FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

I notice that the Twinkies lost their 100th game today and are 8 games worse than Atlanta who is chasing them with 92 losses. Could we be looking at a '91 redux next year when Minnesota and the Braves go from worst to first and face off in an epic World Series?

[DuffMan]

I don't have too much to add from Saturday's game.  It was very winnable for the good guys, but they shot themselves in the foot a few too many times.  Gotta clean that up.  Erdmann continues to impress me.  Not a perfect game by him, but he's a freshman, and a darn good one!

It doesn't appear that Fenske is a deep threat.  Is that an accurate statement, or was he off?  I can't think of one throw longer than about 10 yards that was on-target.  Any more info on Roberts?

[DuffMan]

In regards to Johnnie fans giving up, I'm a bit of a pessimist (my wife had to force me to stay at the Concordia game in the early 2000's in which the Johnnies won on a last-second, long bomb to Kyle Gearman), but I played for or with the majority of the Johnnie staff, so I really had to bite my tongue when some know-it-all blowhard behind me exclaimed, "Fasching is just as stupid as Gagliardi was!"

Seriously?  I guess maybe that's a compliment.  I guess it's unacceptable that every play doesn't go for 10+ yards when you're playing one of the top teams in the nation. 

[faunch]

I don't have too much to add from Saturday's game.  It was very winnable for the good guys, but they shot themselves in the foot a few too many times.  Gotta clean that up.  Erdmann continues to impress me.  Not a perfect game by him, but he's a freshman, and a darn good one!

It doesn't appear that Fenske is a deep threat.  Is that an accurate statement, or was he off?  I can't think of one throw longer than about 10 yards that was on-target.  Any more info on Roberts?

If you can survive reading Reusse's article without throwing up a little...he reports that Roberts might have surgery on his knee.

http://www.startribune.com/familiar-style-carries-st-thomas-football-past-st-john-s-31-22/394698311/

[jamtod]

I don't have too much to add from Saturday's game.  It was very winnable for the good guys, but they shot themselves in the foot a few too many times.  Gotta clean that up.  Erdmann continues to impress me.  Not a perfect game by him, but he's a freshman, and a darn good one!

It doesn't appear that Fenske is a deep threat.  Is that an accurate statement, or was he off?  I can't think of one throw longer than about 10 yards that was on-target.  Any more info on Roberts?

If you can survive reading Reusse's article without throwing up a little...he reports that Roberts might have surgery on his knee.

http://www.startribune.com/familiar-style-carries-st-thomas-football-past-st-john-s-31-22/394698311/

Report that I heard was torn meniscus (I don't recall who it was that mentioned this). In a separate report, it was indicated that he was hoping to rest it and avoid surgery, given he is a senior and who knows how long he would be out or whether he would return with the same burst (hopes for NFL tryout were mentioned). That was pre-game and this person (Priest from the seminary) thought he would be quarter to quarter, before we noticed that he was on the sideline and wouldn't play.

[jamtod]

I don't have too much to add from Saturday's game.  It was very winnable for the good guys, but they shot themselves in the foot a few too many times.  Gotta clean that up.  Erdmann continues to impress me.  Not a perfect game by him, but he's a freshman, and a darn good one!

It doesn't appear that Fenske is a deep threat.  Is that an accurate statement, or was he off?  I can't think of one throw longer than about 10 yards that was on-target.  Any more info on Roberts?

Fenske has the arm strength, much moreso than Gould last year. He connected on several deep passes earlier in the season, but couldn't do much against the Johnnie D. Accuracy looked to be an issue for him, in his first real test.

I won't be surprised if Fenske struggles even a little and gets a quick hook for Perra.

[DuffMan]

Fenske has the arm strength, much moreso than Gould last year. He connected on several deep passes earlier in the season, but couldn't do much against the Johnnie D. Accuracy looked to be an issue for him, in his first real test.

I agree that strength didn't look like an issue.

I don't think I've ever seen a QB called for a facemask while being sacked, either. That was interesting!

[miac952]

Random thoughts from Tommie - Johnnie game:

* Speaking of drinking - Was the person who does attendance numbers drinking out in one of the lots? Nice crowd, but nowhere close to last year. Maybe not quite even as much as the last go around before that in Collegeville. I dont know if there is an actual quantitative approach to it or a finger in the wind.

* Erdmann can sling...and looks the part. The pocket timing, ball security, and decision making will come after a handful of games against better competition.

