Jim Wacker left North Dakota State in 1978 with the intent of escalating the football coaching ladder. He did, reaching the University of Minnesota at about the same time as former Fargo South standout Justin Conzemius.
The two still have something in common. Wacker passed away in 2003, but the nickname he gave Conzemius - the Fargo Flash - is alive and well.
It's the moniker given to Conzemius' weekly appearance on Twin Cities-based KFAN Sports Radio's "Power Trip Morning Show." The Flash offers listeners a well-spoken, in-depth look at Gophers football.
His prediction for the Gophers and North Dakota State football game on Saturday is 42-39, Gophers.
"You would think the talent level would be significantly different but actually it's the same," Conzemius said. "North Dakota State does not have the depth but they have starters who would start here."
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Case in point: Conzemius relates a story from last year's Gopher head coach, Glen Mason, who had all of his assistant coaches break down the NDSU film. He asked each assistant how many NDSU players would make the Gopher two-deep roster.
"It was unusual," Conzemius said.
He said one Minnesota assistant pegged it at 12 Bison that would be a top two Gopher player. He said Mason put it at nine Bison players.
"For some reason, I think they are tremendous recruiters and great coaches," Conzemius said of the NDSU staff.
And Conzemius figures NDSU head coach Craig Bohl will be out to prove that on Saturday, even if Bohl would never say it. He was passed over for the Gophers head job after Mason was fired.
"Bohl will play it down but he has the motivation," Conzemius said. "If he doesn't, he would be absolutely crazy. He'll look across the sideline and say that should be my job. I should be making a million a year. I think there's some personal motivation to try and show he can come in and pull off the upset."
On Thursday's Fargo Flash segment, Conzemius rehashed last week's 49-48 Gophers overtime loss to Northwestern. He didn't mince the problems the Gophers are having on defense.
He pointed out NDSU is the top-ranked team in FCS (formerly I-AA) against one of the worst defenses in FBS (formerly I-A) in Minnesota.
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He lauded Bison quarterback Steve Walker and his 72 percent completion rate.
But if Minnesota gets its passing game going, and if the Gophers reach the emotional level they did against Ohio State a few weeks back, it's a Minnesota win.
If the Gophers go flat, "it could get ugly," he said.
Conzemius' day job is as a marketing manager for a major company. If that doesn't work out, there's always radio.
"It's a Vikings town and that's why a former long snapper can have great ratings," Conzemius said, referring to host Mike Morris. "It's been fun."
Readers can reach Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546 or jkolpack@forumcomm.com .
Kolpack's NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com Conzemius provides insight in Twin Cities Jeff Kolpack 20071019
