Overcast skies moved into Collegeville on Sunday matching the disapointment and dispair of Johnnie players and fans

We have all seen the Bud Light commercials where they replay the same scene of a customer trying to get the waiter’s attention.  The first time by the waiter completely ignores the customer.  The second time by the customer speaks a little louder but still gets ignored.  “Too Light” pops up onto the screen.  The third time by the customer sticks out her foot and trips the waiter sending him through a window.  “Too Heavy” pops up onto the screen.  The main point of the ad is to say Bud Light is not too heavy, not too light, it is just right.

 Before going further, let me be clear in saying I went into Saturday’s game thinking the Johnnies were easily the better team.  I think there are three different ways the Johnnie loss could have played out last Saturday.  I’ll call them too light, too heavy, and just right. 

1) The Johnnies lose to Coe in an evenly matched, close game.  I walk away from the game trying to figure out the one thing we could have done to put us in the next round.  “Too Light” 

 
2) The Johnnies lose to Coe despite being the better team.  Say for example, ohhhh off the top of my head, the Johnnies turn the ball over um…six times, two of which are returned for a touchdown.  I’ll go out on a limb and predict that one Coe player gets both touchdowns and I’m guessing he is about 5 foot-11 inches, 238 pounds, and slowwww.  Looking at Coe’s roster it appears lucky number 33 will be the Tommie (a.k.a. bad guy) in Collegeville on this day.  I walk away knowing the Johnnies were the better team and wondering how this could happen to the Johnnies at home.  Answers cannot be found so the 2009 season is filed as a Cold Case (pun intended…hint: Bud Light topic).  “Too Heavy”

 
3) The Johnnies lose to Coe in a game that shows Coe is truly the better team.  I would walk away from this game knowing we exist in the Wild Wild West where all 8 teams appear in the D3football.com’s final top 25 poll.  Losing to what clearly was a better team leaves me knowing the better team won today. “Just Right”

In case you did not pick up on the sarcastic hints, Saturday’s loss would constitute as “Too Heavy” on Bud Light’s meter.  Let’s be honest, I would have bet on Jessie Ventura becoming the next Minnesota governor before betting against the Johnnies in this one.  Good thing I didn’t place that bet!

Campus did not feel the same on Sunday as Johnnie football had closed for the decade.  Riding the Link past the farm fields confirmed this sad reality.  No longer were the garbage cans out on the farm waiting for trash from the Saturday game parking.  No longer was the sun shining over Clemens Stadium as we pulled into Sexton.  No longer will there be e-mails instructing students where to park and which lots will be closed on Saturday.  And, most sadly, no longer will there be a perfect season in 2009. 

Today the campus is back to normal.  Talk of Saturday’s loss has been replaced with the hustle and bustle of a two-day school week packed with homework and exams.  My fellow Johnnie fans, I invite you to make this shift back to normal as well.   The weather seems to be going back to normal too as winter is fast approaching the 56321 (rainy and cooler today).  In light of Thanksgiving, I think we should put this loss aside and look back on this season and be thankful for all of the great Saturday’s we had in the fall of 2009. 

There was the first Saturday when we welcomed back Wisconsin-Eau Claire by starting where we left the series in 2006 by winning.  We reunited for a last second Homecoming victory over Bethel, a foe that had already defeated us four times in the 2000s (thank God for Russ).  Two weeks later, in front of the 2nd largest crowd ever at Clemens Stadium, we dove our way to our thirteenth straight Tommie victory.  Only one week later we Boyle’d over with an injury but held on for a close 10-3 victory over the Oles.  Two weeks later we played a former Johnnie player turned Carleton coach and we witnessed, for the third time in this decade, the closing of a perfect regular season.  Despite losing to Coe on Saturday, we must be thankful for this extra game that we were granted.  I am thankful for these Saturdays and for the perfect season the Johnnies had.  I am also thankful that we ended this decade with a perfect record against the Tommies in the 2000s.

In conclusion, we can look back and be sad about the very tough loss to Coe on Saturday.  We cannot, however, let this loss overshadow our thankfulness for the perfect season, the great tailgating gatherings, the last second victories, the community, the fresh coffee at the new Johnnie Java (had to put a plug in), and everything else Johnnie gameday has become for all of you Johnnies fans.

In the end: too light, too heavy, or just right?  I am thankful that this season was just filled with all of the great moments described in this article.  I am also thankful that the season did not end in a loss to St. Thomas.  Only one thing is missing from 2009 and that is a National Championship.  “Just Right”

Regardless- light, heavy, just right- I’m thirsty!

