FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

Looks like it was 44-35 BU for a final.

Wow - Auggies played them tight.  They should be feeling pretty good about themselves and looking forward to next year.

[Lone Auggie Backer]

Missed one HELL (for all the Bethel posters!) of a game tonight.  Game stats were amazing.  Bethel ran for wll over 300+ yards in the game, with their QB getting the bulk of the yards.  Their stud freshman back was out of action for the majority of the second half.  Our offense was definitely pass happy (gee, you seem so surprised!).  We had 16 rushing attempts for a grand total of 2 yards rushing, but must have thrown for well over 300 yards as well.  The big series of the game was our second to last drive.  We had made a huge 4 down goal line stand, and got the ball on our 3.  We managed to march down to roughly the Bethel 30.  Jordan had Royce in one-on-one coverage up the far sideline, and took his shot, but, unfortunately the ball sailed on him a bit.  B. Carr made a good break on the ball, and came down with it at the Bethel 4.  We stopped them for three consecutive downs, forced them to punt and eventually drove the ball back down to the 5, but couldn't put the ball in the endzone, eliminating the chance for an on-side kick.  It was one heck of a game.  Congrats to Bethel, they did enough to get the job done.  My one shot to take at my Dad, my Wife, my Sister (Olaf employee, and two Olaf grads)  is that if the Olaf offense is so spectacular, how did they only manage 14 points against this Bethel defense while we racked up 35?  I guess our offense is more spectacular! (I'm using AO's circular math, myself!)  But, it was a great game, one that took the excitement all the way down to the wire.  One last bit before I get into what all the Johnnie fans want to hear - the Dome SUCKS!  What a stale, sterile environment to attend a game.  I still don't understand why we had to play at the dome - ours isn't up yet!? Anyway, I wish we had true home-field atmosphere!

[GoldandBlueBU]

correct...44-35 final score. Augsburg's pass defense cut us up something nasty.  If it wasnt for a nice pick on augsburgs 2nd to last drive, it might have turned out poorly for the royals.  How about #2 for bethel during the at game...idiot does the "incomplete pass" signal every time he get's in on a pass break up defensively.  what a douche bag.

[Lone Auggie Backer]

So- for what all the Johnnie fans really want to hear about----

My thoughts from the game, from a recent-former player perspective--

Bethel O-line is GOOD!!!!  Big up front, pull well, and do a great job run blocking!  However, their passing attack is not as dangerous.  They ran all over us, and had some success through the air.  But, nothing to the likes of the Johnnies, Olaf, or even UST(d).  I think that the Johnnie D-line is much bigger and more active than the Augsburg D-line, and therefore should be able to both; 1) put more pressure on the QB, and 2) slow down the run a bit.  We had success slowing down their drop back game.  Their sprint game, on the other hand, gave us much more of a problem.  I attribute that to Bethel's QB's ability to run.  I would expect Bethel to try and sprint out their QB a bunch vs. the Johnnie defense.

The Bethel pass defense was nothing too exciting.  I was a little disappointed we didn't attack them back-side more.  El-Hameed (sp?) for us, even as a freshman, was much faster than their #2 - who seems to be their "best" one-on-one corner.  They were also quite week to the middle of the field.  The blitz their inside two backers alot, and it becomes difficult for either their safety to get down cover hook-to-curl in the middle of the field, or bail one of the two OLB's to that spot. We had many "dig" routes that were open and taken advantage of by us, or neglected in favor of a deep ball, or to work the sideline/clock.  

Bethel's D did a good job stopping our running attack, however, that has never been what Augsburg has been known for.  I would hesitate to even compare Augsburg's running game with that of SJU.  However, that would be the one bright point of the Bethel Defense today.  

The Bethel long-snapper had a rough day today.  One snap on a punt sailed over the punters head, and lead to great field position (though not capitalized on!) for the good squad.  He also had some issues on other punt snaps and some PAT snaps.  I would encourage the SJU ST coach to pressure him.  Do not illegally run over the snapper, but stack someone up in both A gaps and force the snapper to do two things on each snap.  

