FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[DustySJU]

Johnnie Fans;

Thanks again to "The Godfather" for throwing another top notch bash prior to yesterday's game.  

Mr. Ditton;  Those polish were some of tatstiest delicacies I've ever had... kind of a Stiftungsfest in a tube!

The cherry bombs were the bomb, the carmel rolls set next to Veeker's heater were delicious and the taco dip was in my words... tenacious!

Much to the dismay however of the home town crowd was the less than stellar play of our team.  I believe it was either the former punter CC or the former DLineman and current scientist that pondered which Johnnie Team would be in attendance today?  Unfortunately the team that appeared yesterday received a buggy-whipping by the squad in the horse drawn cart.

If the J's receive a bid today it'll give them an opportunity to excise  that awful and foul taste in their mouths and show fans the beast that may be....  it's up to you now boys to push around someone in their house.  Ok, that's my best Dan Devine impersonation....

Just rember, the improbable that was 2000 began in similar surroundings...

Developing.....

[Pat Coleman]

Pat,

Didn't you say that past performance is not one of the criteria in selecting playoff teams?

Yep. Yet consistently the committee has left runners-up in lower-level conferences at home, even when the numbers beg to differ.

[DustySJU]

Pat,

Didn't you say that past performance is not one of the criteria in selecting playoff teams?

Yep. Yet consistently the committee has left runners-up in lower-level conferences at home, even when the numbers beg to differ.

Ah, does the Swami and Karma Master AKA D3Pat know something we don't? 

[ritz72]

Well,  congrats to BU, great game plan and carry out.  Your boys came in and got the job done,  no questions asked.

Bad thing is we now have a Baptist Chapter of the Classless A$$hole club, with BU Fan and a few others as members.  Do you think that "stomping" the SJU logo on the field is not being stored in the minds of certain players wearing red and white?

That being said, if there is a rematch, and SJU plays the way it did today, it might not matter.

SJU has to regroup, go to Pella and take care of business, and I would cherish a rematch in round 2 if that is how the ball bounces

[sjusection105]

This is a quote from Frank Rajkowski's blog Saturday after the game

"We didn't come out ready to play," senior outside linebacker Jamie Steffensmeier said. "The responsibility for that falls on us. I apologize to all the St. John's fans for the way we played today."

My thought on this. These thoughts are coming from a very mature young man who is not afraid to "call a spade a spade"

[BU Fan]

Bad thing is we now have a Baptist Chapter of the Classless A$$hole club, with BU Fan and a few others as members.  Do you think that "stomping" the SJU logo on the field is not being stored in the minds of certain players wearing red and white?

Classless are the cheers from the SJU student section: "You Suck" as the line in one, "We Hold Hands" as another, mocking our huddle formation (maybe SJU should have given that a try in the 4th)

It's college football.  It's fun.  And I'm guessing you didn't think those Baptists would do such a horrendous thing as defile the SJU logo...

[sjusection105]

  Do you think that "stomping" the SJU logo on the field is not being stored in the minds of certain players wearing red and white?

Ritz, the only recent such incident in my memory was a couple years ago in Dallas. Jerry Jones sure remembered it, he gave a huge contract to that wack-job T.O.- so far it's worked out well for T.O.'s bank account but not so much for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys.

That being said, the memory banks of the underclassmen will certainly have this scene stored for instant replay. A similar thing happened in 2000 to the Johnnies in Arden Hills, as after the game the BU faithful  surrounded and "danced" around Tom Linnemann after the BU victory.
This went on to huge SJU victories in 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005. I guess if the players don't have those things fresh in their minds (i.e. being on that team) the effect is lost. Recounting events are no substitute for actually experiencing it.

[Scrubby41]

...Two things;

#8 for SJU is the most classy kid I've seen in a long time.  He wandered the BU's side for several minutes congratulating BU players and parents!!  I happen to be visiting with a parent when he approached them, very classy kid.  Him and the #2 outside LB for BU are as good as they come.

Several weeks ago I mentioned that if SJU struggled with the Cobbers running game, they'd have the same problems with BU's, they did!!  I also mentioned that I thought BU's defense was as good as any defense I've seen in a long time, especially the run defense, they showed that again today.  They sometimes bend, but they don't seem to break!!  A sign of a good team!  

It was a fun day and the first time I've ever been to SJU for a football game.  Without question, one of the best places I've ever been to to watch a football game.  The pre-game radio show was very well done.  The fans and the chanting back and forth, it was awesome.  I do have one question though, when BU scored with about 3 minutes left, it seemed like there was a fire drill in that student section, what's with that??  Every game I've ever been to to watch BU play, win or lose, the BU supporters hang and visit with the players.   Yeah I know, my "un-bias" observation--great job both teams, good luck in the playoffs!!

[Collegeville Magic]

My hat won't come off (it's still freakin cold) to Bethel yesterday, and the logo stomping is the only reason.  

Did the Royals out play and out coach the Johnnies?  Yes.
Do the Royals and their fans have reason to celebrate their biggest win in school history?  Yes.
Is that an excuse for acting like 3-year-olds in the middle of a halloween candy tantrum?  No.

I've never witnessed an SJU team so clearly unprepared for a predictably consistent opponent.  Bethel hasn't been fancy this year, but they've been good at preventing big plays on defense, then stuffing the ball down opponents' throats on offense.

