FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[johnnie_esq]

I'm definitely getting my tackles and blocks confused but I assume the shoulder is still allowed in most blocks, just disallowed in this "blindside" scenario.  In other words, I believe it's a legal hit if the blocker came from a more obvious angle that the QB saw coming.

Technically you are right, but we did get flagged this year for an illegal block while "cracking" a single high safety from a split WR when our receiver used a shoulder head-on to block.  Outside of the free block area (between the tackles and within 2 yards of the LOS, and only against players on the LOS at the snap), officials have been instructed to look for outstretched arms before a block occurs, blindside or not.   So the use of a shoulder to block is getting minimized.  Heck, even a trailing block using a shoulder (where the blocker and the tackler are running in the same direction and the blocker stops to make the block even head on) can be penalized as a crackback block.  Granted it is new this year, but we only saw a handful of illegal block penalties all season, and none since week 4 (though, to be fair, in that time span we did play three teams ranked in the top 10 in state, so they were well-coached).

To put the issue to rest, the MSHSL rule defers to the game officials, and is similar to the three-strikes laws some states have.  The idea is if you get multiple ejection penalties, you will receive a harsh punishment, as ejection in and of itself is a pretty severe penalty and is not handed out willy-nilly.  So to get two of them in a year means you were being very, very fast and loose with the rules.  Again, the game officials didn't know he was on double-secret probation; he earned being tossed on his own merits, and since it was his second ejection, it requires the 4 game suspension.

Participation is a privilege and not a right.  If you aren't going to play by the rules, you don't have a right to play and your privilege may be revoked.  This isn't a situation where he has been denied a fair opportunity to compete; he competed and failed to play by the rules, and they want review of his actions as to the rules alleging unfair implementation of the rules.  Kid plays with an edge, but should have toned it back after the first ejection so as not to cross the line.  He didn't do so.

[sfury]

This kid reminds me of a story that Robert Zimmerman knows as well...

In 8th grade we had a dominant team thanks to our 6-foot running back who averaged about 20 yards per carry. In one game the other team had a linebacker who kept taking dirty shots, late hits, all kinds of crap. On the final play of the game, with us leading, the coach sent a running back in to relay the call to me, our game manager of a QB. A simple running play. With an addition. "Get Red Man." The kid was wearing a red sweatshirt under his jersey. Everyone knew what it meant. At the snap I handed the ball off to the running back and our 9 teammates chased after the linebacker in question. We had big kids. Mean kids. They captured him and planted him onto the field and then dogpiled. By the time they emerged from the pile they were all cheering and the kid was on the ground moaning and writhing. Their parents were outraged, I think our parents appreciated it and we sort of had to be separated. A real 8th grade brouhaha. After the game coach told us not to talk about the incident. Real Nixonian. But at that moment, our team loved him. I don't know if going after that 13-year-old asshole was the right call. But it was justice.

I remember watching this as a 78 pound 7th grader on the sideline waiting to play in the next game.  It was like watching a real life Stanley Milgram experiment unfold right in front of my eyes.  Everyone knew it was wrong but yet felt so right.
I couldn't believe an adult encouraged it because it was not the character of the teacher/coach.  In hindsight, the only thing that would have made this better was if it was called a "Code Red" in the huddle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psl7ZVwiRl4

Said coach was at recent school Hall of Fame banquet and I wondered if that 8th grade team was going into the Hall. Or maybe your cousin's jersey from that season.

[OzJohnnie]

TDT sighting.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas/articles/2018-10-19/giant-inflatable-colon-stolen-in-kansas

Someone has snatched a giant, inflatable colon used to teach about the dangers of colon cancer.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center said Friday in a news release that it was stolen from a pickup bed in Brookside.

Surgical oncologist John Ashcraft says colon cancer is a tough subject for many to talk about and the giant inflatable colon is a great conversation starter.

It is 10 feet-long, weighs 150 pound and is valued at $4,000.

[Ratbacker]

MIAC Champ SJU 8-0 In Serious Trouble.
Although in the standings the Johnnies are enjoying their best season in years an underlying concerns continues to develop. The J's Defense which is typically a strength continues to be exposed as mediocre at best. The J's are currently ranked 49th in Total Defense their worst ranking since 2014 when they finished #53. Their Rushing Defense has gone from #2 in the country behind UST in 2017 to #41 and Passing Yards Allowed from #2 to #116.
Concordia pushed the Johnnies around on Saturday and even though they run the option it was the Fullback dives that really hurt them and we also saw UST rush for 270 yds. The J's Linebackers have been absent all season and we have seen too many instances of receivers running free in the secondary either due to the LB's not being able to keep up or safeties coming late to the party. The Lone bright spot is the D line which continues to shine but did slip this past week.
Thomas More will come to town in two weeks with a very strong rushing attack (266yds per game) This will be another good Pre Post season test for the Johnnies Defense, I think we need to see vast improvement or what has been a very promising season so far may very well end in a 2nd or 3rd round disappointment.

