FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[HScoach]

As a former center I take great pride in being able to hold without the umps calling it.  Even take more pride in teaching that skill as an O-line coach. 

[hazzben]

This could be 93 or 2003-we will see if our QB is up to the challenge-a Linnemann or Keating or one of the also rans.

I probably get blown up for this comment, but here goes anyway.

Most overrated SJU QB of all time: Linnemann
* Linnemann was an utterly stationary QB (actually, he was just fat), with an above average arm, strong leader, and a big mouth. He benefited immensely from an elite D and very strong running game. He also benefited from the era he played in the west region. Ala, pre-UWW WIAC playoff teams, etc. WIAC was still big and slow and very beatable. Bethel was just emerging, Concordia was just good not great, UST and GAC were underachieving at epic levels.

Most underrated SJU QB of all time: Koefed
* Koefed was a brilliant passer, threw a great ball, and made big play after big play. He suffers from the fact he came after the great teams led by Keating and Linnemann and SJU expectations were unreal for him. Y'all thought that semi-final and Stagg appearances were a birthright. He was never surrounded with the talent on D or O that the Keating and Linnemann were. UWW was beginning their run, but SJU fans didn't realize what that meant yet (y'all were shocked in 2005 and took it out on that SJU team, when in reality we now know they ran into the beginning of a juggernaut). Bethel had become a legit playoff caliber threat, and the Cobbers had some very good teams these years as well.

For the life of me, I don't understand how much people on these boards used to dump on Koefed (and it happened a lot late in the season). And to a lesser degree, how much they love Linnemann. The latter has acquired legend status more for his personality and the great teams he was a part of (he did his part, but he was in no way an elite QB). Also, Target Canada 

Also, Keating was an all-time great leader. A D3 Russell Wilson IMO.

[DuffMan]

My gripe with Kofoed was that I didn't see him as a leader.  A great QB needs to be a vocal, take-charge leader, and I never saw that from him. 

[DuffMan]

The big question for tomorrow is what uniform combo did the Johnnies bring to TX.  I'm hoping for white on white.

[57Johnnie]

The big question for tomorrow is what uniform combo did the Johnnies bring to TX.  I'm hoping for white on white.

I agree. Thank God I don't think it can be all red.   

[hazzben]

My gripe with Kofoed was that I didn't see him as a leader.  A great QB needs to be a vocal, take-charge leader, and I never saw that from him.

And I think that's colored by the fact he followed Keating (who was off the charts in leadership and moxy, on a team filled with leaders and moxy) and had fewer weapons than Keating. And had to face the emergence of UWW in the playoffs and Bethel in the MIAC.

Honestly, I didn't have you in that group Duff. But there have been some SJU posters who would go off on Koefed, even years after he finished playing.

Here's my hypothetical. What does Koefed do on Linnemann's teams. What does Linnemann look like on Koefed's? Does Keating win a national title without Blake Elliot? Slot Koefed and his superior arm talent on SJU in 2003 and do they still run the table, even though they don't have Keating moxy?

It's all conjecture, but I think SJU in 2000 is better with Koefed. My hunch is SJU still wins a National Title in 2003 with Koefed, because of all the other guys on that team. I think Linnemann under center loses to UWW in 2005 and Bethel in 2006 and 2007.

[repete]

This could be 93 or 2003-we will see if our QB is up to the challenge-a Linnemann or Keating or one of the also rans.

I probably get blown up for this comment, but here goes anyway.

Most overrated SJU QB of all time: Linnemann
* Linnemann was an utterly stationary QB (actually, he was just fat), with an above average arm, strong leader, and a big mouth. He benefited immensely from an elite D and very strong running game. He also benefited from the era he played in the west region. Ala, pre-UWW WIAC playoff teams, etc. WIAC was still big and slow and very beatable. Bethel was just emerging, Concordia was just good not great, UST and GAC were underachieving at epic levels.

Most underrated SJU QB of all time: Koefed
* Koefed was a brilliant passer, threw a great ball, and made big play after big play. He suffers from the fact he came after the great teams led by Keating and Linnemann and SJU expectations were unreal for him. Y'all thought that semi-final and Stagg appearances were a birthright. He was never surrounded with the talent on D or O that the Keating and Linnemann were. UWW was beginning their run, but SJU fans didn't realize what that meant yet (y'all were shocked in 2005 and took it out on that SJU team, when in reality we now know they ran into the beginning of a juggernaut). Bethel had become a legit playoff caliber threat, and the Cobbers had some very good teams these years as well.

For the life of me, I don't understand how much people on these boards used to dump on Koefed (and it happened a lot late in the season). And to a lesser degree, how much they love Linnemann. The latter has acquired legend status more for his personality and the great teams he was a part of (he did his part, but he was in no way an elite QB). Also, Target Canada 

Also, Keating was an all-time great leader. A D3 Russell Wilson IMO.

This, and other parts of the post.

Plus a small sidenote at Salem in 2003, Keating, Elliott and Josh Nelson made repete jr. and his buddy's day. NCAA had some kind of pre-game clinic for kids, which they did and got balls. Those three signed the balls for those then little guys.

Somewhere, likely on an old hard drive somewhere, is video of that Koefed-Gearman connection in Moorhead that a friend had emailed. Tremendous finish.

[DuffMan]

Somewhere, likely on an old hard drive somewhere, is video of that Koefed-Gearman connection in Moorhead that a friend had emailed. Tremendous finish.

