FB: American Rivers Conference

[AZDutchman]

I was just curious to know when
The Crusaders will be riding into Pella?

(for the record that is a male horse)

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Oh, and he appears to have limited range outside of 15 feet and can't dribble to his left.     

Truth be told I can't go to my right and don't have much outside of seven feet, but I have a mean hook.

I do have the distinction of being the greatest swimmer to ever swim at Coe...that was recruited by the basketball team.

[DustySJU]

Coe has a puncher's chance.  Especially at a 2nd string QB.

*****

Their QB is playing at a high level.  A complete set of receivers, though no true deep threat.  They play a ball control passing game mixing in the run to keep you honest.  I was not impressed by the size of their O-Line, but I was impressed by their quality of play.  The entire team blocks as a unit, O-Line and receivers and they maintain their blocks well.  The key to getting to Coe, is stopping the run and creating long down and distance situations, then getting at Boyle.  Put pressure on him and his accuracy goes down.  Central has proven the Coe running game can be stopped.

On defense, I wouldn't say they are the fastest, but they have quickness, experience and strength at the linebackers.  They go until the echo of the whistle on the D-Line.  Their DB's are probably the weak point and could be exposed if the QB has time to pick targets.  That's a big "if", because the front 7 brings the heat.

It's going to be a Boyle Battle this weekend.  St. John's starting QB Joe Boyle returned to practice Tuesday and will start Saturday after missing two and a half games (and playing injured the two and a half games prior to that). 

The weak spot in the St. John's defense is the secondary.  They lost their 2nd and 3rd cornerbacks to injury and have been rotating some talented but inexperienced freshmen at the 2nd CB spot.  If they run into a team that can throw the ball downfield consistently they could have some serious issues. 

It sounds like Coe's defense has similar issues.  Unfortunately for St. John's, they haven't been able to pass the ball at all since Boyle was first injured at mid-season.  If Boyle can somehow come back at 100% and in sync with the offense, St. John's might put up a big number.  If he's not up to speed with the offense and the Johnnies run the ball 80% of the time, it should be a close game.

There goes TC giving away the house again... for the real scouting report stop by www.JohnnieFootball.com.

By the way, I contacted the Coe SID and AD and provided an opp to post up their thoughts on the game.  No response.

Developing....

[Alfredeneumann]

As for the Cornell discussion, I can see some validity to the claim that Cornell's administration isn't 100% behind their athletic department, especially financially.  Looking around the conference, I believe Cornell is the only school that has not built a new, or undertook a massive renovation of their athletic facilities.  I know they are in the process of putting a couple million dollars worth of work into the Small Athletic Center right now, but that's not much compared to some of the projects that have taken place at Wartburg, Loras, Central, etc.

To illustrate my point, here's a brief table of when the other schools in the league have built or updated their football stadiums and indoor athletic facilities:
School       Football   Indoor
BV             2003*      2002
Central      2006        2009**
Coe           2007        2007
Cornell      2000*      In Progress
Dubuque   2008        2008
Loras        2005        2007
Luther                 2001 - REGENTS Center
Simpson    2001        1998
Wartburg  2001        2007

*All-weather track installed
**New indoor track

In other words, Cornell has gone the longest without an update to their football/track facility.  Although they are working on Small right now, again, they are only doing "band-aid" type improvements, and nothing on the scale of other schools in the league.

I think hiring Cochrane to be their AD was a good move on Cornell's part, and certainly gave the indication that they were looking to make athletics a more vital part of the campus.  But so far, that has been the only act to indicate such a shift in ideology.  Obviously I can't say for sure, but I have to assume that Cornell is in the class of school that believes it would be better off without an athletic department, rather than viewing sports as an essential way to make the school more attractive to a higher quantity and quality of student.

In addition to building Regents renovations were made to areas of the old athletics building. The also just replaced their 20 year old outdoor track this fall.

[hazzben]

Coe has a puncher's chance.  Especially at a 2nd string QB.

They get after it on all angles on defense.  They have confidence to burn.  They have a plan and they play to it.  9 out 10 times that's worked.

Their QB is playing at a high level.  A complete set of receivers, though no true deep threat.  They play a ball control passing game mixing in the run to keep you honest.... 

Must you audition for Pat and Keith at the Kohawks expense.

Actually I was directing that analysis to the Warhawk dude...I do actually think the 'hacks can win this.  But...at St. John's is a tall order.  The Johnnies are especially tough at home where they have that big crowd to feed off of.

Plus they out-geezer Staker with their coach.  

Actually, SJU's attendance numbers take a serious dip come playoffs.  When the students have to pay to get in, it is understandable that far fewer make it to the games.

