FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[GoldandBlueBU]

Freebird

Nope.  I have been asking myself what would have happened if SJU actually had an officiating crew working a game that understands the rule book and applied it correctly -- see a couple of those turnovers if called correctly, erase the score differential and theoretically result in a win for SJU, who would be 5-1 as as a result.  I have also been asking myself questions about some coaching decisions, but I will keep those to myself.

For the record, I will be cheering for UST and hope they crush BU, which they will.  I also know plenty of people associated with the UST program.

It's official...after every SJU loss this year, there has been someone on here bitc#hing about the officiating.

Get over it.

Also, if I had to place money on it, I would also pick UST over BU, but I doubt that UST will "crush" BU.

Lastly, which 2 turnovers did you have a problem with?  The one on the 1 yard line, I would agree, might go either way. SJU has won games with similar calls.

The other fumble, and the other 2 picks were crystal clear.

[Freebird]

BlueandGold, you won the game, enjoy it, or is that not enough.  Even in the back of your mind, you are asking yourself, what if SJU doesn't turn the ball over and looking at UST and saying "oh my"

AlmostEx,

Are you sure that isn't what has been in the back of your mind for the past couples weeks?

Freebird

Nope.  I have been asking myself what would have happened if SJU actually had an officiating crew working a game that understands the rule book and applied it correctly -- see a couple of those turnovers if called correctly, erase the score differential and theoretically result in a win for SJU, who would be 5-1 as as a result.  I have also been asking myself questions about some coaching decisions, but I will keep those to myself.

For the record, I will be cheering for UST and hope they crush BU, which they will.  I also know plenty of people associated with the UST program.

That is an excellent point Mr. Almost! Using your ground breaking logic SJU is "theoretically" 5-1! Let's take his newly discovered knowledge to the Pool C discussion board and get the Johnnies back in the mix!

[sfury]

They have still won the last 12 of 13 over Saint Thomas!

I think they keep bringing up the 5-5 decade record against Bethel so they are more comfortable with the possibility of a 5-5 record this season  

You're a beauty alright Clark.  He has your number just like I do.  Can't talk outta both sides of your mouth...

Cue Veek, "Oh oh oh great post Clark +K."

When does Bethel play UST?  

Very impressive decade versus the Johnnies for the Royals! 5-5 has got to be the best record anyone has had over a 10 year span against SJU.  You've succeeded in making the rest of the 2010 season meaningless for St. John's.  In fact TDT will be going to Chicago instead of watching WC11's favorite MIAC player Ray Grant hold the clipboard...

BTW I nailed it last week.  The tailgating scene at Bethel is 2nd to none.  The beer/bloody marys flow contrary to any bullish!t from Johnnie Red.

Theres that "past decade" stat again...

Don't worry...I'm sure you'll take comfort in the fact that your attendance will still be the best. Even if your team isn't.

BU plays UST Oct. 23rd @ UST

If Johnnie fans are going to cling to the last 10 years of play against Bethel and Royal fans are going to use the same record to rightfully tweak Johnnie fans about the last five years, let's at least make sure the numbers are correct.

Over the last 10 years - since the 2001 season, in other words - the Johhnies are 6-4 against the Royals, not 5-5. Now, if you want to go back to the 1999 season it's 6-6. But for the last 10 years, 6-4, including a pair of shutouts by a they'd-better-hit-the-weights-or-they'll-be-slumming-with-the-Pipers Johnnies defense.

I've said it countless times, the Royals have found the formula against the Johnnies and for 12 years the teams have been even. And I hope they beat St. Thomas. Coach Johnson built the program, went through some very tough years, and now is a yearly pain to SJU and always a threat to the conference. His work there should be admired.

That said, Bethel went 5-5 in 2002, 6-4 in 2004, 5-5 in 2005, 5-5 in 2008 and 7-3 in 2009. Was there a lot of talk among Royals supporters of emperors with no clothes, the game passing by coach Johnson or many of the more dramatic things you hear from some SJU fans? I'm guessing no. Maybe I'm wrong. The Bethel guys can answer that more accurately.

"But expectations are higher at SJU," some might cry. Sure. They are, and should be. And that's why some aren't panicking over seasons of: 11-1, 11-2, 10-2, 8-3, 10-1 and TK (perhaps 7-3 with three losses by seven points). They've still, even in supposed down years, put together records that only a few teams in the nation can match. But to say that, apparently, means you have your head in the sand. But not being a Chicken Little doesn't mean you've got your head buried.   

[Freebird]

Very nice post and clarification Sfury. I have to admit that I wrote a rather scornful post about wanting Coach J gone in 2007 after some questionable coaching calls resulted in another early season loss. I believe it was a game against Central. I was certainly put in my place when later that season we made it to the national semi finals   

[USTBench]

What is this all about??

http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Letter_10-11.html

What exaclty is the question?

