FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[JohnnieTwice]

My first post this season but I thought I would give my perspective of this game from my seat in section 105. All of my comments are offered knowing full well that CSS was an over-matched opponent.

The offense in the first seven series in the first half was amazing. We know the passing game is strong but it was exceptional today. I thought there were two keys: spreading the ball around to multiple receivers and employing an effective running game (at last). I think the rushing yardage was >200 yards and I counted 5 rushing plays of =/- 15 yards.

The defense in the first half also was good. We had multiple sacks or hurried passes early on in the game, and that set a tone. CSS didn't help themselves with several significant penalties. On the other hand, our pass defense is vulnerable and when CSS had some time or chose to throw quick short distance out patterns we struggled. We also had occasional problems with open field tackling on these plays. An exceptional opponent who plays an up-tempo game with rapid passes would be difficult to contain (as we have seen)

Special teams, for the most part, were very good. They certainly had a lot of time on the field with kick-offs and punt returns. We had some great tackling on kick-off tackles, with two exceptions (including our kicker making a tackle). Punt returns were almost nonexistent because due to the decision to fair catch almost every one of them.

We were better about penalties, with 4 significant penalties including 4 holding penalties (2 of which stopped drives). There were no "self-discipline" penalties, which was good to see. CSS seemed chippy early-on, or at least one receiver did. SJU had an interception on the first CSS drive and the receiver was very frustrated and swung at an SJU player, hitting him in the helmet with an open hand resulting in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. He was also frustrated at a number of points in the game, talking to refs on a number of occasions. However, SJU kept its composure, and later in the game when the outcome was more than obvious there were multiple examples of good sportsmanship on both sides.

A few random things to close:

1. How the refs spot the ball is a mystery sometimes. I'm thinking of an 8.5 yard firts down pass by CSS that was marked as a 10 yard gain and another first down.
2. The SJU blue uniforms were nice to see. Why not? I know they are controversial but it was a good day to wear them.
3. Nice to see the reserves early. Four quaterbacks played and I think every senior must have gotten a moment of n the field.
4. FWIW, I really don't like the loud music between plays with somebody somewhere deciding when to stop it. It's annoying. Music during stoppages is fine.
5. Crowd was small but made some noise. I would say 105 was at 50% capacity.

Probably more than you needed but fun writing it!

[art76]

My first long post in quite a while:

MIAC notes for the upcoming week 10 games

Hamline at St. Scholastica: St. Scholastica should win this one when you consider the common MIAC opponents scores. The Pipers played Carleton closer, but the Saints played better against Concordia, St. Olaf, and Macalester. Plus it is a home game for the Saints. This is almost a pointless game, as either team winning or losing does not change their position in their respective divisions for the divisional play-off games the following week. If Hamline loses, they beat Macalester head to head, so the Scots and the Saints are locked in at the bottom of their respective divisions for the week 11 games.

Augsburg at Macalester: The Auggies should win this, but it's another meaningless game, as neither team can advance their divisional play-off position. If the Scots could win, again, they wouldn't have a better record than Hamline, so these two teams are locked into play-off position in the Skyline Division.

St. John's at St. Olaf: Now it gets a little more interesting, as another upset win by the Oles over the Johnnies could elevate them to having an identical record as the Johnnies, and relegating the Johnnies to third or fourth in the Northwoods Division, depending on how the knot would get de-tangled by the MIAC powers at be, because Carleton could have the same divisional record as these two teams, and they would have all beaten each other in round robin fashion. I am not too worried about this happening, because I suspect the Johnnies will deal the Oles a definitive blow to these aspirations to keep their week 12 play-off chances alive.

Carleton at Gustavus: If the Knights can find a way to win one at Gustavus, and the Johnnies win over in Northfield at St. Olaf, then we have another possible 3 way tie, but this time it's atop the Northwoods Division, not a rung lower in the divisional standings. This could also be a trap game for the Gusties, as they might get caught looking ahead to the Divisional play-off game the following week. My gut tells me they won't be caught flat-footed, as they have too much riding on the game, and the Gusties will end up in the top spot of the Northwoods Division.

Concordia at Bethel: This game is definitively for the top spot in the Skyline Division, no ifs, ands, or buts about it – the winner ends up with all the marbles, and the other lands in second place, the first loser. The Royals have looked awful stout the last couple of weeks. If they can control the tempo of the game the Cobbers don't stand much of a chance. However, if Concordia can figure out a way to get up by two or more scores, and stay there, Bethel will be in trouble, as they just don't seem to have that "go-to" set of plays that would guarantee them scores if they executed them in quick succession. With all that being said, I'm thinking BU ends up in the title game the following week.

[DuffMan]

1. How the refs spot the ball is a mystery sometimes. I'm thinking of an 8.5 yard firts down pass by CSS that was marked as a 10 yard gain and another first down.

I know exactly the play you are referring to.  The guy was nowhere near a first down--the replay clearly showed him easily 2+ yards short.  I mean, the outcome of the game was not in question, but I don't know what that ref was thinking.  Definitely some interesting calls today.  The offensive PI call vs. CSS was another one, unless the ref could see something I couldn't.

