FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Retired Old Rat]

What an electric atmosphere in Collegeville today.  From the pregame to the heartbreaking end it was something special and unique.

Tough loss for the Johnnie players.  They laid it all out; just wasn't meant to be today.  Hope they can bounce back next week against a tough Bethel team.

Congratulations to the Tommies.

[sju56321]

I hear the tailgate was exciting, in many ways.

[Retired Old Rat]

I'm Switzerland.   

[Johns Knees]

What a great game. Up and down, back and forth. I'm exhausted just from watching it.

Here's my lengthy review: http://bit.ly/98igEg

I hope the Johnnies finish the season strong. It's gotta be tough to get back up after two heartbreaking OT losses in the span of four weeks. But they acquitted themselves well. I've said for the past couple years that I think the Tommies have more talent than SJU. But we always win.

But I think this year the talent was just too much to overcome. Not to say we're not extremely talented, but Wartman, Waldvogel and Tracy put on a show out there.

So does this Tommies team have a shot against the big boys in the playoffs? I think they do, but they may be a little too one-dimensional. Not as one-dimensional as that Bethel squad that got slaughtered by Mount Union, I guess.

Still, a very good team. Good luck Tommies - represent the MIAC well in the playoffs.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

what a perfect day for football-- the weather was ideal, the leaves in full color and the atmosphere in the and around the stadium was overcharged with enthusiasm but still respectful of the opposition. GREAT time at the Stiffyfest and good to see everyone I saw there (Id rattle off names, but would leave a few off by accident). All in all, I'd call it the best football game I've ever experienced and it was a shame that one of the teams had to end up with less points (neither team "lost" in my opinion--- both played with true heart and passion).

As someone who has sat thru all 12 of the losses (some heartbraking, some downright embarrassing) by my beloved Toms, I can very much empathize with the USJ palyers and their faithful supporters.

I will  say its reassuring to know that God has a delightful sense of humor and irony as evidenced by the final play of the day. I for one would LOVE to see a rematch in the NCAAs....not sure it can happen, but the collegeville magic has made stranger things come to pass.

Top T-shirt was a no-brainer.. the backs read "The Streak Has Ended"

[sfury]

what a perfect day for football-- the weather was ideal, the leaves in full color and the atmosphere in the and around the stadium was overcharged with enthusiasm but still respectful of the opposition. GREAT time at the Stiffyfest and good to see everyone I saw there (Id rattle off names, but would leave a few off by accident). All in all, I'd call it the best football game I've ever experienced and it was a shame that one of the teams had to end up with less points (neither team "lost" in my opinion--- both played with true heart and passion).

As someone who has sat thru all 12 of the losses (some heartbraking, some downright embarrassing) by my beloved Toms, I can very much empathize with the USJ palyers and their faithful supporters.

I will  say its reassuring to know that God has a delightful sense of humor and irony as evidenced by the final play of the day. I for one would LOVE to see a rematch in the NCAAs....not sure it can happen, but the collegeville magic has made stranger things come to pass.

Top T-shirt was a no-brainer.. the backs read "The Streak Has Ended"

Maniac, what would have happened to those shirts if the Tommies had lost? Would they have ended up in like South America,where the T-shirts of Super Bowl champions who actually lose the Super Bowl go? Or did they hedge by not putting a year on the shirt? So they could break it out when needed?

For Tommie supporters, a happy video. Here are the fans storming the field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDbHysKxGG4

Tough for Johnnies to watch.

[sju#57]

Observations from today....Stearns county rent a sheriff having the back door closed sucked..had to drive all the way around and come in by the apple orchard......

Absolutely a perfect day for a game.....

A little bit of Tommie class when yelling during the choir singing...

The refs were horrible....

The Johnnie defense is very suspect....

Jimmy's play calling is still VERY suspect......(I played with him in '89....he was a moron then, and from what I can see, he hasn't changed much....)

6pt from 4 turn overs is absolutely horrid......

Tommies are a good team, but not buying them at #4.....

and the sun will shine even on a Tommies azz once every 12 yrs....

[Ryan Coleman]

The lot took over 4600 photos and 20 minutes of video.

I've edited both down to 619 photos and about 10 minutes.
Pix: http://www.pictureprints.net/albums.php?gallery=3470
ROR, Greg Kremer, lil ROR and I on the photos.
Interviews:
Caruso: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UqQyOnRGQs
Ryan Deitz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWOtKaz-5UI
Dakota Tracy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMEUzTEBPYU

[D O.C.]