The guy impresses me more and more by the minute. Cue the Gopher talk!

The question is, why do you right this open letter? What is the purpose of it - it is just really weird.

On another note, attendance was 4,000 Saturday, I assume if both Bethel and UST are undefeated there will be 5,000 + at the game.

I couldn't disagree more strongly. Clearly the guy is trying to circle the wagons and strum up more support. I have absolutely NO issue with it.

As someone who's observing form the outside this open letter is just odd.  Obviously, the guy has got the job done at UST but he sure does a great job in putting himself as the face of the program.  I know the UST backers don't care because of the results but there is just a slippery element to Caruso.  

I know it's fashionable to say Caruso is just postulating as if he is going to stay at UST until something better is going to come along. That there is a "slippery element" to him so to speak. That he bounces from coaching opportunity to coaching opportunity like he's small college football's answer to Lane Kiffen.

Let me tell you what I know to be fact about Coach Caruso: He is 100% authentic and is a total class act. Does that mean he will stay at UST until he retires? I don't know. But if he doesn't it doesn't make him "slippery." Gags and Steve Johnson (relax Johnnies, I'm not comparing, just pointing out Johnson has some decent longevity as well) are the exception in college football today, not the rule. Hell, even Gags started his career elsewhere, he just happened to land somewhere he fell in love with.

My own personal story: As most of you know, I was a back up during the Roney era at UST. I always though Roney was a nice enough guy but our program definitely lacked a championship attitude. In 2007 someone had had enough and the Roney era ended and the Caruso era began. Like a lot of alumni I wasn't quite sure how to take Caruso because going from NDSU/USD to the MIAC was a little quizical.

What a lot of you guys don't know is in October of 2008 I spent pretty much the entire month away from law school sleeping on the floor at St. Paul Regions Hospital. My brother Nathan, who had been battling cancer for about 5 years had ruptured the carotid artery in his neck and was in and out of consciousness in the surgical ICU, and was fighting for his life. On one occassion we had a choice to make: keep him sedated and say our goodbyes, or let the surgeon take one more crack at it. We opted for the latter (Nate's wishes before this all happened) and Nate's surgey was successful. That Saturday, I decided I needed to stretch my legs and get out of the hospital a little bit. I went to the UST/Carleton game, and was probably more entertained than I had ever been. Carleton, as we all know, had a great squad that year and it was great back and forth battle that both teams should have been extremely proud to be a part of. But I noticed something about UST that I had never noticed before: swagger. Not cockiness. But just an attitude that seemed to indicate that no matter how bad things got, they were never beat until the last second expired. And as time expired, our QB found our tight end in the end zone for a W.

Needless to say this epitomized my week and I decided to write Coach Caruso an email and express my gratitude as an alum and a fan, as well as my excitement as to the direction the team was going and a little about my experiences with my brother that week. To my suprise, not only did he respond back to my email, he also shared it with the team, as well as called me the Saturday before their final game of the season agains Northwestern to see how my brother was doing.

Coach Caruso kept up with me sporadically throughout the year, and when my brother passed away in April, he not only wrote (having the whole coaching staff sign the card) to send his condolences, he gave me a call after the funeral to talk about whatever was on my mind, but share his own experiences with losing his mother at a young age, and what that meant to him. He didn't have to do any of this. He just cared.

Coach Caruso may not be everyone's cup of tea, but to me he's a guy who genuinely cares about UST and really sees it as a community that takes care of each other. He's reached out to some pretty disenfranchised alumni and got them excited about UST football again. He's got a vision of a family, and everyone's invited to be a part of it. I more than hope he stays, and wish him the best if he doesn't. But he is not slippery. He's a caring individual that cares about his players, the alums, the staff and the whole community.

I think that may be the purpose behind his letter.

[AlmostEx]

Freebird -- thanks for stopping by the booth.

BlueandGold.  I didn't say both were in the BU game.  The call on the one yard line covers the margin of loss.  Sans that call, who knows what the game looks like.  The second call being an interception at UWEC that carried the defender into the endzone -- ball on the 20 yard line?  Nope, WIAC officials put the ball on the three.  Huh?  I think the rule is crystal clear and I have yet to see any reasonable explanation.  As I recall, SJU three and out, punt/short field for UWEC, UWEC scores on that possession and takes the lead.  

For the record, I am with the coaches on this one, play the game, don't let it come down to the officials.  For the record, I stand by UST crushing BU.

