FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[carletonknights]

Wasn't at the Knox game, but I heard it was a pathetic showing.  I'm still mildly shocked and confused, if there was one clear cut W on our schedule I would've pointed to Knox.  But games aren't played on paper or the season would be done already for the Knights (with the exception of Olaf).  Tough loss I'm sure for the kids, probably not the confidence booster the coaches were hoping for before a tough looking Augsburg team (and the rest of the MIAC grind).  Oh well, if we keep the games somewhat competitive that will be enough of a win for me.  Go Knights!

[corn horn]

I recall there being some discussion about looking to the outcome of the Concordia -UWEC game to judge what the ST big win over UWEC was to mean. Answer? Not too much. Cobbers took a 41-7 lead into the final quarter, played a bit complacently at that point (excepting a last minute defensive denial).

Cobber offense looked sharp here in the early season. Defense was too much bend, but very little break.

Next week...another great matchup versus SJU!

[faunch]

Anybody know how accurate the player participation lists are on the stats pages? 
If they are accurate I'm a bit surprised that U$T only played 39 guys in a 51-7 romp.

[sjusection105]

For any Animal House *cough* Duck fans!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOEgDbdjj2s&hq_e=el&hq_m=960371&hq_l=8&hq_v=52950040cd

+K Bennie 

[OzJohnnie]

Could it happen?  The Twins are one game short of a wildcard spot with 21 to play. I think the wildcard is an abomination, but the twins haven't been close to anything for so long that it clouds my values.

EDIT: In other abomination news, a guy here tells me he thinks the Vikings will make the playoffs this year.  He was serious, not messing with me.  I think.

[OzJohnnie]

Well, I'm a bit nervous about this weekend. My hopes and expectations are rising and I can't quite control them.

The Johnnies have shown some real offensive ticker and the ability to score. Sure, the teams we played are a bit weak defensively but the same has been true for the last five years yet here we are breaking 50 points. It's been a while.

Defensively we've given up some largish yardage but not much scoring. Seems there are a few more big plays when needed type results.  VOJ certainly speaks win a bit of swagger when the D is in the field.

Actually, VOJ's swagger rating is way up this year. He may be a loveable homer, but he's no fool. When the johnnies are doe he says so.

So, I guess all early signs point to this outfit having some potential.  I'm enthused.

[OzJohnnie]

Tripple post.  My apologies.

The d3football.com Top 25 poll is out.  MIAC ranking are:

SJU stays at 8
UST stays at 12
Bethel drops four spots to 23

CON is 23 points out of the 25 with 17 points
GAC picks up 7 points

And just because:

The MIAC has three top 15 teams with an average position of 14.3 while the WIAC also has three teams with an average position of 14.3.

[faunch]

Well, I'm a bit nervous about this weekend. My hopes and expectations are rising and I can't quite control them.

The Johnnies have shown some real offensive ticker and the ability to score. Sure, the teams we played are a bit weak defensively but the same has been true for the last five years yet here we are breaking 50 points. It's been a while.

Defensively we've given up some largish yardage but not much scoring. Seems there are a few more big plays when needed type results.  VOJ certainly speaks win a bit of swagger when the D is in the field.

Actually, VOJ's swagger rating is way up this year. He may be a loveable homer, but he's no fool. When the johnnies are doe he says so.

So, I guess all early signs point to this outfit having some potential.  I'm enthused.

Cobber week always makes me nervous.  If I'm correct they've had the most success against SJU than any team in the league. (Johnnies lead series 42-33-6). 
It worries me that SJU hosts U$T the following week and that game could be in the back of the minds of some of the fellas.  The one plus is that SJU has lost 3 straight to the Cobbers meaning the seniors on the team should have a lot of motivation to win up in Moorhead.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Beauty of a day for taking in a game on Saturday at BU.  Wartburg is a very solid team...Schrader is extremely accurate, and he's got some long receivers with good hands.  I'm sure they'll roll through the IIAC, but I would wager they're probably a bit over-rated at #6.

