How can one word raise the irritation level of Johnnie Faithful across the nation? Quite simply put, with the recent demise of the Tommie Football program, we needed a new rival and Bethel stepped up. Not only have they stepped up, but they have stepped ON the Johnnies recently.

In a year where the MIAC is as difficult to understand as most of Bob Dylan’s lyrics, this game is a perfect capsule of all that is confusing in the conference. No one would have pegged Bethel to be limping into the game with a 1-3 record, and few would have imagined the Johnnies, although 3-1, struggling as mightily as they have been on offense and special teams.

In order to make the playoffs, the Johnnies need to both win out AND get help. All of that is moot, however, if they Jays do not take care of business in Arden Hills this Saturday. This game will be a defining game for the Johnnies this season. The Johnnies need to win and make a statement to the rest of the league that, “We are not out of this yet!” Bethel needs to win to start saving face on a highly disappointing start to the season.

That being said, here is what the Johnnie Nation can expect to see from the Royals on Saturday:

Bethel on Offense

Gone is reigning MIAC MVP and Johnnie Slayer Ben Wetzell, and the Bethel passing game has struggled without him. Junior Reid Velo (Nashwauk, MN) started the first three games, going 18-41 for 368 yards with 5 TD and 3 INT. Although sophomore Caleb Graff (Buena Vista, CO) started the game against Concordia, Freshman Josh Aakre (Dawson, MN) took a majority of the snaps. By all indications, look for Bethel to start Aakre on Saturday.

With new blood at the quarterback, Bethel has relied on its strong running game to churn out yards this season. Led by returning All-MIAC sophomore running back Logan Flannery’s (Lakeville, MN) 449 yards and 5.8 average per carry, Bethel has nearly a 2:1 run to pass ratio to start the year. However, Flannery was banged up during last week’s loss to Concordia and junior Dusty Wahl (Mahtomedi, MN) finished the game.

When Bethel throws the ball, they almost exclusively go to senior WR Aaron Bernstetter (Holdingford, MN). Thus far, he has 22 catches for 378 yards and 4 TD. This accounts for more than half the Royals completed passes for the season. Rounding out the staring receiving corps for the Royals are senior TE Nick Otto (White Bear Lake, MN) and junior WR Joel Quick (Johnston, IA).

Bethel’s large bodies up front have given the Johnnies trouble recently, and with two returning starters in senior OT John Scrabeck, 321 pounds (Byron, MN), an All-MIAC pick last year, and G Mike Ervin, 283 pounds (Bloomington, MN) look for them to again try to impose their will on the smaller Johnnie front.

Bethel on Defense

On defense, D3football.com Pre-season All-American junior Tim Cornish (Wayzata, MN) has become a superstar in the MIAC. Coming into the season, he lost his other three starting defensive backs (do the names Carr and Wagner bring back bad memories to Johnnie fans?), and has stepped up his game while the new group of D-Backs have adapted to MIAC action. Luckily, senior Nathan Holm (Gilette, WY), who has started games in each of the last three seasons, has stepped up his game as well to assist in the rebuilding of the Royal secondary.

Bethel’s linebackers are led by seniors Nate Voronyak (Orono, MN) and Darin Schwarze (Stanwood, WA), and sophomores Trent Peterson (Shakopee, MN) and Cory Syihla (Foley, MN). On paper, this group has appeared to gel very well, and is making tackles all over the field.

Up front defensively, Bethel is led by senior DE Aaron Mills (Traverse City, MI) and junior DE Andrew Johnson (Maple Grove, MN). Combined, Mills and Johnson have 11.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks. Also fitting into the equation on the defensive line is NG Jared Lyle (Elgin, IL).

Summary

Even though the Johnnie offense showed a little life last week, they will have a much more daunting task ahead of them this week with an excellent Bethel defense. Hopefully the Jays’ quarterback merry-go-round has ended, and we can begin to build an offensive game plan built around one quarterback.

Records aside, I am really concerned about the match-up problems the Royals present to our offense. Unless we gain momentum early, I have a bad feeling about what may transpire Saturday in Arden Hills. Regardless, I’d say be prepared for another defensive showdown with my early thoughts leaning toward a game played in the teens.

With many preseason questions still unanswered and the look of a team still in need of an identity, the Johnnies begin their MIAC Conference schedule tomorrow against our Lutefisk slurping, lefse devouring friends from the Northwest—The Concordia Cobbers.

What awaits the Cobbers on their trek down I-94 is, in many Johnnie’s minds, still an unedited version of what we may well see later in the season. There are still many question marks to answer; ones that need to be answered VERY soon for our beloved Johnnies to gain the momentum necessary to once again become the steamroller of the MIAC.

