FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[CCKnight]

The number of freshmen for the knights this year could cause problems in the future, but unlike the change between Sully and Brann, there was a good number of players (for Carleton) from the three classes before it.  If they have a big freshmen class next year (having a better team will help) they might be able to avoid the drop off that occurred with the previous coaching change. 

also, the MIAC Players of the week:
September 25, 2006
Offensive
Carleton College senior offensive tackle Matt Topeff (Andover, Minn./Blaine), a former tight end, caught a key pass that set up Carleton's first touchdown and then threw the eventual game-winning touchdown pass of 53 yards as Carleton upset Bethel, 17-14. It marked the Knights' first win over Bethel since 1993. With the Knights trailing, 7-3, midway through the second quarter, Topeff caught a pass from Darren Caspers on a tackle-eligible play, rumbling down to the 2-yard line. Carleton eventually scored to take a 10-7 at halftime. With the Knights trailing midway through the fourth quarter, Topeff took a lateral from Caspers and hit wide receiver Matt Frank for a 53-yard TD. Topeff was part of an offensive effort that had only one turnover on the afternoon in Carleton's biggest upset win in 20 years.

Defensive
Carleton College senior free safety Mike Kootsikas (Rosemount, Minn.), who had started his previous 22 career games at wide receiver, tallied six tackles, two pass breakups and an interception in his second career start at free safety in Carleton's 17-14 upset win over Bethel. Kootsikas, who didn't play football his rookie season, ranks in Carleton's all-time top 10 in receptions and receiving yardage, moved over to defense this season to aid a young secondary and responded with a huge game this week. He broke up a key third-down pass on Bethel's last drive from the Carleton 25-yard line and intercepted a pass late in the first half, allowing Carleton to try a 48-yard field goal at the end of the half. The Knights' defense held Bethel to 233 total yards and only 77 yards rushing, including 36 yards on 19 carries by preseason All-American Phil Porta. Porta had averaged 141 yards rushing in his three previous career games against the Knights. Kootsikas was an all-metro defensive back during his prep career at Rosemount High School.

Special Teams
St. Olaf College first-year kick returner Carson Jones (Farmington, Minn.) returned three kicks for 90 yards, including a 47-yarder to set up an Ole score in the third quarter. Jones also rushed once for 29 yards down to the Augsburg five-yard line which set up St. Olaf's third touchdown and a 22-0 lead.


Kootsikas still takes snaps at reciever as well.

[tmerton]

 Aliens

Two aliens landed in the Arizona desert near a gas station that was
closed for the night.  They approached one of the gas pumps and the
younger alien addressed it saying, "Greetings, Earthling.  We come in
peace.  Take us to your leader."   The gas pump, of course, didn't respond.

The younger alien became angry at the lack of response, and the older
alien said, "I'd calm down if I were you."  The younger alien ignored
the warning, repeated his greeting.  Again, there was no response.

Annoyed by what he perceived to be the pump's haughty attitude, he
drew his ray gun and said impatiently, "Greetings, Earthling. We come
in peace.  Do not ignore us this way!  Take us to your leader or I will fire!"

The older alien warned his comrade saying, "You don't want to do that! 
I don't think you should make him mad."

"Rubbish," replied the cocky, young alien.  He aimed his weapon at the
pump and opened fire.  There was a huge explosion.  A massive fireball
roared towards them and blew the younger alien off his f eet and
deposited him a burnt, crumpled mess about 200 yards away in a cactus
patch.

About a half hour passt.  When he finally regained consciousness, he
refocused his three eyes and straightened his bent antenna and looked
dazedly at the older, wiser alien who was standing over him shaking
his big, green head.

"What a ferocious creature!" exclaimed the young, fried alien.  "He
damn near killed me!  How did you know he was so dangerous?"

The older alien leaned over, placed a friendly feeler on his crispy
friend and replied,  "If there's one thing I've learned during my
intergalactic travels, when a guy has a dick he can wrap around
himself twice and then stick in his ear, you don't want to mess with
him!"

[TC]

Cobbernation,
Thanks for your "UN-bias" prediction!! 