Bethel's defense looked much more put-together than they did vs. Stout.  If Wartburg is indeed a top 10 caliber team, then BU's D will keep them in the game against the top tier of the MIAC...however, based on Saturday, it would seem that the offense will prevent them being likely to win many of those games.  The line was average at best, downright overmatched at times.  Dzurik got absolutely demolished on a few pass plays, and when he didn't he was well off target on a number of throws.  Difficult to tell if that was due to him just having an off day, or if he was fearful for his life.

The skill guys (Klitzke, Marquardt, Tusler and even Wearness) looked good, and via BU's offensive play calling, they were able to take advantage of how aggressive Wartburg's D was at times with some mis-direction, but the run blocking was lacking, and pass protection was overall very poor.

Anderson looked ok, and had a couple of nice passes, but vs. Wartburg mid-game is a tough spot for a kid who missed his Sr. year of football.  If they think he can be "the man" going forward, I'd prefer that he get the start vs. Olaf, gain some confidence and get more comfortable rather than jumping right in against a very good Wartburg team.

Based on a very limited sample of 2 games, BU seems like they're good but not elite this year.  Either missing a player or two (or three) on the O-line this season, or they just need to get more out of what they have.

[OldAuggie]

That's a good take on your Bethel squad. I think the Augsburg vs. Bethel game will be a big one for both teams this year. Looking forward to it. As far as the AUG vs CUW game; there is not much to say because the game was never in doubt. I am not going to pound my chest on here after an expected win vs. an overmatched opponent.

Bring on Carleton!!

[art76]

Beauty of a day for taking in a game on Saturday at BU.  Wartburg is a very solid team...Schrader is extremely accurate, and he's got some long receivers with good hands.  I'm sure they'll roll through the IIAC, but I would wager they're probably a bit over-rated at #6.

Bethel's defense looked much more put-together than they did vs. Stout.  If Wartburg is indeed a top 10 caliber team, then BU's D will keep them in the game against the top tier of the MIAC...however, based on Saturday, it would seem that the offense will prevent them being likely to win many of those games.  The line was average at best, downright overmatched at times.  Dzurik got absolutely demolished on a few pass plays, and when he didn't he was well off target on a number of throws.  Difficult to tell if that was due to him just having an off day, or if he was fearful for his life.

The skill guys (Klitzke, Marquardt, Tusler and even Wearness) looked good, and via BU's offensive play calling, they were able to take advantage of how aggressive Wartburg's D was at times with some mis-direction, but the run blocking was lacking, and pass protection was overall very poor.

Anderson looked ok, and had a couple of nice passes, but vs. Wartburg mid-game is a tough spot for a kid who missed his Sr. year of football.  If they think he can be "the man" going forward, I'd prefer that he get the start vs. Olaf, gain some confidence and get more comfortable rather than jumping right in against a very good Wartburg team.

Based on a very limited sample of 2 games, BU seems like they're good but not elite this year.  Either missing a player or two (or three) on the O-line this season, or they just need to get more out of what they have.

I was in attendance as well (even got to shake hands and introduce myself to Pat Coleman after the game).

I concur, Wartburg seems to have lost a step or two as a whole. Last year's Wartburg team would have creamed this year's Bethel squad - IMO. Bethel's defense definitely kept them in the game and special teams almost won it for them. Penalties - and dumb ones at that, cost BU the game. This will be a tough year if Coach Johnson cannot figure out a way to score some points with this offense. If he does, BU could still win out and end the season 9 and 1. We'll just have to wait and see how things play out. Both for BU and the rest of the MIAC.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Beauty of a day for taking in a game on Saturday at BU.  Wartburg is a very solid team...Schrader is extremely accurate, and he's got some long receivers with good hands.  I'm sure they'll roll through the IIAC, but I would wager they're probably a bit over-rated at #6.

