FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[DuffMan]

We had middle school conferences last night and found out that our son's math teacher is also a Johnnie football alum who graduated the year prior to my freshman year.  We spent much of the conference talking SJU. 

[DuffMan]

1932: 7 (Season shutout)

Does this mean they didn't give up a point the entire season??? 
 

[Redtooth]

1932: 7 (Season shutout)

Does this mean they didn't give up a point the entire season??? 
 

Just looked and that would be correct......6-0-1 on the season surrendering ZERO points.  Tied the Cobbers 0-0

[DuffMan]

Tied the Cobbers 0-0

Well, that tarnishes it! 

I'll bet that was a thrilling game to watch.
 

[SagatagSam]

1932: 7 (Season shutout)

Does this mean they didn't give up a point the entire season??? 
 

It doesn't help that the forward pass was still in its adolescence back when the season shutout of '32 happened. To accomplish something like that today would be utterly insane.

[DuffMan]

SJU names Feeney as primary QB

Though I'm glad a decision was made, I feel for Zander Dittbenner.  The dude is a quintessential Johnnie and deserves nothing but respect.  He'd be a star in many programs.

[faunch]

SJU names Feeney as primary QB

Though I'm glad a decision was made, I feel for Zander Dittbenner.  The dude is a quintessential Johnnie and deserves nothing but respect.  He'd be a star in many programs.

Agree on Zander...seems like a quality guy.
Thinking the decision on Feeney had to do with him being the style of QB they want to run their offense and that they have him for an other season and half. Going forward is SJU going to continue the trend of bring in QB transfers to fill the position? Literally the last three have been "D1" transfers (Erdmann, Syverson and Feeney). I wonder which of the current SJU backup quarterbacks will be a starter on another MIAC teams next season?

Prediction: If SJU makes the playoffs...and that shouldn't be an if...
(looking at the remaining schedule Carleton looks to be the one team that could challenge...Bethel got in with 2 losses last year...albeit both were to SJU...if
the Jays get upset by the Cobbers or GAC this year they don't deserve a playoff bid and shouldn't be in the top 20).

To continue...if they make the playoffs I predict maybe one win if they get matched against a team that's got a strong running game I foresee problems. This running defense on the road against a WIAC team The last three seasons SJU has struggled desperately against good (and not so good) running games and running backs...see below.

2025
BU 182

2024
Sus 216
UWL 179
BU 137
BU 113

2023
GAC 112
Aug 170
UWW 280

[sjusection105]

SJU names Feeney as primary QB

Though I'm glad a decision was made, I feel for Zander Dittbenner.  The dude is a quintessential Johnnie and deserves nothing but respect.  He'd be a star in many programs.

Agree on Zander...seems like a quality guy.
Thinking the decision on Feeney had to do with him being the style of QB they want to run their offense and that they have him for an other season and half. Going forward is SJU going to continue the trend of bring in QB transfers to fill the position? Literally the last three have been "D1" transfers (Erdmann, Syverson and Feeney). I wonder which of the current SJU backup quarterbacks will be a starter on another MIAC teams next season?

Prediction: If SJU makes the playoffs...and that shouldn't be an if...
(looking at the remaining schedule Carleton looks to be the one team that could challenge...Bethel got in with 2 losses last year...albeit both were to SJU...if
the Jays get upset by the Cobbers or GAC this year they don't deserve a playoff bid and shouldn't be in the top 20).

To continue...if they make the playoffs I predict maybe one win if they get matched against a team that's got a strong running game I foresee problems. This running defense on the road against a WIAC team The last three seasons SJU has struggled desperately against good (and not so good) running games and running backs...see below.

2025
BU 182

2024
Sus 216
UWL 179
BU 137
BU 113

2023
GAC 112
Aug 170
UWW 280

To add on the subject the struggles SJU has had offensively, over the past 5+ years to gain tough yards in short yardage situations has been a frustration of many. The aerial circus is great fun to watch but having a "battering ram" in the backfield to get those tough yards would be a nice addition.....

[Retired Old Rat]

SJU names Feeney as primary QB

Though I'm glad a decision was made, I feel for Zander Dittbenner.  The dude is a quintessential Johnnie and deserves nothing but respect.  He'd be a star in many programs.

Couldn't agree more on Zander.  He likely would have been the starter this year and the last two if not for the D1 transfers.  His quotes in the story show a true selflessness.