Warning to Scrubby: Everything I am going to say is going to be biased towards SJU.  If that makes me an asshole, so be it.

Another great C-M/SJU game.  I don't have much to add as I haven't had a chance (or desire) to break down the game film, but I will agree with what other people have said regarding the bigger C-M lines matching up well with the fast, skilled, but small Johnnie O- and D-lines.  It seemed like the Johnnie defenders were quick to the inside running option (Fullback?  I never know what to call the Cobber backfielders) and Quarterback, but it seemed like the quarterbacks were making a lot of good and timely decisions with the outside pitches.  This didn't necessarily result in yards all the time for C-M, but I think it set up the TD- and almost-game-winning-drives nicely.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Johnnies looked good with Kofoed in there (a few of the incompletions that he threw were deeper balls that looked like they could have/should have been completed, if I remember correctly).  Crees' indecisiveness was tough to watch--it seemed like the pressure he was under was really affecting him, and there were a few times be probably should have just thrown the ball away rather than trying to make something happen and taking the sack.  He took all 4 of the sacks and was close to taking a few others.  At the same time (except for the interception in the end zone) he didn't do anything to hurt the offense, and I feel pretty comfortable if he has to play next Saturday.

Lofboom should should pass more and punt less.

Is there any better team at goalline defense?  Mount Union couldn't punch it in from the 1 in 2003 and decided to pass to Zauhar in stead, and the defense came up huge against Eau Claire in week 1 and now against Concordia this week.  Without those two stops, who knows how those two games turn out.

---

Congrats to Carleton on the huge win.  I already like the out-of-the-woodwork CC posters more than the Bethel posters and the Bethel-posters-in-sheeps'-clothing (*cough* Scrubby *cough*). 

Hopefully this weekends' game will be a good one, but I'm afraid it might have a touch of St. Olaf '05 (63-9), Bethel '01 (34-0) or Carleton '90 (70-7) to it. 

---

I snuck into Mick's for a quick burger, fries, and bucket of beer before the game.  Not a bad spread for $6.25.  Saw a lot of red shirts there, but didn't mingle much.  How many people took advantage of the extra hour from 10-11?

---

Spent the weekend with my brother and his NDSU friends.  They have a big win on Saturday also, a come-from-behinder against Ball State in NDSU's first game against a D-I opponent.  I heard more than a few people suggest that the Gophers should be worried. 

Everyone was in the mood to party Saturday night.  Had a good time at the Sports Bar.  And Old Broadway.  And the Legion.  And Rooters.  And Lauerman's.  And a few others that I don't remember, apparently.

[corn horn]

Cobbernation,
Thanks for your "UN-bias" prediction!! 

Everyone was in the mood to party Saturday night.  Had a good time at the Sports Bar.  And Old Broadway.  And the Legion.  And Rooters.  And Lauerman's.  And a few others that I don't remember, apparently.

Uh-hem... jubilation was free flowing on the west side of the muddy Red River, but there were more than a few on the Moorhead side in less than a party mood on Saturday night. Oh well.

What's with these Bethel posters? Are some of these current players? Sounds like an O. vs. D. civil war could be brewing in Arden Hills.

I know up in Cobberland the team is "family." Sounds like the Bethel family is headed to the Jerry Springer show.

[Touchdown Tommy]

Lots of good commentary today.  People calling Bethel to the mat.  Even some of their own.    

Corn Horn: It is called Failure to Win the Big Game.  Terminal case in Arden Hills... 

[TheStOlafFootballOles]

I can't tell if Carleton is really that good or if Bethel just played terrible.  Also, the oles didnt run up the score, it was accidental.  Starters were out at halftime and they basically ran the ball with 2nd/3rd stringers the rest of the game.  Auggies are just that bad....

[finsleft]

This morning I was having some work done at the car dealer. A Bethel grad came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten. They all looked at each other, and the mechanic asked, "What is a seven-hundred-ten?"

She replied, "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine. I lost it and need a new one. It had always been there."

The mechanic gave the woman a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710. He then took her over to another car which had the hood up and asked, "Is there a 710 on this car?"

She pointed and said, "Of course, it's right there."

