FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sjusection105]

Just saw Johnnie/Tommie clips on KMSP.....the Violet Beauregard's looked hideous!!!The all purple uniforms are nasty...any comments?

I agree. New coach, new uniforms, same old Tommies  www.JohnnieFootball.com

[Willy Wonka]

Gustie at Carleton recap

• Shane Hefling is SALTY. The guy made every play you could imagine, including driving down the field for the game-tying TD in the final 3 minutes and making two greats runs in OT. He put his team in position to win. I'm not sure there's anything else he could have done from the QB spot.

• I feel bad for the Carleton kicker. He's got a pretty big leg, but was unable to come through three times. GAC blocked a 34-yard FG late in the second half and the final two extra points never had a chance; the game-winning XP with 10 seconds left hit the center in the taint, I think. The last one was toughest to swallow, since the snap was low and the hold was never really made before the kick.

• I watched the OT session with the Carleton president. He didn't really know the game, but was genuinely fired up. Refreshing to see a non-athlete enjoying our usual Saturday entertainment.

• GAC had its own kicking problems. The starting kicker was suspended for a rules violation and it made a HUGE difference. Carleton routinely started at near midfield on kickoffs and the Gusties went for it a couple times on fourth down when a FG seemed reasonable. That was Holsten's first time kicking in a game, I'm told.

• Extremely gusty game from Becker. The guy played through turf toe yesterday, took a TON of punishment from the Carleton front and still made all the plays he needed to. I think it's safe to say he's exceeded expectations this year.

• GAC was a run-dominated team until roughly three years ago, often as heavy as 70%. The last few weeks, they've gone to a 5-wide set that's taking the RB and TE completely off the field. It'd be interesting to hear Schoeny's unfiltered take on this change, though it's hard to argue with the results so far this year.

• GAC's second-leading WR and leading rusher yesterday, Cody Sukalski, is out for the season with a broken leg/ankle. Could be a big loss, as he's also the main kick returner (and the guy who replaced him almost fumbled the game away to end regulation).

• And to finish...an extremely sketchy end to the game for the refs. One third-and-goal from the 1, a Gustie RB dove toward the end zone. He looked close to breaking the plane (ala USTd), but fumbled it forward. After a mad scramble for the ball, Carleton comes out of the pile with the ball. The call? A GAC touchdown by an offensive lineman.

The possession before, with GAC leading 23-17 and under 30 seconds to play, Carleton was faced with a 3&10 from the Gustie 20ish. Gustavus was called for PI at the 4...and the refs said it was a spot foul! Schoeny called a timeout for an explanation, and the ref even told me it was the right call during that break, but I've never seen PI be a spot foul in the college game.

[cobbernation]

I have to admit I was a bit surprised when I found out the final score from Augsburg.  I didn't think we would be on fire offensively and shutting down a powerful offense.   It was a good time for a big win against a good team.  Maybe it was a spark after last week's loss to UST.  However, it was good that UST "lost" even though it looks like they scored the TD towards the end of the fourth quarter.  Tough break for the Tommies. 

Good win Cobbers and keep it going!

[corn horn]

I've decided that none of the MIAC teams are very good this year.

I think it's quite the opposite.  We are all so good and very even.  Much like the WIAC we are just beating each other up so bad and now won't get a second team in the playoffs because of it.  It's just not fair.  We should get two or three AQ's this year and every year from now on out.  THE REAL MIAC HAS ARRIVED!


 

Tweetybird....I think it is becoming more apparent as the weeks go on that the MIAC is weak this year with only one team deserving of a playoff bid.  I don't know that mediocrity deserves multiple playoff berths.  The only variable will be the other conference train wrecks that are likely to occur before year end around the region.  What MIAC team in recent memory (expanded playoffs or before) has been left home when they were deserving of a playoff berth?

I will also go on record to state that unless SJU or Bethel make the playoffs, the MIAC rep is likely to get shell-shocked in the first round.  Lack of experience is not a good ingredient come playoff time.  The last point regarding your statement; the MIAC is not a physical conference and the notion that the teams are beating each other up is ridiculous.
Glad to see that a big play went SJU's way once this year

There IS one MIAC team that has beaten both of these nominees for MIAC rep. Concordia plays "physical" ball, and certainly has experience. They could represent the conference well...just need to finish the job to getting there first.

[Redtooth]

Thanks for the note Tweety.  It is always hard to tell when you Bethel folks are joking...you all have a tendency to be a little straight and tight 8) 8)

I didn't realize your past whining about respect for Bethel was considered making fun of me.....but if that floats your boat, so be it.

CornHorn...my comments were not that I expected those clubs to vault past the Cobblers, but rather they are the only teams that have players that have played in a playoff game or two.  Like it or not, the playoffs are a different beast altogether.  If you think a team without playoff experience, exceptional speed and the forward pass can go into the playoffs and make a run; enjoy November.  It will be enlightening.   

[Willy Wonka]

CornHorn...my comments were not that I expected those clubs to vault past the Cobblers, but rather they are the only teams that have players that have played in a playoff game or two.  Like it or not, the playoffs are a different beast altogether.  If you think a team without playoff experience, exceptional speed and the forward pass can go into the playoffs and make a run; enjoy November.  It will be enlightening.   

Concordia made the national tournament in 2004 and 2005. You can say you don't respect their speed or scheme, but questioning their postseason experience seems a little silly.

[cheese]

No doubt one of you will correct me if I am wrong, but isn't only "in region" record counted toward play-offs?
Bethel's loss at Top 5 Wheaton wouldn't count if the previous thought is correct.

If Bethel runs the table (not easy with St T and Augs still upcoming), they might get Pool C consideration - I would think their run last year would help. . . right?