* odd stat(s) - 1 touch for Evan Clark on offense and 2 for Waldvogel. Both bigtime playmakers. Especially SJU with no Sura or Bungum. To me he is THE threat on offense. Throw a jet sweep in there or something. Heck he wasnt even the intended receiver on the big play.

* Tommie D played great. First half was incredible. Fluke deflection for TD. Only one solid, sustained drive by SJU (ended in fumble on 8) in the first half. Scoop and score too.

* Tommie kicking has been very good last few years. Was a MESS this week. 7 points wasted away off a couple of high probability field goals and an XP. Need to right that ship quickly. 

* Game was sloppy, but athleticism on display keeps elevating each year. The Taylor hurdle and King-Foreman scoop and score were elite level plays.

* UST Parks is a gamer. Another D1 type talent at RB in the Tommie backfield. different style than Roberts. His jump step and speed to the edge worked great when the Tommie tackles got SJU's DE's to collapse. The running scheme was a bit different but result the same as last years 2 games. Between him, Trettel, and this Freshman Peisert (Illinois All star MVP) there isn't a big drop off in the backfield.

* As it relates to VOJ. He is a homer, and that is PERFECTLY fine. Its what I would expect from a home radio station for SJU. He calls a nice play by play. I could do without the digs against Caruso. It discredits his talent a bit.  but Caruso is an adult and a coach, plus I think that fuels the little italian  . As long as it never spreads to the players, which I dont think is the case.

* Would Roberts be eligible for a med red shirt? Havent checked his years at USD, and dont know how D3 works for med reds. Only played in 2 games. I know he had a heavy summer training program down in TX, to try to make a run at a look from the NFL.

* How about those Ham-Dogs! Could they make a run for 3rd in the conference? Will be fun to watch play out.

[SJUrube]

Not sure who does it, Glenn or the OC, but they call a good game. The QB draw on 3rd & 5 stands out as an example. Good play calls at the right time.

What's the d3boards consensus on Gagliardi the Younger? I'm not sure I've ever heard any positive feedback on him, including discussions with several former players.

My original comment wasn't a dig at the game SJU called - was simply a compliment for generally how good the play calling is from UST. There were a couple of times I expected them to be more aggressive, particularly in 3rd and 4th down situations. There was a 3rd and 10ish in the 2nd QTR on the SJU side of the field where I thought they'd try and pick up part of it to set up a manageable 4th down. Later in the game I thought they'd go for it on 4th and 2 in SJU territory as well - I'd say it's better than 50/50 that they'd pick up 2 yards on any play.

SJU does have a few things consistently - dive/traps up the middle and options to the outside - to keep the defense honest. That typically works best when you're not playing from behind as we're able to dictate things more often. Since Jimmy has come back to the OC position the offense has been strong and I imagine that will continue. If anything I would have expected more passes underneath and we didn't seem prepared for the all blitzes on 3rd and long, which is is a staple of what UST is going to do in those situations.

[miac952]

Not sure who does it, Glenn or the OC, but they call a good game. The QB draw on 3rd & 5 stands out as an example. Good play calls at the right time.

What's the d3boards consensus on Gagliardi the Younger? I'm not sure I've ever heard any positive feedback on him, including discussions with several former players.

My original comment wasn't a dig at the game SJU called - was simply a compliment for generally how good the play calling is from UST. There were a couple of times I expected them to be more aggressive, particularly in 3rd and 4th down situations. There was a 3rd and 10ish in the 2nd QTR on the SJU side of the field where I thought they'd try and pick up part of it to set up a manageable 4th down. Later in the game I thought they'd go for it on 4th and 2 in SJU territory as well - I'd say it's better than 50/50 that they'd pick up 2 yards on any play.

SJU does have a few things consistently - dive/traps up the middle and options to the outside - to keep the defense honest. That typically works best when you're not playing from behind as we're able to dictate things more often. Since Jimmy has come back to the OC position the offense has been strong and I imagine that will continue. If anything I would have expected more passes underneath and we didn't seem prepared for the all blitzes on 3rd and long, which is is a staple of what UST is going to do in those situations.

A lot of the play calling has shifted to Killian. Came from Carleton by way of LSU. The first coaching move from LSU to Carleton EVER by the way. Was a hell of a QB at Tulsa. he has been a gem of play caller. UST is a little more diverse and unpredictable.

I would imagine most the decision making though is Caruso's. 4th down go - no go, pass or run in big situations.

[jamtod]

Not sure who does it, Glenn or the OC, but they call a good game. The QB draw on 3rd & 5 stands out as an example. Good play calls at the right time.

