FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[MiacMan]

From the video and pictures it looked like Caruso was wearing a red tie.

I can confirm this.  Here's my amusing story from the day:

I pulled into the parking lot around 10:00.  They were shuttling people to the church via golf carts, so I hopped in with another Johnnie.  Another vehicle had just pulled in, so we waited for them.  Who should get out of that vehicle but Caruso and Dienhart.  So they, got in, and we introduced ourselves and made some small talk.  Well, we had enough heft in the cart that we stalled out going up the hill, so Glenn hopped off the back and gave us a boost up the hill, to which Dienhart says, "Glenn, you've had a rough couple of days on this campus." 

Duff,

Great story! Dienhart has such a dry sense of humor, I can hear him saying that, classic Mark! I'm wearing "Johnnie Red" today because I lost a bet on the game to a young Bennie co-worker. I think I will claim "duel" purpose though and say in honor of John as well. I'm sure the service was very moving. RIP John.

[jamtod]

From the video and pictures it looked like Caruso was wearing a red tie.

I can confirm this.  Here's my amusing story from the day:

I pulled into the parking lot around 10:00.  They were shuttling people to the church via golf carts, so I hopped in with another Johnnie.  Another vehicle had just pulled in, so we waited for them.  Who should get out of that vehicle but Caruso and Dienhart.  So they, got in, and we introduced ourselves and made some small talk.  Well, we had enough heft in the cart that we stalled out going up the hill, so Glenn hopped off the back and gave us a boost up the hill, to which Dienhart says, "Glenn, you've had a rough couple of days on this campus." 

Awesome story. +k
How did Glenn respond to that?

[GoldandBlueBU]

SJU has the 11th highest strength of schedule currently which tops any of the teams ranked ahead of them this could be important if they do win out in securing a top 4 seed and staying home through the Quarters if they advance.

I predicted early that the MIAC could get 3 teams in, if SJU,UST and Bethel all take care of business and Bethel can play the Tommies close it could still play out that way. If SJU and UST can both finish top 5 and Bethel's two losses are to 2 top 5 teams they could get the nod with a very strong strength of schedule.

It will be interesting to see where SJU and UST end up relative to eachother in the bracket, and when a potential rematch will take place.

I hadn't really considered that BU could get in without beating UST.  I guess that makes sense - though I fear that they'll be back on track by then.  BU's win over Simpson was looking better too, until they lost on a last second play to Central this past weeked.

The Reuesse article this past week about Coach Gagliardi being quite into karaoke and having recordings of himself was a good read - a fun personality quirk for a legendary football coach.

[art76]

I hadn't really considered that BU could get in without beating UST.  I guess that makes sense - though I fear that they'll be back on track by then.  BU's win over Simpson was looking better too, until they lost on a last second play to Central this past weekend.

I am of the opinion that no two loss teams will get into the play-offs through Pool C. Though there may be two or more loss teams in the play-offs that win their conference, or through Pool B.

River Falls win over Stout this past weekend also helped Bethel's SOS. Any time that RF or Simpson win this year, it helps BU.

[OzJohnnie]

SJU has the 11th highest strength of schedule currently which tops any of the teams ranked ahead of them this could be important if they do win out in securing a top 4 seed and staying home through the Quarters if they advance.

I predicted early that the MIAC could get 3 teams in, if SJU,UST and Bethel all take care of business and Bethel can play the Tommies close it could still play out that way. If SJU and UST can both finish top 5 and Bethel's two losses are to 2 top 5 teams they could get the nod with a very strong strength of schedule.

It will be interesting to see where SJU and UST end up relative to eachother in the bracket, and when a potential rematch will take place.

I hadn't really considered that BU could get in without beating UST.  I guess that makes sense - though I fear that they'll be back on track by then.  BU's win over Simpson was looking better too, until they lost on a last second play to Central this past weeked.

The Reuesse article this past week about Coach Gagliardi being quite into karaoke and having recordings of himself was a good read - a fun personality quirk for a legendary football coach.

I'm not too fussed about where SJU is exactly in the d3football top 25.  They are in the right neighbourhood and there's a few games to go to sort that out.  If the win out then they'll be in the top 4-6. All good for me.

I am interested in the regional rankings and whether SJU or UWW will be higher ranked. When do they first come out?  With two weeks to go?

[sfury]

From the video and pictures it looked like Caruso was wearing a red tie.

I can confirm this.  Here's my amusing story from the day:

I pulled into the parking lot around 10:00.  They were shuttling people to the church via golf carts, so I hopped in with another Johnnie.  Another vehicle had just pulled in, so we waited for them.  Who should get out of that vehicle but Caruso and Dienhart.  So they, got in, and we introduced ourselves and made some small talk.  Well, we had enough heft in the cart that we stalled out going up the hill, so Glenn hopped off the back and gave us a boost up the hill, to which Dienhart says, "Glenn, you've had a rough couple of days on this campus." 