[royalachilles]

Fins, now putting Bethel into Blonde jokes?? Oh well, if that is all you've got, that, and this week BU proably deserves it. 

[Buckman]

Has anybody else seen or heard this story yet?  


A city councilman from Riverton, Utah, Mark Easton, lives in this neighborhood. He had a
beautiful view of the east mountains, until a new neighbor purchased the
lot below his house and is currently working on the construction of a new home.

Apparently, the new home was 18 inches higher than city ordinances would
allow even though the plans had gone through all required inspections with no problems.  So Mark Easton, mad about his lost view, went to the city to make
sure they enforced the lower roof line ordinance.  Mark and his new
neighbor had some great arguments about this as you can imagine - not
great feelings.  The new neighbor had to drop the roof line - no doubt
at great expense.

Recently, Mark Easton called the city and informed them that his new
neighbor had installed some vents on the side of his home.  Mark didn't
like the look of these vents and asked the city to investigate.  When
they went to Mark's home to see the vent view, this is what they
found.... (the owner first claimed that it was abstract art depicting a cactus but he has since taken the vents down)





Here's a link to the actual news story http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_236104938.html

[royalachilles]

Like my avatar says, Its time for some Royal pain,   and then I am reminded to be careful what you wish for.....

[johnnie_esq]

Congrats to the Cobbers, who gave the Jays everything we wanted and then some.  It's too bad both teams couldn't be given "W's" in a game like that.  I heard it all the way to the North Shore and the game kept cutting out. My wife thought I was going to kill myself after it was Concordia 10-0; thank God for the rally! 

Best wishes to the Cobbs on the rest of the year-- they are a great program and deserving adversaries.  It's always fun playing at the Jake and we've been fortunate to escape the last two times.  Whew!

Congrats to the Carls, who knew no quit against Bethel.  I won't comment any further about the Royals, who I see have been forced to eat crow this week.  The Jays have to take care of business this week too before we have any right to dish anything further out.

By the way, Wonka, check your email!!!!

[Johnnie Red]

So far it looks like we are going to have a rep from the Lori Swanson for Minn. Attorney General committee present at the Stiftungsfestivities, along with Peter Hutchinson and/or Maureen Reed, Governor/Lt. Governor candidates for the Independent Party. I am going to assume that Congressman Kennedy will be there also, since he is having his own event on campus that starts at 11:00 a.m.

Finsleft, any candidates you and ROR can get there from your favorite party would be more than welcome. It would be nice to have Patty Wetterling and Amy Klobuchar present. This is coming from a Republican.

[Kilted Rat]

What's with these Bethel posters? Are some of these current players? Sounds like an O. vs. D. civil war could be brewing in Arden Hills.

I know up in Cobberland the team is "family." Sounds like the Bethel family is headed to the Jerry Springer show.

Overheard at BUDefense's house this weekend:
"Hey, if I feel like Jesus would punch the offense in the face and then throw them under the bus, then in the name of the Lord, that is what I should do!"

[Retired Old Rat]

So far it looks like we are going to have a rep from the Lori Swanson for Minn. Attorney General committee present at the Stiftungsfestivities, along with Peter Hutchinson and/or Maureen Reed, Governor/Lt. Governor candidates for the Independent Party. I am going to assume that Congressman Kennedy will be there also, since he is having his own event on campus that starts at 11:00 a.m.

Finsleft, any candidates you and ROR can get there from your favorite party would be more than welcome. It would be nice to have Patty Wetterling and Amy Klobuchar present. This is coming from a Republican.

JR, my favorite party  remains the halloween party we had my senior year in Flyntown when a bunch of guys came dressed up as KKK members and burned a cross in our front yard.  Flames 20 feet high.  Needless to say Father Rene, who was in attendance, was not pleased.

I can't remember for sure who they all were but I think I remember Guff, Bad Ass, Rieser and Wensman.  Guff was the Grand Wizard.

At that time I think I officialy identified myself as a member of the Animal House Party. 

[Retired Old Rat]

Fins has been doing a bang up job.  I think the good guys will be well represented.  Hell, we've got both the current and former mayors of St. Joseph committed.