance to Plata Johnson. I think those are questions that
can only be answered in live action, and so I'm
sure Kansas State has some of the same questions and
you do get that. I think the travel is is
a challenge for for a college football team. The game
is a six o'clock start, it looks like attempts aren't
(06:28):
going to be crazy. I don't know if that helps
North Dakota or Kansas State, but yeah, I mean you
could certainly view that both directions there. I think on
Week zero in Ireland, Yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Mean, I would think I would think that them getting
live action against a different opponent gives them an end.
Don't think.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
I just I've seen, and maybe I'm biased because I've
seen a Unity football team that struggles when they get
off a plane. Yeah, I've just seen. I mean, you know,
I think of some of those times that you know,
there have been travel mishaps on the way to Pocatello.
The one year that Paul, do you remember when we
talked to Bamigi and then flew out to Pocatello and
(07:11):
blood bath and then you know there was a year
that you and D had some travel issues going to Ogden, Utah,
and then yeah, that was that was evident on the field.
So you know, international travel, I'd be curious to see
statistics about that following week anybody who's who's played that
(07:31):
international game. You know, I don't think Nebraska was very sharp.
I think we talked about that coming off their their
game with Northwestern when when you and D played in
in Nebraska that year. But I'm just a believer that
that that travel can be a real beast to teams
that goes a little under the radar.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, that's a good point. I mean, it can definitely
have its wrinkles that cause issues as well. As we mentioned,
you know, the high school sports season is getting underway
with a portion of its classifications getting underway throughout the
region tonight. I mean Thompson and Mayport that will always
be a good battle. I know, Hillsboro and Central Valley
(08:12):
will I think host Grafton. I mean, so you've got
regional teams in action. The Grand Fork schools not quite
ready yet Dolbo. My reports were numbers were good at Central.
I haven't heard what the numbers were at Red River,
but I think both programs are excited for a new year.
So I mean, it's it's really happening with the local
sports coverage here as we get get going in the
(08:34):
high school scene. As early as tonight.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah yeah, I started mapping out the plan for next week,
and you know, it's it's drinking water out of the
fire hose. It starts, it starts coming hot and heavy
next week, you know, especially with you know UNDI football
begins game week and then you see you at some
of that coverage. But I mean already tonight we got
(08:59):
we got Wayne Nelson at the bull Ring, we got
Schlossman's out at some East Grand Sports Tennis and Kyle
Hanson over there for the Green Wave. Alex Faber, our
new writer, is going to be in Mayville for Thompson
at Mayville kicking off our high school football coverage, and
I'll be sitting back doing a load of nothing, not
(09:19):
carrying my weight. So big plans ahead for the Herald tonight.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Lastly, before I let you go, Tom, last night I
was watching CFL football Winnipeg and Montreal. Brady has over
one hundred yards rushing, over two hundred yards total offense,
Evan Holm four tackles, an interception. Those former und guys
continuing to make a difference in the CFL. So that
(09:46):
was kind of fun to watch for me last night.
As I was looking for some something to watch that
wasn't Twins, they weren't on, thankfully, so that's what I
found and I ended up pretty happy about that.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Did Winnipeg end up winning? I tuned out at about
team ten I think was.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
The score they did win, I think twenty six thirteen.
They ended up uh finishing uh, finishing things off behind
Brady pretty good.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Yeah. I went to Winnipeg last weekend and uh and
they they support the Blue Bombers there they do.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
But it's just neat to see you and D guys
that we covered playing professionally and having success in meaningful
success basically, and that's uh, that's never a bad thing,
I think.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Yeah, absolutely, you know you and D. Eric Schmid's gotta
uh you know, one of the one of his big pieces.
He's gotta you gotta put more guys in pro football.
So some guys stick around and think they can get developed.
And you know, right now, Evan Holme and and Brady
Oliver are the are some good examples, and they they
gotta start finding a few more of those guys.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, no, no doubt about it. Well, Tom, I know
it's it's already starting. As you mentioned, you're gonna be
at the desk, probably phoning at all or taking calls
and following along. But you got your team out there
covering things throughout the region as well. Thanks for dropping in,
and we'll talk to you next week and here we go.
We'll see how it all comes together when we talk
(11:11):
before we get on a plane next Friday. Thanks Tom,
sounds good.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Have a good day, guys.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
All right, There goes Tom Miller, sports editor of the
Grand Forks Herald. His team as good as it gets.
For our local and regional coverage and un d coverage here,
get your subscription to the Grand Forks Herald, it's our paper,
keep it alive. They do a good job of getting
out and covering local teams, not only Grand Forks and
East Grandfork schools, but regional teams as well, so we
(11:37):
appreciate Tom joining us on Fridays as he does.
Friday morning, It's seven forty. Let's leading Cup with the
sports editor the Grand Pork Serum, Tom Mellan more in Tom.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Good morning, guys. Good a chat with you.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Yeah, huh see, you were busy, busy with a mail
bag that I know many of your readers look forward to.
