FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[USTBench]

3. Threw to the outside and picked apart man coverage...o-line gave Jackson enough time!

Does St. Olaf,Gustavus or Bethel have the athletes to duplicate this type of game plan vs UST? I would venture to say Gustavus has the QB and receivers but not sure of the O-line play. Bethel with Marsh at QB if he plays like he did against SJU could put a scare into the Toms. Time will tell how it shakes out.

This may come off as a harsh answer, but I would say a declarative NO. Jackson Erdmann played like only a handful of D3 quarterbacks I have ever seen. Comparable to Aaron Boehme (Linfield) and Alex Tanney (Monmouth followed by NFL). He put balls in the smallest windows where only his receiver could get them. He threw well to all different levels. He moved around in the pocket just enough to manage pressure. And he had an hard internal clock in his head on when to fire; never more than 1-2 seconds in the pocket. His only flaw may have been staring down receivers, which led to the handful of batted balls. But that was largely because his primary route on the pre-snap read was almost always available.

It may sound like hyperbole, but based on that performance, he would start for a large number of Division 1 schools. There may be 1 or 2 other DIII schools out there that come even come close to that level. I thought the O-Line and receiver played into Saturday's success, but it really rested on the shoulders of one individual. Heckendorf designed the plan and Erdmann executed it. Both deserve all the credit in the world. If I knew James Franklin I would call him today and tell him the kid that left his program is a perfect heir apparent to McSorley and he should call him and beg him to come back next year. Caruso should also find out what Heckendorf is getting payed, and offer to double it.

It reminded me a bit of when UST went down to play Monmouth in that first year in the playoffs against Tanney. The difference that time was UST had a gameplan for it because they knew what they were walking into. The offense also didn't screw the pooch with 5 turnovers in that game. I would be really curious to see how UST would adjust next time around, if there is a next time. Put two safeties over the top, jam the inside routes and force Erdmann to make the sideline throws. They may give up 3-4 yards on a run now and then, but that would have to be the counter. He may still make the throws, but at least you force them to tougher spots on the field and keep it in front of you a bit, until a penalty, a sack, or a mistake is made. The offense can stay with a similar gameplan. They garnered 610 yards. They might want to eliminate the unforced errors though.

Minus the fumble near the goal line I would say Josh Parks was also a pretty clear high level Division 1 talent too. The speed was always there, but he now appears to be a lot stronger and better between the tackles. SJU needs to find a mediocre running back. The SJU line play is decent. But, the RB just barrels right into their backsides without seeing cutback lanes or holes develop. It's a glaring weakness on an otherwise high level offense. The kicking game was a mess for SJU as well.

Very good analysis. The game pivoted on a great offensive game plan and its execution. Erdmann deserves all the kudos he is getting, but great QB's takes their linemen out for supper after a game like that. The SJU O-line deserved an all-you-can-eat buffet, they were that good against the #1 defense. And I haven't seen the stats on this, but it seemed like SJU's ability to convert on 3rd downs was uncanny. That makes a huge difference in a humming offense.
The tailgate was a blur, like a wedding or a funeral where time flies and there's not enough time to talk to everyone or go everywhere. Sorry to have missed you Oz and Bench, and all the rest of you knuckleheads who were there.

[/b]

No worries Finsleft, we blew in much later than normal due to some gridlock on 94 and getting a later start than usual. There's a good shot there will be a second chance to connect this year.

[faunch]

No words are needed...Godspeed John 

https://twitter.com/JohnSharkman/status/1051849341856411648

https://twitter.com/sctimestom/status/1051899084120969218

https://twitter.com/kirstimarohn/status/1051892358911021056

https://twitter.com/JohnSharkman/status/1051907271129587712

https://twitter.com/CoryHepola/status/1051885785169956866

https://twitter.com/CoryHepola/status/1051885785169956866

[57Johnnie]

No words are needed...Godspeed John 

https://twitter.com/JohnSharkman/status/1051849341856411648

https://twitter.com/sctimestom/status/1051899084120969218

https://twitter.com/kirstimarohn/status/1051892358911021056

https://twitter.com/JohnSharkman/status/1051907271129587712

https://twitter.com/CoryHepola/status/1051885785169956866

https://twitter.com/CoryHepola/status/1051885785169956866

The maroon parka -whew- 

[MUC57]

