FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Touchdown Tommy]

Your boy Wimmer, while clearly a quality player, isn't in the Top 10 in any statistical category right now. In fact, the stats suggest Gunderson is the best player on what's been a subpar SJU defense thus far.

If you are able to make the game Saturday you will see that Wimmer is the key to the defense.

Also, I don't think you'll view the Johnnies as the 8th best defense in the league if you see them against your boys.

Ha +K ROR.  Slapping Wonka around is like taking candy from a baby.  He comes in here, spouts off, and then gets put in his place.  Long live the Tornadoes!!

BTW: Gustavus makes EVERYONE look good on defense.

FYI: This is Wonka's schtick for those that don't follow the MIAC PP annually.  He comes in, makes a few digs at SJU, tries to light a forest fire, and leaves with a sh!t eating grin. 

[finsleft]

Further proof that Sid is ready for retirement: This morning he was asked if anyone in the Big 10 ran the Wildcat Offense, and Sid went on to diatribe how the Wild will miss Marion Gaborik and they might not sell out every game his year, " but what does he know about hockey?"

Sid doesn't know anything about hockey and doesn't care to learn.    And he never misses an opportunity to dis' St.  Paul, the location of Xcel Arena. 

About a month ago, I was listening to Sports Huddle with Sid and Dave on CCO, and Dave announced the story just came across the wire that Billy Mays had died.  Dave went on to talk about what a great pitchman he was and the various products, etc. but Sid starts in about "you talk about your class acts...one of the greats in baseball...the last time we were in Milwaukee and we had dinner together..."
Dave says, "No Sid, Willie Mays didn't die, it's BILLY Mays."
Sid: "Oh."

[Willy Wonka]

Your boy Wimmer, while clearly a quality player, isn't in the Top 10 in any statistical category right now. In fact, the stats suggest Gunderson is the best player on what's been a subpar SJU defense thus far.

If you are able to make the game Saturday you will see that Wimmer is the key to the defense.

Also, I don't think you'll view the Johnnies as the 8th best defense in the league if you see them against your boys.

As I've said twice already this week, I don't expect the Gusties to beat the Johnnies. History speaks for itself and it simply hasn't happened since 1987. Plus, the GAC offense is 8th in scoring and 7th in yards — it's not exactly a powerhouse.

That said, I've read the in-game updates through three weeks this season. Nearly every single post from the Johnnie backers has been about how bad the SJU defense has played. Heck, Gunderson was even quoted after the UWRF game saying it was embarrassing and it wouldn't happen again...and then it did against the BluGolds.

As best as I can tell, it's basically going to be a battle between the stoppable force and the movable object.

[Retired Old Rat]

As best as I can tell, it's basically going to be a battle between the stoppable force and the movable object.

Although I disagree, I like the line so much I'm going to give you +k.

[stanbob]

Your boy Wimmer, while clearly a quality player, isn't in the Top 10 in any statistical category right now. In fact, the stats suggest Gunderson is the best player on what's been a subpar SJU defense thus far.

If you are able to make the game Saturday you will see that Wimmer is the key to the defense.

Also, I don't think you'll view the Johnnies as the 8th best defense in the league if you see them against your boys.

As I've said twice already this week, I don't expect the Gusties to beat the Johnnies. History speaks for itself and it simply hasn't happened since 1987. Plus, the GAC offense is 8th in scoring and 7th in yards — it's not exactly a powerhouse.

That said, I've read the in-game updates through three weeks this season. Nearly every single post from the Johnnie backers has been about how bad the SJU defense has played. Heck, Gunderson was even quoted after the UWRF game saying it was embarrassing and it wouldn't happen again...and then it did against the BluGolds.

As best as I can tell, it's basically going to be a battle between the stoppable force and the movable object.

If you have learned anything at all from reading the in game board comments from we Johnnie fans mr. wonka, you should have learned that we are amongst the greatest awfulizers in the world when it comes to  perceived problems on what is wrong with the Johnnies of any particular year.

[WithasilentK]

I usually look forward to Rajkowski's Tuesday update, but it's reading like a horror movie script lately...

* Senior strong safety Nate Anderson out with a broken wrist and then week to week
* Senior strong safety Bobby Klint still not practicing with his sprained ankle
* Senior linebacker Ethan Eid is questionable for the weekend with his groin injury
* Freshman running back Steve Johnson also not practicing

That defensive backfield cannot catch a break.

I'm sensing a glimmer of hope for my Gusties...

Before worrying about the backfield 4 of the Johnnies defense your O line needs to take care of the front 4 and potential All American LB Ryan Wimmer...

SJU's defense is currently the 8th best in a nine-team conference, allowing nearly 400 yards a game through three contests. The Johnnies have allowed the most rushing yards in the league and are the second-worst pass defense in the MIAC. Call me crazy, but I doubt you'll be seeing any defensive all-americans this year.

