First, of all sorry for not jumping on earlier. This was my 23rd football game of the season so to say I'm limping into the finish line is an understatement.
Yes, you guys are much improved from 2021. Congrats on the win.
You have to keep in mind UTM went D1 in 1992. The funding and facilities were not that great early on. I'll try and upload a picture of our old press box. It wasn't replaced until 2016. I'm telling you this not to make excuses for losing Saturday's game, but to highlight how far this program has come in a relatively short amount of time.
I would disagree a little with the statement about our fan base. The local area embraces the university, but they don't come out in droves. Also, some kids do in fact grow up wanting to be Skyhawks. Dresser Winn our QB in 2021 graduated from a nearby high school and he wanted to come to UTM. He passed on a scholly offer from Western Michigan. Tate Surber, who just signed is another QB that's wanted to come here for a while.
I'd also disagree with the folks you talked to, btw, good friends of ours. In 2021 Dresser was playing on one leg, we were down to one receiver and he was hurt and one of our OL was out and his replacement was a freshman. 2024 MSU would've beaten our 2021 51-0.
The Skyhawks will get there I have no doubt.
The video you guys are sharing is our pregame ash ceremony. At the beginning of the season the players write on a small piece of wood what characteristics they want to be known for. They burn the wood and collect the ashes. Before every game they meet on the field and sprinkle a few of those ashes. Now I know that pails in comparison to your guys traditions like the wacky inflatable tube man cam and playing paper rock scissors. I kid, I kid.
Lastly, to address your guys program as a whole. It's time to move to FBS. When that phone rings and the Mountain West Conference is on the other line, you say yes. Montana State, Montana, and NDSU should move up.
Sorry for the long post.
Also Huckleberry Lemonade sucks! Nothing personal just my own unbiased opinion.
I've enjoyed both my trips out there. Also when are you going to stop the California invasion. It won't be long and Montana is gonna be Oregon 2.0.