FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sjusection105]

Johnnies, hold your heads high.
Seniors thanks for the memories you've been a fun group to watch.
Underclassmen, get ready to lead the way next year & beyond.

[OzJohnnie]

Well, it comes to the end again. Another year gone.  This team was greatly improved and the players who will be gone next year should take pride in the rebuilding of the program they are making possible.  Each year under Fasching has been better than the year before.  Faster, stronger, more threatening.  This year was no different.

I think next year's team will be stronger again.

Thanks for a great season, boys.  It was a pleasure to cheer you on.

[OzJohnnie]

Massey projections for our two MIAC playoff reps:

Oshkosh 31 SJU 14

[57Johnnie]

Thanks for the great season JOHNNIES!   

[faunch]

Despite the loss a great turnout of Johnnie fans at O'Garas today!  Well over 60 fans showed up.
Hold your heads high lads!!!

[57Johnnie]

Oz,
Now that Johnnie football is over, I suppose you will be spending more time at the
Royal Melbourne 

[cubs]

Would be curious to hear thoughts from the St. John's crew in how they see St. Thomas and Oshkosh matching up since they got a first hand look at both teams.....

[Greggers]

Well time for Saint John's to get to recruiting, heard they are already hitting Texas and California pretty hard. Bright future for this SJU team, especially that sophomore class

[miac952]

Great to see the Tommies back in the quarterfinals for what I think is the 6th time in the 10 yr Caruso era. Remarkable consistency. Taking an undefeated conference champ from IIAC to the woodshed shows they are peaking at the right time again.

What's exciting to me is to see the depth on this team. Two specific examples jump out.

1. They had two corners that were all conference / all region caliber that graduated last year. I expected an inevitable drop off. Alada steps in his SR year and breaks the school record for int's.

2. They lose the returning D3 national player of the year at RB to injury the week of the Tommie Johnnie game and they plug and play with two other dynamic RB'S and adjust the offense to their style perfectly. Having all 3 next yr will be crazy.

Fenske is far and away the best QB Caruso has had in his 10 years. He's also the first one that can see over the Oline 😀. He is slinging the ball. The Tommie offense looks to be tested by one of the best defenses in D3 in UWO. Should be a good battle.

[OzJohnnie]

Oz,
Now that Johnnie football is over, I suppose you will be spending more time at the
Royal Melbourne 

I'll need to find something to do with myself. That's for sure.

[Tom Thumb]

Great to see the Tommies back in the quarterfinals for what I think is the 6th time in the 10 yr Caruso era. Remarkable consistency. Taking an undefeated conference champ from IIAC to the woodshed shows they are peaking at the right time again.

What's exciting to me is to see the depth on this team. Two specific examples jump out.

1. They had two corners that were all conference / all region caliber that graduated last year. I expected an inevitable drop off. Alada steps in his SR year and breaks the school record for int's.

2. They lose the returning D3 national player of the year at RB to injury the week of the Tommie Johnnie game and they plug and play with two other dynamic RB'S and adjust the offense to their style perfectly. Having all 3 next yr will be crazy.

Fenske is far and away the best QB Caruso has had in his 10 years. He's also the first one that can see over the Oline 😀. He is slinging the ball. The Tommie offense looks to be tested by one of the best defenses in D3 in UWO. Should be a good battle.

I noticed they moved Dowdle from LB to CB and he has been fantastic.  He is more of the mold they are looking for at 6-3, 194. Dowdle was an All-State First Team CB in High School so he knows the position well.  Dowdle and CB Michael Franzese (6-2, 194) should be a nice tandem next year.

To your point about Fenske, I think a lot of credit should be given to UST's offensive line.  They are really starting to come together.  I just checked the stats, and it looks like the last time Fenske was sacked was October 8th against Concordia. He's certainly had plenty of time to throw the ball the all season. The great thing is that they return most of the OL, both TEs, both FBs, and the RBs that you mentioned. Mr. Perra is walking into a nice situation next season. 

[sjusection105]

I noticed they moved Dowdle from LB to CB and he has been fantastic.  He is more of the mold they are looking for at 6-3, 194. Dowdle was an All-State First Team CB in High School so he knows the position well.  Dowdle and CB Michael Franzese (6-2, 194) should be a nice tandem next year.

With bigger receivers making their way to D3,bigger DBs are also a trend. The Tommies will see both this week with UW-Oshkosh visiting.

[jamtod]

I noticed they moved Dowdle from LB to CB and he has been fantastic.  He is more of the mold they are looking for at 6-3, 194. Dowdle was an All-State First Team CB in High School so he knows the position well.  Dowdle and CB Michael Franzese (6-2, 194) should be a nice tandem next year.

With bigger receivers making their way to D3,bigger DBs are also a trend. The Tommies will see both this week with UW-Oshkosh visiting.

Is Dowdle our other starting CB now? When Pierson got injured Franzese started a few games but he has issues with penalties and not sure he is still starting.

[Tom Thumb]

I noticed they moved Dowdle from LB to CB and he has been fantastic.  He is more of the mold they are looking for at 6-3, 194. Dowdle was an All-State First Team CB in High School so he knows the position well.  Dowdle and CB Michael Franzese (6-2, 194) should be a nice tandem next year.

With bigger receivers making their way to D3,bigger DBs are also a trend. The Tommies will see both this week with UW-Oshkosh visiting.

Is Dowdle our other starting CB now? When Pierson got injured Franzese started a few games but he has issues with penalties and not sure he is still starting.

According to the box scores, Dowdle has been starting at CB the past three games.  He came in briefly during the Bethel game and has been playing more frequently ever since.  Franzese is still getting some reps with the 1st team so you'll still see him out there for a few series.

[jamtod]

I remember him making some plays at the Bethel game as he was wearing #6 which was Pierson's number and my son and I had been sitting by Pierson's parents. Apparently the PA and radio calls didn't have the changed roster numbers.