FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[johnnie_esq]

Esq,

As usual you have provided very good analysis of the game yesterday.  I would however challenge you on the issue of Kofoed's receiving corps over the years (and the implication that they are the reason for his success and yards).  Alex had the luxury of Gearman for three years, but after that who was the difference maker for him to throw to?  Start thinking of the names of who also started at the other receiving positions and they will hardly strike fear into the hearts of defensive coordinators around the country.

Earlier star SJU QBs had multiple options at the same time:
  Ramler had Herbst and Palmer
  Linnemann had Seiben, Forsell, Kirschner and Elliott
  Keating had Elliott and Clintsman

Just my thoughts on this issue.

Looking at the statistics, Kofoed's favorite targets have tended to be his running backs as much or more than his receivers, which may be the reason why his completion percentage is pretty good.  By sprinting wideouts out and getting the ball to his running backs in space, the Johnnies can utilize their team speed against the opposing linebackers.  It's a pretty good offensive set-- matching up your quick running backs against another team's usually slower linebackers-- but it doesn't necessarily indicate great downfield passing ability.

In 2006 Lofboom had more catches than Gearman, followed by Brian Weber and Luberts (also a RB) rounding out his top four receivers that year.
In 2005 Gearman was his favorite target, followed by running backs Corey Weber and Mike Lofboom, whose 43 and 42 catches, respectively, were miles ahead of the next best receiver-- Casey Haugen, with 18. 
In 2004, Kofoed had Clintsmann and Gearman and Lofboom to throw to. 

I think Lofboom's abilities running the ball and his number of catches did require opposing teams to plan for him, and while he is no Blake Elliott, he was no slouch either.  So while the number of dominant receivers may be smaller, AK's running backs have tended to be very dual purpose and more so than those behind Keating, Denne or Linneman. 

I would be curious to know the yards after catch statistics of the past few years also-- that would certainly answer my hypothesis definitively.

[TC]

Oh, how the might have fallen.  Here we are, on the eve of Tommie Week, and all the talk is of whether Johnnie fans hate Bethel or St. Olaf more.  For the record, the correct answer is:  #1 - St. Thomas, #2 - Bethel, #3 - St. Olaf (although they have gained ground meidty quickly the last couple years). 

I'll say it:  I'm disappointed St. Olaf lost.  I'd like to see another MIAC team make the Tournament, even if it's only to keep a tougher team out and make the Johnnies' road easier.  (Who are we kidding?  Bethel's never going to win a playoff game.)

Too bad Concordia doesn't have a defense to go along with that offense.  Folks with connections to the program:  How much of this years offensive awakening can be attributed to the forward pass making its way out to the prairie?

I wish I would have started Royce Winford in my MIAC Fantasy Football league.  20-235-3?  Are you kidding me?  The Auggies were a late collapse against USTD a couple weeks ago from bringing a 3 game winning streak into their cagematch with the GACs next week.  A step in the right direction, at least.

The reception wasn't great on the lake, but it sounds like the Johnnies road/grass/overcast struggles continued early.  I listened intently towards the end and they sounded pretty decent.  Next year's QB, Crees or Hansel?  Or Joe Boyle?  Should be interesting. 

It sounds like Gamache got dinged up and Busack got his bell rung aggressively.  Were there any other injuries I might have missed?

USTD should be a sleeper, but count me in for the pregame festivities.  It's about damn time Pat and Keith gave Collegeville the national attention it deserves.  Even during the popsicle sucking the program received in 2003, I don't remember a Live from Collegeville.  Too bad St. Thomas won't hold of their end of the bargain--Concordia and St. Olaf would have really given the D3 world the right feel for the atmosphere.

That's all I got for now--Go Johnnies, Beat the Tommies!!!

[stanbob]

That was the first MIAC game I've ever seen that didn't involve St. John's and it was quite a learning experience. First of all I can see why everyone wants to beat the Johnnies, everything about the program is so much better than anyone else's. The Oles - Royals game was the biggest one of the year that didn't include St. John's and there were only about 1500 people and no passion from the crowd on either side. It takes St. John's to bring out the best, or worst, from the supporters of other teams. Johnny football is the economic engine that drives the whole conference the way it looks."