What does the mastermind Jimmy G. come back with for the Johnny O?  Weak screen passes, runs into the teeth of the Bethel D, and repeated attempts at "home run" balls.  You'd think a coach with any brain would tell the offense to get first downs, use some clock, and get our defense a rest.  Instead, Bethel has posession for about 90% of the game, and predictably DOMINATED the last 3 quarters.  Here's a call from a long-time fan for John Gagliardi to cut the ambilical cord and let his son go.  Jim Gagliardi is doing a great job as an assitant defensive coach for whichever team we're playing on any given Saturday.

If two weeks of planning lead to performances like this one, I hope my Johnnies never have another bye week.  Congrats to Bethel on executing a much better game plan, and handling SJU.  I take nothing away from the Royals' great performance yesterday, and they clearly deserved the win.

Good luck to both teams in the selection today, I'm hoping that SJU and BU will both represent the MIAC well in the post-season.

[bcflyguy1]

Classless are the cheers from the SJU student section: "You Suck" as the line in one, "We Hold Hands" as another, mocking our huddle formation (maybe SJU should have given that a try in the 4th)

It's college football.  It's fun.  And I'm guessing you didn't think those Baptists would do such a horrendous thing as defile the SJU logo...
[/quote]

Understand that I bleed the same colors as you and I'm just as happy about the result, but this faulty logic is just the pot calling the kettle black. When Bethel fans stomp on the logo it's fun, but when the SJU fans poke fun at the BU huddle it's classless...I just don't see the distinction. You know what, let them make fun of the huddle holding hands as the bubbas pile up 299 yards rushing! We'd be the ones laughing at the end of the day and not a bad word could be said about the way BU was represented were it not for your actions.

A wiser man than me once said, "Be gracious in victory and congratulatory in defeat." You have to respect the incredible winning tradition that SJU has whether you like them or not. Nothing good came from your stomping on the midfield logo like a bunch of petulent grade schoolers. Congratulations on smudging, even in the smallest way, an otherwise glorious afternoon for everyone with ties to BU football.  Here's hoping you and your ilk won't do it next time.  The example set by SJU's #8 speaks very well of the respect that is shared by the players of both teams for each other, so follow their lead...please.

[Scrubby41]

...I meant 3 things,

Where in the world is that "Scrub" that played for SJU, I mean "Scout Player"? I think his name is
Tommy Touchdown or is it Touchdown Tommy??

Even old men like me want to get a cheap shot in or two!!  Tommy, you were right, SJU is an awesome place and I can see why so many young men want to go there and play for John.  With all the B.S. that you pass around here, I hope you can take my post with thick skin!!

[SJU09]

Assuming St. John's gets in, I don't think that its realistic for them to win more than one or two games. Two would be an achievement.    In my opinion we simply don't have the guns this year to compete with Whitewater or LaCrosse.  Even though the Johnnies went into yesterday's game undefeated, I think many people felt that this team just wasn't as good as previous years.  Certainly not as dominating.  Wis Lacrosse went into South Dakota State and beat a respectable Division IAA school this year,  did anyone before yesterday's game think that  this SJU team would be able to do something like that?  In previous years I think you find that many would answer yes to that question.   Much of the reason we were undeafeated before yesterday  is that the MIAC in my opinion is down this year and the two schools we played in the WIAC were also down.  Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a 2000 playoff run all over again, I just don't think its in the cards with this roster.   

[DustySJU]

Bad thing is we now have a Baptist Chapter of the Classless A$$hole club, with BU Fan and a few others as members.  Do you think that "stomping" the SJU logo on the field is not being stored in the minds of certain players wearing red and white?

Classless are the cheers from the SJU student section: "You Suck" as the line in one, "We Hold Hands" as another, mocking our huddle formation (maybe SJU should have given that a try in the 4th)

It's college football.  It's fun.  And I'm guessing you didn't think those Baptists would do such a horrendous thing as defile the SJU logo...

Sorry BU contigent but the postgame antics were indeed classless and one that will be remembered in Collegeville for many years... I hope and pray there's a rematch in the postseason.  I hate cliche's but most often they're accurate... "Act like you've been there".

[SJU09]

"If the Johnnies don't make the playoffs, that will be bull crap!!  BU beat them and they were a one loss team (A fluke if you ask me), but nonetheless they lost.  SJU was #3 for most of the season and a loss to a pretty decent BU team shouldn't knock them out and I will be ticked off if SJU does not make the playoffs." 

As a Johnnie fan it pains me to say this, but we were not the "third" best team in the county going into yesterday's game.  Look at our schedule and point to one win that would support that?  Do I think we are in the top 32 teams?  Yes I do - but we were way over ranked at #3.     

[Retired Old Rat]

I have to admit (and I'll lose karma for this) that it was fun to (monkey) stomp on the SJU at midfield after the game.  It's been a long time coming...

It may have been fun, but it disappoints me that BU fans couldn't be more gracious in victory.  Quite frankly it's a classless display, the kind of thing players from "Thug U" (Miami) would do.

Off the soap box now, I couldn't be more proud of the BU players and coaches for a wonderful display.  A great performance in a hostile environment with everything to play for and overcoming alot of adversity.  On this Veteran's Day, this former Royal salutes you.

I too would like to see SJU in the playoffs, but I think if the commitee chose to leave them out they would not be out of order.  "Quality losses" don't have nearly the pull that wins against regionally ranked teams do.  Having said that, I think the commitee would be wise to remember what SJU did with its Pool C bid in 2000 (should have won Stagg Bowl).  I don't think this year's SJU team is nearly as good as the 2000 team, but it's something to think about.

Greetings to all who were at Stiftungfest today.  Missed being there but Guam is just to far away to make the trip.

Carl, good to hear from you.  I asked about you a few weeks back and no one responded.

Gunga galunga to you.