FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Redtooth]

Gary was the linebackers coach the last time the Johnnies played LaCrosse in the playoffs.The weather and field conditions in LaCross were terrible, but the Johnnies managed to hold a 30-8 lead in the 3rd quarter. LaCrosse then scored 29 unanswered points to win 37-30. Ouch!

Gary was actually coaching the DL during that game in 1996.  To say the field conditions were poor would be a complete understatement, and frankly was a major issue pregame and during the game.  As a member of the Games Committee during that time, I participated in a call early in the week during which the UWLX staff assured all of us on the call that their field was "in great shape" and had been covered.........well the morning of the game the field staff uncovered the field and the Chair of the West Region Games Committee was incensed when he saw a field that had frankly been destroyed......had ZERO grass between the hashmarks, was completely saturated from days of rain and snow......and frankly was in the condition of hosting a monster truck rally.  Keep in mind, UWLX didn't want to disclose the field conditions because when they had done so in 1991 (also against SJU) the NCAA relocated that game to the Metro Dome......which was an advantage for a smaller, faster SJU team that liked to pass.  The result of the game in 1996 was probably the largest lead SJU ever gave up and lost in the playoffs.

[DuffMan]

Conference awards are out:
Aaron Syverson, SJU, Offensive POY
Matt Jung, BU, Defensive POY
Caden DeWall, BU, Mike Stam Award (top lineman)
Jake Long, Cobbs, Rookie of the Year
Gary Fasching, SJU, Coach of the Year

[Pat Coleman]

Gary was the linebackers coach the last time the Johnnies played LaCrosse in the playoffs.The weather and field conditions in LaCross were terrible, but the Johnnies managed to hold a 30-8 lead in the 3rd quarter. LaCrosse then scored 29 unanswered points to win 37-30. Ouch!

Gary was actually coaching the DL during that game in 1996.  To say the field conditions were poor would be a complete understatement, and frankly was a major issue pregame and during the game.  As a member of the Games Committee during that time, I participated in a call early in the week during which the UWLX staff assured all of us on the call that their field was "in great shape" and had been covered.........well the morning of the game the field staff uncovered the field and the Chair of the West Region Games Committee was incensed when he saw a field that had frankly been destroyed......had ZERO grass between the hashmarks, was completely saturated from days of rain and snow......and frankly was in the condition of hosting a monster truck rally.  Keep in mind, UWLX didn't want to disclose the field conditions because when they had done so in 1991 (also against SJU) the NCAA relocated that game to the Metro Dome......which was an advantage for a smaller, faster SJU team that liked to pass.  The result of the game in 1996 was probably the largest lead SJU ever gave up and lost in the playoffs.

Ahh, the good-ol' days.

[DuffMan]

I remember listening to that game on the radio--pre-ESPN+.

[hazzben]

MIAC Football Awards

OPOTY: Syverson - QB SJU
DPOTY: Jung - DB Bethel
Stam: DeWall - DL Bethel
ROTY: Long - OL Cobbers
COTY: Fasching

[Redtooth]

I remember listening to that game on the radio--pre-ESPN+.

I did the color for that game with JG Preston doing the play by play.  This game played a very significant role in my eventual move to the field.

From Duffman on the WIAC board:

think I just saw UWL run a double pass- w their O lineman passing the ball for a completion. I don't believe I've ever seen that before.

This sparked a fun memory for me.  Back in '01, we had a tackle, Tom Engwall, complete a pass for 39 yards vs. Carleton.  He had an astonishing arm--he actually threw javelin for the Texas Longhorns after he graduated from SJU.  He was a Big 12 champ and qualified for the US Olympic trials.

Duff needs to tell the full story of how that came about.....

[DuffMan]

I'll share that tomorrow--slow day at work. 

[OzJohnnie]

MIAC Football Awards

OPOTY: Syverson - QB SJU
DPOTY: Jung - DB Bethel
Stam: DeWall - DL Bethel
ROTY: Long - OL Cobbers
COTY: Fasching

The list so nice you can post it twice.

[sjujohnnie]

Go to X & find Logan Hansen (@LogHanRatings) & like the St John's/Lacrosse matchup. If it receives the most likes Logan is going to do a video on the statistical matchup between the two teams!

[Capn34]

Gary was the linebackers coach the last time the Johnnies played LaCrosse in the playoffs.The weather and field conditions in LaCross were terrible, but the Johnnies managed to hold a 30-8 lead in the 3rd quarter. LaCrosse then scored 29 unanswered points to win 37-30. Ouch!

I was at that game with my fiancé(now wife).  I remember UW-L also not having concessions and most bathrooms open

[Redtooth]

Gary was the linebackers coach the last time the Johnnies played LaCrosse in the playoffs.The weather and field conditions in LaCross were terrible, but the Johnnies managed to hold a 30-8 lead in the 3rd quarter. LaCrosse then scored 29 unanswered points to win 37-30. Ouch!

I was at that game with my fiancé(now wife).  I remember UW-L also not having concessions and most bathrooms open

The following week UWLX was forced to host a semifinal game against Mount Union at a closed for the season Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

[Pat Coleman]

I was aware of this game at Camp Randall, but I was not aware of its antecedent.

[DuffMan]

Duff needs to tell the full story of how that came about...

Alright, I posted it over on the WIAC board.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Gary was the linebackers coach the last time the Johnnies played LaCrosse in the playoffs.The weather and field conditions in LaCross were terrible, but the Johnnies managed to hold a 30-8 lead in the 3rd quarter. LaCrosse then scored 29 unanswered points to win 37-30. Ouch!

Gary was actually coaching the DL during that game in 1996.  To say the field conditions were poor would be a complete understatement, and frankly was a major issue pregame and during the game.  As a member of the Games Committee during that time, I participated in a call early in the week during which the UWLX staff assured all of us on the call that their field was "in great shape" and had been covered.........well the morning of the game the field staff uncovered the field and the Chair of the West Region Games Committee was incensed when he saw a field that had frankly been destroyed......had ZERO grass between the hashmarks, was completely saturated from days of rain and snow......and frankly was in the condition of hosting a monster truck rally.  Keep in mind, UWLX didn't want to disclose the field conditions because when they had done so in 1991 (also against SJU) the NCAA relocated that game to the Metro Dome......which was an advantage for a smaller, faster SJU team that liked to pass.  The result of the game in 1996 was probably the largest lead SJU ever gave up and lost in the playoffs.

Thanks for sharing!  I've only really known the MIAC football history back to about the late 90's, when my older sister was at Bethel, so those further back stories are cool.  It's always hard for me to imagine a world where Augsburg was good, and even Hamline was competitive. 

[gobigred425]

All 3 All-MIAC QBs were Johnnies at some point. Syverson, Mattern, Drews. SJU backups and 3rd stringers will be hot commodity on the MIAC NIL market!