Stanbob,

Just an FYI...Concordia is averaging just under 6000 per home date this year (which, incidentally did not include an SJU date). Many avid fans treated to commercial free football played on real grass, offering roughly 2500 permanent seats to the visiting squad...can't be all bad.

I was just relaying the message I saw in the St Cloud Times.  And (I readily admit) a shot at the clowns from olaf and brothel.

[ritz72]

Oh, how the might have fallen.  Here we are, on the eve of Tommie Week, and all the talk is of whether Johnnie fans hate Bethel or St. Olaf more.  For the record, the correct answer is:  #1 - St. Thomas, #2 - Bethel, #3 - St. Olaf (although they have gained ground meidty quickly the last couple years). 

I'll say it:  I'm disappointed St. Olaf lost.  I'd like to see another MIAC team make the Tournament, even if it's only to keep a tougher team out and make the Johnnies' road easier.  (Who are we kidding?  Bethel's never going to win a playoff game.)

Too bad Concordia doesn't have a defense to go along with that offense.  Folks with connections to the program:  How much of this years offensive awakening can be attributed to the forward pass making its way out to the prairie?

I wish I would have started Royce Winford in my MIAC Fantasy Football league.  20-235-3?  Are you kidding me?  The Auggies were a late collapse against USTD a couple weeks ago from bringing a 3 game winning streak into their cagematch with the GACs next week.  A step in the right direction, at least.

The reception wasn't great on the lake, but it sounds like the Johnnies road/grassturf/overcast struggles continued early.  I listened intently towards the end and they sounded pretty decent.  Next year's QB, Crees or Hansel?  Or Joe Boyle?  Should be interesting. 

It sounds like Gamache got dinged up and Busack got his bell rung aggressively.  Were there any other injuries I might have missed?

USTD should be a sleeper, but count me in for the pregame festivities.  It's about damn time Pat and Keith gave Collegeville the national attention it deserves.  Even during the popsicle sucking the program received in 2003, I don't remember a Live from Collegeville.  Too bad St. Thomas won't hold of their end of the bargain--Concordia and St. Olaf would have really given the D3 world the right feel for the atmosphere.

That's all I got for now--Go Johnnies, Beat the Tommies!!!

Sorry TC had to correct that one...

Bethel/Olaf hating is today what Tommie hating was when I was in school.

[TC]

The reception wasn't great on the lake, but it sounds like the Johnnies road/grassturf/overcast struggles continued early.  I listened intently towards the end and they sounded pretty decent.  Next year's QB, Crees or Hansel?  Or Joe Boyle?  Should be interesting. 

Sorry TC had to correct that one...

Bethel/Olaf hating is today what Tommie hating was when I was in school.

Hmmm.  I've never been to a game at Hamline, I just assumed it was a grass field.  Then again, maybe I shouldn't be lumping a game in which the offense score 46 points in with the 21-10 and 10-7 games against UW-River Falls and Carleton.

[ritz72]

The reception wasn't great on the lake, but it sounds like the Johnnies road/grassturf/overcast struggles continued early.  I listened intently towards the end and they sounded pretty decent.  Next year's QB, Crees or Hansel?  Or Joe Boyle?  Should be interesting. 

Sorry TC had to correct that one...

Bethel/Olaf hating is today what Tommie hating was when I was in school.

Hmmm.  I've never been to a game at Hamline, I just assumed it was a grass field.  Then again, maybe I shouldn't be lumping a game in which the offense score 46 points in with the 21-10 and 10-7 games against UW-River Falls and Carleton.

