FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Retired Old Rat]

ROR: You are a fountain of knowledge.  I was aware that Omer was the owner, but did not realize he was a Tornado.  What year did he graduate?  We'll have to meet there over the offseason to talk some pigskin.  BTW: Your brother Leo makes a surprise cameo in Touchdown Tommy's weekly column...

Mitch is a 1973 graduate of AHS.

Leo will be pleased.

[Willy Wonka]

I LOVE that kind of a stat...don't get me wrong, I really respect SJU, and would be pulling for them against UST, and would expect them to win 8 out of 10 games...but that part of the quote just cracked me up.

"They haven't lost at home late in the season in the past 10 years, except when they lost at home, late in the season within the past 10 yrs."   

Touche GoldandBlueBU.  But to defend the point...including the 9-1 playoff record since '99 the Johnnies are 37-3 (93%) at home in late season (Oct & beyond)  games.  Are they beatable? Well yes, just ask PLU, CON, Bethel.

So given the history what is working in the Tommies favor should they make a return to Clemens?  A new QB?  The Johnnies will have a "new" QB as well if Boyle is able to return so I'd call it a wash at best.  And isn't it possible that the Johnnie D had something to do with previous starter looking so poor back in the first match up? 

If you want to claim that a dominating 245-239 yardage advantage in a 3-point overtime victory is nearly a monkeystomp, don't let any of us try to stop you...

[bennie]

You're right, it was Chimera. I guess you see the western teams more, so I will add the Maple Leafs to your list

I was just listing the dirty teams among those I cheer for. 8) Don't tell me your a Leaf fan!!

[SJUrube]

Have the Johnnies & Tommies played more than once this season?  I saw them play at Clemens Stadium on Oct 17 and considering the Johnnies were playing "without" their starting QB controlled the game offensively and defensively.  The Tommies were gifted with 2 short fields that lead to scores and they should be applauded for capitalizing.  But I don't get the "bring it on attitude" that UST players & supporters are displaying about a potential return to Clemens.  Sounds like fake bravado to me.

The Tommies were lucky to have the Oct 17 game go to OT considering the Boyle injury and the near meltdown by the SJU special teams.  They've lost 12 straight to the Johnnies and haven't won at Clemens since 1986.  Additionally the Johnnies rarely lose at home and it's even rarer for them to drop a late season or playoff home game.

Wonka - reread the post.  I said the Johnnies CONTROLLED the game which I think a 14-0 lead with 10 mins left in the game would reflect.  Others may disagree but I was confident the lead and shutout would be maintained right up until the special teams miscues.  And I think the Tommies would have had a hard time scoring the two TDs without the help of the SJU errors.

The game wasn't a blowout/monkey stomp by any means but from my (albeit Red) perspective the Johnnies had the game clearly in hand.  Even more so when you consider they were playing a QB who couldn't/wasn't going to through a pass further than 5-7 yds downfield.

[D O.C.]

monkeystomp

Now there's a word missing from Collegeville OW! OOW!! SOS!!!

Thank heaven for Hamline...again.

[VOJ]

Have the Johnnies & Tommies played more than once this season?  I saw them play at Clemens Stadium on Oct 17 and considering the Johnnies were playing "without" their starting QB controlled the game offensively and defensively.  The Tommies were gifted with 2 short fields that lead to scores and they should be applauded for capitalizing.  But I don't get the "bring it on attitude" that UST players & supporters are displaying about a potential return to Clemens.  Sounds like fake bravado to me.

The Tommies were lucky to have the Oct 17 game go to OT considering the Boyle injury and the near meltdown by the SJU special teams.  They've lost 12 straight to the Johnnies and haven't won at Clemens since 1986.  Additionally the Johnnies rarely lose at home and it's even rarer for them to drop a late season or playoff home game.

Wonka - reread the post.  I said the Johnnies CONTROLLED the game which I think a 14-0 lead with 10 mins left in the game would reflect.  Others may disagree but I was confident the lead and shutout would be maintained right up until the special teams miscues.  And I think the Tommies would have had a hard time scoring the two TDs without the help of the SJU errors.

The game wasn't a blowout/monkey stomp by any means but from my (albeit Red) perspective the Johnnies had the game clearly in hand.  Even more so when you consider they were playing a QB who couldn't/wasn't going to through a pass further than 5-7 yds downfield.

monkeystomp

Now there's a word missing from Collegeville OW! OOW!! SOS!!!

Thank heaven for Hamline...again.

In some respects I can see both  viewpoints of WW and SJUrube...Wonka is right it was a close game in the end, because of some mistakes made by SJU and the ability of UST to capitalize on them...however I too felt that SJU was in control of that game, and once it got to overtime they would win.

