FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[LBean]

I got to listen to a bit of the game in the car today.  Sounded like a battle!  It was quite nice to have the game on the radio as to not be tethered to a computer.  Congrats to Bethel.

So far, Bethel hasn't needed a "kicking game" to win. 

I'd bet a kicking game won't be a deciding factor against the Purple Raiders, either.

FYI:  In three playoff games, Ryan, Keith and Pat together have predicted that Bethel would lose.....a total of nine predictions between them and seven predictions that Bethel would lose. 

No one (save for OAS) thought the Johnnies could beat Mount in 2003, either.  We saw what happened there...

OAS did take in the Bethel/Tommie game.    His web broadcast with Pat supplanted by the radio coverage of game by local CBS affiliate.     

[GoldandBlueBU]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how much UST fans pay to sit in the reserved seating section on the visitors side of the field?

[Life Long Tommie]

Glenn Caruso named Region Coach of the Year

http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Glenn_12-6.html

[finsleft]

Congrats to Bethel on the win and to Tommies for a good run.

On a sadder note, any Johnnie with a pulse knew Mark Zimmer, proprietor of the La Playette, who passed away after a short battle with cancer. I will miss his smile and his voice whenever I walked in, inviting me, "Let's have one."

[Atticus Finch]

Bethel, Class of '82 believes I might have to try and take you up on that invitation!  I missed the game last time we met.  She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed has given me the 'Green Light' this year!  I will start looking for my flight. 

By the way, temps. down here in Tucson, Az....looks to be another sunny 78 degree day!  (Any chance of moving the game down here?)

Again--I invite all Bethel fans that make the trip to join a group of the UMU faithful-including HSCoach, Skunks Sidekick, Skunk, Theaprof, Mtfan, Hurfmuc, Seventiesraider, etc. starting at 8:00 pm Friday at Wing Warehouse--about 1.5 miles west of the football stadium on State Street.  It is very near the Alliance hotels--good wings, wide selection of beverages--including lots of non-alcoholic ones for those of you who choose not to imbibe.

We are a friendly crew and would love to get to know some of you.  PM me for more information.

[stanbob]

If anyone had told me that maturi was going to wait until the day after ust(D) was eliminated to name a coach, I woulda swore it would have been caruso.   

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

If anyone had told me that maturi was going to wait until the day after ust(D) was eliminated to name a coach, I woulda swore it would have been caruso.   

Based on his choice, either Maturi got a lot of rejections or is as bright as Sid.  I'm reisgned to a few more years without a Big 10/12 team from MN going to a bowl worth bragging about (and, no, the Music City or Motor Classic is not a braggable bowl). The good thing about not going to a bowl at DI-FBS level is that it allows a chance for the athletic dept to break even or be in the black, financially. Michigan's AD was quoted along those lines in Sports Illustrated....the gist of his comment was by missing a bowl in 08 & 09, we turned a profit, but if we had gone to a bowl, we would have lost money.

[Freebird]

I'm very impressed with this Bethel team for making it back to the semi's. This is a major accomplishment and after years of playoff disappointment Coach Johnson has now won 6 of the last 7 playoff games. Now they head back to the semifinals and Alliance, Ohio to face Mount Union. In the 2007 game Mount Union won 62-14, led 55-0 in the 4th and I'm sure most people expect a similar result this time around.

This Bethel team is built around a stud senior RB(Flannery)/O-line and a stout defense. The 2007 team was built around a senior QB(Wetzel), a stud freshman RB(Flannery)/O-line(Tommy Davis, Brad Dalhman, etc), and a stout defense. Will the similar ingredients lead to the same results? Here are a few things that gives me some hope that BU can play Mount tough and make things interesting...

1. This defense is probably better than the 2007 version
                                                                               2007   2010
                                           
Scoring defense                                                           20.8    11.2
Yards per carry                                                             2.9      2.5
Rushing yards per game                                                99.7    71.0
Passing yards per game                                               186.9   155.8
Opp 3rd down conversions percentage                             30%     24%

2. Logan Flannery has been there before and had three more years to develop into one of the best backs in the country. Like Pat and Keith said in this weeks ATN this senior leadership will be very important on Saturday.

3. The buzz seems to be that Mount is more vulnerable than they have been in past years. Although this probably doesn't mean much it seems like a sliver of hope. Would any Mount posters like to weigh in on this?