We'll have to wait until September 5th for "Another Johnnie Firstdown"!

Be safe and enjoy time with loved ones.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Matt has promised the staff at JohnnieFootball.com to offer up what’s happening on the SJU campus as Johnnie Football rolls into another exciting playoff season.  There just isn’t any event more exciting than a college football playoff game in Collegeville, save for a 49 or 52 yard field goal off the toe of Russ Gliadon!

Matt Melsen, a pure bred Johnnie, will be sharing his passion for the game as well as the perspectives of the SJU and CSB student body.  And in the future we’ll also give you an inside look at Matt and what makes him crazy about Johnnie Football. 

Johnnie Up Everybody!

Heck, even his eye balls are red!

 Ahhhhhh…the smell of playoff football has returned to Collegeville!  That is correct; I did say playoff football has RETURNED.  Do I dare remind everyone of the odd and abnormal season of last year?  The 8-2 regular season record, four home games in September, and only two home games in October/November do not constitute NORMAL in Collegeville.  Fear not my fellow Johnnie fans, things have returned to normal here in the 56321. 

 That is where I come in.  My name is PB&J: Pure Bred Johnnie and I am a Junior at SJU.  More information about me can be found on my profile page so please check it out. 

As most of us know, Collegeville, a.k.a. the 56321, is contagious.  Without proper care and support, one may easily begin to feel withdrawal effects.  I have gone two full summers without being in the 56321 and I fully understand the difficulties of being away.  My goal for the next year and a half or maybe more…Mom and Dad, can I stay longer??…is to help you Johnnie fans get by week-to-week without being in the 56321.  I intend to keep everyone up-to-date on the events going on around campus and the buzz that is surrounding the team.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with ideas or suggestions on how to keep you Johnnie fans up-to-date.

 Ahhhhhhh….after a perfect 10-0 regular season, our Johnnies have gained the #1 seed in their region and are looking strong going into the playoffs.  More importantly, they have given us a great excuse to continue our Johnnie Gameday traditions one more week and hopefully more. 

I look forward to seeing and meeting you wonderful Johnnie fans this Saturday at Stiftungsfest! 

GO JOHNNNNNNNNIES!

Ron Tomczik and C.J. Lyngen at Homecoming in 2008

As the September calender clicks forward to October that wonderful time of year is upon us as the fall colors burst, SJU class reunions are readied and the highpoint of University activity and Johnnie 2009 Homecoming is launched.

If you’re looking for a spot to grab a bite before the Johnnie vs Royal football game, swing into the Science Center Parking Lot above the south endzone for one of Johnnie Red’s tantilizing burgers(ground round is raging throughout the metro restaurant scene and the Stiftungsfest Burger is one not to miss!)or one of Veek’s wild rice brats – a specialty from Thielen Meats in Little Falls! 

If you care to hang out with friends bring a tasty treat to share  and also consider contributing to support the family of the late Jim Goodman ’84, a Johnnie wrestler, Alumni Board member and chapter volunteer who left a wife and three daughters when he suddenly passed away last year. 

Start your morning with a swing through our beautiful campus, stop by the Homecoming Stiftungsfestivities for some cheer and get your hands on one of the lovely “Feed The Rat” T-shirts  available at our Johnnie Pregaming event.

Remember to look for our blue-clad “Game Day Hosts” who’ll have useful tips when “toasting” with friends and please be discreet while observing campus rules regarding open containers.

Grills open at 10:00am with activity beginning at 9:00am!

 The SJU Alumni Association is selling T-Shirts for Homecoming. Find out how to get yours!

From the SJUUUN #2:

• $10/ea. – cash sales preferred! Personal checks made payable to the order of (name of Board Member) will also work! No credit card sales at this time. Did I mention cash sales preferred?
• Available through Board Members who will be selling them at the Game on the 12th, at Stiftungsfestivities prior to the game, and at McKeown Center Grand Opening. (”Visit the Alumni Association tent on the track at the Palaestra end of Clemens Stadium“)
• Also available for order through Board Members who can arrange on per-order basis to rendezvous to deliver the shirts personally to them prior to or at the game on the 12th or at Homecoming.
• Assuming we sell out this first bunch (”quantities are limited – get them while you can!!”) we’ll get more for sales up to and at Homecoming
• We will have them for sale at our Alumni Association tent on the Tundra at Homecoming
• If you need custom shirts created for your own family/business usage, contact David Forster (Junior at SJU) for more info on the T-Spot: DRFORSTER@CSBSJU.EDU or 612-618-3983

Some more (and redundant) information from Aaron Smith via email:

Shirts are $10 – available:

• At Sfistungsfestivities prior to the game Saturday (Science Lot)
• At the Alumni/JClub tent throughout the game
• From handsome salesmen around campus throughout the day Saturday
• At our Alumni Association tent on the Tundra

Other locations may be identified prior to Oct. 3, but these are the basics.