57Johnnie

I've been thinking about you buddy! That had to be a very moving experience. Bet there wasn't a dry eye in the place. I could feel the emotion, even here in Alliance. You all knew him and played for him. I mostly just knew OF him. But wow! What a guy.
Think of all the men in history that we still talk about down through the ages. Have a feeling they'll be talking about this St. John's coach named John Gagliardi years from now.
Hang tough, 57Johnnie! John will be watching! ✝🏈

[57Johnnie]

57Johnnie

I've been thinking about you buddy! That had to be a very moving experience. Bet there wasn't a dry eye in the place. I could feel the emotion, even here in Alliance. You all knew him and played for him. I mostly just knew OF him. But wow! What a guy.
Think of all the men in history that we still talk about down through the ages. Have a feeling they'll be talking about this St. John's coach named John Gagliardi years from now.
Hang tough, 57Johnnie! John will be watching! ✝🏈

I didn't play football. John came to SJU my Freshman year but most everybody knew him. He was very young and certainly not a Legend. I saw him up closer from hockey but that's another story. 
The maroon parka is another legend.

[Pat Coleman]

One final Johnnie-Tommie story for the week is on the front page, and it is another piece from Frank Rajkowski. It's been great to have him as a contributor here a little more often this year.

http://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2018/john-gagliardi-on-minds-in-hearts

[faunch]

It was reported on Twitter that Bethel Coach Steve Johnson and UST Coach Glenn Caruso attended John's funeral today. From the video and pictures it looked like Caruso was wearing a red tie. As much as some of SJU loyalists enjoy ripping him I've got to say that's a really nice touch and decent way to honor John.

[BDB]

I am going to be amongst many hungover people here in Wiscy tomorrow.  Packers on MNF and Brewers in NLCS all at once.

Let the good times roll.

[BDB]

Brewers fans chant:

"FEAR THE BEER"   

[OzJohnnie]

I am going to be amongst many hungover people here in Wiscy tomorrow.  Packers on MNF and Brewers in NLCS all at once.

Let the good times roll.

You wrote that post as if the second sentence is a prerequisite of the first sentence.

[BDB]

I am going to be amongst many hungover people here in Wiscy tomorrow.  Packers on MNF and Brewers in NLCS all at once.

Let the good times roll.

You wrote that post as if the second sentence is a prerequisite of the first sentence.

Well, this is Wiscy. Ask 57. He knows. It's just the way things are around here.

[57Johnnie]

I am going to be amongst many hungover people here in Wiscy tomorrow.  Packers on MNF and Brewers in NLCS all at once.

Let the good times roll.

You wrote that post as if the second sentence is a prerequisite of the first sentence.

Well, this is Wiscy. Ask 57. He knows. It's just the way things are around here.

Most anything can be a prerequisite of the first including warding off snow snakes ------ especially in the summer. 
I thought it was like that in Oz as well.

[DuffMan]

John's service was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man.  Many stories were shared, and while some tears were shed, it was great to be there to celebrate his life and connect with the incredible breadth of men who called him John.

[DuffMan]

From the video and pictures it looked like Caruso was wearing a red tie.

I can confirm this.  Here's my amusing story from the day:

I pulled into the parking lot around 10:00.  They were shuttling people to the church via golf carts, so I hopped in with another Johnnie.  Another vehicle had just pulled in, so we waited for them.  Who should get out of that vehicle but Caruso and Dienhart.  So they, got in, and we introduced ourselves and made some small talk.  Well, we had enough heft in the cart that we stalled out going up the hill, so Glenn hopped off the back and gave us a boost up the hill, to which Dienhart says, "Glenn, you've had a rough couple of days on this campus." 

[Ratbacker]

Well after a very emotional week to celebrate the life of a legend the games go on. The Johnnies move to number 5 is a bit disappointing I figured they should have jumped Frostburg and landed at number 4. With the risk of looking ahead and being a bit presumptuous the Johnnies could still climb a bit higher by years end. Frostburg has a challenge this week with Montclair state and wrap up the season with Salisbury so they could drop one of those games. Teams 1,2 &3 will not lose the rest of the way they just don't play anyone and even though Mount Union still faces currently unbeaten Marietta the Pioneers will not pose any problem for the Purple Raiders. SJU has the 11th highest strength of schedule currently which tops any of the teams ranked ahead of them this could be important if they do win out in securing a top 4 seed and staying home through the Quarters if they advance.

I predicted early that the MIAC could get 3 teams in, if SJU,UST and Bethel all take care of business and Bethel can play the Tommies close it could still play out that way. If SJU and UST can both finish top 5 and Bethel's two losses are to 2 top 5 teams they could get the nod with a very strong strength of schedule.