Bethel's defense looked much more put-together than they did vs. Stout.  If Wartburg is indeed a top 10 caliber team, then BU's D will keep them in the game against the top tier of the MIAC...however, based on Saturday, it would seem that the offense will prevent them being likely to win many of those games.  The line was average at best, downright overmatched at times.  Dzurik got absolutely demolished on a few pass plays, and when he didn't he was well off target on a number of throws.  Difficult to tell if that was due to him just having an off day, or if he was fearful for his life.

The skill guys (Klitzke, Marquardt, Tusler and even Wearness) looked good, and via BU's offensive play calling, they were able to take advantage of how aggressive Wartburg's D was at times with some mis-direction, but the run blocking was lacking, and pass protection was overall very poor.

Anderson looked ok, and had a couple of nice passes, but vs. Wartburg mid-game is a tough spot for a kid who missed his Sr. year of football.  If they think he can be "the man" going forward, I'd prefer that he get the start vs. Olaf, gain some confidence and get more comfortable rather than jumping right in against a very good Wartburg team.

Based on a very limited sample of 2 games, BU seems like they're good but not elite this year.  Either missing a player or two (or three) on the O-line this season, or they just need to get more out of what they have.

I was in attendance as well (even got to shake hands and introduce myself to Pat Coleman after the game).

I concur, Wartburg seems to have lost a step or two as a whole. Last year's Wartburg team would have creamed this year's Bethel squad - IMO. Bethel's defense definitely kept them in the game and special teams almost won it for them. Penalties - and dumb ones at that, cost BU the game. This will be a tough year if Coach Johnson cannot figure out a way to score some points with this offense. If he does, BU could still win out and end the season 9 and 1. We'll just have to wait and see how things play out. Both for BU and the rest of the MIAC.

I had the same thought...it would've been ugly and over after two quarters vs. last year's Knights.

re: 9-1 finish - I get what you're saying...they really have some good things on this team and aren't far from being a top flight squad, however, if Saturday's performance is how the O-line and QB play is going to be for the year, they definitely won't beat UST or SJU, and Cobbers, Auggies and Gusties will all be hard fought.  (Cobbers could end up in that top group, depending on how good they really are.  Even Augsburg could be up there if their defense is indeed improved).

edit - also - did you enjoy that outburst from the Wartburg coach sitting on top of the press box?     Made me glad that I didn't have a child in attendance, or I'd be explaining the meaning of several words and why we can't say them, let alone scream them over a crowd from the top of a press box...I found that to be in very poor taste.

[GoldandBlueBU]

That's a good take on your Bethel squad. I think the Augsburg vs. Bethel game will be a big one for both teams this year. Looking forward to it. As far as the AUG vs CUW game; there is not much to say because the game was never in doubt. I am not going to pound my chest on here after an expected win vs. an overmatched opponent.

Bring on Carleton!!

Yeah, BU played CUW a couple of years in a row for non-conference as well...hard to take much away from those games. 

I certainly came to take highly accurate passing for granted with 3 years of Peterson starting, going to an inexperienced QB this year is a bit hard on the eyes, a feeling I'm sure you'll become familiar with next year, when Scott finally departs.  He's fun to watch, but I won't miss him when the royals are the opponent.  I'll always wonder how far he could've taken a team that had a good defense.  Imagine him running this show on offense at a place like SJU, UST or BU...maybe this is the year? 

[ScreamingEagles]

Anybody on this board go to the St. Thomas - UWL game?  Looking for a first-hand account of how the Eagles looked.  Box score wasn't pretty but hoping there is a silver lining somewhere.

[Boys of Fall]

Anybody know how accurate the player participation lists are on the stats pages? 
If they are accurate I'm a bit surprised that U$T only played 39 guys in a 51-7 romp.

Pat might have a better feel for this, but a couple things I've seemed to notice are, 1) special teams substitutions don't always make the lists, as teams rotate in lower kick-off/receiving teams they usually aren't noted, and 2) offensive/defensive substitutions seem to depend on the situation of the substitution.  If there is a long drive the names usually get noted, but if it's a three-and-out or if the player is just in for a couple plays they might not catch those.

I was wondering the same thing as you were though, I was looking for a few names (kids I know) that got in the first game but apparently not this second game.