We will have XXL sizes available by Homecoming. (S/M/L/XL/XXL)

And finally, the shirts in action:

Five years ago, Pattison developed Warhawkfootball.com, a website that features Warhawk football on a daily basis, 365 days a year. The site includes the News Wire that features newspaper-style stories that “puts a face” on the players and program.

Pattison’s other job is being the marketing and promotions coordinator for UW-Whitewater football. The promotion this week: KOOL 106.5 2008 Playoff Rally Rags to be handed out to fans as they enter Perkins Stadium on Saturday.

In other words – all Warhawks, all the time!

Tom Pattison (L) and Gary Douglas

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team heads into the NCAA Division III Playoffs four a fourth consecutive season. After national runner-up finishes to perennial powerhouse Mount Union College in 2005 and 2006, the Warhawks finally “knocked the door down” with a 31-21 win over the Purple Raiders in 2007 for UW-W’s first national football championship.

The Warhawks enter the 2008 playoffs following a three-year run to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The St. Johns Johnnies have been a familiar playoff foe for Whitewater on the playoff trail. The Hawks beat the Johnnies 34-7 in 2005 second round action, and 17-14 in third round 2006 action. Both games were played at UW-Whitewater’s Perkins Stadium. 

After being moved to the North Region in 2007, the Warhawks are back in the West this year. For the third time in the past four years, it is the Johnnies and Warhawks in Whitewater at Perkins Stadium… Here we go again!

St. John’s fans know all about having great atmosphere on gameday at Clemens Stadium. The atmosphere at Perkins Stadium in Whitewater is also incredible. Visiting fans from across the country consider the pregame tailgating outstanding. Fans have the opportunity to enjoy adult beverages in the Perk’s parking lot without police interference (assuming laws and ordinances are being observed).

Inside Perkins Stadium, Johnnie fans will notice a new scoreboard with video board equal in size to the video boards at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Great job last weekend Gophers! Perkins Stadium also had a FieldTurf surface installed prior to the season. My marketing motto for Warhawk football is: Saturdays at Perkins Stadium are much more than JUST a football game.

One change to Perkins Stadium on Saturday will be all seating in the large grandstands (10,000) on the home side of the field. The move has been made following a complaint by an Eau Claire fan last month about the condition of the visiting bleachers. Following consultation with UW-Whitewater officials, it has been decided that the entire section behind the St. John’s bench (1000 seats) will be closed off to the public due to safety concerns for Saturday’s game. 

Another aspect of Saturday’s SJU at UW-Whitewater matchup is the rivalry between the two conferences. When the Warhawks and Johnnies met back in 2005, Whitewater was just arriving on the national scene. Johnnie posters on the D3football.com message board were brutal towards Whitewater and the WIAC. Warhawk fans didn’t know what to make of the posts. Many thought it was the “big, bad, bully” trying to intimidate the fledgling Warhawks. 2005 result: Johnnie meltdown and a 34-7 loss at Perkins Stadium.

With the loss came a begrudging amount of Johnnie fan support for Warhawk fans.

2006, more respect on the message boards and another Warhawk win, 17-14.

This season, Warhawk and other WIAC fans are finally getting it. Johnnie fans enjoy posting on message boards, be it about football or not. Maybe it’s because of the lack of excitement in Central Minnesota. (just kidding)

Actually most Warhawk message board posters finally got it. They discovered that Johnnie football fans are among the best in the nation and we look forward to a Perkins Stadium parking lot full of purple and red clad fans for a morning of pregame tailgating.

For SJU fans heading to Whitewater for the game, tune in WFAW (AM 940) for Saturday morning Sports Line which will be broadcast live from Perkins Stadium. Hopefully a couple Johnnie fans will be available to join us on the air.

Also for the Johnnie “road warrior fans”, join Gary Douglas and me for the broadcast of Saturday’s game on WKCH (KOOL 106.5).

