When UST started out the year playing Trinity International, we could assume that it was a statement to the players, fans and the MIAC that UST was so confident in their superiority and did not care they were literally wasting a great opportunity to play a strong opponent and actually get better. I believe that level of thinking carried in to the season and the weak half of the MIAC actually "appeared" stronger than it was. What possible benefit does playing a super cup cake like Trinty offer UST?

Answer: A big 'ol bite in the a$$.

Iron Sharpens Iron but Play-Doh^TM (Trinity International) won't sharpen anything.

I recognize the difficulty of grasping this subject for an Auggie fan. When a program shows some semblance of competency, teams aren’t knocking down the door to play you. The difference is probably striking given Auggie likely has to staff a 24/7 call center to manage the suitors lining up to pencil in a W on the schedule. When faced with prospects of playing a 9 game schedule or Trinity, UST chose wisely.

As most know I’m a Tommie Fan. After thinking about it a bit I don’t think the Erdmann take is outlandish. MN hasn’t exactly had a bumper crop of QB talent to point to in the last 10-12 years, especially “true” pocket passing QB’s. Maybe I’m forgetting a standout DII guy since I don’t follow it closely, but nothing DI or DIII jumps out. Adam Weber or a Mankato QB?? No one else jumps out. The Dakota’s and Western WI have produced better QB talent (Wentz, Stanley). That’s pretty sad. Mauer was a generational QB talent, but that’s going back a ways, and he chose the baseball path.

At a DIII level the only comparable QB’s I have seen are Aaron Boehme from Linfield and Alex Tanney from Monmouth. There were other guys out there over the years that were dynamic, but when looking at what the NFK truly covets, those two + Erdmann jump out. Matt Blanchard from UWW had a similar journeyman NFL career to Tanney, but I can’t say I saw him play enough to judge.

Quote from: bleedpurple on December 02, 2018, 01:35:44 pm

Quote from: retagent on December 02, 2018, 09:02:43 am

To add more praise onto what the Johnnies accomplished this season. Over their last 9 games, they played 4 unbeaten, ranked opponents (I'm including Bethel who we all know should have been ranked then) the Johnnies are 3 - 1, with their only loss coming to the #2 ranked team by 3 points in their house.

And for you WIAC fans, who I know and love. SJU and UWW have now played three common opponents, and the Johnnies have outperformed the Warhawks in 2 of the three. Next week will tell more of the story.

That's a matter of opinion, not fact. I think a good argument could be made that if the Johnnies had to play Bethel in the weather we had to play them in, they would have gotten beat.

I think a better argument can be made that the NCAA committee in all its wisdom scheduled the two best teams to meet in the quarter finals.

Never thought I would see it. A “historic” program like the Johnnies seeking the mythical title of 2nd or 3rd place via transitive properties, the week before the Stagg Bowl has been played. What a shame.

Jackson Erdmann was announced as one of four finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy! Congratulations to Jackson & all of the other nominees!

I was curious, so I checked it out. Since it’s inception (1993) there has been 1 Jr selected for the award. Burke from Mount in 2013. The rest have been Seniors. The J-Club is stingy to underclassmen.

This game is dead to me. Gary and Glenn already wore stupid soccer scarves at the press conference.

In all seriousness though, this is a better logistical setup for UST. Unless there is a major overhaul planned for O'Shaugnessy Stadium, it is a mess to do on-campus. Parking is brutal. The city complains incessantly about it. Its a squeeze to get the temporary bleachers in through the gates, and it doesn't quite meet the demand this game has built up to. It worked and fit nicely for the playoff game between UST and SJU a few years ago, but that was because the weather was frigid, students didnt get their free or reduced rate tickets, and the outcome was pretty well determined. Allianz is the perfect size, close to campus, and will provide an intimate setup. A football field is slightly narrower than it's soccer counterpart, so if we are talking 17 ft sidelines for soccer, we can probably double that for football. That is better than your typical 8 lane track and football sideline. The sight lines will be spectacular.

I wish UST could find a way to make some updates to the press box and grandstand however. Football is meant to be played on campus. Take that foolish money being spent to dig a stupid modern cave underneath the historic chapel. That project is an absolute abomination. It destroys the upper quad (Dowling Beach    and the historical look of the Chapel.

Don't Tommie up the Victory Formation.

Ask and ye shall receive  #9 really wanted to muck it up in the backfield and a couple others dove on top of the Center.

Glad to see Gillich appeared to be ok. Another whale of a game for him. 

The J’s just submarined the victory formation. The world has now come full circle

Awful-he panicked and threw it-that is bad

You’re quite harsh on a kid that literally carried a team on his back all season. Running a goal line slant from the slot into traffic is destined for failure. Not Erdman’s fault. Running a beat up QB on 4th & 2 is destined for failure. Once again not his fault. He escapes pressure and throws a deep ball on the run and one of the best DIII DB’s make an incredible play. Not his fault.