The KO coverage for both teams was pretty bad tonight.  SJU could have some great field position on its hands if it runs a 34 or 45 return, or simple wedge, or wedge-to-sideline.  On the other hand, it should be noted that the Bethel return team is pretty darn good in its own right.  The front line and their second two really held their blocks well, and worked hard to move past the first block to pick up a second person.

In all, this should be a decent game.  I was proud of my guys today, as they really came through in some key times.  Unfortunately, they just didn't have enough for the Brothel Royale's today.  Next week's game should be pretty good, especially with it being played at Bethel on grass.  Any predictions of rain/Bull Durham-esque RAINOUT conditions for tomorrows game?  It would certainly favor the Royale's (Or Royale with cheese) with their large O-line and team that is not built on speed!  It would sure amaze me if the grounds crew had a bit of an over-sight tonight and mistakenly delayed the shut-off of the sprinkler system!  

Best of luck to all.  Stay safe, stay healthy.  

[Lone Auggie Backer]

Gold&Blue-

I totally agree with you on #2.  He annoyed me greatly.  The worst "incomplete pass demonstration" he gave was when he had been completely burned on an out-and-up by Nourie.  Unfortunately, Nourie tried to run before he caught the pass (would have been a big gainer from a severly backed up position) and ended up dropping it.  #2 had the nerve to act like he had a part in it.  I get annoyed by anyone who thinks their actions were the only part in making a play.  #2, unfortunately, was quite proud of everything he did.

Now, don't get me wrong, there were plenty of things that annoyed me by my squad as well, and I'm in no way saying me team is innocent,  it is just that #2 did such a great job of broadcasting/advertising his "greatness" tonight. 

[onearmedscot]

Wow, I think the MIAC is on racial sensitivity alert.

Six players got the suspension stick for tomorrow's game for wearing black face to a Halloween party.  I guess they just wanted to be characters from King Kong but now there is a huge campus investigation.

BU AUG was good.  Aug is much improved.  Fun offense to watch.

oAs.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Gold&Blue-

I totally agree with you on #2.  He annoyed me greatly.  The worst "incomplete pass demonstration" he gave was when he had been completely burned on an out-and-up by Nourie.  Unfortunately, Nourie tried to run before he caught the pass (would have been a big gainer from a severly backed up position) and ended up dropping it.  #2 had the nerve to act like he had a part in it.  I get annoyed by anyone who thinks their actions were the only part in making a play.  #2, unfortunately, was quite proud of everything he did.

Now, don't get me wrong, there were plenty of things that annoyed me by my squad as well, and I'm in no way saying me team is innocent,  it is just that #2 did such a great job of broadcasting/advertising his "greatness" tonight. 

I've never been a cornish (#2) fan, he's always come off as arrogant when I've seen him around campus, but his stock took a massive hit tonight.  I don't mind people getting pumped up, but the way he did it was just dumb. Incomplete signs in front of the auggie bench, etc.  He could stand to take a lesson from brandon carr, who is twice the athlete, made several huge plays, and never does any of that annoying crap.  Rough night for receiver #6 for augsburg...man, he had like 3 touchdowns if he caught the ball consistently.  Much improved augsburg team...hope they keep it up next year and bring more fun into the miac.

[stanbob]

OZ, as our subject matter expert on all things Austrailian I have a question for you.  Yellow Tail wines from SE OZ, good or bad?  Have had the Riesling, reasonably priced and seems to have a high alcohol content, just please let me know if I am destroying my liver with it.  It seems to work well when going to the WIAC board, if WW is looming I may have to stock up.   

[OzJohnnie]

OZ, as our subject matter expert on all things Austrailian I have a question for you.  Yellow Tail wines from SE OZ, good or bad?  Have had the Riesling, reasonably priced and seems to have a high alcohol content, just please let me know if I am destroying my liver with it.  It seems to work well when going to the WIAC board, if WW is looming I may have to stock up.   

I just asked the wife if Yellow Tail is any good, as I didn't recognize the name, and she said, "Na, it's sh*t.  But it's a big exporter to the US."  Aussies are a harsh bunch.  You should hear her when she's not happy with me....