The  defense which after a horrid start has rounded into form and does bend, but does not break often, in fact since the second half of the Concordia game it's business as usual on that side of the ball, the offense continues to make strides.

Johnnies football has changed this year...they are not relying on a high flying passing attack, instead its a ball control, grind their opponent into the turf plan which shows off the teams strength, the offensive line and the 4 to 6 talented runningbacks they have.  I like the fireworks but this year's team impresses me, they know how to play with the lead, they know how to shorten a game, that could be a vital weapon in the next few weeks...to borrow from hockey its like a hot goalie with a 3 goal lead...forget about the comeback

Carleton worries me a bit because of the knowledge of the Johnnies on the other sideline, SJU might need to change things up a bit in order to keep them off balance, get away from the option on short yardage, try throwing more on 1st down, but still stay true to the offensive line and their ability to open holes and create lanes for the rb's...

[cobbernation]

Breaking News from ESPN.  MLB general managers decided to not extend instant replay.  So more doubles by joe mauer in the playoffs will continue to be called foul as well as other umpire goofs.  I believe there were around 13 missed calls in the postseason, I can see why they don't want to use instant replay for other than disputed homeruns!

[WithasilentK]

Carleton probably shouldn't worry you this year.  They have made strides since the beginning of this year, but because they're missing a recruiting class, they just don't have the depth to absorb injuries.  I'm not sure what the injury status is but I can guarantee you a couple people had to have gone down.

Their D has improved but it won't be enough to stop the SJU rushing attack.  On offense, they're receivers and quarterback are young and still very raw.  Maybe they can keep it close for a while ala 2006, but I don't think they have the ability to make a major upset this year.  Next year though...they could be a 7-9 win team...

[tmerton]

One correction here for rube re the UST game ... Boyle played the entire game.  It was the St. Olaf game that he had to come out after the first or second series.

[SJUrube]

One correction here for rube re the UST game ... Boyle played the entire game.  It was the St. Olaf game that he had to come out after the first or second series.

I know Boyle played in the sense the he was in the game but he was no where near 100%.  Hence my thoughts the Johnnies were playing "without" their starting QB and will have a "new" QB upon his return.

The scary thing is whether that return will even happen.  Frank Rajkowski's injury updates via his blog sound like a broken record week after week with Boyle hoping to play but after reexamining him doctors keep him in the cast.  I hope the lack of progress is more a result of the team and medical staff using the benefits of a couple of easier late season games to get him fully healthy and it's not something that could keep him out of the playoffs.  Boyle seemed to be coming into his own prior to the injury and SJU could use his athleticism & scrambling ability in the playoffs.

[USTBench]

SJU Rube,

"I know Boyle played in the sense the he was in the game but he was no where near 100%.  Hence my thoughts the Johnnies were playing "without" their starting QB and will have a "new" QB upon his return."

I find it hard to admit when I'm wrong too...but that is not what you meant. Your analysis of games will no longer be respected by me and will be summarily ignored along with TDT's descriptions of his breakfast.

[SJUrube]

SJU Rube,

"I know Boyle played in the sense the he was in the game but he was no where near 100%.  Hence my thoughts the Johnnies were playing "without" their starting QB and will have a "new" QB upon his return."

I find it hard to admit when I'm wrong too...but that is not what you meant. Your analysis of games will no longer be respected by me and will be summarily ignored along with TDT's descriptions of his breakfast.

This is such a dumb thing to defend myself on because I was at the game and wondered throughout why in the hell the Johnnie O & Boyle were not willing to throw the ball downfield.  Low and behold word about his thumb injury came out after the game.

But even if you don't want to believe that I was at the game and saw #9 playing QB, take a look at my previous posts where I referenced the Johnnies QB situation during the UST game...And just to make it easier for you here are said posts.

Yesterday at 02:27:45 pm
I saw them play at Clemens Stadium on Oct 17 and considering the Johnnies were playing "without" their starting QB controlled the game offensively and defensively.

Yesterday at 03:56:12 pm
The Johnnies will have a "new" QB as well if Boyle is able to return so I'd call it a wash at best.

Yesterday at 07:08:29 pm
Even more so when you consider they were playing a QB who couldn't/wasn't going to through a pass further than 5-7 yds downfield.

Do you think it's possible I used the quotations to highlight the fact that although the Johnnies starting QB played he was not playing at a starters level because of the injury?  I don't know, just a thought.

[USTBench]

I still don't believe you. But I do believe you like to think with your head in a toilet bowl.

[bennie]

I still don't believe you. But I do believe you like to think with your head in a toilet bowl.

Way to take the high road!! I wonder what TDT had for breakfast...

[USTBench]

High road? Ugh...I need KR back.