Do I think this makes the Royals a favorite this weekend? No. Do I think the spread should be closer than 22.5? No, but hopefully they can hang in there and shock the world like the Johnnies of '03 (who Bethel lost to that year by 3 in the closing minutes  )

[theaprof]

I'll let others who have a more intimate understanding comment on the above statements, but from what I have seen, our defense is scary fast and very tough against the run.  If there isn't a good mix of passes in the game plan our D will probably be able to keep up with anyone.

That being said, I look forward to a great game on both sides.  After all, that's why they play the game.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Actually, "most people" do NOT expect a result similar to 2007.  (Well, same winner, but NOT a 'laugher'.)  Your defense this year has earned (and gotten) a lot of respect.  On the OAC pickems (the 22.5 spread), my impression is that a majority are going for Bethel to cover.

[hazzben]

Pat and the UST SID department seem unable to give Bethel it's due. Wartman did nothing against Bethel in the first game. Blaming the loss on injuries, penalties and dropped passes is just comical!

Waldvogel was a loss, but he was healthy the whole game the first time and had only one big catch, after which he averaged about 5 yds/rec. And with both Wartman and Fritz, UST scored only 10, which still wouldn't have won on Saturday. Bethel also had injuries on Saturday, but I've noticed no reference made to them.

And Pat...drops?!? Watch the game film. Drops wasn't UST's problem, it was the BU secondary. They were all over them. Hone in on Flaherty, #3, and you'll see exactly why he was all MIAC and should get serious All Region and All America consideration.

Re: Mount Union

1) they were hands down the better team in 2007. They were faster, bigger and more disciplined the entire game. Period. They win 10 out of 10. But, no one seems to remember that Bethel's MIAC MVP QB Wetzel was hurt against Central and tried to play at UMU. He lasted one possession. He was to that team what Flannery is to this team. Bethel doesn't win with Wetzel playing, but it definitely would have been a better game.

2) UMU is still a great team this year. Bethel will have to keep the scoring low on D and their O-line will have to have their best game to date. If Penz can't go, how his backup performs will be key. They'll have to play a perfect game to win. Mount is and should be the favorite, but I'm hoping we make it a game and  have a shot in the second half. We find out in a few days.

[sjusection105]

L. Beane,
Nice cameo on the Channel 9 news.

When the reporter asked you about the weather conditions, I was disappointed that you didn't throw out the favorite quote from Fins,
"there is no such thing as bad weather,in the era of hybrid fabric,there are simply poor wardrobe choices" 

  Damn.   they edited out the best part.   Having no purple, gold or blue on,    FOX9 reporter asks me who I'm rooting for to which I replied, " Go Johnnies!"   

LBean- that has to go down as a more memorable moment in the 2010 Johnnie season 
BTW- how was the Brat from the UST concession stand? It certainly doesn't compare to one of Veek's Wild Rice Sausages!

[WashedUp]

If anyone had told me that maturi was going to wait until the day after ust(D) was eliminated to name a coach, I woulda swore it would have been caruso.   

Based on his choice, either Maturi got a lot of rejections or is as bright as Sid.  I'm reisgned to a few more years without a Big 10/12 team from MN going to a bowl worth bragging about (and, no, the Music City or Motor Classic is not a braggable bowl). The good thing about not going to a bowl at DI-FBS level is that it allows a chance for the athletic dept to break even or be in the black, financially. Michigan's AD was quoted along those lines in Sports Illustrated....the gist of his comment was by missing a bowl in 08 & 09, we turned a profit, but if we had gone to a bowl, we would have lost money.

Not to mention the extra weeks to recruit. 

[sjusection105]

If anyone had told me that maturi was going to wait until the day after ust(D) was eliminated to name a coach, I woulda swore it would have been caruso.   

Actually, if UST could have played the Gophers this season,and won, I believe Caruso would have been given serious consideration. Wasn't a couple of the criteria, 1.) being a Head Coach,2.) Proven ability to recruit, 3.) Post-season success 4.) Have beaten the Gophers in a head to head dual.

Time will tell if Jerry Kill is the next Jim Tressel, but given the track record of the U to hire  successful football coaches who fly under the radar, I'm not holding my breath.

[usee]

It will be very difficult for Bethel to win in Alliance in my view. I have been to Alliance 6x and watched Bethel firsthand this year. You cannot be 1 dimensional on offense with no kicking game and win against the Radiers. They got away with it in 3 road games (well played in every other respect and games Bethel deserved to win) against similar talent but Mt Union has more speed and talent than any of the teams Bethel has faced up to now. I think Bethel's Defense can keep it close but only if they can keep Seaman from completing passes to Shorts because if they can get the ball to CS, Bethel simply doesn't have the speed to keep up with him. Bethel has a chance but I would put it at about 5%