FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[D O.C.]

Kudos to the extra large guy from STU making the AFCA A-A team.

[jaypeter]

Kudos to the extra large guy from STU making the AFCA A-A team.

Would be curious to hear some of 75's story. I'd think his size alone would have generated interest from a few DI programs.

[wm4]

Good thoughts. Very excited to see UST play against UMU. As Caruso has noted this week they are the standard for all D3 to measure up to. After watching Saturday's performance by Mount I am most impressed by how many contributors there are on each side of the ball. Previous Mount teams have had that, but this year seems to be an even stronger case for that. They are not dependent on any particular star or focal point and can adjust the game plan accordingly.

For UST it has been a thrill to see the offense mature this year. While they are run heavy against stronger opponents, the passing game is  more dynamic in how it is used. Passing is still 55% of the total offense. Play calling has improved quite a bit. The addition of Roberts into the backfield has not only boosted the backfield, but also added to the receiving core by being able to slide Waldvogel into the slot as well.

I do thinking running the ball will be tough sledding for UST against the Mount D. Looking at Massey, Mount has the #1 D and #1 O. Tommies are #2 and #2 (excl NESCAC) respectively. Wabash has the #3 D (excl NESCAC). UST will need to sling it a bit like they had to against Wabash. Another strong special teams effort is big too.

Should be fun!

While we're at it, one player who goes practically undetected for UST on offense is their fullback, Truaccolo.  Old freakin' school.  He does a great job taking guys out of the hole and often times blows them up.  He's like having an extra linemen in the play and his blocking could be a huge factor come Friday. 

[AO]

Kudos to the extra large guy from STU making the AFCA A-A team.

Would be curious to hear some of 75's story. I'd think his size alone would have generated interest from a few DI programs.

Here he is telling his life story.

[USTBench]

Good thoughts. Very excited to see UST play against UMU. As Caruso has noted this week they are the standard for all D3 to measure up to. After watching Saturday's performance by Mount I am most impressed by how many contributors there are on each side of the ball. Previous Mount teams have had that, but this year seems to be an even stronger case for that. They are not dependent on any particular star or focal point and can adjust the game plan accordingly.

For UST it has been a thrill to see the offense mature this year. While they are run heavy against stronger opponents, the passing game is  more dynamic in how it is used. Passing is still 55% of the total offense. Play calling has improved quite a bit. The addition of Roberts into the backfield has not only boosted the backfield, but also added to the receiving core by being able to slide Waldvogel into the slot as well.

I do thinking running the ball will be tough sledding for UST against the Mount D. Looking at Massey, Mount has the #1 D and #1 O. Tommies are #2 and #2 (excl NESCAC) respectively. Wabash has the #3 D (excl NESCAC). UST will need to sling it a bit like they had to against Wabash. Another strong special teams effort is big too.

Should be fun!

While we're at it, one player who goes practically undetected for UST on offense is their fullback, Truaccolo.  Old freakin' school.  He does a great job taking guys out of the hole and often times blows them up.  He's like having an extra linemen in the play and his blocking could be a huge factor come Friday.

Love TRUCK-olo (as Dave Lee used to pronounce it). UST has had some good fullbacks as of late. Willie Schneider even had a cup of coffee at the Indianapolis Colts rookie OTAs and he split time with another good one in Joe Novitzki. It's been Dom's job primarily this year, and he's been phenomenal. His back up, Jeremy Molina has shown he's a load too, and has even been trusted to carry the ball some this year.

[jaypeter]

Kudos to the extra large guy from STU making the AFCA A-A team.

Would be curious to hear some of 75's story. I'd think his size alone would have generated interest from a few DI programs.

Here he is telling his life story.

LOL +k (although I do want those minutes of my life back!)

[miac952]

Good thoughts. Very excited to see UST play against UMU. As Caruso has noted this week they are the standard for all D3 to measure up to. After watching Saturday's performance by Mount I am most impressed by how many contributors there are on each side of the ball. Previous Mount teams have had that, but this year seems to be an even stronger case for that. They are not dependent on any particular star or focal point and can adjust the game plan accordingly.

For UST it has been a thrill to see the offense mature this year. While they are run heavy against stronger opponents, the passing game is  more dynamic in how it is used. Passing is still 55% of the total offense. Play calling has improved quite a bit. The addition of Roberts into the backfield has not only boosted the backfield, but also added to the receiving core by being able to slide Waldvogel into the slot as well.

I do thinking running the ball will be tough sledding for UST against the Mount D. Looking at Massey, Mount has the #1 D and #1 O. Tommies are #2 and #2 (excl NESCAC) respectively. Wabash has the #3 D (excl NESCAC). UST will need to sling it a bit like they had to against Wabash. Another strong special teams effort is big too.

Should be fun!

While we're at it, one player who goes practically undetected for UST on offense is their fullback, Truaccolo.  Old freakin' school.  He does a great job taking guys out of the hole and often times blows them up.  He's like having an extra linemen in the play and his blocking could be a huge factor come Friday.

Truaccolo is a player. Seems to embrace the role. 86 from Nicollet at TE is another old school guy. A load that punishes as a blocker. His other claim to fame. The receiver of the nationally "famed/maligned" 2 point conversion 

[Mr.MIAC]

Just an observation, but it's so refreshing to have more Tommies on this board nowadays. I hope the F.A.M.I.L.Y continues to grow.

[DuffMan]

Yeah, dysfunctional families are entertaining.

[Mr.MIAC]

Yeah, dysfunctional families are entertaining.

That's why I've stayed around to watch the Johnnie smokefest for so long...

Edit: Who's heading out to Salem? A group of us will be traveling down from DC.

[sjusection105]

Just an observation, but it's so refreshing to have more Tommies on this board nowadays. I hope the F.A.M.I.L.Y continues to grow.

We know Bench will be around next week regardless of results on Friday. How about the rest of you "Tommies come lately"?

[OldAuggie]

I noticed the Linfield QB Knecht did walk off the field in a straight line last week although it was at half time and he was bloody. He was replaced by Riddle who was also hit often if not every play.  I would expect to see the same amount of pressure on Friday night but can UST get to the qb is the question.  In each of the playoff games the Tommies have pounded the opposing qb. I think this will be a huge factor on Friday night, if they can get there.  "Defense wins Championships" is trite but true in my opinion. 

[Mr.MIAC]

Just an observation, but it's so refreshing to have more Tommies on this board nowadays. I hope the F.A.M.I.L.Y continues to grow.

We know Bench will be around next week regardless of results on Friday. How about the rest of you "Tommies come lately"?

Well, I'd like to think I have SOME history on this board.

[jamtod]

Yeah, dysfunctional families are entertaining.

That's why I've stayed around to watch the Johnnie smokefest for so long...

Edit: Who's heading out to Salem? A group of us will be traveling down from DC.

I wish. I'll be loading up the 3 kids into the jamVan and heading to Iowa. Strategically scheduled a half-day a few weeks back so I can get to my parents in time for kickoff.  Someday I'll make the road-trip to a Stagg Bowl.

Just an observation, but it's so refreshing to have more Tommies on this board nowadays. I hope the F.A.M.I.L.Y continues to grow.

We know Bench will be around next week regardless of results on Friday. How about the rest of you "Tommies come lately"?

I'll stick around to antagonize the Johnnie fans for a bit. Might shift my energies to basketball and drag the kids out for a few games there.

[bennie]

Yeah, what is with the Friday night (or in my case late afternoon) game. Don't they know we have holiday party obligations?? I miss the Saturday (morning for me) Stagg Bowl games...