The 2008 Warhawks are back in the playoffs despite losing 24 seniors from the 2007 national championship squad, including 17 starters. Headlining the ’07 seniors was Justin Beaver. The three-time All-American running back finished his career as the second-leading rusher in NCAA Division III history.

Many wondered who would “replace” Beaver at running back this season. Levell Coppage (5-foot-8, 180 – Oak Park, Ill) made it clear early-on in 2008 that he was capable of being UW-Whitewater’s primary tailback. Coppage burst onto the scene in week two in a road game against nationally-ranked UW-Eau Claire. The former Illinois All-State running back gained 220 yards on 42 carries including two touchdowns in his second game in Warhawk purple, a 16-14 Whitewater win.

Coppage enters the Saturday’s game vs. St. Johns with 1276 yards rushing and scoring a team- and conference-high 20 touchdowns. The touchdowns rank second in Warhawk football history, trailing only Justin Beaver’s 24 TDs in 2005. The 20 TD’s does break the team’s regular season touchdown record. Beaver scored 18 touchdowns during the 2005 regular season. Coppage’s 1,276 yards also broke Chad Wurth’s freshman rushing record of 1,207 yards in 2000.

This season’s starting quarterback, Jeff Donovan (6-foot-5, 187 –Wauwatosa/East) was scheduled to be the Warhawks’ starting quarterback in 2007. Enter Danny Jones who transferred to UW-Whitewater from California Lutheran in late summer. Jones was a key cog in leading UW-W to the national title both with his arm and his legs.

Donovan enters Saturday’s game with an extremely efficient 1,712 yards passing and nine touchdowns, including a solid 63.2 percent completion rate. Injury forced him to miss the Hawks’ week nine win over Stout.

Donovan entered last week’s game listed as questionable. Jeff responded with one of his best games of the season statistically… 12-16 for 231 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The mark for Donovan has been his consistency.

Defensively, the ’08 Warhawks are the best of the past four teams in the most important statistic. Whitewater ranks No. 2 in the nation giving up just 10.7 points per game. With SJU ranked No. 4 in the nation, Saturday’s game could be a low-scoring affair.

Whitewater’s ’08 defense is in the same mold as the past three years: physical and with the ability to run to the ball. The Hawks defense gives up just 75 yards rushing per game. They have given up just two rushing touchdowns during the regular season.

Junior placekicker, Jeff Schebler, became NCAA Division III’s all-time leading field goal kicker last week by kicking his 53^rd field goal.

Is the 2008 edition of UW-Whitewater football capable of repeating as NCAA Division III champions? The difference between this year and the previous three years is the youth on the team. This year’s team only has only six seniors. With youth has come some inconsistency this season. The Warhawks have the talent to beat any team in the country, but at times have shown inconsistency that could prove troubling in the playoffs.

A playoff game against SJU is what playoff football is all about. The Johnnies, under legendary coach John Gagliardi, are making their 23rd postseason appearance. They won Division III titles in 1976 and 2003.

Second year UW-W head coach Lance Leipold calls it ‘a privilege to compete against a school with such a rich tradition and a coaching legend. 

Look for the Johnnies to enter Perkins Stadium on Saturday well prepared, and very capable of beating the Warhawks. It will be imperative for Whitewater to play at a high level to advance to the second round of the playoffs. I believe they will!

Final Score Projection: UW-Whitewater 28, St. John’s 10.

But enough rambling (Ramlering?). Our special guest was kind enough to write for us again this year after his excellent piece a season ago predicting a game every bit as close as the outcome. Erik is not including a score prediction this year, but he does have a lot of fantastically exciting things to say about one of the biggest games in Carleton history. Take it away, Erik.

Erik Fisher:

Wow!!! If someone had told me before this season started that Carleton’s final game of the season against St. John’s would be to decide the conference championship I probably would have laughed and said maybe, but not have taken it very seriously. I knew the Knights had some extremely talented upper classmen and would be able to compete with everyone, but they were only 3-7 last season.

What has transpired this year has been nothing short of amazing for us Knight fans and alums. Playing for a conference championship has become something that is almost expected at St. John’s, which is a great situation to be in, but for those of us who root for the boys in Maize & Blue from Northfield it has been a long time coming, 16 years to be exact.

I was eleven then and didn’t have a clue what or where Carleton College was. While Carleton does have winning football traditions from the past, my experiences playing for and watching Carleton football were when we were at the bottom and rebuilding into the team gunning for the top on Saturday.

