FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[jamtod]

The only thing I found truly awful from Saturday was UST's punt return game. What a difference a Waldvogel can make.

From what I'd seen up until Saturday, Pallini had really impressed me with his punt returning skills, as honorary Waldvogel #3. Coach talks him up as a great kid and incredibly coachable, but perhaps the nerves and sight lines got to him a bit. I know that we don't like to fair catch much and we are pretty serious about fielding every punt that is possible. In past weeks, I'd seen Pallini field some and position his body very nicely to protect himself/the ball and gain some yards.

I was really surprised that we took him off of return duties after the muff. I expect we'll see him back in that role again this week.

[USTBench]

The only thing I found truly awful from Saturday was UST's punt return game. What a difference a Waldvogel can make.

After the first punt return fumble by the current No. 4, I joked to the guy next to me in the press box that Fritz Waldvogel should walk out there and demand he take that number off.

I think it's a combination lost art and REALLY hard to do. So I'm not going to get down on the kid too much. I know UST has a different philosophy when it comes to punt return than most teams, and the expectation is you return it if you even think for a second you you can make a play. You need nerves of steel, and when you add about 33,000 more people than you're used to playing in front of, that may have contributed a bit. But still, that needs to improve this week.

[art76]

Week 5 games

After this last week's games, we're starting to see a bit more clearly how things seem to be shaking out in the MIAC this season.  I really thought that this past week's games would have been a little closer over all, but really only the Target Field game was. St. Olaf gets a week off this week to reorganize to try to get back in the wins column again.

Bethel looked a bit like some of the teams of old this past week, but traveling to St. John's this coming week is going to be a tough sled to push. The Johnnies are coming off a disheartening loss, so this game might have some intrigue, but the Johnnie faithful will be happy for another win.  Definitely a huge upset if Bethel could figure out a way to win, as it would really toss the league into a tizzy.

Gustavus travels up North to take on the Cobbers. I think for the Cobbers to move up much more in the Top 25 poll, they'll need to stack up the points against the Gusties. Historically they're more of a grind it out type offense, yet scored 31 against Bethel two weeks ago. I think if they win by less than two touchdowns, they might even sink in the poll, as other teams around the country are starting to show their colors for end of season play.

The third game this week has St. Thomas taking one of the shorter visiting team drives down to Augsburg. For Augsburg to win this game, just like Stout did earlier this year, they have to keep it close and stuff the running game. But the Tommies figured out how to get their ground game going against the Johnnies this past week, and if they keep that up, they'll ride the bus back home as victors.

The game of the week will be the last evening game in the MIAC this season where Carleton travels up to the cities to take on Hamline. The Knights will need to play their A game to win this one. I think these two teams in this game this week are the more evenly matched in comparison to the other three games being played in the MIAC. I am throwing my support behind the hometown team for a Pipers win, and I think it will be a squeaker.

[jamtod]

In my mind he's the #1 CB that was already factoring in, as he's played every game. Who was the other?

Franzese started the year but got hurt in game 1.  Believe it's been mostly Petersmeyer at the other CB spot since then.

I'm listening to the Johnnies broadcast (gotta love VOJ's curmudgeonly takes) and Lorch had the second tackle of the game, so I assume he got the start at CB. I'll be inquiring on this tonight.

[Mr.MIAC]

The UST development office must have upped their alumni tracking game. I just got a message thanking me for supporting Tommie football, celebrating the win, and asking me to think about my future giving. I'm not sure what to think...almost feels a little creepy.

[jamtod]

The UST development office must have upped their alumni tracking game. I just got a message thanking me for supporting Tommie football, celebrating the win, and asking me to think about my future giving. I'm not sure what to think...almost feels a little creepy.

That is creepy. I believe all my ordering was through the Twins website, but I wonder if the contract had some data sharing.

If I recall correctly, there has been some studies linking increased giving to wins by the football team. Especially for a high profile game like this, I could see a follow-up with folks who attended being really successful. Just another aspect of how this game could pay off big for St Thomas PR and fundraising.

[USTBench]

The UST development office must have upped their alumni tracking game. I just got a message thanking me for supporting Tommie football, celebrating the win, and asking me to think about my future giving. I'm not sure what to think...almost feels a little creepy.

That is creepy. I believe all my ordering was through the Twins website, but I wonder if the contract had some data sharing.

If I recall correctly, there has been some studies linking increased giving to wins by the football team. Especially for a high profile game like this, I could see a follow-up with folks who attended being really successful. Just another aspect of how this game could pay off big for St Thomas PR and fundraising.

Every university president worth its salt knows this to be true. Say what you want about Glenn Caruso, but this game is not played where it is played unless you have a Fleckish personality...ahem...rowing the proverbial boat. I think nationwide the powers-that-be are starting to realize that younger, more energetic coaches with big visions are going to land the recruits and glad-hand the right alums needed to be successful more frequently than your stereotypical FOOTBAWW coach that spends all day screaming about how terrible you are and cringing at the thought of going to alumni functions. You'd better have Nick Saban's resume if you're going to emulate his personality.

You're already starting to see Dabo Sweeney get the edge, here, and I think the reason why is his personality is more palatable than Saban's.

[OzJohnnie]

Every university president worth its salt knows this to be true. Say what you want about Glenn Caruso, but this game is not played where it is played unless you have a Fleckish personality...ahem...rowing the proverbial boat. I think nationwide the powers-that-be are starting to realize that younger, more energetic coaches with big visions are going to land the recruits and glad-hand the right alums needed to be successful more frequently than your stereotypical FOOTBAWW coach that spends all day screaming about how terrible you are and cringing at the thought of going to alumni functions. You'd better have Nick Saban's resume if you're going to emulate his personality.