What's the d3boards consensus on Gagliardi the Younger? I'm not sure I've ever heard any positive feedback on him, including discussions with several former players.

My original comment wasn't a dig at the game SJU called - was simply a compliment for generally how good the play calling is from UST. There were a couple of times I expected them to be more aggressive, particularly in 3rd and 4th down situations. There was a 3rd and 10ish in the 2nd QTR on the SJU side of the field where I thought they'd try and pick up part of it to set up a manageable 4th down. Later in the game I thought they'd go for it on 4th and 2 in SJU territory as well - I'd say it's better than 50/50 that they'd pick up 2 yards on any play.

SJU does have a few things consistently - dive/traps up the middle and options to the outside - to keep the defense honest. That typically works best when you're not playing from behind as we're able to dictate things more often. Since Jimmy has come back to the OC position the offense has been strong and I imagine that will continue. If anything I would have expected more passes underneath and we didn't seem prepared for the all blitzes on 3rd and long, which is is a staple of what UST is going to do in those situations.

I wasn't reading your comment as any sort of criticism of SJU's playcalling. It just reminded me of what I had heard a number of times about Jimmy.

[USTBench]

I don't have too much to add from Saturday's game.  It was very winnable for the good guys, but they shot themselves in the foot a few too many times.  Gotta clean that up.  Erdmann continues to impress me.  Not a perfect game by him, but he's a freshman, and a darn good one!

It doesn't appear that Fenske is a deep threat.  Is that an accurate statement, or was he off?  I can't think of one throw longer than about 10 yards that was on-target.  Any more info on Roberts?

That's probably not unfair. Not a lot of reasons I can think of as to why a 6'5" 220lb kid would get beat out for the job by Gould. There were a few misses, but the play that stands out is when Waldvogel had 2 or 3 steps on the CB and S and Fenske just sailed it.

[DuffMan]

I wasn't reading your comment as any sort of criticism of SJU's playcalling. It just reminded me of what I had heard a number of times about Jimmy.

Jimmy catches a lot of flack, but after Ramler's stint as OC, I have come to appreciate JG more.  He's definitely not a people person like his dad, but he generally calls a pretty good game.  People expect to see 10 yards/carry, and when that doesn't happen, they blame Jimmy.  Not every play is going to gain yards, but there is usually a reason for running it.

[art76]

[ Not every play is going to gain yards, but there is usually a reason for running it.

I'll chime in as a non-coach type person. When I was team manager/captain/head-honcho/whatever you want to say, playing in a flag league after college, I absolutely loved calling plays from the sidelines to set-up another play later in the game. From a strategists point of view, play-calling is similar to chess in that respect. Sometimes you do things just to see how the other team will react in a given situation. Undisciplined defensive players were easily picked apart over the course of a game.

As an aside, for me, it is the reason I continue to watch college ball more than the pros. The pros have become too predictable in given situations. In college, coaching staffs can still follow hunches and leanings.

[wm4]

I don't have too much to add from Saturday's game.  It was very winnable for the good guys, but they shot themselves in the foot a few too many times.  Gotta clean that up.  Erdmann continues to impress me.  Not a perfect game by him, but he's a freshman, and a darn good one!

It doesn't appear that Fenske is a deep threat.  Is that an accurate statement, or was he off?  I can't think of one throw longer than about 10 yards that was on-target.  Any more info on Roberts?

That's probably not unfair. Not a lot of reasons I can think of as to why a 6'5" 220lb kid would get beat out for the job by Gould. There were a few misses, but the play that stands out is when Waldvogel had 2 or 3 steps on the CB and S and Fenske just sailed it.

My two cents...Fenske generally throws a great deep ball but on Saturday, everything deep was overthrown, and not even close.  With Reed's speed and Fenske's arm, you knew they were going to take shots down field and I'm surprised at least a couple of those weren't completed.  UST left at least one, maybe two TD passes on the field. 

Worth noting that Fenske finished at 50% on Saturday, while in this game last year Gould was 8-22. 

By week 4, you kind of are who you are.  UST's run game and line have to come together more if they're going to make a deep run into the season.  SJU front defense was very solid and yes, they packed 8, sometimes 9 in the box and that will always be tough to run against.  But when you need 3-4 yards on 3rd down, UST is going to have to have a higher success rates getting those yards.  Even on first down, it would nice to pick up 5-7 yards on the ground and keep the defense on their heels a bit.