Part of me thinks that experience makes this all the more satisfying. The bad times make the good times that much better thing. The seniors that will be playing in their last home game for the knights this Saturday have seen it all as well, and their perseverance and belief in themselves and their team are a huge reason why they are in the position they are in. Their senior year in high school the Knights were 2-8 and 6-44 over their last five years, but yet they decided to come to Carleton for the educational challenge as well as the challenge of rebuilding a football team. Their first three years were spent laying the groundwork by winning some games against top of the conference teams and instilling in themselves the belief that that they truly can beat anyone.

This year all that work has come to fruition with the best season since the Knight’s last conference championship in 1992. Regardless of the outcome this weekend, when they graduate this spring they’ll have succeeded in both challenges.

As far as challenges go the Knights face their biggest one of the season this Saturday in the battle for the MIAC title and the automatic qualifier for the playoffs. The Knights have finally broken some long losing streaks to opponents this year including over a decade long streaks to the Oles and Cobbers, but there is one team that they have yet to beat in their entire history…St. John’s. So if the Knights are going to truly make this an unforgettable season and win the conference they are going to have to do something that no Carleton football team has ever done, beat the Johnnies. They came up a minute short last year as St. John’s scored the game-winning touchdown with under a minute left in the game, and played a close game the previous year as well. Coach Ramler seems to always have excellent game plans versus the Johnnies, an advantage in hiring a former Johnnie as a coach. Will this year’s be the one that finally puts the Knight’s over the top?

The game matches up the explosive Carleton offense against the always stingy Johnnie defense as the main event. Having watched most of the Knight’s games this year, I think that they will be able to move the ball and score even against the Johnnies. The key will be turnovers, if the Knights don’t turn the ball over they will put up points. On the other side of the ball, the Johnnies improving offense takes on a Knights defense that has been giving up a lot of yards on the ground recently, but has come up with big plays when needed. The Johnnies will probably move the ball, but can they score enough to keep up with the Knights?

I’m predicting a shoot-out type game where a late possession/big play will decide the game. That being said, with the way the MIAC has been this year the opposite is just as possible. That is why they play the game. If you’re making the trip have a safe journey, and may the best team win. Go Knights!!!

Known to many who frequent D3Football.com and online chatroom PostPatterns as “One Armed Scott”, Adam Johnson is also the West Region writer for that site. In a special to JF.com, “OAS” spent the day watching the Johnnies and Tommies battle in the race for the MIAC title. As Adam writes, there was actually another battle about to take place well before the two teams ever took the field.

Ever since Glenn Caruso took over the St. Thomas football team in January 2008, the program has boasted the slogan, “New Team, New Coach, New Attitude.”

Apparently, the St. Thomas administration has taken the opportunity to adopt a new slogan, “New era, New policies, No fun.”

Johnnie fans did a great job directing fellow fans of D3 football to meet in the same spot as years past for the pre-game tailgate–the entrance from Cretin into the parking lot near the main gate to the stadium.

Upon arrival, it was clear in this new era of Caruso football that the administration took the opportunity to start a new era as well.

“No alcoholic beverages – No tailgating” signs welcomed visitors to the parking lot once they found their way to the Summit entrance—the Cretin entrance was an exit only route. Security asked sternly, “Where are ya headed?’” to each car that arrived. I mean hello? It’s the Johnnie-Tommie game! Do you think I’m headed to Mock Trial?

Anyway.

“No alcoholic beverages”—OK, fine that is pretty standard at the Division III levels and everyone knows that responsible adults still imbibe responsibly sipping from red cups. Those who want to drink to projectile vomiting levels are down the street at Tommie frat houses.

But “No tailgating?”—I mean that’s like taking peanut butter away from jelly or Sonny away from Cher or Sarah Palin away from a SNL skit. These things just go together!

So Operation Relocation went into effect and we found ourselves setting up on the south side of the parking lot, two feet off of school property, on city property near the MTC bus stop.

No sooner had the grill been lit and tables set up did a 50 plus year old guy with a handheld walkie talkie stop over sporting his St. Thomas security issued sweater and warn us that we were on City property and that the St. Paul police would likely stop over and ticket us for not having a permit.

All I could muster out of frustration was, “Wow, you’re really making it convenient to have a little fun before the biggest game of your season.”

He gave no response and went on down the sidewalk to warn the others who had set up tailgate camp.

We started grilling and conversing and imbibing from red cups and little white jello shot cups. It felt like years past–just a few hundred feet south.

