FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

I am sure St. Scholastica would like to get into the league and the conference might like to have them now that they have football. But as a reminder, that would make the already-large conference even larger in the women's sports, and the MIAC doesn't need another football school per se. Having an odd number makes it difficult to fill some of those late-season non-conference dates but it's not any different than it has been for the past decade-plus.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Macalester is not coming back. Story from April:
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/04/macalester-to-join-midwest-conference

Thank you!  It is not the first time a team has left for the Midwest Conference from the MIAC.  The other two left for all sports only to return later.  I have heard rumors over the years that St. Olaf had a desire to return to the MWC, but that is always squashed with regards to travel issues and costs.  St. Olaf's enrollment and sports not sponsored by that conference are also major issues.  Any idea who the replacement member for the MIAC could be?  I thought I heard St. Scholastica mentioned years ago as a school that wanted in the MIAC as a full member.  I think they would be the most logical choice.

there will be no "replacement". Mac is out of the MIAC in football ONLY. they committed to the rest of the league that they would not leave in total or in any other sports unless they folded that particular sport.  (although rumors were strong that a sizeable portion of the league wanted to throw them out in total after the latest football fiasco). Scholastica applied for membership over a decade ago and was voted down. There has been no talk of them joining the MIAC. If they did, it would simplify football scheduling to a degree, but it would make a total mess out of every other sport from a scheduling standpoint. 

This is the 2nd most common bogus rumor that refuses to die on these boards, right behind UST moving to D2 or D1.  Not happening in the next 25 years minimum.

[ron doney]

Wow. I guess even when UST is on top their season is still just one game long. If all folks UST stay as focused on the game they lost as the posters here then UST will be losing two more at least. Maybe three.

Again, we posters are not in the locker room Oz.

[Texas Ole]

Macalester is not coming back. Story from April:
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/04/macalester-to-join-midwest-conference

Thank you!  It is not the first time a team has left for the Midwest Conference from the MIAC.  The other two left for all sports only to return later.  I have heard rumors over the years that St. Olaf had a desire to return to the MWC, but that is always squashed with regards to travel issues and costs.  St. Olaf's enrollment and sports not sponsored by that conference are also major issues.  Any idea who the replacement member for the MIAC could be?  I thought I heard St. Scholastica mentioned years ago as a school that wanted in the MIAC as a full member.  I think they would be the most logical choice.

there will be no "replacement". Mac is out of the MIAC in football ONLY. they committed to the rest of the league that they would not leave in total or in any other sports unless they folded that particular sport.  (although rumors were strong that a sizeable portion of the league wanted to throw them out in total after the latest football fiasco). Scholastica applied for membership over a decade ago and was voted down. There has been no talk of them joining the MIAC. If they did, it would simplify football scheduling to a degree, but it would make a total mess out of every other sport from a scheduling standpoint. 

This is the 2nd most common bogus rumor that refuses to die on these boards, right behind UST moving to D2 or D1.  Not happening in the next 25 years minimum.

So I am the guy that in a month brings up the two biggest rumors on the board.  I am not sure if I am proud of myself or ashamed to be that guy.  I am going to go with the latter.  It might help with hockey also, but I do see the point.  I had not heard the Mac rumor.  I did hear there was much dissension among schools over several issues during this time.

[art76]

I'm interested in what happens in Arden Hills this weekend too. The Augsburg-Bethel game should be a good one.

See you there?

[MadRedFan]

Good job to Con. They played to their strengths and did it well. I hope our boys hold their heads high and work to improve each week.  And next year.

I was awfully disappointed with two things Johnnie: the defense was a sieve again and red zone choking was back.

On defense it seems that anticipation is really low. Even when a team like CON calls out what they are going to do, it seems we still get surprised. It seems almost as if the defense are still thinking about what thy're supposed to be doing individually rather than anticipating what the offense will be doing and countering. This is particularly frustrating after watching such a bold effort against the Tommies.

On offense the red zone yips were really disappointing as well. Interceptions are just a real let down. It almost has the feeling of timid hope rather than rugged intent. The offense hopes they don't screw up rather than intending to get the scores. It's a let down.  Particularly because I was hoping to see a little Johnnie swagger again - the unbridled confidence that comes from knowing you can do your job well. Bruns seemed a completely different decision maker this week compared to last.

So, I hope for the best this coming weekend. I hope to see advancement. This last weekend was disappointing because the team went backwards instead of forwards.

Not to put it all on Bruns, but it's a game of inches (or a foot or so) and he just didn't look sharp.  He missed several by just a bit.  If he completes a few of those, game's another story.

I thought the running game looked "uncreative".  Maybe the Ears dictated that, Sura had a few good runs, but for the most part was banging up the middle and not getting much, or so it seemed.  I like that kid, he has a burst, gets going quickly.  Certeza looked like he belonged again.

Sura had at least one nice swing pass that gained a good bit of yardage, and I'd like to have seen that play another time or two.

Also, from Sec. 104 it looked like the Johnnies got good pressure on the QB most of the day, but could rarely bring him down.  Neal is good, and bailed his team out more than once with some scrambling/adjusting under pressure.

And a couple good lessons on what a taller receiver who can jump can do vs. a shorter DB.  It's not enough to "be in position" when the pass is up and the receiver goes over you!!!

