FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Touchdown Tommy]

Ok TDT can confirm his attendance at the Twins/Royals game tomorrow afternoon.  Very much looking forward to the festivities and hope the Bubbly is broken out around 4pm...

Next, today's game was strange.  Neither team was dominant and it was lots of back and forth with umpteen turnovers, blocked kicks, and momentum swings,etc.  From my viewpoint in the VIP Veek seats the FG kick from Russ cleared the crossbar by 1-2 yards max.  But after further discussion with those who had a better angle I am told it would have been good from 54-55.  Pretty unreal. 

However, I would be remiss if I didn't say that I think the most remarkable part about the kick was the pre-snap setup.  The decision to try to get the 1st down and spike it in 7.7 secs or kick this "unthinkable long D3 Field Goal" took time away as the play clock ticked down.  I was watching it and the FG team had to rush on the field, vigorously take their stances, and Gliadon's kick was rushed.  This to me was the most amazing thing.  He didn't have time to setup his alignment or take his time in preparation for the attempt.  Many would argue this was a good thing as it didn't allow for any "overthinking" or "psyching" oneself out.  It was pure redemption for the untimely missed PA.

Quite a moment in Cville.  Definitely shows how far Bethel has come when the student body storms the field in excitement following the made FG.  This would have been in instant classic even if Bethel had hung on for the win.  Great day for college football.

BTW: WTF was Cornish thinking on his Kickoff Return after SJU made it 14-13.  He sort of skaddled and schimmy'd and went down untouched at the 15 yd line.  Hardly took any time off the clock and setup bad field position when SJU still had 3 timeouts.  Also, very very conservative play calling after Flannery got 7 yds on 1st down when just 1 more 1st down would have put the game on ice for the Royals.  Bottom line is that there were numerous twists and turns all day long.  Probably many you would not pick up just listening on the radio.

Also, great to see my pal VOJ at the tailgate.  I understand Wooderson had some kind words for TDT live on the air after the interview with Clark Jr. on the SprintTurf postgame show...

[faunch]

WOW!!!
I haven't said a prayer at a football game in a long, long, long time but today I did.  I think Don Pribyl gave that field goal kick a little extra help from heaven above.  
A couple of things from the game that stick out in my mind are:
1.  The Johnnies were inside the 20 at least 6 times today and only managed 2 touchdowns.  Was it good defense, bad offense (play calling?) or a combination?
2.  The 3 and out by the Johnnie D on BU's last possession.  I can't believe Bethel didn't get a first down.  I thought for sure they would have gotten a bit more creative on 2nd or 3rd down.  
3.  The Bethel fan that told me I had no class because I looked at him as I yelled and waived my hands in the air as I ran down to field after the game.  I seem to recall Bethel students running onto our field 3 years ago and jumping up and down on the SJU at the 50 yard line.  
REDEMPTION!!!

[DustySJU]

Ok TDT can confirm his attendance at the Twins/Royals game tomorrow afternoon.  Very much looking forward to the festivities and hope the Bubbly is broken out around 4pm...

Next, today's game was strange.  Neither team was dominant and it was lots of back and forth with umpteen turnovers, blocked kicks, and momentum swings,etc.  From my viewpoint in the VIP Veek seats the FG kick from Russ cleared the crossbar by 1-2 yards max.  But after further discussion with those who had a better angle I am told it would have been good from 54-55.  Pretty unreal. 

However, I would be remiss if I didn't say that I think the most remarkable part about the kick was the pre-snap setup.  The decision to try to get the 1st down and spike it in 7.7 secs or kick this "unthinkable long D3 Field Goal" took time away as the play clock ticked down.  I was watching it and the FG team had to rush on the field, vigorously take their stances, and Gliadon's kick was rushed.  This to me was the most amazing thing.  He didn't have time to setup his alignment or take his time in preparation for the attempt.  Many would argue this was a good thing as it didn't allow for any "overthinking" or "psyching" oneself out.  It was pure redemption for the untimely missed PA.

Quite a moment in Cville.  Definitely shows how far Bethel has come when the student body storms the field in excitement following the made FG.  This would have been in instant classic even if Bethel had hung on for the win.  Great day for college football.

