FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Baldini]

+1 thanks Duff.

[DuffMan]

"From my perspective, being invited to join Division I is a pain in the neck," Rosenberg said. "You have to spend a lot more money on athletics, you have to spend more money on scholarships, you have to invest more money in your athletic facilities, and it shifts the priorities of the institution in a way I would never want to shift Macalester."

Obviously, Mac and U$T are on differing wavelengths here. 

[Baldini]

"From my perspective, being invited to join Division I is a pain in the neck," Rosenberg said. "You have to spend a lot more money on athletics, you have to spend more money on scholarships, you have to invest more money in your athletic facilities, and it shifts the priorities of the institution in a way I would never want to shift Macalester."

Obviously, Mac and U$T are on differing wavelengths here. 

It is clear where Macalester is on college athletics. I do wonder if St. Thomas had really wanted to stay if there was not a workable solution. My feeling is St. Thomas was ready to move on and this made it easier to make the leap.

[DuffMan]

After a few days to process, a couple thoughts from the Wheaton game and going forward:

*Much was made about Wheaton's d-line, but their o-line was really good.  We really lacked pressure on their QB for most of the day. 

*I don't know what's happened, but our kick coverage started so strong this year, but it's struggled the second half of the season.  Part of it is our kicker(s) not getting the greatest distance.

*How lucky are we with Kummer?  We wouldn't be in the semis if the staff wouldn't have coaxed him back to the field.  And how amazing is it that SJU is the team that won due to 2 missed PATs? 

*I've been critical of Blake Patrick's hands in the past, but he has made some very clutch plays in big games this season.  Good for him!

*Erdmann.  What can you say?  In the playoffs (3 games), he's been 82-123-2 for 1346 yards and 14 TDs.  And he's spreading the ball all over the place.  I was very impressed vs. Wheaton that he was taking what they'd give him and not forcing throws.

*The UWW game will be an interesting clash of styles.  I'm not sure what to expect.  I'm impressed that UWW went down and crushed UMHB!

[DuffMan]

My feeling is St. Thomas was ready to move on and this made it easier to make the leap.

I think this is the conclusion that most of us have made.

[jamtod]

Interesting comments from a MAC president that is retiring.

http://www.startribune.com/macalester-president-disputes-narrative-of-st-thomas-removal-from-miac/565987131/

Do you work for the Star Tribune?

Not sure why people would smite me over this comment. An article is teased and linked to a pay site, I think that is a valid question.

You get a certain number of views of the Star Tribune site and can typically get to an article in incognito mode.

Also, generally when you complain about your karma getting hit, others will hit you again.

[repete]

After a few days to process, a couple thoughts from the Wheaton game and going forward:

*Much was made about Wheaton's d-line, but their o-line was really good.  We really lacked pressure on their QB for most of the day. 

*I don't know what's happened, but our kick coverage started so strong this year, but it's struggled the second half of the season.  Part of it is our kicker(s) not getting the greatest distance.

*How lucky are we with Kummer?  We wouldn't be in the semis if the staff wouldn't have coaxed him back to the field.  And how amazing is it that SJU is the team that won due to 2 missed PATs? 

*I've been critical of Blake Patrick's hands in the past, but he has made some very clutch plays in big games this season.  Good for him!

*Erdmann.  What can you say?  In the playoffs (3 games), he's been 82-123-2 for 1346 yards and 14 TDs.  And he's spreading the ball all over the place.  I was very impressed vs. Wheaton that he was taking what they'd give him and not forcing throws.

*The UWW game will be an interesting clash of styles.  I'm not sure what to expect.  I'm impressed that UWW went down and crushed UMHB!

I'd add that ancient Kai Barber is a football Zelig ... always showing up in key places at key times, i.e. that fumble recovery.

In other news, cool to see the Cobber Berg recognized in two spots on the All_West team, punter and LB. Congrats to him and all the others. And J.T. Windsor All West on two teams, I believe.