[DuffMan]

I'd agree that this is not a smothering Johnnie defense, but for the most part, they've made big plays when needed and have held some prolific offenses in check.  Also, they're +13 in turnovers, which is HUGE.

Of course I'd like to see improvements, but different teams have different dynamics and strengths.  Thankfully, SJU's got an explosive offense that is scoring point pretty much at will this season.

[Mr.MIAC]

I'd agree that this is not a smothering Johnnie defense, but for the most part, they've made big plays when needed and have held some prolific offenses in check.  Also, they're +13 in turnovers, which is HUGE.

Of course I'd like to see improvements, but different teams have different dynamics and strengths.  Thankfully, SJU's got an explosive offense that is scoring point pretty much at will this season.

So if (heaven forbid) Erdmann were to go down due to an injury, would SJ2 still have an explosive offense? 

[jamtod]

I'd agree that this is not a smothering Johnnie defense, but for the most part, they've made big plays when needed and have held some prolific offenses in check.  Also, they're +13 in turnovers, which is HUGE.

Of course I'd like to see improvements, but different teams have different dynamics and strengths.  Thankfully, SJU's got an explosive offense that is scoring point pretty much at will this season.

So if (heaven forbid) Erdmann were to go down due to an injury, would SJ2 still have an explosive offense?

Alvord has looked pretty solid (maybe just a tiny step down from Erd) in past years, but Erdmann seems to have taken a major step forward this year.

[MiacMan]

I'd agree that this is not a smothering Johnnie defense, but for the most part, they've made big plays when needed and have held some prolific offenses in check.  Also, they're +13 in turnovers, which is HUGE.

Of course I'd like to see improvements, but different teams have different dynamics and strengths.  Thankfully, SJU's got an explosive offense that is scoring point pretty much at will this season.

So if (heaven forbid) Erdmann were to go down due to an injury, would SJ2 still have an explosive offense?

Alvord has looked pretty solid (maybe just a tiny step down from Erd) in past years, but Erdmann seems to have taken a major step forward this year.

Erdmann finally stepped up in a big game. He's always been a rockstar and piled up stats against the weaker teams but, now yes, it appears he has taken that next step. Now we'll see if he's a one hit wonder or if he can sustain it through 2-3+ rounds in the playoffs?

[miac952]

MIAC Champ SJU 8-0 In Serious Trouble.
Although in the standings the Johnnies are enjoying their best season in years an underlying concerns continues to develop. The J's Defense which is typically a strength continues to be exposed as mediocre at best. The J's are currently ranked 49th in Total Defense their worst ranking since 2014 when they finished #53. Their Rushing Defense has gone from #2 in the country behind UST in 2017 to #41 and Passing Yards Allowed from #2 to #116.
Concordia pushed the Johnnies around on Saturday and even though they run the option it was the Fullback dives that really hurt them and we also saw UST rush for 270 yds. The J's Linebackers have been absent all season and we have seen too many instances of receivers running free in the secondary either due to the LB's not being able to keep up or safeties coming late to the party. The Lone bright spot is the D line which continues to shine but did slip this past week.
Thomas More will come to town in two weeks with a very strong rushing attack (266yds per game) This will be another good Pre Post season test for the Johnnies Defense, I think we need to see vast improvement or what has been a very promising season so far may very well end in a 2nd or 3rd round disappointment.

Also could be a factor in scheduling difference between 2017 and 2018 too. Far be it from me to be the Tommie that tells you to quell the alarms, but SJU will be alright. There may be a few chinks in the armor. I do agree the LB's aren't quite as skilled as previous years. But the D-line and a couple of individuals in the secondary play really well.

Against the run, they have been relatively favorable compared to "good" opponents averages.

                      SJU          Season Avg

UST                270          310
Bethel             122          213
Concordia        130          222
Stout                 29         160

SJU needs to hope for good playoff weather in those 2nd and 3rd round games too. They are likely going to be in a bit of a shootout, and will need to lean on the passing game to advance.

[miac952]

The two common opponents on both Whitewater and SJU's schedule have now been completed. In a potential fight for the final 1 seed, we have:

SJU 27 - Stout 0
SJU 42 - Concordia 14

UWW 40 - Stout - 10
UWW 24 - Concordia - 6

I don't know that the scores lead to any favoring of one over the other. One made the playoffs in 2017 and the other didn't. It could come down to that. We'll see where things stack with regional rankings coming out.