Was grass back in the day, but with the renovation, became fake grass...Maybe had something to do with some certain Johnnies, during the fall of 95, completing a covert operation of painting and applying round-up to the Hamline field.  At their homecoming  SJU #1 was the logo at the 50 yard line..  They tried to cover it with this green chalk, but it was plain as day to the people in the stands   

[Lone Auggie Backer]

So, with the Olaf loss, is Bethel the MIAC's best hope for an at-large bid for a 2nd MIAC team to join the post-season?  Looking at the possible options, UW-SP finishes the season with Oshkosh, EC, & LAX.  Wartburg still has to face Simpson, Cornell & Central.  Looking at these two teams' remaining schedules, the last regular season games of the year look to be quite important.  IF all three teams win out, I know, a big upset over SJU would be necessary, but might we end up with 2 in the playoffs?  If Bethel wins all but the SJU game, do they still have a chance?  I believe it would be expected that both UWSP & Wartburg would probably lose to the favorites, and therefore, does that put Bethel back in?  I know stranger things can happen, and we games aren't played on paper, and all of the other cliches but, do you think we still have a chance of getting two in?  Of course I hope and want my guys to make sure Bethel DOES NOT get in, but using what the oddsmakers would say, where do we stand as a conference?

About the only way the MiAC gets 2 now is for Bethel to win its final three games (inlcuding beating SJU) while SJU beats UST. Any other option woud require so many other teams to flop big time around the region that its not worth thinking about.

Nice job by Winford yesterday....20 for 200+! Whats the story on him LAB? If Berg threw the ball any more (65 attempts??) his arm would fall off.

Winford is a stud.  I was a little worried his first year.  Good speed, great hands, I just didn't know if he would have the toughness to be a physical receiver and do the little things.  He certainly does.  Great work ethic in the offseason.  Great leader on the team.  Really now gets what it means to be a good receicer (much more important to block down field and run solid routes than make acrobatic catches)  One of them puts your picture in the paper, the other earns the respect of your teammates.  Sorry I ever doubted him.  But, that was before he hit the weights as hard as he did.  He's much more solid now!  My claim to fame:  I threw him his first touchdown catch of his college career - at Northwestern last year!

Jordan has the arm to be the guy to build a team around.  I looked back over our roster, and of all our starters, we lose one SS/OLB that already shares time with some younger guys, and both offensive tackles.  They are both solid O-lineman, and will be difficult to replace.  However, EVERYONE ELSE comes back.  National title hopes - not even going there and not what I'm even trying to suggest.  But, a better, solid, experienced team next year - definitely.  Haege is getting the guys he needs to build a quality program.  Our talent level this year is far superior to what we've had the last few years.  We had some great football players/athletes (Matson, Neumann, Schrier/Schlieman/Hoffman) but not across the board like we've got now.  No, they're not at the Johnnie or Ole or even USTD (I love that one!) level yet, but across the board, they're getting better.  I glad to have had the opportunity to have played with Jordan Berg.  Smart quarterback that doesn't take himself or anything too seriously.  Understands the game very well, yet is still working hard to get better and therefore always looking for opportunities to get better.  

Not defending my guys stomping on the 50.  However, to somewhat shed some light, there was an incident last year by Carleton's #4 that I know pushed some of our buttons wrong after the game with the comments he made - both at half in the tunnel and after the game.  My guys are wrong for retaliating this year.  Period.  Just wanted to explain where the idea came from.  

[OzJohnnie]

Oh, how the might have fallen.  Here we are, on the eve of Tommie Week, and all the talk is of whether Johnnie fans hate Bethel or St. Olaf more.  For the record, the correct answer is:  #1 - St. Thomas, #2 - Bethel, #3 - St. Olaf (although they have gained ground meidty quickly the last couple years). 

It is true we should (and do) loath the Tommies most, but they don't care anymore.  And that makes it tough to enjoy the beating.  I was in Sydney last week and had dinner and drinks the the Tommie (who sucks) that I mentioned once (confirming he sucks) and he had no enthusiasm for USTD.  He concentrates on hoops and baseball because they do all right there.  Football... he has no energy for the conversation.

As trying to argue football isn't important is monstrously lame (even for a Tommie), he focuses on the Vikes (who also, appropriately, suck).  The poor guy just didn't have any spirit left.  I almost felt guilty laying into him.  Kind of like kicking a whelp.  Almost .

[OleFan]

Along with the stomping on the 50 yard line at the end of the game. 

I hope this doesn't become a habit for MIAC teams.

I echo those thoughts Oz, though if it is a trend, rest assured it is only the classless teams that are doing it.