My question is this is a non question from those questions,
it's how many questions do you have submitted? How many
are often replicated? Because I'm assuming a lot of people
have the same question. What do you usually say come
(00:30):
your way when that happens?
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Oh, I usually just put the call out on Twitter.
So you know that's only a limited number of folks,
I suppose. But I would say, I don't know, anywhere
from ten to fifteen people reach out in the first
couple hours, and you know six of them are who's
going to play quarterback? So yeah, there's some there's some,
there's some dutiplication. But I've never I've never had to
(00:55):
make up any questions. That's always been my fear. So
I'll keep doing it as long as I don't have
to make up any questions.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Tim, So that was the Yeah, at least half of them,
who's going to be the quarterback right, and who knows?
The answer is who knows right?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yeah, for the most part, I mean, I think we've
found some clues a little bit. You know, I think
to some extent it's come down to, you know, if
they're going to run a little bit more of their
traditional offense, it's going to be Simon or Jerry. You know,
I'm not sure that they're confident going with with Javans
at the if they're going to look as they have
(01:35):
in the past, a little more traditional. I think at
this point in his career, I think Javans is maybe
a little bit more of a change of pace quarterback
that can give you a run heavy look. And it's
it's entirely possible that you and you will opt to
give a run heavy look. But I think I think
they're probably a little bit more likelihood that the conversation
(01:57):
is between Simon and Jerry, and you know, Jerry Kaminski,
you know, has maybe had the upper hand here the
last couple of practices. Simon has the experience, but it's
also a new staff that that may be thinking, you
know what that that if if the two quarterbacks are
even yeah, you know, the younger one maybe gives you
(02:20):
some some play down the road.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
So let's just step away from the quarterback conversation slightly
in this from this angle because and I would argue
this from maybe a year ago and actually the last
handful of years other than bow Belquist, certainly, because no
matter who the quarterback is, you're gonna have to have
some receivers win some routes. The ball no win some routes.
(02:45):
And and I felt, I felt that we struggled at times.
We've struggled over the last couple of years winning some routes.
We've had some guys in our pockets a lot. It
does not make it for an easy throw. We've also struggled,
you know. I mean sometimes our past protect has been better,
but at times we've you know struggled, uh, you know,
with time to keep the guy back there so he
(03:07):
can actually look down the field and get through a progression.
All those are a factor too of whether or not
whether it's Jerry Simon, Javance, whoever it is. Those are
the types of things that will determine how successful a
quarterback is.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, I think if you look at who did Eric
Schmidt bring in at the wide receiver position in one
of their skill sets. Well, they brought in DJ Fleming
and Northern Arizona, Jamal Young of Arizona State, and Christian
Hoskins of of the Minnesota Golfers, and I think all
three of those guys are a little bit undersized, but
give you a little bit more twitch. I think if
UNI's lacked something. They had a a lot of body
(03:41):
types that looked like Travis toyven in, which Travis Toyvenan
was a great wide receiver. But you know, I think
they're they're just lacked some you know, dangerous players. You know,
if you want to get guys the ball in space,
they need to be dangerous in that space. I don't
I think the oster wasn't dangerous enough at a wide receiver,
(04:04):
and and they've addressed some of it. I certainly don't
think their wide receiver position is in an ideal place,
but there's there are a few more weapons. And I'm
certainly curious about Christian Hoskins. He's had moments that have
been impressive. You know, one of their scrimmages here recently,
I feel like I can say it because they're in house.
(04:24):
Media put out a video of it. But Hoskins Hoskins
took a jet sweep and uh took it, I don't know,
sixty yards for a touchdown and he so he's got
he got some playmaking ability. It reminds me of a
little bit of a Red Wilson type and B J.
Fleming has probably been the most productive wide receiver. So
you know, there's there's a few options. But yeah, you're
(04:47):
you're you're right, You're both right. I mean, they haven't
caught it well enough and they haven't they haven't made
separation well enough, and that that's that's gonna need to
change if if they're going to help their quarterback developer.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Right, Tim, No, I'm good. Oh, okay, you know that's okay. Well,
you know, there's two ways to look here at what's
happening here with Kansas State. Obviously, they're going across the pond.