On matters of travel, I'll be in San Francisco from the 11th to the 16th this month.  Anyone posting on this board live out that way (tmerton, you live if NoCal or SoCal?)?  I'd be happy to spend a night drinking and eating and drinking if you're up to it.  Unfortunately, I'm in China on the 19th so I can't zip out to MN for the first round of the playoffs (knock on wood).

[AO]

My one shot to take at my Dad, my Wife, my Sister (Olaf employee, and two Olaf grads)  is that if the Olaf offense is so spectacular, how did they only manage 14 points against this Bethel defense while we racked up 35?  I guess our offense is more spectacular! (I'm using AO's circular math, myself!)  But, it was a great game, one that took the excitement all the way down to the wire.  One last bit before I get into what all the Johnnie fans want to hear - the Dome SUCKS!  What a stale, sterile environment to attend a game.  I still don't understand why we had to play at the dome - ours isn't up yet!? Anyway, I wish we had true home-field atmosphere!

Circular Math?  I'd argue that Augsburg's offense has proved itself to be elite within the MIAC this season.  Besides the MIAC opener at St. John's the lowest Auggie output is 14 points in the win over Wartburg.  A .500 season for Augsburg is one of the biggest surprises of the year. 

The metrodome may feel empty for d-3 games, but it does get quite loud with only a couple hundred people yelling.  The d-3 games I've seen there have been much louder than most games I've seen played outside.

[OzJohnnie]

My one shot to take at my Dad, my Wife, my Sister (Olaf employee, and two Olaf grads)  is that if the Olaf offense is so spectacular, how did they only manage 14 points against this Bethel defense while we racked up 35?  I guess our offense is more spectacular! (I'm using AO's circular math, myself!)  But, it was a great game, one that took the excitement all the way down to the wire.  One last bit before I get into what all the Johnnie fans want to hear - the Dome SUCKS!  What a stale, sterile environment to attend a game.  I still don't understand why we had to play at the dome - ours isn't up yet!? Anyway, I wish we had true home-field atmosphere!

Circular Math?  I'd argue that Augsburg's offense has proved itself to be elite within the MIAC this season.  Besides the MIAC opener at St. John's the lowest Auggie output is 14 points in the win over Wartburg.  A .500 season for Augsburg is one of the biggest surprises of the year. 

The metrodome may feel empty for d-3 games, but it does get quite loud with only a couple hundred people yelling.  The d-3 games I've seen there have been much louder than most games I've seen played outside.

I'm sure LAB wasn't trying to take any shine off your fine performance at the Dome just a week earlier.

[OzJohnnie]

Alright, folks, I'm off to bed with no reason to get up early.  I'm sure the two-year-old stinker will find a reason to get me up, though.

All teams play well and GO STOUT!  Give us a chance at four home games in the playoffs (knock on wood).

[sjusection105]

[The metrodome may feel empty for d-3 games, but it does get quite loud with only a couple hundred people yelling.  The d-3 games I've seen there have been much louder than most games I've seen played outside.

Check out this math AO: Northwestern home game= a couple hundred fans (except the day SJU played there) most MIAC home games = a couple hundred to a couple thousand fans (except when SJU plays there) SJU home games average 9,900 fans and have tipped 10,000 a couple times this season. Trust me, it gets loud there. We don't need a stinking dome or artificial noise makers (like jumping on aluminium bleachers) we just show up in mass to cheer on the Johnnies

Happy Birthday Frank.....you rock!

[sjusection105]

+K to OzJohnnie for an excellent article about the game day experience DownUnder at www.JohnnieFootball.com

Oz, make sure to great Nicky T. at the office from everyone at JohnnieFootball.com

[DustySJU]

Wow, I think the MIAC is on racial sensitivity alert.

Six players got the suspension stick for tomorrow's game for wearing black face to a Halloween party.  I guess they just wanted to be characters from King Kong but now there is a huge campus investigation.

BU AUG was good.  Aug is much improved.  Fun offense to watch.

oAs.

I didn't know the MIAC is fielding a team.


8) Thanks OzJohnnie for your trans-global contribution!

Read it!