If I remember right, this is where this kind of classless stuff all started...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHwfdEOVS5U

How idiotic ...

We're all very happy out here that TO has made his way to his true home.

The reason this works is that if TO gets too far out of line we just let Roy Williams take care of the situation.  It only takes one tackle.

[justadad]

It is family weekend in Collegeville and my wife thinks we need to plan some activities.  From my reading on D3football.com and johnniefootball.com I was thinking-

1) take the tour of Rat Hall (tour starts behind the scoreboard)
2) any two of TDT's top ten (lots of koolaid if swimming the sag)
3) attend Finns seminar on "The Fall Dilemma" (location by the science center)

Do these sound like quality activities for freshman parents?  I hope this was the general  idea DuffMan was learning at class this weekend.

[Johnnie Red]

Speaking of Tommies, I was sitting in the Denver airport yesterday waiting for my flight to finally leave. I started talking to a fellow next to me who was flying back to Minneapolis. Turns out he graduated from St. Thomas in `77. I gave him some grief for being a Tommie. He indicated that he never goes to any UST games, even though he lives in Eagan. No surprise there.

[sjusection105]

It is family weekend in Collegeville and my wife thinks we need to plan some activities.  From my reading on D3football.com and johnniefootball.com I was thinking-

1) take the tour of Rat Hall (tour starts behind the scoreboard)
2) any two of TDT's top ten (lots of koolaid if swimming the sag)
3) attend Finns seminar on "The Fall Dilemma" (location by the science center)

Do these sound like quality activities for freshman parents?  I hope this was the general  idea DuffMan was learning at class this weekend.

Yep, you pretty much hit the nail on the head 

[DuffMan]

Well, I survived my "education" this weekend.  Some of what I learned:

#1.  I am a sinner.
#2.  I am a sinner.
#3.  During non-fertile times, the cervix is firm like your chin.  During fertile times, it softens and feels more like the tip of your nose.

Thanks for the updates, 67

[DuffMan]

Oh, and it seemed like every other speaker this weekend was tied to St. Thomas

[DustySJU]

Oh, how the might have fallen.  Here we are, on the eve of Tommie Week, and all the talk is of whether Johnnie fans hate Bethel or St. Olaf more.  For the record, the correct answer is:  #1 - St. Thomas, #2 - Bethel, #3 - St. Olaf (although they have gained ground meidty quickly the last couple years). 

I'll say it:  I'm disappointed St. Olaf lost.  I'd like to see another MIAC team make the Tournament, even if it's only to keep a tougher team out and make the Johnnies' road easier.  (Who are we kidding?  Bethel's never going to win a playoff game.)

Too bad Concordia doesn't have a defense to go along with that offense.  Folks with connections to the program:  How much of this years offensive awakening can be attributed to the forward pass making its way out to the prairie?

I wish I would have started Royce Winford in my MIAC Fantasy Football league.  20-235-3?  Are you kidding me?  The Auggies were a late collapse against USTD a couple weeks ago from bringing a 3 game winning streak into their cagematch with the GACs next week.  A step in the right direction, at least.

The reception wasn't great on the lake, but it sounds like the Johnnies road/grassturf/overcast struggles continued early.  I listened intently towards the end and they sounded pretty decent.  Next year's QB, Crees or Hansel?  Or Joe Boyle?  Should be interesting. 

It sounds like Gamache got dinged up and Busack got his bell rung aggressively.  Were there any other injuries I might have missed?

USTD should be a sleeper, but count me in for the pregame festivities.  It's about damn time Pat and Keith gave Collegeville the national attention it deserves.  Even during the popsicle sucking the program received in 2003, I don't remember a Live from Collegeville.  Too bad St. Thomas won't hold of their end of the bargain--Concordia and St. Olaf would have really given the D3 world the right feel for the atmosphere.

That's all I got for now--Go Johnnies, Beat the Tommies!!!

Sorry TC had to correct that one...

Bethel/Olaf hating is today what Tommie hating was when I was in school.

Ritz;  It has alot to do with our "cub reporters" surprising unfamiliarity with the league.  You'd be surprised with what I come across during the editing process. 

Developing....