"The Streak Has Ended"

No. That's a misprint. THE STREAK is still alive at 54 consecutive winning seasons.

Whatever happened to the NCAA barriers in Collegeville?

[badger45]

Official Attendence: 16,420 and one person in a chicken suit.

!Wow! What an atmosphere for a fairly poorly played game.  Tommies get butterfingers (4 turnovers, only one can possibly be a categorized as forced (the inexplicable interception)) and Johnnies can't capitalize on it.

Johnnies had an excellent game plan and did a remarkable job getting the ball to the outside to open up the middle.  They did a great job Brewstering between the tackles (pound the rock!); kudos.

Boyle and Tracy.  What can you say.  Kids showed some cahones today.

Too bad the game was ultimately decided by the kickers.  But, it seems only fitting that a missed XP ended the game as a missed XP put it into overtime - that, and, what in the hell was Gags thinking throwing when in field goal position at the end of regulation?!?!

My guess is that he wasn't making the play call.  The guy is more of a figure head then anything now.  Look to the o coordinator is my guess if you want to know who decided to throw it.

[badger45]

Official Attendence: 16,420 and one person in a chicken suit.

!Wow! What an atmosphere for a fairly poorly played game.  Tommies get butterfingers (4 turnovers, only one can possibly be a categorized as forced (the inexplicable interception)) and Johnnies can't capitalize on it.

Johnnies had an excellent game plan and did a remarkable job getting the ball to the outside to open up the middle.  They did a great job Brewstering between the tackles (pound the rock!); kudos.

Boyle and Tracy.  What can you say.  Kids showed some cahones today.

Too bad the game was ultimately decided by the kickers.  But, it seems only fitting that a missed XP ended the game as a missed XP put it into overtime - that, and, what in the hell was Gags thinking throwing when in field goal position at the end of regulation?!?!

My guess is that he wasn't making the play call.  The guy is more of a figure head then anything now.  Look to the o coordinator is my guess if you want to know who decided to throw it.

Then again I suppose you could have meant the younger gags but that from what I've heard is a no brainer.  Apparently he's not as bright as his old man.

[chewey]

Tough to watch if one is a Johnnie fan but real good job to UST coming to SJU on Homecoming and winning.  SJU played fairly well, mostly, but failed on a lot of little things.  The boys played hard.  For the past 3 years, SJU has not been as talented overall and UST has been much more talented than they were in years past.  SJU's passing game needs to get deadly like it was 4 and 5 years ago.  Doubt that SJU will make the playoffs now so there will probably be no rematch but hopefully UST can do well in the playoffs for the MIAC (yes, that is from a Johnnie fan).  As to Jimmy, I went there at the same time he did but never knew him.  He cares a lot about SJU football and knows a lot more about coaching and scheming than I do.  John G. is a legend and there are only about 10 to 20 (Frosty Westering, Knute Rockne etc.) that are in that class so there are going to be very, very few people who are going to possess the depth and magnitude of the gift that he has.  Good job UST.  For those who were critical of John G., yes, he actually did shake hands and share a few words with Caruso so you can rest assured that any perceived insults can now be dropped. 

[sjusection105]

Game story/recap now up at www.JohnnieFootball.com

[Johnnie Red]

I had a number of persons tell me yesterday that the Johnnie-Tommie game was the best college football game they had ever seen. What a great atmosphere in Collegeville! Still tough to accept the loss, especially given the last Johnnie drive in the 4th quarter that many of us thought would end with a field goal and a Johnnie win.

My thanks to everyone who attended the Stiftungsfestivities. The largest crowd we have ever had. Thanks to Liberty Mutual for providing the delicious soup. Thanks to Tom Emmer and Tom Horner for making an appearance. Mr. Horner, a Tommie grad who was present with his Johnnie son, now knows that the impossible can happen, i.e. a Tommie win over the Johnnies and a win in the governor's race in November over Emmer and Dayton. For some reason I thought Michele Bachmann would have been present.

We will be having a tailgate party at Bethel next Saturday. I will keep everyone posted about the details.

[tommiegun]

My guess is that he wasn't making the play call.  The guy is more of a figure head then anything now.  Look to the o coordinator is my guess if you want to know who decided to throw it.

Yes, but I've been given grief for calling The Elder Gagliardi a figurehead before.  Thought it better to assign the head coach responsibility for a call that late in the game. 

Were the Johnnies in FG range at the 27?  Watching the kicker warm up and pummel extra points I thought 45 was very doable - and every yard on the ground, where the Johnnies had had success all day, would make it more of a reality.