[Touchdown Tommy]

Thanks for the clarification sfury.  I was just using the record as others had stated without double checking.  6-6 says even more since Bethel first beat SJU in 1999.  The Royals have figured out the formula and have much to be proud of.  The Bethel posters need not be so defensive or cynical.  They are getting honest to goodness props for an extended period of excellent play against 1 of D3's premier programs.

In other news, here is a pic of VOJ.  Can someone embiggen this?  Look closely, our pal VOJ had a little "accident" at the tailgate party Saturday morning and LBean makes a surprise celebrity appearance in the background.  Many thanks to TimeforChange2 for making an appearance.  Good to see you too John!

[DoubleO]

What is this all about??

http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Letter_10-11.html

What exaclty is the question?

The guy impresses me more and more by the minute. Cue the Gopher talk!

The question is, why do you right this open letter? What is the purpose of it - it is just really weird.

On another note, attendance was 4,000 Saturday, I assume if both Bethel and UST are undefeated there will be 5,000 + at the game.

I couldn't disagree more strongly. Clearly the guy is trying to circle the wagons and strum up more support. I have absolutely NO issue with it.

As someone who's observing form the outside this open letter is just odd.  Obviously, the guy has got the job done at UST but he sure does a great job in putting himself as the face of the program.  I know the UST backers don't care because of the results but there is just a slippery element to Caruso.  

I know it's fashionable to say Caruso is just postulating as if he is going to stay at UST until something better is going to come along. That there is a "slippery element" to him so to speak. That he bounces from coaching opportunity to coaching opportunity like he's small college football's answer to Lane Kiffen.

Let me tell you what I know to be fact about Coach Caruso: He is 100% authentic and is a total class act. Does that mean he will stay at UST until he retires? I don't know. But if he doesn't it doesn't make him "slippery." Gags and Steve Johnson (relax Johnnies, I'm not comparing, just pointing out Johnson has some decent longevity as well) are the exception in college football today, not the rule. Hell, even Gags started his career elsewhere, he just happened to land somewhere he fell in love with.

My own personal story: As most of you know, I was a back up during the Roney era at UST. I always though Roney was a nice enough guy but our program definitely lacked a championship attitude. In 2007 someone had had enough and the Roney era ended and the Caruso era began. Like a lot of alumni I wasn't quite sure how to take Caruso because going from NDSU/USD to the MIAC was a little quizical.

What a lot of you guys don't know is in October of 2008 I spent pretty much the entire month away from law school sleeping on the floor at St. Paul Regions Hospital. My brother Nathan, who had been battling cancer for about 5 years had ruptured the carotid artery in his neck and was in and out of consciousness in the surgical ICU, and was fighting for his life. On one occassion we had a choice to make: keep him sedated and say our goodbyes, or let the surgeon take one more crack at it. We opted for the latter (Nate's wishes before this all happened) and Nate's surgey was successful. That Saturday, I decided I needed to stretch my legs and get out of the hospital a little bit. I went to the UST/Carleton game, and was probably more entertained than I had ever been. Carleton, as we all know, had a great squad that year and it was great back and forth battle that both teams should have been extremely proud to be a part of. But I noticed something about UST that I had never noticed before: swagger. Not cockiness. But just an attitude that seemed to indicate that no matter how bad things got, they were never beat until the last second expired. And as time expired, our QB found our tight end in the end zone for a W.

Needless to say this epitomized my week and I decided to write Coach Caruso an email and express my gratitude as an alum and a fan, as well as my excitement as to the direction the team was going and a little about my experiences with my brother that week. To my suprise, not only did he respond back to my email, he also shared it with the team, as well as called me the Saturday before their final game of the season agains Northwestern to see how my brother was doing.

Coach Caruso kept up with me sporadically throughout the year, and when my brother passed away in April, he not only wrote (having the whole coaching staff sign the card) to send his condolences, he gave me a call after the funeral to talk about whatever was on my mind, but share his own experiences with losing his mother at a young age, and what that meant to him. He didn't have to do any of this. He just cared.

Coach Caruso may not be everyone's cup of tea, but to me he's a guy who genuinely cares about UST and really sees it as a community that takes care of each other. He's reached out to some pretty disenfranchised alumni and got them excited about UST football again. He's got a vision of a family, and everyone's invited to be a part of it. I more than hope he stays, and wish him the best if he doesn't. But he is not slippery. He's a caring individual that cares about his players, the alums, the staff and the whole community.

I think that may be the purpose behind his letter.

Well put, Bench. Well put.

Sorry to hear of your brother's untimely passing-tough deal.

I am not at all surprised to hear of Caruso's compassion. I was able to meet with him and some of his staff when they were in town recruiting some Chicago area kids. I could not have been more impressed with him. He is the real deal and will succeed wherever he is. Here's to him growing some roots at Cretin & Summit!

