FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[merlecanlas]

So Mount Union's quarterback is playing. I want to keep this conversation away from focussing on him. What do you think about the coaching staff's decision to play him? Beyond the bad optics, I can't help but feel their priorities are skewed.

This is 1 year removed from having started a receiver with an off-season drug conviction for them, so it shouldn't be a surprise. That same receiver, Hargrove, then went on a Harvy Weinstein rampage around the campus.

http://www.the-review.com/news/20171007/tampering-charge-added-to-three-rape-counts-against-former-mount-football-player

I THOUGHT D3 was different, but not in Alliance.

FORMER player is the key word here.

This exact article I copied notes a drug conviction prior to him playing the 2016 season. So NO, not former regarding what I noted above. Also, his Weinstein rampage on young Mount Union freshman and Sophomore females occurred during his playing days.

Shoot I just double checked you're right... I am disappointed

Hargrove is a POS.  But are we getting on Mount Union b/c one of their players was caught with weed?  Breaking news, college kids smoke weed...even at St Thomas.  I know it's shocking, but we will get through this together. 

[jamtod]

Home game confirmed in St Paul next week. 11am Central start so I will be watching with my West coast breakfast next week.

[sju56321]

Interesting-usually start at noon-wonder why early start?

[Pat Coleman]

They won't start at 11 Central. I believe the NCAA.com bracket is mistaken.

[jamtod]

I might be off. NCAA.com actually says 11 eastern which seems a little crazy

[wm4]

Just returned from UST game. Got to meet wm4 at Tiff's before the game, which was a pleasure to meet him and his family.

We played pretty crappy in the first half, looked better in the 2nd half. I'll have more later. Gotta drop off the babysitter and get some food for dinner.

A pleasure as well, Jamto.  Safe travels out West for the Thanksgiving weekend! 

[faunch]

Fasching - has to be on the hot seat, right? He's performed well, but the SJU standards of excellence (#1) are so high. Seat has to be heating up - after a 5 year run of mixed results. And a team going froward that needs rebuilding.

He is 3-4 in the playoffs, with 4 uncompetitive outs:
2017: 7 - 17 to NCC
2016: 14 - 31 to Oshkosh
2015: 19-38 to UST
2014: 10-21 to Wartburg
2013: no playoff apperance

3 wins have come against nobodies: Scholastica, Dubuque, Platteville.

After 5 years under Fashing, are the Johnnies any further back to being relevant? Sure, some nostalgic hope in the national rankings during the regular season. But 4 unimpressive outs in a row, the nostalgia is fading quickly. 

It has been 10 years since SJU made a run in the playoffs (2006 run w/ 14-17 loss to WW).

In a word.....No!

This is complicated and the Benedictine tradition plays a major role. This is not a simple W-L equation. This is also not a D1 Power 5 scenario. That being said, there are factions (that donate a lot of $$) on both sides of the question. Developing.....

Against their 3 toughest opponents this season (U$T, Concordia and North Central) SJU was outscored by a total of 6 points. The most glaring stat of those games is 0-21 on 3rd down conversions against U$T and North Central and 4-37 overall on 3rd down. Gotta be better than that to win. Blame the head coach or o-coordinator...no matter what that stat is on the coaches. Preparation and play calling need to be better.

[miac952]

So an SEC country team finally ventures north to B1G territory in November. 

Should be a fun one. By the looks of it Berry has an All World rush end the Toms will have to account for. Berry also looks to have a nice 50/50 run / pass mix on offense. QB is the 2nd leading rusher as well.

[MadRedFan]

Against their 3 toughest opponents this season (U$T, Concordia and North Central) SJU was outscored by a total of 6 points. The most glaring stat of those games is 0-21 on 3rd down conversions against U$T and North Central and 4-37 overall on 3rd down. Gotta be better than that to win. Blame the head coach or o-coordinator...no matter what that stat is on the coaches. Preparation and play calling need to be better.

Agree with this.

Posted a while ago about the difference in touches between Clark and Bungum during their senior years.  You just have to believe the Johnnies could have gotten more from Clark this year if they'd only tried.  This year, in 10 games, Clark had 13 rushes for 202 yards and 2 TD's.  He caught 29 passes for 496 yards and 6 TD's.  Last year, Clark had 43 receptions in 12 games for 892 yards (and 22 rushes for 130 yds and 2 TD's). In 2015, in 12 games, Bungum had 23 carries for 129 yds, and 58 receptions for 894 yds and 10 TD's.

So, your best man gets 3 touches per game.  That I don't get.  Gotta look at the HC and OC for answers to that, even if the QB audibled out of a call here and there.  Also seems like Barber was underutilized, and Streit at TE.