With our questions still looming, here is a look at what Johnnie Nation can expect to see in Collegeville on Saturday.

Concordia-Moorhead

For the first time in over 80 years, Concordia opened its season with someone else other than University of Minnesota-Moorhead (Moorhead State) when they traveled to Salem, Oregon to play Willamette. Turnover was the word of the day as the Cobbers, while leading in almost every statistical category, turned the ball over 5 times including a 100 yard interception return for a TD in route to a 35-21 loss.

In game two, the Cobbers got off to a slow start but used a dominating defensive performance to hold Dickinson State to 218 total yards in route to a 38-13 victory. In what has to be a troubling trend for the Cobbers, they fumbled the ball four times losing two of the fumbles inside Dickinson State territory.

The Cobbers on Offense

In recent years, the run happy Cobber offense has morphed to a more balanced attack. Thus far during the 2008 season, however, the Cobbers are on a 2-to-1 run to pass clip. The vaunted Cobber Veer is still as potent as ever, as exhibited in the opening two games. This year, the Cobber run game is a three-headed monster with Cory Johnson (176 yds./2 TD/7.7 Avg.), Nick Birchem (144 yds./0 TD/4.1 Avg.) and Jesse Nelson (94 yds./1 TD/3.0 Avg.). The Cobbers are averaging 244.5 yards rushing per game with 4.5 yards per carry average.

Quarterback Jesse Nelson has been doing just enough through the air to complement the running game. Nelson is completing 50% of his passes (26-52/325 yds./3 TD/3 INT) and has a 110 passer rating early in the year despite his 3 interceptions.

Nelson’s favorite early season targets are big play threat Nick Alton (8 rec./162 yards) Kyle Hilleren (7 rec./62 yards) and Cory Johnson (4 rec./48 yards). As is always the case, the success of the Cobber passing attack is directly reliant on the effectiveness of its ability to run the football and not turn the ball over (7 Turnovers in two games).

The Cobbers on Defense

As a unit, the Cobber defense is giving up 24 ppg but is holding opposing offenses to a paltry 237 yards per game. Their run defense has been very good giving up only 3.6 yards per carry. Having played two “run first” teams to open the season, it is unclear how the Cobber secondary will be able to handle the Johnnie “pass first” offense.

The Cobbers are led by their trio of experienced linebackers: Issac Berling (13 tackles), Jay Thoreson (12 tackles) and Brett Abrahamson (9 tackles). Also leading the way on defense are senior captains cornerback Levi DeVries and Defensive Tackle Clinton Strother.

Outlook

Concordia will make every attempt to show that last year’s 52-12 monkey stomp was an anomaly. In looking at the match up, I do not see a similar result to last year’s game. There are still way too many question marks on offense for the Johnnies, especially at QB, to even fathom the Jays scoring that many points.

That being said, if the Cobbers can avoid turnovers and run the ball effectively to set up their blossoming passing game, we could be in for a struggle in Collegeville on Saturday. Johnnie Pride will have to have some serious mojo tomorrow!

Expect some delicious Cobber corn served up at tomorrow’s tailgate benefit for Todd Fultz!

Who are the Tigers?

East Texas Baptist University restarted its football program in 2000 after a 50 year hiatus. In the 8 seasons since returning, ETBU has claimed one American Southwest Conference title (2003), but has largely been a middle-of-the-pack team in a top heavy (Mary Hardin-Baylor and Hardin-Simmons are conference foes) conference. The Tigers are lead by second year head coach Mark Sartain (5-5 overall). Prior to ETBU, Coach Sartain was the head coach at Trinity Valley Junior College from 2003-2006 leading them to a SWJCFC Championship in 2005. More information on Coach Sartain and the ETBU coaching staff can be found the school web site.

When the Tigers are on Offense

The Tigers will be led at quarterback by Stephen Oehlschlaeger (So. 6-1, 205). This will be his first year in the starting role. He did see significant time last season throwing for 846 yards and 5 touchdowns in a reserve role. To assist Oehlschlaeger in the Tiger passing attack, two junior college transfers have made their way to ETBU: Fred Taylor (So. 6-3, 215) and Jari Brooks (So. 6-5, 205). Both possess the size and speed to stretch the field and cause coverage troubles. In addition, Anthone Cavness (So. 5-5, 163) returns as the Tiger’s leading receiver (32 receptions/ 0 TD).

The running game is led by returning backs Corey George (So. 593 yards/ 6 TD) and Jair Stover (So. 484 yards/ 5 TD). The running game has also been bolstered with the addition of transfer running back Trevor Cavness (Fr. 5-7, 170) who is expected to bring speed and pass catching ability from the backfield. A huge reason ETBU may feel confident in their ability to run the football is in the fact they return all five starters from last years ball club: Doug Carlton (Sr. 6-5, 265), Stephen Nicasio (Jr. 6-0, 310), Jonathan Council (Jr. 6-0, 275), Michael Colvin (Jr. 6-5, 260), and Winston Ives (So. 6-3, 301).