I'd still prefer to see a couple more 225 LB's in there and 275+ lb. DL's.  That said, Plombon gives it everything he has.  Bellefeiulle (sp?) looks good to me (hope he's not out with injury).  Rose is a leader out there and makes plays.  The D isn't that far away.

[DuffMan]

I'd still prefer to see a couple more 225 LB's in there and 275+ lb. DL's.

That was the formula for those late 90's - early 00's teams...NOT! 

I know, I know, it's a different ball game now, but I still think you can thrive with small, quick, smart, talented d-linemen and LBs.

[cobbernation]

And this weekend wasn't as close as score, given garbage time TD after fumble.

Ahhh, you were at Collegeville on Saturday, because I know you didn't watch the game on the webcast.

Actually, SJU did put itself in a position win but continued to struggle in the Red Zone. An interception in the Red Zone as well as one in the End Zone coupled with a FG doinked off the upright,now we're talking 4-0 SJU and 3-1 Cobbers. Unfortunately, the Cobbers did a fine job on defense and did make those two crucial picks to seal the deal.

Ron,let the season play out. Perhaps SJU overachieved when they beat UST in St. Paul to snap the consecutive MIAC wins and  Toms home wins streak,but who really cares about some silly winning streak. SJU is accustom to ending consecutive winning streaks, it's kinda something they have done over history ("the program's body of work"). Like ROR said, this SJU team has some young talent and there are going to be some inconsistencies. It appears they may have lost their Sr. Center,so there may be more peaks & valleys to the season.Let's just wait and see how the Toms and the Cobbers stack up later in the year before you cut down the Concordia program saying they are "giving up garbage time TDs" in they 4th Q. I'm pretty sure,to a man they'd all say the were giving it 100%. Terry Horan runs a good program and I can't see him letting his players "walk through" a 4th Q  on the road with the MIAC being so tightly matched this year.

Even thought SJU had some Red Zone chances in 2nd half, so did the Cobbers and came away with zero points (sounds like Horan got conservative with game in hand which is alright, but makes me nervous vs. SJU).  Cobbers won 24-14, but it easily could have been 38-7 if that blooper fumble wouldn't have led to SJU's 2nd TD late in the game.

[DuffMan]

On a completely serious and non-football related note, my sister-in-law is receiving her last (hopefully) chemotherapy treatment right now.  We're all hoping she can kiss her ovarian cancer goodbye for good.  I'd appreciate any quick prayers for her and our family.  She's not a Bennie, but she married into my wife's family (my wife, her two sisters, her three brothers, and her dad are CSB/SJU alumni/alumnae).   

[Retired Old Rat]

You got it Duffman. 

[sjusection105]

Consider it done,my friend.

[MadRedFan]

I'd still prefer to see a couple more 225 LB's in there and 275+ lb. DL's.

That was the formula for those late 90's - early 00's teams...NOT! 

I know, I know, it's a different ball game now, but I still think you can thrive with small, quick, smart, talented d-linemen and LBs.

I know I'm probably in the minority on the board with this viewpoint, but when the other team's QB is bigger than your DE's or LB's (not to mention the Joel Sweeney's of the world), makes it tougher.

But, like I said, I see some good stuff from the guys that are in there, and they're hitting this year.  I'd love to be proved wrong!!

[SJUrube]

Team Duffman.

[57Johnnie]

You got it Duffman.

Amen.

[SJUrube]

I was in attendance for the Homecoming game Sat. I left realizing my last 3 trips to Clemens Stadium have resulted in losses...2011 UW-EC...2012 UST...2013 Concordia. I'm unable to attend in two weeks vs Auggie Tech. I hope that doesn't spoil the 2003 Natl Championship events. Bizarre to know this was the J's 4th straight Homecoming loss.

I entered Clemens with about 10 minutes left in Q1 and the J's were already down 14-0. The defense settled in after that for much of the 1st half except for Concordia's final drive of the half. The thing that impressed me the most about their QB was ability to keep plays alive, particularly in the passing game. When things broke down he would scramble with the intent of still passing. If the D dropped back he would commit hard to the run to get the defenders to commit before dropping it off. Athleticism as a runner is great but having the ability to still focus down field is what makes a dual threat QB really tough to defend.

Throughout most of the 1st half and parts of the 2nd, SJU was able to move the ball. I think the number of short drives they had were limited. As I watched I kept thinking the SJU offense was playing like the defense...moving the ball fine between the 20s but not being able to get much going after. Having Voshell back was a positive. Looks like he can be a bit of the downfield threat to compliment Bungum's underneath game. Between those two and the group of RBs they've got some talent in the skill positions. I don't want to overact a week after being ready to cut the football program a $100k check, of which I have nowhere near that kind of money, but I hope there's a little creativity to still be had. They did run a flea flicker in which the RB blindly tossed it back to Bruns. Unfortunately the pass didn't connect.

My expectation had never been for this team to go 10-0 but the UST win did adjust expectations slightly. I've been saying for 2+ years that with 180 guys around there has to be some talent. They've slowly been showing that to be true. My hope is they stay in the MIAC mix as long as possible. It would be fun to have Bethel come to Clemens with the game meaning something for both teams. If that's the case I'll probably have to stay away given my recent track record.