And since we're here...given the way the new GAC staff wants to run the ball — and the play of its freshman RB — the matchup doesn't look as terrible as I've been thinking. I'd still be surprised if the Gusties win, however.

What you fail to remember is that Drew Ziller off of the WORST defense by stats in the conference was an All American last year...and I think he was mistakenly given the defensive player of the year award instead of Wimmer, but that is a whole other debate...

A fair point. However, Ziller also led the MIAC in tackles per game, solo tackles, forced fumbles while finishing 6th in passes broken up. He also added 3 sacks, which likely was in the Top 15 of the league (Top 10 was 4.0).

Your boy Wimmer, while clearly a quality player, isn't in the Top 10 in any statistical category right now. In fact, the stats suggest Gunderson is the best player on what's been a subpar SJU defense thus far.

He was 1st Team All-American in 3 publications.  And his forced fumbles/solo tackles were near tops in the nation for DBs.  He also had a blocked punt returned for a TD and a blocked field goal. Teams rarely threw near him, and when they did they paid for it by getting their players' heads taken off.  Defensive player of the year is voted on by coaches, and the coaches knew better than anyone there was not a player like Ziller on the field last year.  Wimmer is good, but was not nearly that type of a playmaker last year, and teams did not game plan around him, which I promise you they did for Ziller.  To say he didn't deserve DPOY is ridiculous.

I suppose this argument will lead nowhere though.

[tmerton]

He was 1st Team All-American in 3 publications. 

There are three publications that pick D3 All American teams?

[WithasilentK]

He was 1st Team All-American in 3 publications. 

There are three publications that pick D3 All American teams?

I apologize, I misspoke, he didn't make 1st team on all 3 publications.  1st team AFCA All-America Team, 1st Team D3Football.com All-America team, and 3rd Team AP Little-All America.  AP includes D2 and D3 teams.

[OzJohnnie]

Hey Oz, how are you enjoying the weather over there? 

Here's the good news for Oz.  8)

In Victoria, the opposite is playing out.

Football clubs Geelong and St Kilda won't have to worry about the heat as they battle it out in the AFL grand final in Melbourne on Saturday, with a maximum of 15 degrees predicted for the day.

Thats 15 degree Celsius, about 60 Fahrenheit - just right for playing footy. 

Yeah, that dustcloud was a bit bigger than normal and earlier in the season than normal.  Usually you get a dust cloud or two from the "Big Red Centre" after it heats up.  But I've never seen visibility limited like that before.  Must be the first time its ever happened if I've never seen it...

[finsleft]

Check out the video HERE of another Johnnie All-American.

And Gagliardi makes the NYTimes.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Congrats to Bethel's Reid Velo and St. Thomas' Jeffrey Hilliard for being named to the AFCA All-Good Works team! They will get to attend a major D-I bowl game as part of this honor.
http://www.afca.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9300&ATCLID=204798828

Hilliard joins his brother Andrew (2002) as one of three UST sets of brothers to be honored. The only other brothers to both make the AGK team were a pair from U of GA and two dudes named Manning. (pretty nice company to be keeping)

In the 12 years D-III student-athletes have been eligible to be named to this team, a UST player has made it each time.

UST is now tied with Georgia for the most honorees at 12; Nebraska is third with 11.

[Touchdown Tommy]

Congrats to Bethel's Reid Velo and St. Thomas' Jeffrey Hilliard for being named to the AFCA All-Good Works team! They will get to attend a major D-I bowl game as part of this honor.
http://www.afca.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9300&ATCLID=204798828

Hilliard joins his brother Andrew (2002) as one of three UST sets of brothers to be honored. The only other brothers to both make the AGK team were a pair from U of GA and two dudes named Manning. (pretty nice company to be keeping)

In the 12 years D-III student-athletes have been eligible to be named to this team, a UST player has made it each time.

UST is now tied with Georgia for the most honorees at 12; Nebraska is third with 11.

I can only draw 1 conclusion from the bolded:  USTD is the only D3 program nominating players...

[Mr. Ypsi]

Re: the poll at the top of the page.

Compared to most of the options, I'd probably be forced to vote for Gusties over Johnnies.  But you'll have to clarify the last option - Hell (MI) freezes over EVERY year, which is a helluva lot more common than a Gustie win!

(And would pigs in the cargo hold of a plane count? )

[OzJohnnie]

I say congratulations in all seriousness to those Good Works winners.  Good Works are to be encouraged and celebrated, so I'm quite glad to see the brothers gaining prestigous recognition.

They must be congratulated on their efforts, as there must be some competition, and their parents congratulated as well for raising such a good pair of boys.  The winners should be doubly congratulated, actually, considering the enormous institutional handicap they overcame with the self-inflicted wound due to their incredibly poor choice of educational institution.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Hey TDT,
  We missed you in LA last weekend.  We even saved you a seat on Wildcat 11's G 5.  We hit some of the finer establishments, as you can well imagine.  Maybe next time my man.

Peace Out

Gig Harbor Cat