FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[farley101]

Could someone with a better understanding than me explain the spot of the ball after bethel's blocked field goal attempt?  From what I saw, a sju player picked it up and was hit immediately, so why wasn't the ball just placed where he was tackled?

From our vantage point (10 yard line, SJU side, that end) it appeared as though the defender never picked up the ball. He just fell on it. I, too, am shaky on the rule of placement, though.

Listening on the radio, they were discussing that and apparently the rule is that they should have spotted it at the 4, where the defender recovered it.  But somehow the refs decided, or got talked into giving it to the Johnnies at the 20.   

[GoldandBlueBU]

Yeah, I figured Gags might have had something to do with convincing the refs to spot it at the 20.
Maybe if johnson coaches bethel for 30 more years and has Gags' success, he'll be able to pull the same thing off.
I like bethel's chances next weekend, but with our tendancy to choke, I'm not gonna get too excited.

[stanbob]

Yeah, I figured Gags might have had something to do with convincing the refs to spot it at the 20.
Maybe if johnson coaches bethel for 30 more years and has Gags' success, he'll be able to pull the same thing off.
I like bethel's chances next weekend, but with our tendancy to choke, I'm not gonna get too excited.

Win the game and still whine, you are a classic.  Do you bitch when your ice cream is cold as well?

[cudub]

Im not saying CUW will win the game, however i am saying that i think you may be suprised by the falcon defense.  How much do you guys know about the WIAC and how would you compare your conference to it?  Again im not trying to say CUW is going to win, but according to your assessment  they run the ball, and our strong suit is run stuffing.  If the defense has a weakness its a secondary.  However the fact that you said the only way to beat them is by passing....thats kind of disheartening because the falcon passing game is inconsistent to say the least.  I noticed that Bethel played simpson and beat them pretty handily.  Concordia lost to them this year, however last year they more or less man handled them.  If i were a betting man id take Bethel but... i think you may be at least a little suprised.

[chewey]

Bethel...they are a smash mouth football team happy with a 3 to 4 yard gain on every play...their offensive line is relentless, their quarterback is a playmaker complemented by a very quick runningback, you don't just play Bethel, you play the clock as well.   Their passing game is not a strong suit, in fact they really only hit one pass play against the J's all day, but it was the biggest play of the game...

Defensively, they stunt, blitz and try to cause havoc from the first down you are on offense...they are quick and hit hard.  You can pass on them, because you really can't run on them...at least very well

To sum it up...they are the best team you will play this year, to get by them would be quite the achievement and to be honest I don't see it happening.

The playoffs is where it is the easiest to get by them.  I don't know much about Concordia, WIS but if Bethel loses again in the first round Bethel should be banned from the post-season.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Wow, stanbob needs to chill. Not whining at all buddy, I was just saying I was simply asking for someone toexplain how the rule on that play worked, and expressed humor at how Gags was able to talk the refs into the call he wanted.
Are your grapes that sour? relax man.

[Veek]

Yeah, I figured Gags might have had something to do with convincing the refs to spot it at the 20.
Maybe if johnson coaches bethel for 30 more years and has Gags' success, he'll be able to pull the same thing off.
I like bethel's chances next weekend, but with our tendancy to choke, I'm not gonna get too excited.

Win the game and still whine, you are a classic.  Do you bitch when your ice cream is cold as well?

Stanbob - When I read GoldandBlueBU's post I didn't think he was whining.  And according to Mike Carr the ball should have been spotted on the four so maybe Gags had something to do with convincing the refs differently as it sounded like the ball was initially spotted at the four.  

VOJ - did you hear anything further regarding this call after the game?

[justadad]

I believe it was a missed field goal that crossed the line of scrimmage.  The ball comes out to the 20 yard line.  Whether or not it was blocked does not make a difference, it was a missed FG attempt.

[mac77]

"And according to Mike Carr the ball should have been spotted on the four so maybe Gags had something to do with convincing the refs differently as it sounded like the ball was initially spotted at the four. "

It was interesting listening to Carbo discuss the placement of the ball.  He's an NCAA official, so he knows what he is talking about.  It appeared that Haugen and Fasching were pointing out that once the FG attempt was blocked, the play was over when the blocked kick crossed the line of scrimmage.....I don't have the answer - but it was fun to watch and listen!

Veek - I thought your post about our "expectations" was right on.  I am so excited and grateful for a home game!!!  I know "money talks" but I think SJU deserved a #4 seed there will be a great crowd (and a nice "gate" for the NCAA) on Saturday.  I believe Redlands gave SJU a good game the last time we played them... I hope for good weather, a great Stiftungsfest crowd, and a Johnnie win!!
GO, JOHNNIES!!!

[finsleft]

Just got back from the great white north.