I'll also beat another drum that I have been beating for awhile as a Johnnie fan, the small quick defensive front only gets you so far.  I'm not advocating for all 7 front men in the 300 pound range, but when you come up against the UST's and UWW's and UMU's and UWO's of the world, there are gonna be some beefy guys across the line from you. And in the backfield for that matter.  Would be nice to even have a "specialist" or two with some beef to plug the middle when needed.

As for yesterday, seems like an injury or two on the DL didn't help matters any.

But agree with sjusection105, it was another good year for SJU, a nice team to watch for the most part, but would have wanted to see more from our All-American.  The Target Field game was pretty cool.  Erdmann is only a soph.  The future should still be bright.

[BerryCollegeFan]

So an SEC country team finally ventures north to B1G territory in November. 

Should be a fun one. By the looks of it Berry has an All World rush end the Toms will have to account for. Berry also looks to have a nice 50/50 run / pass mix on offense. QB is the 2nd leading rusher as well.

I am looking forward to trip.  This is a new experience for this team and young program.  They are excited and looking forward to the game.

Berry works hard to stay balanced on offense.  They have played 2 QBs all year and both have been effective in their own ways.  I don't expect the coaches to play differently this week.

Defense works hard at stopping the run first, preventing long passing game and then containing the short passes.  They take chances with QB pressures from time to time.

Looking for any good restaurant suggestions around St Thomas.

[Pat Coleman]

Lots of good options in St. Paul but I'll leave it t the St. Paulites to recommend.

[Mr.MIAC]

So an SEC country team finally ventures north to B1G territory in November. 

Should be a fun one. By the looks of it Berry has an All World rush end the Toms will have to account for. Berry also looks to have a nice 50/50 run / pass mix on offense. QB is the 2nd leading rusher as well.

I am looking forward to trip.  This is a new experience for this team and young program.  They are excited and looking forward to the game.

Berry works hard to stay balanced on offense.  They have played 2 QBs all year and both have been effective in their own ways.  I don't expect the coaches to play differently this week.

Defense works hard at stopping the run first, preventing long passing game and then containing the short passes.  They take chances with QB pressures from time to time.

Looking for any good restaurant suggestions around St Thomas.

If you're looking for good food and good drink, this place is good:

http://www.wafrost.com

If you're looking for average food and good drink, try this one:

http://www.ogaras.com

[MiacMan]

So an SEC country team finally ventures north to B1G territory in November. 

Should be a fun one. By the looks of it Berry has an All World rush end the Toms will have to account for. Berry also looks to have a nice 50/50 run / pass mix on offense. QB is the 2nd leading rusher as well.

I am looking forward to trip.  This is a new experience for this team and young program.  They are excited and looking forward to the game.

Berry works hard to stay balanced on offense.  They have played 2 QBs all year and both have been effective in their own ways.  I don't expect the coaches to play differently this week.

Defense works hard at stopping the run first, preventing long passing game and then containing the short passes.  They take chances with QB pressures from time to time.

Looking for any good restaurant suggestions around St Thomas.

A good steak reasonably priced: Mancini's Char House (W. 7th St.)

A good burger and a beer (Within 6 blocks of campus) The Groveland Tap

A good hoagie (1 block from campus) Davanni's (St. Clair Ave.)

Another good Burger and Beer joint: Plum's Bar and Grill  (Corner of Randolph & Snelling)

[jamtod]

I'll second the Groveland Tap. WA Frost is a little classier than what I'd imagine for a football trip, but ymmv.

Other good options close to campus are: The Blue Door Pub on Selby Ave, but it's tiny and often packed. Really good burgers though.

Tiff's and Plum's are the traditional St Thomas bars, if you want to go rub elbows with the enemy.

I've also heard some good things about Stewarts which is right across from campus. It wasn't there in my day and I haven't been there, so you are on your own with that.

[miac952]

I'll stick to St Paul since I'm guessing that's where you guys will be hunkered down, although it's a 10 min drive across the river to downtown MPLS as well.

Burgers:

The Nook - 2 miles or so from campus. Little neighborhood option down the road from UST.
Shamrocks - 3-4 miles. Close to downtown St Paul
Groveland Tap - already mentioned

All do very good versions of MN famous juicy Lucy. Cheese is stuffed into the burger and is molten hot, leaving you with 3rd degree burns on your tongue for the better part of a week

Taproom:

Surly - 2 miles tops from campus.  It's a taproom & restaurant on steroids. World class brewery and top rated and nationally recognized food as well. An all around cool setup for visitors.

I can't recommend Fulton since it's owned by Johnnies  in all seriousness though a great spot in Mpls by Target Field if you want to head that way.

Nice spots:

WA Frost - was already mentioned

St Paul Grill - fun to just stop by for a drink even later in the evening to soak up the holiday atmosphere. Unless the Wild are playing St Paul is a very sleepy downtown at night. The St Paul Grill borders Rice park in downtown St Paul with a picturesque view of trees lit up for the holidays and an outdoor skating rink.