BTW: WTF was Cornish thinking on his Kickoff Return after SJU made it 14-13.  He sort of skaddled and schimmy'd and went down untouched at the 15 yd line.  Hardly took any time off the clock and setup bad field position when SJU still had 3 timeouts.  Also, very very conservative play calling after Flannery got 7 yds on 1st down when just 1 more 1st down would have put the game on ice for the Royals.  Bottom line is that there were numerous twists and turns all day long.  Probably many you would not pick up just listening on the radio.

Also, great to see my pal VOJ at the tailgate.  I understand Wooderson had some kind words for TDT live on the air after the interview with Clark Jr. on the SprintTurf postgame show...

Seeminglingly erratic play from the Johnnie quarterback today.... holding onto the ball forever.... were the Bethel backers flooding the secondary with extra defenders.... then WTF...

Run Forest Run!

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I rate the game "too close to call"...and see a 16-14 final, just not sure who is going to miss the PAT but kick a FG. I think SJU has the slight edge in the kicking and passing games, with BU having an edge in the running game. Both defenses are solid.

Is that calling it?

Oh, and Twins win Sunday while Det becomes the first team to ever blow a three game lead in the final  four games (as well as the first team ever to lead from May 10 to the final day when they blow the championship).

[faunch]

Ok TDT can confirm his attendance at the Twins/Royals game tomorrow afternoon.  Very much looking forward to the festivities and hope the Bubbly is broken out around 4pm...

Next, today's game was strange.  Neither team was dominant and it was lots of back and forth with umpteen turnovers, blocked kicks, and momentum swings,etc.  From my viewpoint in the VIP Veek seats the FG kick from Russ cleared the crossbar by 1-2 yards max.  But after further discussion with those who had a better angle I am told it would have been good from 54-55.  Pretty unreal. 

However, I would be remiss if I didn't say that I think the most remarkable part about the kick was the pre-snap setup.  The decision to try to get the 1st down and spike it in 7.7 secs or kick this "unthinkable long D3 Field Goal" took time away as the play clock ticked down.  I was watching it and the FG team had to rush on the field, vigorously take their stances, and Gliadon's kick was rushed.  This to me was the most amazing thing.  He didn't have time to setup his alignment or take his time in preparation for the attempt.  Many would argue this was a good thing as it didn't allow for any "overthinking" or "psyching" oneself out.  It was pure redemption for the untimely missed PA.

Quite a moment in Cville.  Definitely shows how far Bethel has come when the student body storms the field in excitement following the made FG.  This would have been in instant classic even if Bethel had hung on for the win.  Great day for college football.

BTW: WTF was Cornish thinking on his Kickoff Return after SJU made it 14-13.  He sort of skaddled and schimmy'd and went down untouched at the 15 yd line.  Hardly took any time off the clock and setup bad field position when SJU still had 3 timeouts.  Also, very very conservative play calling after Flannery got 7 yds on 1st down when just 1 more 1st down would have put the game on ice for the Royals.  Bottom line is that there were numerous twists and turns all day long.  Probably many you would not pick up just listening on the radio.

Also, great to see my pal VOJ at the tailgate.  I understand Wooderson had some kind words for TDT live on the air after the interview with Clark Jr. on the SprintTurf postgame show...

Seeminglingly erratic play from the Johnnie quarterback today.... holding onto the ball forever.... were the Bethel backers flooding the secondary with extra defenders.... then WTF...

Run Forest Run!

I noticed this last week @ GAC....looked like Fran Tarkenton at times.  I was thinking prior to today's game that it could be a problem.  Is he having trouble finding open receivers or are they just not open???  He's got to get that clock going in his head and get rid of the ball.

[DutchFan2004]

I don't think we should take TDT's word till Veek checks in with his version.   

[Veek]

What a game today, or at least the 4th quarter.  BU's very conservative 2nd and 3rd down play calling during their last drive cost them the game. 

I've been attending football games at the Natural Bowl for 35 years and I never thought that I would witness a 49 yard field goal.  And better yet, it came soon after a missed PAT.

Bethel has a very good team and Flannery, as we all know, is one hell of a back.  There were numerous times today that he seemed to get an extra 4 or 5 yards by scrambling and staying just above the ground as he slithered past a defender. 

