FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[DuffMan]

Is the D3 rule the same as D1? If so, intent does not matter. I can see this being an issue in D3 though without the benefit of review on such a difficult call. Any impact on players that would need to sit next week or did the call happen in 1st half?

It was first half.  Ackerman's dad sits next to us.  He was a bit peeved.  I don't know what Ackerman could have done differently other than run away from the receiver.  He was clearly going for the ball, and when a guy comes at you head-first, how do you avoid making contact with his head?  I get that it's a "point of emphasis" but tossing a guy from a game is pretty harsh.

[jamtod]

Is the D3 rule the same as D1? If so, intent does not matter. I can see this being an issue in D3 though without the benefit of review on such a difficult call. Any impact on players that would need to sit next week or did the call happen in 1st half?

It was first half.  Ackerman's dad sits next to us.  He was a bit peeved.  I don't know what Ackerman could have done differently other than run away from the receiver.  He was clearly going for the ball, and when a guy comes at you head-first, how do you avoid making contact with his head?  I get that it's a "point of emphasis" but tossing a guy from a game is pretty harsh.

I hear ya. For y'alls sake, hopefully SJU has their targetting issues out of the way now when it's easily absorbed. Looking forward to a good matchup next week.

Do you have any significant injuries or are you basically operating at full strength?

[art76]

Week four games in the MIAC

Concordia has their bye this week.

Carleton at Augsburg – Neither of these teams has a win so far this season, so one of them is going to be happier after this week's game than the other. I suspect it will be Augsburg that is happier. They are at home and have looked better on the field. Dare I say they have "been in it" more, so far in games this year, than the Knights have been?

Bethel at St. Olaf – This will be a "redemption week" game for Bethel after starting the season 0 and 3. The Oles have put up some points, and Bethel's D is a bit sieve-ish this year, so I expect somewhat of a shoot-out at the Manitou Corral. But the Royals will leave the last man standing and ride out of town with their first win of the season.

Gustavus at Hamline – The first game of unbeaten teams, which I alluded might happen last week. If the Pipers can control the pace of the game and keep it a lower scoring affair, they can almost assure themselves of a win at home. If they let things get out of hand and have to play catch up, they have not shown so far this season that they can make up more than a two score deficit and would probably give up their first loss of the year.

St. Thomas at St. John's - #4 in the country plays at #6 in the country - ho boy, what a game we have in store so early in the season. From a national perspective, regardless of who wins or loses, neither team will drop out of the top 25, probably not out of the top 10. But that's not what's important in a rivalry game. Because this game is in Collegeville, there will be a lot of folks in the stands and on the hillsides, even if the weather continues to look less than ideal, this far out. To the winner goes the spoils of most likely going undefeated in the conference to win the automatic bid at the end of the season. Depending on how wide the margin of victory is, will in some fashion determine if the loser can also run the table in the conference and end up at 9 and 1, sitting on the bubble for an invite at the end of the year into the playoffs. I say it that way because if there is a wide margin in this game, then other teams in the conference get their hopes up to play spoiler. With a narrow margin, then hope fades for the remaining conference teams that have yet to play either of the teams. From where I sit, after seeing what I have seen so far this season, I have to say the Johnnies are the underdogs and have the tools to pull off a minor upset. But as others have noted, it doesn't look like either of these teams will get much challenge through the remainder of the season, until they reach the playoffs.

[hazzben]

I understand the need for targeting. But I've just seen it so terribly misapplied the past few years. Some hits are egregious and need to be flagged, but some are just good football.

My real issue is the entire rule was designed for D1 where you have replay. Even then, I don't like the ejection element.

I think they should make it similar to soccer (just threw up in my mouth a little ). Two targeting calls in a game and player is ejected. But then have them accumulate over the year. On the second of the year, guy sits for the remainder of the half. On the third, he sits for the remainder of the half, plus the next half.

It's just really unfair for guys playing D2/3 to be getting ejected when there's no replay to slow things down. And honestly, even with replay I'm not sure the immediate ejection works.

