FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[johnnie_esq]

57Johnnie-

You are right that the Oles did not have a fighting chance in yesterday's game.  This is not due to the superior talent of SJU (though Kofoed is an excellent quarterback and the Olaf 4th down attempts were ill-considered).  St. Olaf never had a chance because the officials would not let them.  On many of their pass plays, there was flagrant holding that was not called (on one scoring play, a rushing Ole was tackled from behind as he headed toward the quarterback).  When it looked like the Oles might rally at the start of the second-half, flagrant pass interference in the endzone was ignored.  On a couple of 3rd and short for the Johnnies, it seemed as if the refs just gave them the first down with phantom offsides calls.  St. John's has a good team that is difficult to beat.  Doing so when they have 16 men on the field on every play is impossible.

1.  If it's inside the "box", a block in the back by an offensive lineman is allowed.  Check NCAA Rule 9 Section 3 Article 3(c).  And the stat sheet didn't show any unfair holding penalties on the Oles.  If the refs are being consistent, what's the beef?  Both teams play under the same rules then.

2.  I didn't see the play, but the SJU announcers noted that ball was uncatchable.

3.  The SJU sideline reporter noted before the play several times that the Ole lined up offside.  That's just a mental mistake, not a conspiracy against the Oles.  Normally referees even give a warning that that's the case, and the Oles tried to "cheat" by doing it numerous times on big 3rd downs.  Who's playing fair then?

Perhaps you should know the rules before you spout off about the referees being biased. 

You should look to your fellow Oles who have congratulated the Jays on winning fair and square.  They maintain a mark of credibility, but your attitude simply brings down the reputation of your program. You don't have to be happy about losing, but you should be able to accept that you lost fair and square.

[Willy Wonka]

To continue beating a dead horse...

Stolp is clearly not the sole the the Gusties are struggling right now. The lack of a consistent running game is also a problem. But here is my main concern:

The field-position battle is something that's routinely lost. The Gusties are -7 turnover differential in the MIAC, which is by far the worst in the league; averaging an extremely paltry and MIAC-worst 13.4 yards-per-kickoff return (STO leads at 30.9); and recording a league-low 26.2 per punt (STO also leads at 36.2). Combined with its propensity for turnovers, it's easy to see why GAC has struggled this season.

Does anyone remember the days when Frank was pounding Duffman to open holes for the RBs? When the Baldus boys had GAC at the top of the punting department? Or when Traetow was an All-American returner with like 4 TDs in like 2002? Perhaps when GAC wasn't one of the three worst teams in the MIAC?

I miss those days.

FYI: Of the Gusties' 88 yards, 30 of it came on a dive up the middle where the Royals must have blown an assignment. That's Donald Uggla if I've ever seen it. By the same token, GAC's punter had two "carries" for -49 yards with the bad exchange...

Early prediction: Gustavus 27, SJU 17 

[Drake Palmer]

In other news or question of note, can anyone comment on the change in QB for the Tommies?  Ala the Cobbs, Soph David Sauer replaced senior Ryan Jansen at QB, & apparently Jansen slid over to one of the receiver spots.  According to the boxscore, in the win over the Carlies Jansen caught 2 passes for 21 yards.

At least in the Cobbs' case, former QB Eric Rodel played the wide receiver position the previous year.

[knights]

Repete,

Thanks for the kind words, looks like SJU is in position again to run the table again in the MIAC unless someone plays a perfect game and SJU plays flat. 

UST put their regular starting QB Ryan Jansen at TE and started the Sauer kid, who did a nice job.  Jansen is such a good athlete and is strong enough to play TE.  Evidently coaches are trying to put the best athletes on the field, which makes sense.

[retiredole]

"when a heavy-set gentlemen (Ole fan) wheels over to us in a wheelchair. Evidently we had "hassle us" written on our foreheads, because he started badgering us verbally for being Johnnie fans. Right in the middle of a friendly conversation with my family, he starts in with "you don't have a chance today...good luck in a couple years...looks like you will be dreaming of a national championship in a couple years...you won't be winning the MIAC this year or any years to come....must have been classy to take a knee against Ramler last week, etc." Meanwhile we stood there in shock and ignored him as he "rolled" away giggling like a 5-year old."