Regarding TDT, there were numerous times today that I could have taken him down but I decided to take the higher road by remaining passive. 

Today was a great day of football!

[faunch]

Injury report on Gunderson anybody?  Also....Jeff Sowden got a picture of the ball crossing the bar.  I think it would have been good from 55....maybe more.

[OzJohnnie]

Frank Rajkowski's blod said that gunderson tweaked his (formerly) good knee in warm-ups.  No word yet on how badly, but it was bad enough to keep him out of the game, obviously.

[Willy Wonka]

Injury report on Gunderson anybody?  Also....Jeff Sowden got a picture of the ball crossing the bar.  I think it would have been good from 55....maybe more.

But everyone knows those Sowdens are masters of Photoshop 

[Retired Old Rat]

Veek Senior played peacemaker today and saved TDT from a major beatdown.  The money quote from Veek Sr.: "TDT is like the son I'm glad I never had.  I pity the fool."

[Willy Wonka]

Can we please take a pause from the SJU lovefest — deserved, but I need a moment — to discuss the mess that is my Golden Gusties? Thanks for your indulgence. Please consider the following and hit me with some feedback.

  • GAC is 1-3. The win came in overtime against Hamline...and it required an extremely lucky touchdown pass that came after two deflections. Reasonably speaking, we should probably still be defeated right now.
  •The Gusties were outgained exactly 2-1 today against the Tommies and were forced to settle twice for field goals when the game was still competitive. A 58-yard touchdown pass saved them the indignity of finishing under 200 yards of offense for the second straight week. Granted the two opponents are undefeated and considered national contenders...but that doesn't explain the once-proud program being embarrassed by the combined score of 83-22 after competing for a conference title last fall.
  •First-year head coach Peter Haugen told the Mankato Free Press that he intended to pound the ball all year. The current 2.8 YPC should tell you how well the transition from the spread to the power running game has gone after not recruiting tight ends or fullbacks for the previous three seasons.
  • Through four games, it could be argued that our kicker (3-4 from 40-49 yards) has been the best player on the field for the Gusties. And even he had an XP blocked today.
  • Hoag's blog is the only reason to check the GAC web site right now, but for all the wrong reasons.

If it's too soon to put Haugen on the hot seat — Is it? Remember, it was considered an extremely curious hire at the time — can we at least start looking for a new offensive coordinator? Call me crazy, but I'd rather have some ridiculous flapping on the sidelines with limited success than a pants-sagging gangsta without a clue...

[OzJohnnie]

If it's too soon to put Haugen on the hot seat — Is it? Remember, it was considered an extremely curious hire at the time — can we at least start looking for a new offensive coordinator? Call me crazy, but I'd rather have some ridiculous flapping on the sidelines with limited success than a pants-sagging gangsta without a clue...

Too soon.  You gotta give the guy at least two years, probably three.  Particularly if it's a new system that he's trying to put in place.

[DutchFan2004]

If it's too soon to put Haugen on the hot seat — Is it? Remember, it was considered an extremely curious hire at the time — can we at least start looking for a new offensive coordinator? Call me crazy, but I'd rather have some ridiculous flapping on the sidelines with limited success than a pants-sagging gangsta without a clue...

Too soon.  You gotta give the guy at least two years, probably three.  Particularly if it's a new system that he's trying to put in place.

I would say you have to give him 5 years if he is over hauling the system and team.  He has to be given a chance to at least coach one of his recruiting classes as seniors.  That is the only way you can judge if he is making progress. 

[Willy Wonka]

If it's too soon to put Haugen on the hot seat — Is it? Remember, it was considered an extremely curious hire at the time — can we at least start looking for a new offensive coordinator? Call me crazy, but I'd rather have some ridiculous flapping on the sidelines with limited success than a pants-sagging gangsta without a clue...

Too soon.  You gotta give the guy at least two years, probably three.  Particularly if it's a new system that he's trying to put in place.

I would say you have to give him 5 years if he is over hauling the system and team.  He has to be given a chance to at least coach one of his recruiting classes as seniors.  That is the only way you can judge if he is making progress. 

Bah! That could be a LOOOONG 5 years 

Anyway, off to see the Twins and then tailgate for MNF. Except for Saturdays, life is good!