Then, suddenly, the group was filled with fear as St. Paul’s finest rolled up. They first went to the Tommie tailgate in the boulevard separating the east and west lanes of Summit. There was no IDing or stern warnings. In fact one officer took part by fixing up a hot dog.

As St. Paul’s finest ate at the Tommie tailgate, a MTC bus pulled up. One of the same busses that our security guard friend said we would be blocking. He stepped off the bus and immediately fixed up a bratwurst with mustard. He turned down the jello shot but was happy to get a late morning snack on his route.

The cops headed in our direction and we thought they might give us flack as the group was predominantly made up of the enemy.

They came over and “investigated” what we had and immediately dove in and grabbed a cheeseburger. They proclaimed themselves equal opportunity tasters and we had a great conversation with them. Confused by the one guy in the Mount Union apparel, we were able to brief the officer on the D3 football landscape.

As the parking lot remained a sterile collection of gas guzzling vehicles, the Johnnie tailgate became an eccentric collection of cheeseburger, bratwurst and adult beverage consuming football fans, officers and bus drivers.

There were no tickets, warnings or orders to move the tailgate as our security guard friend had warned us about.

The Tommies went on to lose their 11th straight to St. John’s and I am sure that Coach Caruso will enter the game next year having made some changes so that his team has a chance to prevail.

And hopefully, the administration will make some changes too so when the game returns to St. Paul, fans aren’t pushed to the fringe but rather embraced as most tailgating fans are by colleges across the country.

Johnnie Up Everybody!

It’s Friday morning and most of us are just beginning to think about the work day and what it will take to make it through to “game day” tomorrow in Collegeville. Out on the west coast the University of Redlands Football team is now boarding a plane east and also pondering their first round NCAA playoff game vs. The Johnnies. Heading east this morning too with memories still fresh in his mind is former Bulldog player/captain Patrick Heisinger. Patrick relives what it was like for his Redlands teammates in 2002 and his hopes for Bulldog redemption in 2007! Thanks for your contribution Patrick.

On November 23, 2002 The University of Redlands and St. Johns University faced off in one of the most intense games of the 2002 season. What was supposed to be a 4 to 5 touchdown rout with St. John’s on the top, turned out to be a game for the ages, filled with big plays, hard hits, and two teams who left marks of glory, pride, and passion on the field.

The week leading up to the game echoed with “experts” proclaiming that Redlands should just be happy to be in the playoffs. The buzz was brewing that the 7-2 record that the Dogs were bringing to Collegeville was barely justified. However, back in Southern California, the entire Bulldog Family stood confident in the belief that a victory was certainly within reach. It has always been Bulldog tradition that The University of Redlands athletes would never back down, and always embrace opportunities to line up against the best competitors. The upcoming game was no exception.

In the early morning hours of November 22, excitement and enthusiasm grew among the Bulldogs as they boarded their chartered jet. Once the team arrived in Minnesota after a focused and unified flight, they headed straight for Collegeville to complete their walkthrough. The men of Southern California, expecting a frozen tundra as they exited the bus, donned parkas, long johns, layers of shirts, sweat pants, and ski masks. It could not have been colder than 35 degrees, but the Bulldogs were ready for all conditions!

The morning of the 23rd began like every other game day for Redlands. The team woke up, fueled up, and boarded the bus. They headed down what seemed like a small highway, full of panoramic views. Teammates surveyed each other and realized the calm, cool, collected expressions on all faces. All week the team had been regaled with stories of St. John’s legendary coach John Gagliardi, Blake Elliot (St. John’s glory man), the potential of 12,000 fans, and the bitter cold. At some point each Bulldog must have thought about the struggles and challenges they were about to encounter. A small town group of boys were about to “dance” with the big boys. Intimidation was inevitable, or so one would think.

As the bus began its decent towards the campus of St. Johns University, visions of large numbers of tailgating fans came into view. At that moment, The Redlands Bulldogs realized the extent of the emotion and confidence they each exhumed as they nodded their heads to each other in rhythm to the music that blared from their individual head phones. They came to fight, and they were prepared.

The team exited the bus, and in a uniformed pack, headed for the locker room. When all team members reunited in the end zone one hour prior to kickoff, it was evident Redlands came to play. They gained inspiration from the large crowds that had gathered. They understood that the intense environment they were experiencing was how football was supposed to be played. They understood that St. Johns University attacks game day the true way. And, they understood that this was the biggest party they had ever been invited to, and they were prepared to prove they were the guest of honor.