[faunch]

Will post this here again: #MIAC will get smoked in playoffs if they get a WIAC team or Wartburg.
Our league is not good right now.

[DuffMan]

For ****'s sake, Faunch, we get it.  Take the doom and gloom down a notch.

[faunch]

For ****'s sake, Faunch, we get it.  Take the doom and gloom down a notch.

Ok...but the league sucks...if you want to sugar coat it...ok.

[DuffMan]

I just don't feel the need to beat a dead horse. 

[JohnnieTwice]

One of the nicer moments during an SJU home game is the "where they are now" segment on the video board. It always reminds me that, in the end, college is about getting ready in life. I love my "J" but I am most grateful for my SJU friends and the education I received. These kids will have the same experience, playoffs or not.

[corn horn]

My first long post in quite a while:

MIAC notes for the upcoming week 10 games

Hamline at St. Scholastica: St. Scholastica should win this one when you consider the common MIAC opponents scores. The Pipers played Carleton closer, but the Saints played better against Concordia, St. Olaf, and Macalester. Plus it is a home game for the Saints. This is almost a pointless game, as either team winning or losing does not change their position in their respective divisions for the divisional play-off games the following week. If Hamline loses, they beat Macalester head to head, so the Scots and the Saints are locked in at the bottom of their respective divisions for the week 11 games.

I can't believe that out of your lengthy conference synopsis this is the game I chose to comment on. I don't think you can use common opponent point spread as much of a basis of comparison for two teams that were so grossly overmatched all season. Each team with the clear upper hand may have been working different objectives...treating it as a scrimmage or bringing in the bench early in some cases, later in others. I watched Concordia vs St Scholastica on streaming, and saw them play Hamline at home on homecoming weekend. Neither was close, and substitutions were aplenty in both games, but Hamline actually appeared to be the better contender. I would give them the edge.

That said, crossing my fingers the Cobbers pull a surprise upset agains BU and take the division. Cobbs have played a soft schedule since their loss to St John's, but had a very, very solid outing against a supposed up and coming Augsburg team today. They have shown improvement in all facets of play as the season continued. Today they had a nicely balanced offense, good line play, and remarkably good defense...even against the pass.

[OzJohnnie]

There's a big game today at Edor Nelson field today quietly flying under the radar. The Cobs are in a quest to climb back up into conference relevance in the matchup vs. the Auggie. A Cob win places them in a de facto divisional championship with Bethel next week. A loss pushes them back down to .500 status and clearly out of the top tier. Similarly, the Auggie are in a steady grind upwards in conference relevance.

Congrats to the Cobs. Big game next week where BU will be heavy favourites, but the Cobs have their destiny in their hands.  Can't ask for more.

Also, congratulations to Hamline on crawling out of the lowest level of the dungeon and putting the Scots down there with the bilge water.

Lastly, commiserations to the Knights who rolled under the BU steam train.

[sjusection105]

For ****'s sake, Faunch, we get it.  Take the doom and gloom down a notch.

Ok...but the league sucks...if you want to sugar coat it...ok.

If and buts were candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas.- So, the MIAC AQ get Whitewater or Wartburg, then on the outside chance SJU gets a Pool C, they either get the other or very possibly Aurora....that's not an ideal match up either. As Mick would say "You can't always get what you want". Let this serve as a life lesson, other teams are constantly looking for ways to knock you off the pedestal.

[sju56321]

I don't think the AQ is facing wartburg in the first round.
I'm not sure SJU gets a pool C, but if so, I could see Aurora-SJU maybe a 6 seed. I think they would be in the NCC bracket. The AQ probably gets a 4 or 5 in Wartburg bracket and opens with a WIAC team-very tough.
We all know the MIAC is down, but playoffs can be decided on turnovers-you never know what magic is out there.

[faunch]

I just don't feel the need to beat a dead horse.

I'm a big dead horse beater...should we start discussing attendance again?

[faunch]

I don't think the AQ is facing wartburg in the first round.
I'm not sure SJU gets a pool C, but if so, I could see Aurora-SJU maybe a 6 seed. I think they would be in the NCC bracket. The AQ probably gets a 4 or 5 in Wartburg bracket and opens with a WIAC team-very tough.
We all know the MIAC is down, but playoffs can be decided on turnovers-you never know what magic is out there.

I want SJU to win out for no other reason than to see if we actually get a pool C bid.
Looking like we could be up in Cobber land or Arden Hills if Concordia can get a win next week.
Can't look past Olaf like GAC kind of did yesterday.
I watched a fair amount of their game against Gustie. Ole had every chance to win it. Went for two in OT and threw the ball a yard or two short of the end...and the guy got wrapped up immediately. Olaf has pretty good running back (Embry)...ran for 123 and the QB three for 335. Johnnies will be tested next week.

[faunch]

Something positive...Johnnies rushed for 240  yesterday.