Hilarious. Glenn's an old former lineman, though, Duff. Why didn't the not-quite-as-old former lineman hop out instead and push?

[wally_wabash]

I am interested in the regional rankings and whether SJU or UWW will be higher ranked. When do they first come out?  With two weeks to go?

The first published rankings will drop on October 31.  Spooky. 

[OzJohnnie]

I hadn't really considered that BU could get in without beating UST.  I guess that makes sense - though I fear that they'll be back on track by then.  BU's win over Simpson was looking better too, until they lost on a last second play to Central this past weekend.

I am of the opinion that no two loss teams will get into the play-offs through Pool C. Though there may be two or more loss teams in the play-offs that win their conference, or through Pool B.

River Falls win over Stout this past weekend also helped Bethel's SOS. Any time that RF or Simpson win this year, it helps BU.

I think you're right, art. The last week of the season will be the first week of your playoffs. The first week for UST as well.

[hazzben]

It was reported on Twitter that Bethel Coach Steve Johnson and UST Coach Glenn Caruso attended John's funeral today. From the video and pictures it looked like Caruso was wearing a red tie. As much as some of SJU loyalists enjoy ripping him I've got to say that's a really nice touch and decent way to honor John.

Coach J was indeed in attendance.

For all the rivalry, one of the things I enjoy about the MIAC is that the member institutions really do have a lot in common. A couple of my favorite people at work are a Tommie and a Johnnie, our alma maters are producing good people. Whic, when you consider men of the caliber of John, Coach J, and Caruso pouring into them, it makes a lot of sense.

[DuffMan]

Hilarious. Glenn's an old former lineman, though, Duff. Why didn't the not-quite-as-old former lineman hop out instead and push?

Johnnies won.  Glenn pushed. 

[jamtod]

Well after a very emotional week to celebrate the life of a legend the games go on. The Johnnies move to number 5 is a bit disappointing I figured they should have jumped Frostburg and landed at number 4. With the risk of looking ahead and being a bit presumptuous the Johnnies could still climb a bit higher by years end. Frostburg has a challenge this week with Montclair state and wrap up the season with Salisbury so they could drop one of those games. Teams 1,2 &3 will not lose the rest of the way they just don't play anyone and even though Mount Union still faces currently unbeaten Marietta the Pioneers will not pose any problem for the Purple Raiders. SJU has the 11th highest strength of schedule currently which tops any of the teams ranked ahead of them this could be important if they do win out in securing a top 4 seed and staying home through the Quarters if they advance.

I predicted early that the MIAC could get 3 teams in, if SJU,UST and Bethel all take care of business and Bethel can play the Tommies close it could still play out that way. If SJU and UST can both finish top 5 and Bethel's two losses are to 2 top 5 teams they could get the nod with a very strong strength of schedule.

I'm with the others. I don't think a 2 loss 3rd place MIAC team is getting in to Pool C this year, unless a lot of weird things shake out.

[AO]

MIAC PICKEMS
WEEK 7 STANDINGS


Week 8 Oct. 20

Conference: 3pts
Concordia (+13.5) @ Bethel
Augsburg (+28.5) @ Gustavus
St. Olaf (+30.5) @ #5 St. John's
Carleton (+50.5) @ #7 St. Thomas

National: 1pt
#17 Illinois Wesleyan @ Wash U (+5.5)

[D O.C.]

Precious, Duffman, precious.

[badger1845]

3. Threw to the outside and picked apart man coverage...o-line gave Jackson enough time!

Does St. Olaf,Gustavus or Bethel have the athletes to duplicate this type of game plan vs UST? I would venture to say Gustavus has the QB and receivers but not sure of the O-line play. Bethel with Marsh at QB if he plays like he did against SJU could put a scare into the Toms. Time will tell how it shakes out.

This may come off as a harsh answer, but I would say a declarative NO. Jackson Erdmann played like only a handful of D3 quarterbacks I have ever seen. Comparable to Aaron Boehme (Linfield) and Alex Tanney (Monmouth followed by NFL). He put balls in the smallest windows where only his receiver could get them. He threw well to all different levels. He moved around in the pocket just enough to manage pressure. And he had an hard internal clock in his head on when to fire; never more than 1-2 seconds in the pocket. His only flaw may have been staring down receivers, which led to the handful of batted balls. But that was largely because his primary route on the pre-snap read was almost always available.