The first drive was eye opening, not because St. Johns drove down 80 yards in 9 plays, but because the Johnnie players were actually quite level with the Bulldogs. The expectation was to find St. John’s dominating the field. However, after the next drive, it was evident that Redlands was a true contender. Although the Bulldog’s defense was giving up yards both on the ground and by the air, they had been resilient towards such setbacks all season, and were skilled at producing forced turnovers.

As the game wore on, Redlands and St. Johns mirrored each other in terms of scoring drives, big plays, and turnovers. Redlands held the lead for most of the second half until St. Johns fatefully took the lead with 40 seconds remaining. After the final gun, the Redland’s Seniors realized that their loss would sting worse than any loss they had previously experienced. To be so close to defeating a perennial power, and watch a victory fall out of sight tore at the hearts of the young men. Although it was a nice feeling for them to walk off the field and be commended on their prowess on the football field by the Johnnie fans, it did not mend their hurt souls.

As mentioned before, the game against St. Johns is a memory that will never be lost. The 2002 Bulldogs often think about that game and have always wondered when Redlands would be invited back to St John’s Backyard to avenge their loss. That day is Saturday, November, 17th. The 2007 University of Redlands Football Team will be back in Collegeville ready to show the nation the real meaning of Bulldog football.

“Johnnie Week” has always been special to anybody who has ever played football at Bethel, but it has taken on a new life since the series has not been so one-sided in recent years. Few teams have the opportunity the Royals have to play a perennial National Title contender every year, so Bethel definitely gets up for St. John’s. The history between the two schools is always re-hashed, Bethel fans come out of the woodwork to post on the D3 Football message board, and Johnnie fans make fun of all that makes Bethel a little different. Almost all of it is in good fun, and the games have often lived up to the hype.

This rivalry has come to remind me of a Big Brother-Little Brother feud. Big Brother expects to win the fight, and when he does it’s no big deal. Little Brother finally got tired of getting pounded for 20+ years, and when he wins it’s cause for major celebration. Brothers may mock each other and pound the snot out of each other, but under all of that there is a certain mutual respect.

You may be wondering, “Who in their right mind would ever go to Bethel?!” Who would want to live with all those lifestyle restrictions and get clobbered by St. John’s every year, right? Well, both my parents and one of my grandfathers went there, and when I was born my folks were still living at Bethel while my Dad waited to graduate from seminary in 1979. Dad and I started going to Bethel football games when I was in Junior High, but it wasn’t until my Senior year of high school that I saw my first St. John’s-Bethel game.

Watching a very good Bethel team go down 52-8 with the MIAC title on the line that day made my decision about where I was going to school very easy. I knew then that I wanted to be part of changing what had happened in Collegeville, and as it turned out there were many other gifted football players who would make the same choice then and in the following years. We were incredibly blessed to have many gifted athletes during my playing years and that has continued to the present day. The Bethel record book is now full of guys who I was blessed to call my teammates, and we were fortunate enough to get Bethel’s first two wins against St. John’s during that time.

The sting of the previous year’s loss to St. John’s was still very evident when I arrived at Bethel, and no love was wasted on anybody associated with the Cardinal and Blue. I think most Bethel folks would agree that disdain for St. John’s in the 1990s has been replaced by at least some admiration. Several circumstances have changed the way I view St John’s football to one of complete respect. The first was the only time I played behind the Pine Curtain. It was late in the 1998 game that St. John’s would win 19-3, and in spite of the disappointing result one of my teammates was moved to comment on the beauty of the whole setting. An early October day in Clemens with 8,000+ in attendance really is a must-experience, and I can imagine no greater game day experience in college football.

The second occasion was meeting a couple Johnnie players in the immediate aftermath of the 2000 game that Bethel won 43-36. I ran down to the east end of the field after the final play to help Aaron Krych and a young Blake Elliott up off the ground, and was impressed by how genuinely congratulatory they were after losing such a tough game. A short time later, several of my teammates and I were stunned to see John Gagliardi come into our locker room to congratulate us on winning that day. Most unexpected, but totally classy! In recent years, it has been a real pleasure to meet some of SJU’s most die-hard football fans over Stiftungfest burgers in San Antonio as well as Minnesota, and an even greater privilege to count some of them as my friends. I would have never imagined this during my playing career, but I’m a St. John’s Football fan…for 51 weeks every year, anyway!

