FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[nkwest]

Was there a beer garden? I showed up a little bit late to the game so if there was one it was taken down. There's been one on the Plaza for homecoming in the past.

There is a beer garden on the Plaza before every game now; they even rolled out a second one for the reunion classes.

[DuffMan]

To steal from Benchie:

Things I Liked:
Red on red uniforms.
The offense found out that there is a 2nd page in the playbook.
Mucho pressure on the AT (Auggie Tech) QB.
Defense was laying the hammer down.

Things That Can Improve:
O-line seriously needs a revamp.  Sorry, but the truth hurts, and after watching missed blocks for 4 consecutive weeks, I've seen enough.  There's a lot of talent in the skill positions, but the o-line needs help.
Penalties were awful.  Simple things like false starts and an overzealous o-lineman who felt the need to bury an opponent in the endzone after the play.
Penalties were awful. (intentionally added this again)

[Boys of Fall]

A win is a win and a sloppy win is still a win. How, in the sixth game of the season, a Sr. 4 year starter at O-tackle, can have multiple false starts in the 1st half is beyond me.

Perhaps the bloom is off the rose. Only 8,413 in attendance yesterday. Attendance for Homecoming games is usually over 10K.
On a second examination,it appeared there were over 2K tailgaters in the tailgate lot who never attended the game,but listened to the call on WBHR and continued their grilling and bean bag games in what is unquestionably the biggest & best tailgate experience in D3.

The tours of prospective students & parents through the tailgate lot on Homecoming was definitely a testiment to the life long connections that SJU & CSB communities build. That and showing off the golf,soccer,baseball & tennis complexes as the tour guides strolled through with prospective students and families.

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

[DuffMan]

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

It did seem a bit empty on Saturday, but I think there was probably a "hangover" from the big Johnnie/Tommie hoopla.  Also, the weather (in the Cities, at least) was questionable till noonish, so that may have scared off some people.

[OzJohnnie]

O-line seriously needs a revamp.  Sorry, but the truth hurts, and after watching missed blocks for 4 consecutive weeks, I've seen enough.  There's a lot of talent in the skill positions, but the o-line needs help.

Yes.  True.

They are befuddled by stunts.  Crossovers and delayed rushes are repeatedly missed.  I noticed that they are frequently missed by not only the lineman but the back who should be keeping an eye out for that.  It makes me think that maybe pass blocking assignments are not practiced very much.

[DuffMan]

Oz, it's ridiculous.  St. Olaf showed it, and everyone is exploiting it now.

[Mr.MIAC]

Was there a beer garden? I showed up a little bit late to the game so if there was one it was taken down. There's been one on the Plaza for homecoming in the past.

There is a beer garden on the Plaza before every game now; they even rolled out a second one for the reunion classes.

And the beer gardens had canned Champagne. Classy...

[RoyalsFan]

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

I wasn't at the game so I have no idea, but you think there were twice as many Johnnie fans there compared to Tommie fans?

[OzJohnnie]

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

I wasn't at the game so I have no idea, but you think there were twice as many Johnnie fans there compared to Tommie fans?

Photos of the event certainly show that much red compared to purple.  I think the unique nature of that spectacle led to the abnormally good showing from UST folks.

[PurpleReign]

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

I wasn't at the game so I have no idea, but you think there were twice as many Johnnie fans there compared to Tommie fans?

Photos of the event certainly show that much red compared to purple.  I think the unique nature of that spectacle led to the abnormally good showing from UST folks.

It's rewarding that we have reached the point where jony fans are taking solace in attendance numbers and not victories. "How many johns does it take to change a lightbulb?" "Who gives a sh*t."

[OldAuggie]

To steal from Benchie:

Things I Liked:
Red on red uniforms.
The offense found out that there is a 2nd page in the playbook.
Mucho pressure on the AT (Auggie Tech) QB.
Defense was laying the hammer down.

Things That Can Improve:
O-line seriously needs a revamp.  Sorry, but the truth hurts, and after watching missed blocks for 4 consecutive weeks, I've seen enough.  There's a lot of talent in the skill positions, but the o-line needs help.
Penalties were awful.  Simple things like false starts and an overzealous o-lineman who felt the need to bury an opponent in the endzone after the play.
Penalties were awful. (intentionally added this again)

Yeah with what, three guys rushing? 

[Mr.MIAC]

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

I wasn't at the game so I have no idea, but you think there were twice as many Johnnie fans there compared to Tommie fans?

Photos of the event certainly show that much red compared to purple.  I think the unique nature of that spectacle led to the abnormally good showing from UST folks.

It's rewarding that we have reached the point where jony fans are taking solace in attendance numbers and not victories. "How many johns does it take to change a lightbulb?" "Who gives a sh*t."

While it's true that the Johnnies have had little magic since 2003, nearly 15 years ago, they aren't facing an acute crisis. They'll still be competitive for the next decade or so. That being said, assessments of their long-term prospects are necessarily less than optimistic. They need to start winning and beyond athletics, become a more attractive option for prospective students. The Johnnie fan base is aging and student numbers have started to stall, which means they'll have a hard time bringing in new fans.  Meanwhile, UST is winning and students are flocking to campus, in part because the alumni network and location offer more opportunities. The UST fundraising campaign now on the horizon is set to raise $1 billion, which will further accelerate these trends. SJU is also facing stiff competition from other MIAC schools, most notably Concordia and Bethel. Unless they start winning, there's a good chance one of these competitors will become the perennial number two in the MIAC.

[faunch]

A win is a win and a sloppy win is still a win. How, in the sixth game of the season, a Sr. 4 year starter at O-tackle, can have multiple false starts in the 1st half is beyond me.

Perhaps the bloom is off the rose. Only 8,413 in attendance yesterday. Attendance for Homecoming games is usually over 10K.
On a second examination,it appeared there were over 2K tailgaters in the tailgate lot who never attended the game,but listened to the call on WBHR and continued their grilling and bean bag games in what is unquestionably the biggest & best tailgate experience in D3.

The tours of prospective students & parents through the tailgate lot on Homecoming was definitely a testiment to the life long connections that SJU & CSB communities build. That and showing off the golf,soccer,baseball & tennis complexes as the tour guides strolled through with prospective students and families.

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

I think a lot of people stayed in the tailgate area during the game. I don't understand it...I had my 3 Hamm's before the game and that was enough.

[faunch]

I don't think the bloom is off the rose.  In a normal year the 8,413 homecoming crowd would be low, but probably not bad considering it followed the Target Field game (which probably had close to 25k Johnnie fans in attendance) and Family Weekend.  Taking out the home UST game last year this year's average attendance is slightly up from last year, with GAC and CC to visit.

I wasn't at the game so I have no idea, but you think there were twice as many Johnnie fans there compared to Tommie fans?

Easily...likely more like 65% SJU, 35% U$T and 5% interested observers. 

[faunch]

While it's true that the Johnnies have had little magic since 2003, nearly 15 years ago, they aren't facing an acute crisis. They'll still be competitive for the next decade or so. That being said, assessments of their long-term prospects are necessarily less than optimistic. They need to start winning and beyond athletics, become a more attractive option for prospective students. The Johnnie fan base is aging and student numbers have started to stall, which means they'll have a hard time bringing in new fans.  Meanwhile, UST is winning and students are flocking to campus, in part because the alumni network and location offer more opportunities. The UST fundraising campaign now on the horizon is set to raise $1 billion, which will further accelerate these trends. SJU is also facing stiff competition from other MIAC schools, most notably Concordia and Bethel. Unless they start winning, there's a good chance one of these competitors will become the perennial number two in the MIAC.