First, congratulations to Bethel on the game yesterday and your season. Sounded like your boys were ready to play. Good luck in the post-season (to a point)

Thanks to cousin KR for the text updates. I enjoyed them until the last one.   Funny thing yesterday, I dropped Fins IV off at the place where he can walk in to his stand, then ran to the store 8 miles away to pick up a few supplies. Just for kicks, I tuned into 1330 AM and caught a few snippets of the broadcast. After I left the store, I drove to a high point in the road and could actually hear the last few minutes of the game at N48°17.54364, W093°0.13014  

Heard the koolaid ran out early. I'm putting chief deputy LBean on the task for Saturday's game. He will also have the keys to the Fins Luxury Skybox so I want everybody on their best behavior.

[OzJohnnie]

Well, I've arrived in SFO and an pleasantly surprised to see that not only have the J's made the playoffs, but they are seeded fourth and have a home game.  And they are in a bracket that they can do well in.

Far beyond anything I expected.  Thanks to the committee and congrats to the team.  I hope we play each week well so that we have a chance to avenge the loss at Bethel with a victory in a few weeks time.

[stanbob]

Wow, stanbob needs to chill. Not whining at all buddy, I was just saying I was simply asking for someone toexplain how the rule on that play worked, and expressed humor at how Gags was able to talk the refs into the call he wanted.
Are your grapes that sour? relax man.

My mistake, without looking back I thought you were the same one on the same subject from last night.  Best of luck THIS weekend.

[ChanzyChanz]

Gentlemen.  Just like to interrupt your regularly scheduled programming of Johnnie and Royal talk to tell you that after spending years of reading message after message (or opinion after opinion) on the MIAC Forum, I finally caved in.  Glad to be on board.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Wow, stanbob needs to chill. Not whining at all buddy, I was just saying I was simply asking for someone toexplain how the rule on that play worked, and expressed humor at how Gags was able to talk the refs into the call he wanted.
Are your grapes that sour? relax man.

My mistake, without looking back I thought you were the same one on the same subject from last night.  Best of luck THIS weekend.

No problem man, you can understand my confusion about why you jumped on me for my post...
In other news, Bethel is looking for a new president
TDT: With one presidency already on your resume, will you be throwing your hat into the ring?

http://www.bethel.edu/presidential-search/

[Kilted Rat]

I don't have time to look back and read all that was said, so I apologize if I'm repeating stuff.

1.  Great to get to see JJR, TDT, Ritz, TC, Shoes, 105, BU57, Dusty, Carbo, FrankRickard, Wicker, Raiderguy and all the rest at the Stiffyfest.

2.  SJU didn't deserve to win the way we played. We were lucky ot have the lead as long as we did with our lack of offensive execution and our inability to stop Bethel's ground game.
Anyone know why SJU only went deep a handful of times? The only specific attempt at going deep I remember went for a TD and we never went back to it. SJU was playing not to lose instead of playing to win.

3.  Kofoed is over-rated or he has the crappiest games when I am there. The best I ever saw him play was the 2004 loss to UWEC where he nearly brought us back from being down a couple dozen points. I started thinking Saturday that he has been starting ever since based on that performance alone. He needs to play a lot closer to that level if SJU expects to make it past Central or even Redlands!

4.  3 of Kofoed's first 5 passes could have been/were picked off. He looked off all game. See #3.

5.  SJU's defense played bend but don't break almost all game. How many times did Bethel turn the ball over on downs inside our 40?

6.  SJU had no answer for Bethel's ground game. Basically it was Wentzell right, Wentzell left, RB up the middle and they seemed to get 5 yards per.

7.  Bethel's Kickoff return for a TD was more of a product of horrible coverage than return skill. Yes, the guy still had to run it all the way back, but SJU's coverage was uglier than Frank Rickard in a dress. I assume much of this was due to having to run down twice after the kick out of bounds.

8.  Kickoff out of bounds is inexcusible. You have a 50 yard wide target and you miss??? With the new rules it tires the hell out of your coverage to keep running down the field while the returnman exerts no energy watching the kick go out.

9.  SJU is lucky it was a down year in the West and UWW got moved over, I am shocked we have a home game to start and can only thank the expanded field for it.

10.  The good times, beverages and company at the Stiffyfest made the 7 hours in the car well worth it.

11.  Good Lord the defense chant is annoying. TDT and I counted at least a half dozen times SJU got big games following that chant.

12.  SJU needs someone to step up and take charge on Offense and on Defense. When it mattered most, no one on either side stepped up and made a big play.

13.. All that said, SJU is in the playoffs and I guess we'll see where it leads! I may or may not be able to make it to the game next week, gotta see what my schedule for work is this week.

14.  Raiderguy, thanks for the book! You should have seen the look on my attending's face when I quoted a medical text from 1904 on a presentation I gave last month!

15.  On the confusion following the blocked Bethel FG, I believe the ruling is that on a blocked or missed FG that remains in the field of play, the defensive team can recover the kick and attempt to advance it. The defending team may take the ball at the spot of the kick or at the end of the return whichever is further. I think I remember hearing it explained during a college game on TV once.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Good Luck Bethel next week! I'd love to see a re-match in Arden Hills in late December if both parties can pull their weight. SJU has the tradition and experience, Bethel needs to get the huge playoff Albatross off their backs first though!

+K to all including the Bethel posters.