Watching the Bethel program progress over the last ten years has been a joy. The next step is, of course, to win a playoff game. I really hope this year’s Royals can get into the show since this team runs the ball so well and has such good balance on both sides of the ball. Before that, though, the Royals must find a way to win against St. John’s. It will take Bethel’s best game of the year to get it done, no doubt about that. Best wishes to all fans of both teams going to the game this weekend. Here’s to adding another memorable chapter to an ever-growing rivalry! Bethel 31, St. John’s 28, on a 30-yard field goal as time expires.

The stars are twinkling overhead as I rub my weary eyes in the pre-dawn hours and try to wake at 3:50am on a Sunday morning. I prepare a cut of Vegemite toast while booting the laptop and praying for a good, uninterrupted broadcast stream. Taking a seat at the kitchen table, I am overjoyed to hear the raucous cheers of the Johnnie faithful as the game begins. As halftime approaches and the first rays of light break through the gum trees I hear Old Man Kookaburra laughing to greet the dawn and to rain humiliations onto another Johnnie victim. Welcome to Gameday from Melbourne, Australia.

Melbourne is a great town; a perfect place to raise a family. It is king of sport in Australia with Aussie Rules, the Australian Open tennis, a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the greatest cricket pitch in the world, the 100,000 seat Melbourne Cricket Ground. The food in Melbourne is diverse and delicious. It’s a very cosmopolitan city (with more Greeks, for example, than any other city in the world, except Athens) and that is reflected in the quality of victuals and the heavenly coffee. But for all the greatness of Melbourne and Australia, there is one very important thing lacking. There is no Cardinal and Blue.

What do I miss most about Old St John’s? Autumn leaves and Clemens Stadium. And bagging the Tommies. And I miss that all the more because the Tommies no longer care. Like the most repugnant guy in the bar, who is happy to leave with anyone, the Tommies no longer seem to respect themselves. Trashing a Tommie’s self respect now-a-days is like taking candy from a baby; too easy to take pride in. I was first confronted with the waning of the Johnnie/Tommie rivalry on a road trip to their turf and from what I remember the Johnnie supporters outnumbered the Tommies. And not only that, but more Tommies seemed to go to a game at Clemens the following year. A sickness was evident, even back then.

But my fondest memory of St John’s football is a whole other kettle of fish, and a kettle that needs a little back story. Turning on the way back machine… My most depressing day was a cloudy Saturday afternoon in December ’93, the season after my graduation. It is a day that I’m sure many here share in infamy with me. I remember huddling around a radio with some friends in eager anticipation of a match-up with Mount Union College (who are they?). The Greatest Offense That Ever Lived™ would clean them up like Lemon Fresh Joy on a fry pan; just as we had seen happen many a time that year from the grassy hill during the regular season. La Crosse, reigning champions and a recognised powerhouse, had been beaten like a red-headed step child the week before. Our confidence was riding high. Instead we listened as one Johnnie turnover after another, along with a very strong MUC performance (when did these guys get good anyway?), ended the season. The clouds darkened with my mood as that was my last Johnnie game forever as far as I knew. I moved to Australia three weeks later.

Fast forward seven years to a sunny Sunday morning… Awakened by newborn number one’s early morning cries, I decided to surf the Net a bit and see how the Johnnies did that year and what do I find? Streaming audio of SJU vs. MUC, tied at 7 with about 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter! I race into the bedroom and wake the lovely Australian missus and scream, “The Johnnies are on! The Johnnies are on!” She fails to share my enthusiasm. I, undaunted, block out all distractions. The plaintive wails of a wet child go ignored. The authoritative commands to stop ignoring the plaintive wails are readily dismissed. And I listen, rapt, as the Johnnies stick it to the Raiders and lose on last second field goal. We almost got the bastards and now with the power of the Internets I knew I would be there when we finally did (which I was). And that moment, amid a heartbreaking defeat, is my happiest Johnnie memory. It is the day I returned to the fold.

So this weekend, as the crowd cheers and a chorus of ‘Tommies Suck!’ speeds to my ears over the Internets, I’ll be reminded of the carefree days when my biggest worry was if we had bought enough beer to last the post-game celebration (and did we need to ration the halftime top-up?). As I stretch my legs on the deck during the post-game wrap-up early on Sunday morning, I’ll breathe deep the dry and slightly dusty Melbourne air and wistfully remember pine needles and grassy hillsides. And as my fair Australian bride awakes to see me fist-pumping another Johnnie victory she’ll again comment that she doesn’t understand what’s so special about Johnnie Football. And I’ll reply like I always do, “It reflects the best in us and what we should be. And I’m proud to have been a part of SJU. You gonna make pancakes today?”

Regards,
Jeff