[hazzben]

The D1 transfer QB route isn't a bad problem to have, but I know Bethel landed a QB recruit this year that was down to them and SJU. One of the things that helped was simply pointing out it's been over a decade since SJU has had a QB1 for the season that didn't first transfer in from a scholarship program. Hard to argue against Eerdmann and Syverson and those results, it does however make it difficult to land guys right out of HS.

To SJUSection105's post, I haven't viewed SJU as a balanced offense for some time. There's been a focus on great QB/WR play, and what seems like a 70/30 pass to run approach. It makes for an explosive offense that puts up gaudy numbers. You've also had some very solid RB's during the past 8+ years. But if you're an elite RB, SJU doesn't strike me as a desirable destination. Heckendorf is a great OC, but he's a pass first guy through and through.

BU used to be more 60/40 run to pass a decade ago. Unless you're running an North Central/LL UWW oline, that's tough to pull off against the top 2-4 programs deep in the playoffs. New OC Duling is on record that he all about finding explosive plays. At Berry he had teams that led nationally in rushing and that led in passing. Same at Bethel. With Kidder, Niewald, & Co we were balanced, but more pass focused last year. This year with Geebli and Manns, we are balanced but run driven.

Neither of these offenses has finished the last step of getting to and winning a Stagg Bowl. But I think there are more pitfalls with the pass heavy approach of SJU deep in the fall when the weather gets really cold and you start to face elite defenses. Even Cortland with Boyes at QB was 10th in rushing in 2023.

[gobigred425]

The D1 transfer QB route isn't a bad problem to have, but I know Bethel landed a QB recruit this year that was down to them and SJU. One of the things that helped was simply pointing out it's been over a decade since SJU has had a QB1 for the season that didn't first transfer in from a scholarship program. Hard to argue against Eerdmann and Syverson and those results, it does however make it difficult to land guys right out of HS.

Yeah, because Jaran Roste and Cooper Drews for sure didn't transfer to Bethel from another school...

[faunch]

Look at the season rushing leaders and tell me why a really, really good running back would want to come to or transfer to SJU?
From my count 3 running backs have cracked the 1,000 mark 5 times in the last 25+ years.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/gojohnnies.com/documents/2025/7/3/SJU_Football_Annual_Statistical_Leaders_Since_1972.pdf

I get it that it's tough to hit the 1,000 yard mark when in half your games you might only play half the game. I just wonder how many yards Sam Sura would run for in this offense.

[DuffMan]

It seems like eons ago, but I guess it was only 2014, when I was wondering if Fasching had forgotten about the forward pass. 

2014 Johnnies
584 rushing attempts for 2674 yards (223 YPG rushing, 49 rushing attempts per game)
119 for 206 passing for 1525 yards (127 YPG passing, 17 passing attempts per game)

Compared to 2025:
337 rushing attempts for 1483 yards (124 YPG rushing, 28 rushing attempts per game)
350 for 474 passing for 4563 yards (380 YPG passing, 40 passing attempts per game)

[faunch]

It seems like eons ago, but I guess it was only 2014, when I was wondering if Fasching had forgotten about the forward pass. 

2014 Johnnies
584 rushing attempts for 2674 yards (223 YPG rushing, 49 rushing attempts per game)
119 for 206 passing for 1525 yards (127 YPG passing, 17 passing attempts per game)

Compared to 2025:
337 rushing attempts for 1483 yards (124 YPG rushing, 28 rushing attempts per game)
350 for 474 passing for 4563 yards (380 YPG passing, 40 passing attempts per game)

I think we've got guys that can run the ball. It's my opinion (as my actual football knowledge could fit in thimble)...that we emphasize passing so much and don't really have a strong run blocking scheme. What's crazy is during Heckendorf's senior year as a receiver at NDSU his team averaged 199.9 rushing ypg and 184.4 passing ypg. I guess being a receiver pass first is the way it's going to go.

[hazzben]

The D1 transfer QB route isn't a bad problem to have, but I know Bethel landed a QB recruit this year that was down to them and SJU. One of the things that helped was simply pointing out it's been over a decade since SJU has had a QB1 for the season that didn't first transfer in from a scholarship program. Hard to argue against Eerdmann and Syverson and those results, it does however make it difficult to land guys right out of HS.

Yeah, because Jaran Roste and Cooper Drews for sure didn't transfer to Bethel from another school...

For sure, but Drew's actually backs up the narrative. He's an All Region caliber QB who is at Bethel because SJU kept going to the D1 transfer bucket. Both Roste and Drew's are examples where BU didn't have a talented guy on the roster waiting for a shot, we had a need.