[MIAC23]

In regards to targeting I think it is a rule that has to be put in place to take away the hits the game is trying to get rid of. Defensive players (or offensive in some circumstances) need to realize this and absolutely cannot go high on opposing players. If they do, they run the risk of being ejected. Don't put yourself in that position where a ref has to make the call. To eliminate these types of hits completely, the ejection piece must be in there. Tackle the thighs. Period. If you tackle the thighs, you won't get ejected. If you go higher, you run the risk. This is the route the game is taking, like it or not. Targeting rule is a point of emphasis in even in high school this season. Adjust or hit the showers.

[Mr.MIAC]

Here's a question for the Johnnie hive mind: If SCSU had prioritized football instead of hockey would the SJU football fanbase be as large as it is today?   

[mac77]

Apologies for not mentioning this earlier. Kudos to the CSB/SJU team for their success at the great Minnesota get together this year. The Johnnies took first place in the FFA Tractor Driving contest and the Bennies brought home a blue ribbon in the Open Dairy Cattle event. Congrats! Know that even if the Tommie/Johnnie game doesn't go well for you all this year, you're still winners...

I'll assume this is your attempt at sarcasm & ridicule. As a former FFA member and state officer, I'm proud of my affiliation with that organization as well as my SJU diploma. And having grown up on a dairy farm (though I never showed cows-I just milked them), I am also proud of being a farm boy.
It appears you have little regard for either.

[CruFrenzy]

Hey MIAC people! 

I'd like to watch the Tommie-Johnnie game this Saturday, is my best bet to watch on the SJU website or will it be televised this year? If not, it should be!

[57Johnnie]

Hey MIAC people! 

I'd like to watch the Tommie-Johnnie game this Saturday, is my best bet to watch on the SJU website or will it be televised this year? If not, it should be!

gojohnnies.com

[faunch]

In regards to targeting I think it is a rule that has to be put in place to take away the hits the game is trying to get rid of. Defensive players (or offensive in some circumstances) need to realize this and absolutely cannot go high on opposing players. If they do, they run the risk of being ejected. Don't put yourself in that position where a ref has to make the call. To eliminate these types of hits completely, the ejection piece must be in there. Tackle the thighs. Period. If you tackle the thighs, you won't get ejected. If you go higher, you run the risk. This is the route the game is taking, like it or not. Targeting rule is a point of emphasis in even in high school this season. Adjust or hit the showers.

That's all well and good however the play in the St. Olaf / St. John's game was not a high hit.  The ball was thrown low and the contact was made when the defensive back was attempting to break up the play.  It was a hard and loud hit but from my point of view did not warrant a penalty or ejection.  I would love to see a replay.

[SJUrube]

Who knew Stout fans traveled so well.

UW-Stout at UST: 4,563
Carleton at UST:  2,175

[Mr.MIAC]

Apologies for not mentioning this earlier. Kudos to the CSB/SJU team for their success at the great Minnesota get together this year. The Johnnies took first place in the FFA Tractor Driving contest and the Bennies brought home a blue ribbon in the Open Dairy Cattle event. Congrats! Know that even if the Tommie/Johnnie game doesn't go well for you all this year, you're still winners...

I'll assume this is your attempt at sarcasm & ridicule. As a former FFA member and state officer, I'm proud of my affiliation with that organization as well as my SJU diploma. And having grown up on a dairy farm (though I never showed cows-I just milked them), I am also proud of being a farm boy.
It appears you have little regard for either.

It's an attempt at sarcasm, not ridicule. I hold farmers, their families, and farm communities in very high esteem. When farmers suffer the negative consequences can be felt well beyond our food supply chain.

The Tommie/Johnnie game has come early this year. My post above is part of the good-natured banter that intensifies throughout the week leading up to the game. Good banter starts slow early in the week, picks up speed by midweek, and climaxes right before the game.

Therefore, it's best to not come out with all guns blazing on Monday. Pacing yourself is key. Cart out the usual tropes--all Johnnies are rubes, all Tommie girls have STDs--early in the week. Show more creativity as the week progresses.     