It may sound like hyperbole, but based on that performance, he would start for a large number of Division 1 schools. There may be 1 or 2 other DIII schools out there that come even come close to that level. I thought the O-Line and receiver played into Saturday's success, but it really rested on the shoulders of one individual. Heckendorf designed the plan and Erdmann executed it. Both deserve all the credit in the world. If I knew James Franklin I would call him today and tell him the kid that left his program is a perfect heir apparent to McSorley and he should call him and beg him to come back next year. Caruso should also find out what Heckendorf is getting payed, and offer to double it.

It reminded me a bit of when UST went down to play Monmouth in that first year in the playoffs against Tanney. The difference that time was UST had a gameplan for it because they knew what they were walking into. The offense also didn't screw the pooch with 5 turnovers in that game. I would be really curious to see how UST would adjust next time around, if there is a next time. Put two safeties over the top, jam the inside routes and force Erdmann to make the sideline throws. They may give up 3-4 yards on a run now and then, but that would have to be the counter. He may still make the throws, but at least you force them to tougher spots on the field and keep it in front of you a bit, until a penalty, a sack, or a mistake is made. The offense can stay with a similar gameplan. They garnered 610 yards. They might want to eliminate the unforced errors though.

Minus the fumble near the goal line I would say Josh Parks was also a pretty clear high level Division 1 talent too. The speed was always there, but he now appears to be a lot stronger and better between the tackles. SJU needs to find a mediocre running back. The SJU line play is decent. But, the RB just barrels right into their backsides without seeing cutback lanes or holes develop. It's a glaring weakness on an otherwise high level offense. The kicking game was a mess for SJU as well.

Talking about good QB's that have played D3, Brett Elliott from Linfield is the best I have ever seen.  The guy left Utah because Alex Smith beat him out for the starting job.  That is all.

[desertcat1]

3. Threw to the outside and picked apart man coverage...o-line gave Jackson enough time!

Does St. Olaf,Gustavus or Bethel have the athletes to duplicate this type of game plan vs UST? I would venture to say Gustavus has the QB and receivers but not sure of the O-line play. Bethel with Marsh at QB if he plays like he did against SJU could put a scare into the Toms. Time will tell how it shakes out.

This may come off as a harsh answer, but I would say a declarative NO. Jackson Erdmann played like only a handful of D3 quarterbacks I have ever seen. Comparable to Aaron Boehme (Linfield) and Alex Tanney (Monmouth followed by NFL). He put balls in the smallest windows where only his receiver could get them. He threw well to all different levels. He moved around in the pocket just enough to manage pressure. And he had an hard internal clock in his head on when to fire; never more than 1-2 seconds in the pocket. His only flaw may have been staring down receivers, which led to the handful of batted balls. But that was largely because his primary route on the pre-snap read was almost always available.

It may sound like hyperbole, but based on that performance, he would start for a large number of Division 1 schools. There may be 1 or 2 other DIII schools out there that come even come close to that level. I thought the O-Line and receiver played into Saturday's success, but it really rested on the shoulders of one individual. Heckendorf designed the plan and Erdmann executed it. Both deserve all the credit in the world. If I knew James Franklin I would call him today and tell him the kid that left his program is a perfect heir apparent to McSorley and he should call him and beg him to come back next year. Caruso should also find out what Heckendorf is getting payed, and offer to double it.

It reminded me a bit of when UST went down to play Monmouth in that first year in the playoffs against Tanney. The difference that time was UST had a gameplan for it because they knew what they were walking into. The offense also didn't screw the pooch with 5 turnovers in that game. I would be really curious to see how UST would adjust next time around, if there is a next time. Put two safeties over the top, jam the inside routes and force Erdmann to make the sideline throws. They may give up 3-4 yards on a run now and then, but that would have to be the counter. He may still make the throws, but at least you force them to tougher spots on the field and keep it in front of you a bit, until a penalty, a sack, or a mistake is made. The offense can stay with a similar gameplan. They garnered 610 yards. They might want to eliminate the unforced errors though.

Minus the fumble near the goal line I would say Josh Parks was also a pretty clear high level Division 1 talent too. The speed was always there, but he now appears to be a lot stronger and better between the tackles. SJU needs to find a mediocre running back. The SJU line play is decent. But, the RB just barrels right into their backsides without seeing cutback lanes or holes develop. It's a glaring weakness on an otherwise high level offense. The kicking game was a mess for SJU as well.

Talking about good QB's that have played D3, Brett Elliott from Linfield is the best I have ever seen.  The guy left Utah because Alex Smith beat him out for the starting job.  That is all.

.   [/b]
Sorry "Charlie"  but, that was NOT THE REASON .