You're already starting to see Dabo Sweeney get the edge, here, and I think the reason why is his personality is more palatable than Saban's.

Possibly you're right in regards to the culture that most nationally winning programs are willing to adopt. Perhaps it is the Flecks and Carusos that reflect te latest trend in football culture.

For me, I'm glad that SJU has been for a long time and will for a long time to come be the counter-cultural leader of whatever fad takes the football world's fancy and programs imitate the field. I'm proud of Gagliardi's legacy and the disciples of Winning With No.  Perhaps that means our boys win on the field a little less, but it assuredly means they win off the field every time.  That's the complete program.  Always has been and always will be.

[art76]

Possibly you're right in regards to the culture that most nationally winning programs are willing to adopt. Perhaps it is the Flecks and Carusos that reflect te latest trend in football culture.

For me, I'm glad that SJU has been for a long time and will for a long time to come be the counter-cultural leader of whatever fad takes the football world's fancy and programs imitate the field. I'm proud of Gagliardi's legacy and the disciples of Winning With No.  Perhaps that means our boys win on the field a little less, but it assuredly means they win off the field every time.  That's the complete program.  Always has been and always will be.

+K Oz

[miac952]

Every university president worth its salt knows this to be true. Say what you want about Glenn Caruso, but this game is not played where it is played unless you have a Fleckish personality...ahem...rowing the proverbial boat. I think nationwide the powers-that-be are starting to realize that younger, more energetic coaches with big visions are going to land the recruits and glad-hand the right alums needed to be successful more frequently than your stereotypical FOOTBAWW coach that spends all day screaming about how terrible you are and cringing at the thought of going to alumni functions. You'd better have Nick Saban's resume if you're going to emulate his personality.

You're already starting to see Dabo Sweeney get the edge, here, and I think the reason why is his personality is more palatable than Saban's.

Possibly you're right in regards to the culture that most nationally winning programs are willing to adopt. Perhaps it is the Flecks and Carusos that reflect te latest trend in football culture.

For me, I'm glad that SJU has been for a long time and will for a long time to come be the counter-cultural leader of whatever fad takes the football world's fancy and programs imitate the field. I'm proud of Gagliardi's legacy and the disciples of Winning With No.  Perhaps that means our boys win on the field a little less, but it assuredly means they win off the field every time.  That's the complete program.  Always has been and always will be.

Good thoughts.

But curious, if you have a charismatic coach, whether it be Fleck, Caruso, Dabo or others, can you not win off the field too? I can't begin to guess whether Fleck will be an on the field winner at the U of M, but I've had a chance to see him and the team at quite a few events with kids away from cameras to know that he is doing a pretty good job building young men. The same for Caruso from what I have seen. The St Jude work, volunteering in schools, and the brotherhood that has developed with past players are just a few examples of that.

There are obviously quite a few different ways to build a program and many different leadership styles as well. I don't think wins have to be sacrificed for winning off the field. Mark Dantonio and James Franklin couldn't be more different. Both have built winning programs, albeit with some road bumps. I don't think one has sacrificed off the field winning any more than the other.

Heck, a lot of those "no's" have evolved with Coach Fasching too, as he is building his own thing, as he steps out of the shadows.

[Mr.MIAC]

Off topic, but everyone needs to see Ken Burns' new film "The Vietnam War." Simply outstanding.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war/watch/

[HSCTiger74]

Off topic, but everyone needs to see Ken Burns' new film "The Vietnam War." Simply outstanding.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war/watch/

  +k and absolutely agree. My wife and I have been watching each night and are thoroughly engaged. I suppose it helps that we're old enough to remember a lot of this, but it's very interesting to hear all the things we were never told at the time.

[Mr.MIAC]

Off topic, but everyone needs to see Ken Burns' new film "The Vietnam War." Simply outstanding.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war/watch/

  +k and absolutely agree. My wife and I have been watching each night and are thoroughly engaged. I suppose it helps that we're old enough to remember a lot of this, but it's very interesting to hear all the things we were never told at the time.

I'm an Iraq War combat veteran. We studied the Vietnam War pretty closely. It always felt somewhat distant due to my age. The documentary does an outstanding job of personalizing the conflict, making it feel so contemporary. So many parallels to my era... 

[AO]

MIAC PICK-EMS
WEEK 4 STANDINGS


Week 5 Sep. 30

Conference: 3pts

Bethel (+21.5) @ #9 St. John's
Gustavus (+18.5) @ #21 Concordia
#7 St. Thomas @ Augsburg (+35.5)
Carleton (+10.5) @ Hamline

National: 1pt

#22 UW-Stout (+13.5) @ #12 UW-Platteville

[PurpleReign]

MIAC PICK-EMS
WEEK 4 STANDINGS


Week 5 Sep. 30

Conference: 3pts

Bethel (+21.5) @ #9 St. John's
Gustavus (+18.5) @ #21 Concordia
#7 St. Thomas @ Augsburg (+35.5)
Carleton (+10.5) @ Hamline

National: 1pt

#22 UW-Stout (+13.5) @ #12 UW-Platteville

I can only speak for myself, but the Stout vs. Platteville game might have more intrigue and interest than UST vs. Aggie Tech.