Oh, jeez.  The wife and I (before we got married) drove up to Moorhead for that game.  I got fed up and was going to leave before the game ended, but she made me stay.  I'm so glad we stayed.  Then, we went to Mick's Office and drank cheap beer!

[sju56321]

I agree with duff.
Koefoed had great regular season numbers, but I think Linnemann and Keating had great regular season stats too. I want to see a geat QB win the big game-keating the ultimate game-Linnemann the Texas game-koefoed I can't think of one-but I remember the interception at uww in the end zone-that hurt.

[art76]

Did anyone else participate in the bracket challenge? I just took a look & I'm currently in 1st with the quarterfinals looming! Fun to see, but it would pale in comparison to how ecstatic I would be if St John's can win it all! 36 1/2 more hours until Saturday's kickoff, but who's counting?!

I'm 3 picks/points behind you, tied with 13 other people in 12th place - only 10 people between us.

[sju56321]

Here are some stats on SJU QBs:

SJU FOOTBALL PASSING RECORDS

 

Passing:
COMPLETIONS
Individual Game
1. 34 - Ryan Keating vs. Wis.-Eau Claire (9/20/03)
2. 32 - Ryan Keating vs. Bethel (11/8/03)
t3. 31 - Ryan Keating vs. Gustavus (10/13/01)
t3. 31 - Tom Linnemann vs. Concordia (11/11/00)
t5. 28 - Jackson Erdmann vs. St. Thomas (10/13/18)
t5. 28 - Connor Bruns vs. Bethel (11/10/12)
t5. 28 - Jordan Hansel vs. Bethel (10/4/08)
t5. 28 - Kurt Ramler vs. Macalester (11/11/95)
t5. 28 - Tom Linnemann vs. Gustavus (11/14/98)
t10. 27 - Alex Kofoed vs. Central, IA (11/24/07)
t10. 27 - Alex Kofoed vs. St. Thomas (10/27/07)
t10. 27 - Ryan Keating vs. Wis.-Eau Claire (9/7/02)
t10. 27 - Ross Denne vs. St. Olaf (9/28/02)
t10. 27 - Phil Kern vs. St. Thomas (11/7/97)
t10. 27 - Kurt Ramler vs. Wartburg, Iowa (11/26/94)*

Individual Season-Completions
1. 280 - Ryan Keating (2003)
2. 264 - Tom Linnemann (2000)
3. 245 - Alex Kofoed (2007)
4. 220 - Alex Kofoed (2005)
5. 215 - Alex Kofoed (2006)
6. 213 - Ross Denne (2002)
7. 199 - Pat Mayew (1991)
8. 196 - Jackson Erdmann (2018)
9. 189 - Willie Seiler (1993)
10. 186 - Ryan Keating (2001)

Passing yards season:
Individual Season
1. 3,489 - Tom Linnemann (2000)
2. 3,355 - Willie Seiler (1993)
3. 3,171 - Ryan Keating (2003)
4. 3,042 - Kurt Ramler (1996)
5. 3,032 - Jackson Erdmann (2018)
6. 3,009 - Pat Mayew (1991)
7. 2,972 - Alex Kofoed (2005)
8. 2,964 - Ross Denne (2002)
9. 2,951 - Alex Kofoed (2007)
10. 2,805 - Alex Kofoed (2006)

TD Passes Season:
Individual Season
1. 46 - Tom Linnemann (2000)
2. 45 - Jackson Erdmann (2018)
3. 42 - Willie Seiler (1993)
4. 36 - Pat Mayew (1991)
t5. 32 - Alex Kofoed (2007)
t5. 32 - Kurt Ramler (1996)
t7. 30 - Ryan Keating (2003)
t7. 30 - Kurt Ramler (1994)
8. 29 - Ross Denne (2002)
10. 27 - Ryan Keating (2001)

Linnemann looks pretty good

[GoldandBlueBU]

I see that Pat has picked my Royals to lose for the third week in a row...

[hazzben]

Maybe I'm just remembering those two not clutch back breaking pics against Bethel in 2000 😉

Linnemann had one great season in 2000. But his top games were against meh competition. Cobbers in 2000 were average. I'm also gonna assume the 2000 season passing yds includes 15 games correct? 232 yds/game is very good, not elite.

Keatings biggest games came against some legit teams. In big moments.

My point isn't that Linnemann is bad. He's just not the elite QB he's portrayed as. No way is he in Keating's class.

Also, puts Erdmann's 2018 yds and TD's in context, since he's only played 12 games thus far 😳

[OzJohnnie]

The big question for tomorrow is what uniform combo did the Johnnies bring to TX.  I'm hoping for white on white.

I agree. Thank God I don't think it can be all red.   

I hate that all red.  It saps strength like kryptonite.

[SagatagSam]

Somewhere, likely on an old hard drive somewhere, is video of that Koefed-Gearman connection in Moorhead that a friend had emailed. Tremendous finish.

One of my most favorite Johnnie football finishes of all-time. I drove up to Moorhead with a few guys from the football team that became role players on the 2008/09 teams. 

No one cared that the Johnnies missed the extra point following that TD pass, and everyone forgets that John Cloeter had a nice INT to end the game.

I was a junior at the time. It was then I began lurking on post patterns and learned the term "Johnnie Magic."

Ah, memories. Gonna be a big one in Belton this weekend. I'd be OK with the Johnnies pulling off another rendition of the "Moorhead Miracle" this weekend.