I know of the 'heavy-set' man you are referring to and he is actually a self-proclaimed Carleton fan. He used to work at the Wendy's in Northfield and would berate Ole players when they walked in to the restaurant in their team gear. He also was at our Ole/Knight Homecoming game in 2004 and was screaming obscenities at the Ole fans and players as well. He may live in Northfield, but he is definitely not an Ole fan. As for the people in the '50 yard line' incident, that is a poor represtentation of people at Olaf and would hope that others would realize that one small group does not define an entire population.

As for the game, the Johnnies flat out played well and Olaf had some letdowns. People make mistakes, maybe Meidt's 4th down calls weren't the greatest, but if Johnnie fans can honestly say that Gagliardi and Co. haven't made some costly play calls in his 50+ years of coaching, I'd be utterly surprised!

[retiredole]

Sorry about the format of my previous quote, I'm new... 

[repete]

Retired,
It's OK to quote yourself, just don't go referring to yourself in the third person! At least, that's repete's suggestion.

Sounds like the guy was more of a Johnnie hater than a STO fan ...

Knights,
My perspective is from a long ways away but it appears the distance from the middle of the pack to the apparent top is a little bit tighter. I think several teams have shown improvement this year, including the Tommies with a strong showing against two teams that are unbeaten in the Iowa league.

Plus, I'm concerned about the inconsistent SJU ground game this late into the season.

Wahoo,
I think a few STO newbies riled folks up a bit, but I appreciate your viewpoint as a long-time poster. Had to be a tough weekend with Oles and Cavs going down. I'm guess Groh has to beat the Terps this week .... That's a fantastic campus at UVa.

[Johnnie Red]

Duffman, I can order the burger today, pick it up tomorrow afternoon on my way to Hutchinson for a visit with the Minnesota Supreme Court justices and then hook up with you Wednesday night after work. Any idea where we could meet? Halfway between Chaska and Crystal?

I also had the opportunity to meet the Carleton fan in the wheelchair Saturday morning. Same comments that JohnniePress got. Good to see OAS and the webmaster's bro at the game.

[DuffMan]

Duffman, I can order the burger today, pick it up tomorrow afternoon on my way to Hutchinson for a visit with the Minnesota Supreme Court justices and then hook up with you Wednesday night after work. Any idea where we could meet? Halfway between Chaska and Crystal?

I've got a pretty busy week.  I'll have to let you know about Wednesday.  The weather looks unfriendly to fishing, but sturgeon season closes Sunday and Wednesday might be my last time to get out.  When do you leave Thursday?  I could meet you over lunch.

[Kilted Rat]

I know of the 'heavy-set' man you are referring to and he is actually a self-proclaimed Carleton fan. He used to work at the Wendy's in Northfield and would berate Ole players when they walked in to the restaurant in their team gear.

Wait, if he worked at Wendy's wouldn't that make him a UST alum? 

[DuffMan]

Chuck Norris Fact of the Day:

Chuck Norris can jump-start a car using jumper cables attached to his nipples

Mighty Royal

Who can't?

[tmerton]

Chuck Norris Fact of the Day:

Chuck Norris can jump-start a car using jumper cables attached to his nipples

Mighty Royal

And the Energizer Bunny can jump start a UFO with jumper cables attached to his ears!  I'm more impressed with the Energizer Bunny.   

[57Johnnie]

I've got a pretty busy week.  I'll have to let you know about Wednesday.  The weather looks unfriendly to fishing, but sturgeon season closes Sunday and Wednesday might be my last time to get out.  When do you leave Thursday?  I could meet you over lunch.
[/quote]
You better get out there fishing - somebody has to do it  

[johnnie_esq]

Chuck Norris Fact of the Day:

Chuck Norris can jump-start a car using jumper cables attached to his nipples

Mighty Royal

Who can't?

Water boils faster when Chuck Norris watches it.

[Johnnie Red]

Duffman, Thursday should work. I have to meet with a witness at 1:30 p.m. in Victoria. What if we met in Chanhassen around noon? If that would work, let me know.