That, combined with the distance Coe has to travel, might make for a mediocre crowd on Saturday.  My guess would be no more than 4,500 fans.  Although for most teams this would be phenomenal.

[hazzben]

I've been off the site for a little bit. Mom has been sick. Heart surgery was needed. She is doing great now and resting.

AZDutchman:

Glad to hear you mom is on the mend.

On a different note, I was down in Gilbert, AZ on vacation last week.  My buddy and I went to the Hamilton playoff fb game.  Always fun to see how good a team from another state looks.  It would be fun to see them up against an Eden Prairie or Cretin from MN.  

[DuffMan]

No matter what the Johnnies will be off this board after Saturday, maybe Sunday.  That is something the whole IIAC can celebrate.

Awww, that's flat-out mean.  Admit that you'll miss us...at least some of us! 

[Klompen]

I've been off the site for a little bit. Mom has been sick. Heart surgery was needed. She is doing great now and resting.

I'm going to share a little fact about my Mom. She gets very nervous on going to football games and even watching them on TV/internet. In the past 8 years she has gone to two games and watched six games. In those combined eight games her grandsons' teams has lost all of them. That included the one loss season in 2005.

So with that fact in mind my Mom, during her resting period, will not be allowed to watch the games either Friday or Saturday. She has been limited to Andy Griffith, Matlock and the Wheel of Fortune.

Hope your Mom makes a speedy recovery, but recommend that you never allow her to listen or watch football ever again, at least if Central is involved.  Two years ago they were known as the cardiac kids, coming from behind to win most conference games.  Didn't have an easy win until we hit St. Johns.  (Quick Dutch fans, give me some Karma, I'm going to need it.)  Wouldn't want them doing anything that would cause your mom to have another episode.  Her health is of utmost concern to the Dutch.   

[Pat Coleman]

Well shucks.  I was really looking forward to stirring things up over there.  Next year I must try to get on the distribution list for the selection committee's second-round what-if scenarios.

We have them on the Daily Dose this year.

[Charlie Kohawk]

By the way, I contacted the Coe SID and AD and provided an opp to post up their thoughts on the game.  No response.

Yawn. I would think they'd have more important things to do than respond to a fan site. At least I sure hope they do. Coe needs to spend every ounce of its energy getting ready for the mighty God's gift to college football. We don't stand a chance, of course, but maybe we can at least make a half of it. We bow to your greatness and are humbled by your superiority.  

[Fannosaurus Rex]

No matter what the Johnnies will be off this board after Saturday, maybe Sunday.  That is something the whole IIAC can celebrate.

Awww, that's flat-out mean.  Admit that you'll miss us...at least some of us! 

I'm already missing the UMHB buckeroos, even if they did actually want to talk about football and I ran out of material on that subject after two posts.

[sjusection105]

By the way, I contacted the Coe SID and AD and provided an opp to post up their thoughts on the game.  No response.

Yawn. I would think they'd have more important things to do than respond to a fan site. At least I sure hope they do. Coe needs to spend every ounce of its energy getting ready for the mighty God's gift to college football. We don't stand a chance, of course, but maybe we can at least make a half of it. We bow to your greatness and are humbled by your superiority.  

Charlie- you are welcome to our talgate party 

[DustySJU]

By the way, I contacted the Coe SID and AD and provided an opp to post up their thoughts on the game.  No response.

Yawn. I would think they'd have more important things to do than respond to a fan site. At least I sure hope they do. Coe needs to spend every ounce of its energy getting ready for the mighty God's gift to college football. We don't stand a chance, of course, but maybe we can at least make a half of it. We bow to your greatness and are humbled by your superiority.  

Wow, so much for social media.  Guess it's tough for you iwegians to do more than one thing at a time.  That I will say bodes well for the J's. 

Enjoy the off season.

[TC]

By the way, I contacted the Coe SID and AD and provided an opp to post up their thoughts on the game.  No response.

Yawn. I would think they'd have more important things to do than respond to a fan site. At least I sure hope they do. Coe needs to spend every ounce of its energy getting ready for the mighty God's gift to college football. We don't stand a chance, of course, but maybe we can at least make a half of it. We bow to your greatness and are humbled by your superiority.  

And that's also interesting, given that no other SID, AD or announcer has ever declined an invitation to post their opinion on the site. 

[Pat Coleman]

By the way, I contacted the Coe SID and AD and provided an opp to post up their thoughts on the game.  No response.

Yawn. I would think they'd have more important things to do than respond to a fan site.

Oh my ... paralyzed by the irony.