I do think returning back, heading east to west to
get back home to Kansas is an easier adjustment. And
the other thing I think that actually helps Kansas State
(05:22):
is just live football. You know, when you're playing against
a formidable opponent, so and as much as you try
to emulate live action, it's tough having that game in
the back pocket. You know, for the Wildcats that already
have all the advantages their home and the big time
that they are, I think having this game at week
zero this week is only an additional advantage to get
(05:42):
that out of the way.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah, it could be. You could look at that two
different ways for sure, that you know, you get I
know U and D's got a decent amount of guys
in their roster that they'd like some more knowledge about,
and you can only really gain that knowledge by putting
them in live Scenariosquarterbacks included. You know, how slippery is
Jerry Kaminski, how elite of a runner is?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
You have?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Ance to Plata Johnson. I think those are questions that
can only be answered in live action, and so I'm
sure Kansas State has some of the same questions and
you do get that. I think the travel is is
a challenge for for a college football team. The game
is a six o'clock start, it looks like attempts aren't
(06:28):
going to be crazy. I don't know if that helps
North Dakota or Kansas State, but yeah, I mean you
could certainly view that both directions there. I think on
Week zero in Ireland, Yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Mean, I would think I would think that them getting
live action against a different opponent gives them an end.
Don't think.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
I just I've seen, and maybe I'm biased because I've
seen a Unity football team that struggles when they get
off a plane. Yeah, I've just seen. I mean, you know,
I think of some of those times that you know,
there have been travel mishaps on the way to Pocatello.
The one year that Paul, do you remember when we
talked to Bamigi and then flew out to Pocatello and
(07:11):
blood bath and then you know there was a year
that you and D had some travel issues going to Ogden, Utah,
and then yeah, that was that was evident on the field.
So you know, international travel, I'd be curious to see
statistics about that following week anybody who's who's played that
(07:31):
international game. You know, I don't think Nebraska was very sharp.
I think we talked about that coming off their their
game with Northwestern when when you and D played in
in Nebraska that year. But I'm just a believer that
that that travel can be a real beast to teams
that goes a little under the radar.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, that's a good point. I mean, it can definitely
have its wrinkles that cause issues as well. As we mentioned,
you know, the high school sports season is getting underway
with a portion of its classifications getting underway throughout the
region tonight. I mean Thompson and Mayport that will always
be a good battle. I know, Hillsboro and Central Valley
(08:12):
will I think host Grafton. I mean, so you've got
regional teams in action. The Grand Fork schools not quite
ready yet Dolbo. My reports were numbers were good at Central.
I haven't heard what the numbers were at Red River,
but I think both programs are excited for a new year.
So I mean, it's it's really happening with the local
sports coverage here as we get get going in the
(08:34):
high school scene. As early as tonight.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah yeah, I started mapping out the plan for next week,
and you know, it's it's drinking water out of the
fire hose. It starts, it starts coming hot and heavy
next week, you know, especially with you know UNDI football
begins game week and then you see you at some
of that coverage. But I mean already tonight we got
(08:59):
we got Wayne Nelson at the bull Ring, we got
Schlossman's out at some East Grand Sports Tennis and Kyle
Hanson over there for the Green Wave. Alex Faber, our
new writer, is going to be in Mayville for Thompson
at Mayville kicking off our high school football coverage, and
I'll be sitting back doing a load of nothing, not
(09:19):
carrying my weight. So big plans ahead for the Herald tonight.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Lastly, before I let you go, Tom, last night I
was watching CFL football Winnipeg and Montreal. Brady has over
one hundred yards rushing, over two hundred yards total offense,
Evan Holm four tackles, an interception. Those former und guys
continuing to make a difference in the CFL. So that
(09:46):
was kind of fun to watch for me last night.
As I was looking for some something to watch that
wasn't Twins, they weren't on, thankfully, so that's what I
found and I ended up pretty happy about that.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Did Winnipeg end up winning? I tuned out at about
team ten I think was.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
The score they did win, I think twenty six thirteen.
They ended up uh finishing uh, finishing things off behind
Brady pretty good.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Yeah. I went to Winnipeg last weekend and uh and
they they support the Blue Bombers there they do.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
But it's just neat to see you and D guys
that we covered playing professionally and having success in meaningful
success basically, and that's uh, that's never a bad thing,
I think.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Yeah, absolutely, you know you and D. Eric Schmid's gotta
uh you know, one of the one of his big pieces.
He's gotta you gotta put more guys in pro football.
So some guys stick around and think they can get developed.
And you know, right now, Evan Holme and and Brady
Oliver are the are some good examples, and they they
gotta start finding a few more of those guys.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, no, no doubt about it. Well, Tom, I know
it's it's already starting. As you mentioned, you're gonna be
at the desk, probably phoning at all or taking calls
and following along. But you got your team out there
covering things throughout the region as well. Thanks for dropping in,
and we'll talk to you next week and here we go.
We'll see how it all comes together when we talk
(11:11):
before we get on a plane next Friday. Thanks Tom,
sounds good.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Have a good day, guys.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
All right, There goes Tom Miller, sports editor of the
Grand Forks Herald. His team as good as it gets.
For our local and regional coverage and un d coverage here,
get your subscription to the Grand Forks Herald, it's our paper,
keep it alive. They do a good job of getting
out and covering local teams, not only Grand Forks and
East Grandfork schools, but regional teams as well, so we
(11:37):
appreciate Tom joining us on Fridays as he does.
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