[Boys of Fall]

In regards to targeting I think it is a rule that has to be put in place to take away the hits the game is trying to get rid of. Defensive players (or offensive in some circumstances) need to realize this and absolutely cannot go high on opposing players. If they do, they run the risk of being ejected. Don't put yourself in that position where a ref has to make the call. To eliminate these types of hits completely, the ejection piece must be in there. Tackle the thighs. Period. If you tackle the thighs, you won't get ejected. If you go higher, you run the risk. This is the route the game is taking, like it or not. Targeting rule is a point of emphasis in even in high school this season. Adjust or hit the showers.

That's all well and good however the play in the St. Olaf / St. John's game was not a high hit.  The ball was thrown low and the contact was made when the defensive back was attempting to break up the play.  It was a hard and loud hit but from my point of view did not warrant a penalty or ejection.  I would love to see a replay.

The targeting rule might be necessary for the game of football to survive.  With the fear of concussions youth numbers are already in decline.  This doesn't even address the financial implications which might cripple the game at the higher levels.  With that said, I don't like how this newer rule has been implemented.  Wasn't sure about the call in the Johnnie game last weekend, nor was I sure about the Beuna Vista player being ejected the week before.  It seems to be a pretty severe punishment for a bang-bang play.  Also, since I hate instant replay, and knowing all teams video their games, I could see a personal foul penalty being called and then tape of the play is sent to the NCAA for ruling on the hit.  If deemed there that it was an illegal hit suspension for the next game might be warranted.  In looking at the long term future of the game steps do need to be taken to reduce concussions and the long term effects.  I for one want the game of football to survive, if it goes away what are we going to do, watch soccer?

[USTBench]

Apologies for not mentioning this earlier. Kudos to the CSB/SJU team for their success at the great Minnesota get together this year. The Johnnies took first place in the FFA Tractor Driving contest and the Bennies brought home a blue ribbon in the Open Dairy Cattle event. Congrats! Know that even if the Tommie/Johnnie game doesn't go well for you all this year, you're still winners...

I'll assume this is your attempt at sarcasm & ridicule. As a former FFA member and state officer, I'm proud of my affiliation with that organization as well as my SJU diploma. And having grown up on a dairy farm (though I never showed cows-I just milked them), I am also proud of being a farm boy.
It appears you have little regard for either.

Having grown up in rural ND as well as having attended UST maybe I can bridge the gap here so we're all on the same page, especially since Rev's assertions have put Bennie in a bad mOOOOOOOd. My agrarian roots led me into several livestock pavilions at the Minnesota State Fair over Labor Day weekend and I can assuredly say that NO Bennies took home a blue ribbon in ANY category, including dairy.

I think the thing that is really unfortunate, though, is that they didn't even place.

[jamtod]

Apologies for not mentioning this earlier. Kudos to the CSB/SJU team for their success at the great Minnesota get together this year. The Johnnies took first place in the FFA Tractor Driving contest and the Bennies brought home a blue ribbon in the Open Dairy Cattle event. Congrats! Know that even if the Tommie/Johnnie game doesn't go well for you all this year, you're still winners...

I'll assume this is your attempt at sarcasm & ridicule. As a former FFA member and state officer, I'm proud of my affiliation with that organization as well as my SJU diploma. And having grown up on a dairy farm (though I never showed cows-I just milked them), I am also proud of being a farm boy.
It appears you have little regard for either.

It's an attempt at sarcasm, not ridicule. I hold farmers, their families, and farm communities in very high esteem. When farmers suffer the negative consequences can be felt well beyond our food supply chain.

The Tommie/Johnnie game has come early this year. My post above is part of the good-natured banter that intensifies throughout the week leading up to the game. Good banter starts slow early in the week, picks up speed by midweek, and climaxes right before the game.

Therefore, it's best to not come out with all guns blazing on Monday. Pacing yourself is key. Cart out the usual tropes--all Johnnies are rubes, all Tommie girls have STDs--early in the week. Show more creativity as the week progresses.   

Rev - you ought to know by now that the Johnnies don't learn about sarcasm and nuance in their remedial classes.