[AO]

MIAC PICKEMS

WEEK 9 STANDINGS


Week 10 Nov. 3

The Troll: 4pts
Concordia @ St. Olaf (+10.5)

Conference: 3pts
Hamline (+55.5) @ #4 St. John's
#25 Bethel @ Augsburg (+40.5)
#7 St. Thomas @ Gustavus (+35.5)

National: 1pt
MacMurray (+10.5) @ Martin Luther

[AO]

MIAC Champ SJU 8-0 In Serious Trouble.
Although in the standings the Johnnies are enjoying their best season in years an underlying concerns continues to develop. The J's Defense which is typically a strength continues to be exposed as mediocre at best. The J's are currently ranked 49th in Total Defense their worst ranking since 2014 when they finished #53. Their Rushing Defense has gone from #2 in the country behind UST in 2017 to #41 and Passing Yards Allowed from #2 to #116.
Concordia pushed the Johnnies around on Saturday and even though they run the option it was the Fullback dives that really hurt them and we also saw UST rush for 270 yds. The J's Linebackers have been absent all season and we have seen too many instances of receivers running free in the secondary either due to the LB's not being able to keep up or safeties coming late to the party. The Lone bright spot is the D line which continues to shine but did slip this past week.
Thomas More will come to town in two weeks with a very strong rushing attack (266yds per game) This will be another good Pre Post season test for the Johnnies Defense, I think we need to see vast improvement or what has been a very promising season so far may very well end in a 2nd or 3rd round disappointment.

Also could be a factor in scheduling difference between 2017 and 2018 too. Far be it from me to be the Tommie that tells you to quell the alarms, but SJU will be alright. There may be a few chinks in the armor. I do agree the LB's aren't quite as skilled as previous years. But the D-line and a couple of individuals in the secondary play really well.

Against the run, they have been relatively favorable compared to "good" opponents averages.

                      SJU          Season Avg

UST                270          310
Bethel             122          213
Concordia        130          222
Stout                 29         160

SJU needs to hope for good playoff weather in those 2nd and 3rd round games too. They are likely going to be in a bit of a shootout, and will need to lean on the passing game to advance.

The Johnnies currently have the 2nd ranked defense according to Massey.  Before the Concordia game Hansen had them 3rd.

[DustySJU]

MIAC Champ SJU 8-0 In Serious Trouble.
Although in the standings the Johnnies are enjoying their best season in years an underlying concerns continues to develop. The J's Defense which is typically a strength continues to be exposed as mediocre at best. The J's are currently ranked 49th in Total Defense their worst ranking since 2014 when they finished #53. Their Rushing Defense has gone from #2 in the country behind UST in 2017 to #41 and Passing Yards Allowed from #2 to #116.
Concordia pushed the Johnnies around on Saturday and even though they run the option it was the Fullback dives that really hurt them and we also saw UST rush for 270 yds. The J's Linebackers have been absent all season and we have seen too many instances of receivers running free in the secondary either due to the LB's not being able to keep up or safeties coming late to the party. The Lone bright spot is the D line which continues to shine but did slip this past week.
Thomas More will come to town in two weeks with a very strong rushing attack (266yds per game) This will be another good Pre Post season test for the Johnnies Defense, I think we need to see vast improvement or what has been a very promising season so far may very well end in a 2nd or 3rd round disappointment.

[hazzben]

The two common opponents on both Whitewater and SJU's schedule have now been completed. In a potential fight for the final 1 seed, we have:

SJU 27 - Stout 0
SJU 42 - Concordia 14

UWW 40 - Stout - 10
UWW 24 - Concordia - 6

I don't know that the scores lead to any favoring of one over the other. One made the playoffs in 2017 and the other didn't. It could come down to that. We'll see where things stack with regional rankings coming out.

Stout 0 @ SJU 27
SJU 42 @ Cobbers 14

Cobbers 6 @ UWW 24
UWW 40 @ Stout 10

Home and away for context. SJU's win over the Cobbers on the road looks better than UWW's win at home. UWW's win over Stout on the road looks better than SJU's win at home.

All in all, I think these results are largely a wash. Both beat their common opponents by comfortable margins, especially when they were on the road. IMO there's not much more you can say, given the non-con games were very early in the season. And games against conference opponents/rivals are always different.

I do think it'd be a great matchup of UWW's D vs. SJU's O. Strength on Strength for sure.
Is SJU's D better than UWW's O?

[OzJohnnie]

Chickens, hatched, all that.

**** it. UWW is toast.