FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

What a great game yesterday. I was impressed with the way Bethel played every time I saw them play and I felt they had a chance to pull it off yesterday IF they played their "A" game... which they did.  Congrats to Coach Johnson, his players and their fans

Congrats, too, to the Johnnies. They have had a great season so far, and played with the kind of class and poise one comes to expect from SJU.  It was a tough loss, but they are still co-champs, which is nothing to be ashamed about.

I expect both teams to do well on Saturday wherever they play.

All this talk about the post-game celebration is a bit bothersome. As a neutral party who has great respect for both teams, I fail to se what the to-do is all about. I didn't see anyone doing anything other than joyfully celebrating a win. No one's actions seemed to indicate they were "stomping on" on anything.

I've been to countless football and basketball games where fans spilled onto the field to celebrate a win, and have seen many victory celebrations by players in hockey and baseball (for some reason their fans stay in the bleachers). One common denominator in all of these celebrations is that they took place at the center of action- midfield, center ice, the pitcher's mound or the center of the court.  I don't recall anyone on here having an issue with the Concordia fans and players celebrating their monumental win at Collegeville in 2004 in the same way BU did yesterday. I don't recall anyone being miffed about Johnnies and their fans celebrating the 2003 Stagg Bowl win at midfield, either, I wasn't angry when GAC fans flooded onto the field, dancing for joy when they beat SUT at UST in hoops in 2003, even though many of them were jumping and standing on the UST logo. It is the natural place to congregate after a win. 

On the other hand, I was a bit disgusted by the chanting of "over-rated" in the final minutes of the game. Balancing that was hearing from several Bethel players that they too found this to be wrong. As BU's Danielson put it "you don't disrespect a program like St John's like that." To me, that is class, right up there with SJU's Steffensmeier staying out there, congratulating the Bethel players and coaches.  Its kids like these that make the MIAC & D3 so great.

I hope we can all rally together and cheer BOTH SJU and Bethel to victories the next 2 rounds, setting up a rematch Dec 2!

[ruggerrat]

 

Should SJU beat Central, would they travel west?
[/quote]

Yes.

Any guesses how the south bracket will shake out?
Wesley?  or MHB?  Esq. you are always in the know!

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

and, before I forget...it was great seeing everyone at the Sitffy-fest...as always, JR-- you do a phenomenal job... Veek- the brats were cooked to perfection as usual. And, TDT looked his usal fine self pink, but I was a little disapopinted that it was faded pink

[johnnie_esq]

Should SJU beat Central, would they travel west?

Yes.

Any guesses how the south bracket will shake out?
Wesley?  or MHB?  Esq. you are always in the know!
[/quote]

Jeez, I don't know much about Wesley, but those MHB teams are tough.

[sjusection105]

With no "seeding" in the 1st round as was mentioned on the selection show UWW hosting St. Norberts is no surprise. But SJU as a "bubble team" as Pat Coleman notes, being in the lower half of the bracket looks to be an advantage over the road show Bethel has to face.

Is there any early word of a bus to Pella?

[TC]

I gotta say, for a team that wasn't guarenteed a spot in the dance at all, the Johnnies got a pretty reasonable draw for a shot at Whitewater.  

The Royals have to be a little disappointed to see the road ahead of them. But then again, not many believed they would come to C-Ville and do what they did yesterday.

Let's see some good ol' West 7 Seed magic!  At least it will be decided on the field and the Johnnies will have a chance to atone for their efforts yesterday.

[sfury]

One other note on the postgame festivities yesterday, on the radio Mark (play by play) was quite upset with it and said things could get ugly. But Backes quickly calmed him down and said it was no big deal and it was just kids having fun.

[ruggerrat]

Does anyone remember last yrs playoffs... wasn't it west vs south... and north vs east , as well?  thought they changed that up from yr to yr.?

Seems to set up the potential; #1 vs #2 nicely.

[johnnie_esq]

With no "seeding" in the 1st round as was mentioned on the selection show UWW hosting St. Norberts is no surprise. But SJU as a "bubble team" as Pat Coleman notes, being in the lower half of the bracket looks to be an advantage over the road show Bethel has to face.

Is there any early word of a bus to Pella?

We'll have to check the gojohnnies site to see.

I will get the pick'ems up for the playoffs later today.

[johnniepress]

More than likely there will be a bus(s) to Pella, but we will not know until tomorrow (Monday).

[Scrubby41]

MIAC MANIAC,
BEST POST this year, thank you!

[sfury]

Here's Reusse's column on the game. How about the stat that Bethel ran 41 plays to 4 after Lofboom's touchdown?

http://www.startribune.com/508/story/804894.html

[farley101]

All this talk about the post-game celebration is a bit bothersome. As a neutral party who has great respect for both teams, I fail to se what the to-do is all about. I didn't see anyone doing anything other than joyfully celebrating a win. No one's actions seemed to indicate they were "stomping on" on anything.

Not to beat a dead horse......BUT

I would have to respectively disagree as I saw the frontline folks on the rush to the logo distinctly taking one foot and stomping on the logo.  If you were on the Bethel side or either of the endzones you probably wouldn't have seen it.  It was an intentional act and obviously most think unnecessary.

Good Luck to the johnnies in Pella next week, hope they use this loss as a wake up and make a run in the playoffs.

[Redtooth]

Congratulations to all at SJU for getting to the playoffs once again...albeit not the way you would prefer to get in.  Take advantage of the disappointment from yesterday and use it in the playoffs as motivation.

Two topics I would like to respond to:  miac maniac, your post regarding post game celebrations was a well thoughtout, but needed a little addtional research.  When SJU won the National Championship in 2003, stopping Mount Union's string of 55 straight wins and 3 consecutive National Championships, NO ONE from SJU (players or fans) jumped around on the 50 yard line to celebrate.  The players and coaches immediately went over to congratulate Mount Union and shake hands.  Nobody jumped around, no goal posts came down...just a team satisfied to have finally accomplished the goal they started the season with.

Pat, good work on ESPN!  Your ability to make DIII important on the biggest sports channel on the planet is greatly appreciated.  On a side note...the next time you wear a three-button suit on TV, sit-up and not slouch.  You looked beefer than you are

Go Johnnies!!!!  Hope to be able to drive over to Spokane in two weeks for a game at Whitworth.

[DutchHawk]

Should be quite the atomsphere in Pella next weekend! Quite the nice new stadium as well. Should be a heck of a game!! Defensive battle I would assume...although I havent checked out the Johnnies stats too much