FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[TC]

Any word on how bad Boyle's injury is?  (According to Frank Rajkowksudjduwjasljkhdf, he reaggravated the sprained thumb, is in a cast, and will be reexamined on Monday.)

It was a beautiful day for some ugly football.  I liked the Johnnies' offense more when Boyle was healthy and they occasionally completed forward passes.  Still, if this team is going to be 4-yards-a-cloud-of-little-rubber-specks at least it's happening now during the St. Olaf/Augsburg/Carleton portion of the schedule.  I just hope it doesn't extend into the playoffs.

Gliadon's 52-yard field goal was a bomb, but anyone who didn't know he was going to miss the shorter field goal hasn't been following St. John's football for very long.

The defense looked great all day.  Clark got loose a couple times but was never able to put the ball in the end zone.  It's sad to see Gunderson stood up at the line of scrimmage by one blocker.  

[DuffMan]

Hope Boyle's okay!  Not a pretty win, but I like the fact that the Johnnies are winning close games.  I seem to remember a Central team that had a regular season like this a couple of years ago that put a stomp on the Johnnies in the post season.

What was up with STO's clock management at the end of the game?  It sounded horrendous.

[TC]

What was up with STO's clock management at the end of the game?  It sounded horrendous.

It was embarrassing.  At first, there was a question whether they would be able to get off two plays or three, but they emphatically answered that question by spiking the ball and THEN calling a time out.  If I remember correctly, they managed to get to the St. John's 25 with about 2 minutes left and never once threw the ball into the end zone.  It.  Was.  AWESOME.

[cobbernation]

"Sigh"  The Oles really need to evaluate their offensive system.  I give credit to a tough SJU defense, and acknowledge that no offense is going to run perfectly with the backup QB in, but still.  They have got to find a way to get the ball in the endzone or else it doesn't matter how well the defense plays.

Once again, the Johnnies find a way to win.  It may not have been pretty but good programs get the "W" even if it is ugly. 

Time to focus on kicking the Cobbers back to Canada

At least the cobbers are the most superior school in Moorhead.  Olaf is definately a distant 2nd for schools in Northfield! 

[OleHog74]

Oh Cobbernation, don't even think about opening THAT can of worms.  St. Olaf's superiority to Carleton goes far beyond the gridiron.  And yes, I am aware that CC won the last two meetings.  But even a blind squirrel finds a nut (or two).

[hazzben]

Rough day for Bethel, even with the bye week.  Wheaton fell to North Central, and they fell bad.  Even if Bethel can get a win against UST and finishes unbeaten, they are going to need a ton of help getting into the playoffs.  As a two loss team, they looked infinitely better having lost to 2 undefeated teams, both ranked in the Top 5.  Not so anymore.

I was a little dubious about Wheaton at #3, after seeing them need the miracle in Arden Hills to beat Bethel.  I think they've been shown lacking.  Still a very good team, but not as strong as some thought.  I'm afraid the same may be true for the Johnnies.  They just keep squeaking by teams, and those teams just don't appear to be that strong.  Their two WIAC close calls look worse almost every week.  UST has played no one, the entire concept of their resurgence is based upon close losses to SJU.  They may have the easiest non-conference schedule in the nation.

All this to say, I'm not really sure what to make of Bethel either.  I'd like to think they are playoff caliber and deserve a top 25 ranking.  They are two plays away from being undefeated.  However, I'm just not sure how good those two teams are at this point.  If Wheaton wins out, I think we can assume they are pretty legit.  If Bethel beats UST, then I think we'll have to wait and see what happens in the playoffs to really evaluate SJU and possibly Bethel. 

The same definitely goes for UST.  I'm thinking if they beat Bethel they'll get in...and I think they'll probably lose in the 1st round.  They seem to have some talent, but little to no poise.  That coupled with absolutely no playoff experience in the entire program seems like a recipe for one and done.

To top it all off, Nebraska lost to Iowa State, in Lincoln, for the first time in 32 years.  And they only gave up 9 points.  How does anyone turn the ball over 8 times?!? 

Rough weekend...

[hazzben]

...just thought of a positive!

With Wheaton losing, if UWW wins out, I think it is now pretty likely they get moved to the North and MUC gets moved toe the East region.  This should make everyone in the West happy.  Now if Bethel could somehow, someway, still win out and get a pool C!

[DustySJU]

Any word on how bad Boyle's injury is?  (According to Frank Rajkowksudjduwjasljkhdf, he reaggravated the sprained thumb, is in a cast, and will be reexamined on Monday.)

It was a beautiful day for some ugly football.  I liked the Johnnies' offense more when Boyle was healthy and they occasionally completed forward passes.  Still, if this team is going to be 4-yards-a-cloud-of-little-rubber-specks at least it's happening now during the St. Olaf/Augsburg/Carleton portion of the schedule.  I just hope it doesn't extend into the playoffs.

Gliadon's 52-yard field goal was a bomb, but anyone who didn't know he was going to miss the shorter field goal hasn't been following St. John's football for very long.

The defense looked great all day.  Clark got loose a couple times but was never able to put the ball in the end zone.  It's sad to see Gunderson stood up at the line of scrimmage by one blocker.  

Indeed, Gundo is gutting it out and defending as best he can.  He just doesn't have any strength in his knee.  He can definitely tie up his man but isn't capable of any lateral movement.  It's gotta be tough for him to play in this condition.

With all the kicking duties Russell Gliadon is saddled with perhaps it's time to dig out another punter.  Another record field goal of 51 yards today was a gift to see for all those who attended the game however his punting is putting the defense in some really tight positions.

The freshman Johnnie signal caller filling in for Joe Boyle is far from performing in a manner to balance the running game.   Let the new kid run the team until Joe B. quarterback is ready or until the Johnnies are in real trouble.

Interesting how our Johnnie Football formula for success is again the defense.

Play of the game is Dominic Haik stopping Leon Clark short of the goal line on a long gainer to prevent the sure touchdown and then Mike Bonynge intercepting the pass during that series to set up the 52 yard field goal.

If Joe B. quarterback can get healthy the Johnnies can win a couple playoff games.

[WashedUp]

OleHog-I told you that Oles tended to be slow learners. 

SJU has a great defense, but if I was an SJU fan I would be worried about the lack of scoring with the playoffs coming up soon.

[JMM]

Best part of the ST Oalf and SJU game was the afterburners blazing when #10 caught the St Oalf breakaway run. Did you see that guy fly - he was like a rocket. Anyone see it - that was unbeleivable - really.

[stanbob]

14 will be enough for the Johnnies to win this game.

Missed it by that much.   

[D O.C.]

MUC gets moved toe the East region.  This should make everyone in the West happy. 

As part of National History Month and a salute to Daniel Boone marking when Ohio was West I'd like to see 'em come over to the West just once.

[Mr. Ypsi]

MUC gets moved toe the East region.  This should make everyone in the West happy. 

As part of National History Month and a salute to Daniel Boone marking when Ohio was West I'd like to see 'em come over to the West just once.

Hear, hear!

MUC and UWW both in the West!  A non-MUC North team can finally make the Stagg!

[hazzben]

Lets start a contest for "best caption" regarding the D3football.com homepage picture of Linfield v. Willamette.

My Offering:

"Leave No Doubt...this Willamette player does not have prostate cancer!" 

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Lets start a contest for "best caption" regarding the D3football.com homepage picture of Linfield v. Willamette.

My Offering:

"Leave No Doubt...this Willamette player does not have prostate cancer!" 

My offering:
"you put the right hand .....do the hokie pokie"