[tmerton]

Looks like a touched a hot button for Tmerton.  No surprise as he is too close to the program to have any sort of objective analysis.  I had a feeling the "meaningless" might incite a comment from some ardent Johnnie supporters.  And you never fail me Clark.

If you think other alumni, former players, etc. aren't talking about the decline of Johnnies football this season you haven't been talking to enough people...

The truth is that 3-3 is the worse Johnnie squad since 1997 (also ironically the last time the J's lost to USTD).  The rest of the games are playing out the string so to speak.  When was the last time the Johnnies were guaranteed to be sitting at home for the playoffs in early October?  Sure the games mean lots to the kids pouring their hearts out each game (and like a good attorney you twisted my intended meaning into something else to fit your argument).  But for anyone besides those connected directly to the program (coaches, players, parents), the remaining schedule of Gustavus, Carleton, St. Olaf, and Hamline is truly meaningless...

The standards are higher in Collegeville and rightfully so.  It isn't enough to win the conference title and go one and done in the playoffs (or not make the playoffs all together).

Cue TC and Zip who I know also have strong feelings on this topic...

Max, I personally am delighted that you have found some form of entertainment other than Johnnie football to occupy you the rest of the season.  In my book that's a win-win for everyone.  Amazingly enough there will still be people in attendance other than coaches, players and parents.  Even some with "strong feelings." 

You've pushing through to blowhard status.

[faunch]

What is this all about??

http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Letter_10-11.html

What exaclty is the question?

The guy impresses me more and more by the minute. Cue the Gopher talk!

The question is, why do you right this open letter? What is the purpose of it - it is just really weird.

On another note, attendance was 4,000 Saturday, I assume if both Bethel and UST are undefeated there will be 5,000 + at the game.

2 reasons for the letter.
1st: To thank everyone at UST that has been a part of the rebuilding.
2nd: An appeal to not forget and drive up attendance. 
The reality is that UST will never be able to match SJU when it comes to attendance.  Sure they might be able to get up to and average of 3500 but that will be about it....maybe 4000 
It's the same at SJU as it is in real estate....Location, location, location.  They draw from all those towns around Collegeville.  When it comes to UST there is just too many other things happening in the metro area on a Saturday afternoon.

I think Coach C is being very sincere and I believe the UST/BU game could draw up to 6,000...if the weather is nice.  Frankly I don't care which teams wins.  Too bad they still don't have ties. 
Vikings, Gophers, Johnnies...no post-season this year...well at least I've got my brother and nephews 9-man football team down in Nicollet...Go Raiders!!!

[AO]

In other news, here is a pic of VOJ.  Can someone embiggen this?  Look closely, our pal VOJ had a little "accident" at the tailgate party Saturday morning and LBean makes a surprise celebrity appearance in the background.  Many thanks to TimeforChange2 for making an appearance.  Good to see you too John!

You posted a thumbnail picture, if you post a link to the gallery from where you got the picture or to a larger version of picture, embiggening could be made possible.

[UDubDub_Boiler]

Apologies in advance for the multiple posts.

Great weekend.

Gophers are embarrassed again.  And I'm in Madison visiting my daughter who lives a block from Camp Randall.  Fortunately, she doesn't care and doesn't rub it in like my Tommie daughter did last week.

Johnnies lose any chance of a playoff spot.

Twins.  Never mind.

And, my wife backs into the side of a parked car in Madison.

Retired Old Rat....is this Tim???  this is Kevin Mills from dcVAST.

[wildcat11]

Bench,

That's a great post and I'm sorry about the loss of your brother.  With regards to Caruso, sometimes when you have personalities that big it can be hard to believe they are 100% authentic.  I have zero reason to doubt a single word you wrote so that paints more of the picture of what Caruso is all about and he sounds like a good man.  I still think the open letter is still a little weird but to each their own.

[tommiegun]

Just for the record, I'm not saying Caruso's "slippery" or anything like that, I just didn't understand the purpose for the letter.  I suspected, like faunch that it was all about attendance, but didn't want to pollute my test subjects into thinking the same.

[OzJohnnie]

tmerton, I'm with you.  "meaningless" is far too strong a polemic.  It is grossly unfair.  We are not all French in that we must abandon loyalty and faithfulness to the gods of objectivity and rationalism.  Become French enough and we'll all be supporting UWW pretty soon.  Why bother with ****ty little programs that never win, like the School Formerly Known as MUC (c)?

I for one will continue to get up early on Sunday mornings and cheer the Johnnie's over my cornflakes.  Cardinal and Blue.  May my team always win, but they are always my team win or lose.  Fan is short for fanatic, after all.