[OzJohnnie]

CornHorn...my comments were not that I expected those clubs to vault past the Cobblers, but rather they are the only teams that have players that have played in a playoff game or two.  Like it or not, the playoffs are a different beast altogether.  If you think a team without playoff experience, exceptional speed and the forward pass can go into the playoffs and make a run; enjoy November.  It will be enlightening.   

Concordia made the national tournament in 2004 and 2005. You can say you don't respect their speed or scheme, but questioning their postseason experience seems a little silly.

CC's #2 QB in 2005?  A freshman named Jesse Nelson.

CC's #2 RB (by a poofteenth of an inch) in 2005?  A freshman named Cory Johnson.

The Cobbers are the MIAC's best shot at playoff glory, I figure.  Second round if they make it.  Maybe third.

[bcflyguy1]

I'm not in favor of firing a coach in the middle of a season, but surely today's performance by the Vikes is the last straw for Brad Childress.  3 INT's and they spot the Bears 21 points with fumbles and a blocked punt for TD's.  Even if they somehow come back to win, this team is an absolute comedy act.  Get Childress out, trade for Brady Quinn, pay Bill Cowher whatever he wants, and make this team as good as it should be.

[corn horn]

I'm not in favor of firing a coach in the middle of a season, but surely today's performance by the Vikes is the last straw for Brad Childress.  3 INT's and they spot the Bears 21 points with fumbles and a blocked punt for TD's.  Even if they somehow come back to win, this team is an absolute comedy act.  Get Childress out, trade for Brady Quinn, pay Bill Cowher whatever he wants, and make this team as good as it should be.

I believe they just added a game ending 4th INT. I'm guessing one intermediary firing of the special teams coach before pulling the plug on Chilly, which would be a gutless move (but not a bad idea, considering they can't kick cover, punt, or punt cover).

[CobberFvr]

I absolutely despise the Vikings, but I sure hope they kick Childress out the door. Watching that game almost made me sick.

[DustySJU]

I've decided that none of the MIAC teams are very good this year.

I think it's quite the opposite.  We are all so good and very even.  Much like the WIAC we are just beating each other up so bad and now won't get a second team in the playoffs because of it.  It's just not fair.  We should get two or three AQ's this year and every year from now on out.  THE REAL MIAC HAS ARRIVED!


 

Has the cream risen to the top or sunk to the bottom?  I think it's a combination of the two but the fact is that no team has demonstrated any real consistency.  I know that I'm biased but I think it is a year where there is no dominant team (SJU) and everyone else is pretty good.  I really don't think the MIAC deserves more than 1 team in the post season and I don't think our one team will do much in the second season.

Eau Claire (now with 2 loses with Whitewater coming up again in a couple weeks) losing to River Falls today in the WIAC is a shot in the arm to the 2nd place MIAC or IIAC team.

Not too much chortling from the Johnnie Nation post UST defeat... prolly all just happy to slip away from Cretin/Vandalia with an improbable win.... the tailgating yesterday became questionable 'round 9:00am however The Wimmers/Hansels and company led the partygoers to the south boulevard where City Municipalities including law enforcement and transit services joined in.... paired with the outstanding weather it was a day unrivaled.

Thanks to all who helped out with the tailgate.   

For those whose travels and schedules found them elsewhere, the day was epic.


Developing.....

[Pat Coleman]

No doubt one of you will correct me if I am wrong, but isn't only "in region" record counted toward play-offs?
Bethel's loss at Top 5 Wheaton wouldn't count if the previous thought is correct.

Bethel/Wheaton is a regional game. Regional games are marked on our team schedules. (The definition of "regional game" expanded a couple years back to try to give teams more opportunities to schedule them, among other reasons.)

[johnniedeuce]

Looks like only two things remain constant from last year- Hamline is still in the tank and St. Olaf has a better team on paper at the start of the year than on the field.

The MIAC is probably about as strong as it has been in years past, the only difference is that SJU and Bethel are both beatable teams. Carleton has come out and blown the doors off people's expectations, but proved this week that they are as beatable as the rest losing to GAC.

From my estimation, Carleton is really in the drivers seat right now. With SJU, Concordia, and Bethel beating up on each other, Carleton is going to be the team to beat coming down the stretch. Playing at Concordia and hosting SJU to end the season will give everyone around the MIAC look to see how tough they really are. I hate to say it, but this could be the first win for Carleton against the Johnnies.

[TommieHoops4Life]

Went to UST/SJU with my gal (who's a 2005 Bennie grad) and had a few thoughts on the game. It's an absolute joke that the Tommies didn't win. SJU is average at best right now compared to what I've seen in years past.

I was on the other end of the field on Wartman's supposed run that wasn't a TD, and after seeing the video link, UST got jobbed. 3/4 of his body is past the goal line, there's absolutely no way the ball didn't get in the end zone. The refs were blind there and flat out got it wrong. Gotta make the right call on the most critical play of the game.

What is SJU doing taking a safety to let UST pull within 12-9 with 3:10 to play? I could understand that call with under a minute to go, but it baffled my mind at the time. You give  them a chance to tie it with a field goal??? I was standing next to a group of SJU fans who were also wondering "what the hell are they doing?!" At the time, I thought it was an awful decision.

The only worse call was Caruso pulling out his best Brad Childress impression. 3rd or 4th and long in the 4th and you call a draw up the middle? I can watch that putrid play-calling with the Vikes on Sunday, let's leave it to one day a week. Other than that, I thought UST played well enough to win and should have. Their defense was tough.

By the way, FIRE CHILDRESS! You put up 41 today and still lose. Plus, they were down 17 in the final quarter and showed no urgency. Get that clown out of MN and bring in somebody who won't call a screen pass or a run on 3rd and long. Seriously.