Can't imagine how tough it is to choose these teams  so I'm not being criticizing the selection, but a question: Given the quality of some of the catches he's made -- would Ravi Alston be higher had not the quantity of catches been affected by SJU wealth of receiving talent?

[retagent]

Speaking of Barber, if you didn't catch it, in the Chapman game, he ran down the LB (Dylan Keefe, who is very good, OMO) after he blocked and picked up the FG attempt. He made up a good 10 yards over about a 40 yard stretch, to stop a TD. He's deceptively fast. You can still catch it on the you tube playback. I think it was in the second quarter.

[SJUrube]

ESPN continues honoring the history of 150 years of college football. Their latest is a list of the 150 greatest college coaches. John Gagliardi checks in at #16, the highest of any D3 coach, but there are certainly some other recognizable from D3.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/CFB150coaches/the-150-greatest-coaches-college-football-150-year-history

[USee]

After a few days to process, a couple thoughts from the Wheaton game and going forward:

*Much was made about Wheaton's d-line, but their o-line was really good.  We really lacked pressure on their QB for most of the day. 

*I don't know what's happened, but our kick coverage started so strong this year, but it's struggled the second half of the season.  Part of it is our kicker(s) not getting the greatest distance.

*How lucky are we with Kummer?  We wouldn't be in the semis if the staff wouldn't have coaxed him back to the field.  And how amazing is it that SJU is the team that won due to 2 missed PATs? 

*I've been critical of Blake Patrick's hands in the past, but he has made some very clutch plays in big games this season.  Good for him!

*Erdmann.  What can you say?  In the playoffs (3 games), he's been 82-123-2 for 1346 yards and 14 TDs.  And he's spreading the ball all over the place.  I was very impressed vs. Wheaton that he was taking what they'd give him and not forcing throws.

*The UWW game will be an interesting clash of styles.  I'm not sure what to expect.  I'm impressed that UWW went down and crushed UMHB!

I'd add that ancient Kai Barber is a football Zelig ... always showing up in key places at key times, i.e. that fumble recovery.

In other news, cool to see the Cobber Berg recognized in two spots on the All_West team, punter and LB. Congrats to him and all the others. And J.T. Windsor All West on two teams, I believe.

Can't imagine how tough it is to choose these teams  so I'm not being criticizing the selection, but a question: Given the quality of some of the catches he's made -- would Ravi Alston be higher had not the quantity of catches been affected by SJU wealth of receiving talent?

There are only 14 players in the nation with more receptions than Alston. Two of them happen to be in the West. He is also 3rd in the country in receiving yards. Pretty obvious 1st teamer. He is worthy of 1st team but there are only 2 spots to award.

[miac952]

The SJU keyboard mob shall never rest. They put a coach into retirement  ...... https://t.co/f6aafCaBBX?amp=1

Maybe just maybe coaching his last game at an institution he has been at for 40 years was more on his mind than appeasing the likes of StanBob and OldSJU67 and pumping their egos with Johnnie Red adulation

[blue_jays]

The SJU keyboard mob shall never rest. They put a coach into retirement  ...... https://t.co/f6aafCaBBX?amp=1

Maybe just maybe coaching his last game at an institution he has been at for 40 years was more on his mind than appeasing the likes of StanBob and OldSJU67 and pumping their egos with Johnnie Red adulation

Hear hear

[retagent]

It certainly makes his demeanor at the presser more understandable.

[Gregory Sager]

It certainly makes his demeanor at the presser more understandable.

My first thought as well.

[oldsju67]

The SJU keyboard mob shall never rest. They put a coach into retirement  ...... https://t.co/f6aafCaBBX?amp=1

Maybe just maybe coaching his last game at an institution he has been at for 40 years was more on his mind than appeasing the likes of StanBob and OldSJU67 and pumping their egos with Johnnie Red adulation

Yawn.  If you go back to my post you'll see I was talking about the Central presser, but they wear red and white as well, so I could see why you would confuse Central Red defending with Johnnie Red adulation.   In all seriousness congrats to the Wheaton coach on a fantastic career and may he have a long and enjoyable retirement!