When the Tigers are on Defense

The Tiger defensive unit allowed 31/ppg and 406/ypg in total defense during the 2007 campaign. However, the defense has many top players returning from last years squad, and are expected to drastically improve.

The Tigers return a trio of linemen up front, led by junior defensive end Austin Sturrock (6-3, 230; 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks). Also returning on the defensive front are Eddie Murray (Sr. 6-2, 260; 23 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) and Evan Beaton (So. 5-11, 245; 45 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack). Bringing size and strength to the front is junior college transfer George Paongo (Jr. 6-1, 315), of whom much is expected during the 2008 season.

The Tiger’s line backing corps will be led by returning players Brandon Stumon (Sr. 5-10, 220; 41 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT) and Monturios Howard (So. 5-10, 195; 45 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss). The Tiger’s secondary will be led by cornerbacks Anquanius Frazier (Sr. 6-0, 202; 23 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 INT) and Gerald Hunter (Jr. 5-8, 220; 47 tackles, 1 INT), and safeties Victor Flores (Soph. 5-9, 180; 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 4 INT) and Chris Cratty (So. 5-9, 180; 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks).

When the Tigers are on Special Teams

The Tigers are led on special teams by the ASC Pre-Season Special Teams Player of the Year Kyle Pope (Jr. 5-10, 185). In 2007, Pope was 12 of 16 in field goals (3 for 6 over 40 yards) and 21 of 22 on PATs. Not being accustomed to scoring, much less seeing, field goals of that length may be something different for Johnnie fans come Saturday. Pope also averages 55 yards per kickoff, and with 5 touchbacks last season, is a great weapon in lengthening the field for the Tiger’s defense. Punting duties for the Tigers will be handled by Shea Harborth (Jr. 6-0, 195; 37.5 yards per punt).

With the influx of speed to this years Tiger’s squad, it is hard to predict who will be returning kicks and punts this year. The Tigers do have their top two return men back from last year in Anquanius Frazier (8.7 yards on punts and 20 yards on kickoffs) and Anthone Cavness (13.5 yards on punts and 18.1 yards on kickoffs).

Summary

All in all, on paper, the Tigers look to be an experienced and athletic team. In reading articles about the Tiger team, they seem to be very high on their recruiting class and transfers. It waits to be seen if the coaching staff can mold such an influx of new athletic faces into a quality product on the field. The Tigers have experience in all aspects of the game, and along with the new talent, should make it an entertaining afternoon in Collegeville!

Who says the football lineman isn’t the most athletic and intelligent participant on the field?  Here at JohnnieFootball.com we defy the odds and sport three linemen among our regular contributors.  Today’s feature is by former Little Falls Flyer and Johnnie offensive lineman Tom Riitters who asks the reader to “Tell me your Johnnie story.”  Ritz72 invites all of you to tell your story while attending the popular Johnnie Tailgate Parties taking place before every Johnnie Football game.  So swing by the parking lot above the south endzone for “another” tradition unrivaled!  At JohnnieFootball.com our intent is not only to bring you our perspective but also to bring JohnnieFootball.com to life…… it’s just how we roll!

—DustySJU

“Tell me your Johnnie story”

Five simple words; or are they?  In my 17 years associated with all things SJU, never have I received the same answer when I present this comment to a fellow Johnnie.  Every Johnnie has his own story that makes his experience behind the Pine Curtain unique.  When asked to tell his story, a Johnnie’s memory instantly flies back to that time in his life. Be it a quiet stroll along the Sag, a moment of reflection in the Abbey, cheering in the stands, no matter what the event, or being blessed with the ability to participate, our individual Johnnie Stories complete who we are.

Ask  any Johnnie, regardless of generation, to “tell me your story” and be prepared to spend time laughing, sharing, and remembering the four years of your life that had a large part in forming and nurturing who you are today.  Johnnies don’t just want to tell you their story, they need to tell you their story.  A Johnnie’s story is who they were, are and will become.  

Want  to share your Johnnie Story?  Polish it off from the recesses of your highly developed brain, and meet us  in Collegeville on September 6th as the SJU Football Team opens the season against East Texas Baptist.  Game time is 1:00 pm, but why wait so long?  Get there early; enjoy the campus, walk through the dorms, or take in the Stiftungfestivities in the South Science Lot (get there by 9:00 am if you need a parking spot)!

No matter what you do that day, be it on campus or not, take time to think about your time at SJU.  If you do, I’ll guarantee one thing:  you’ll add another chapter in your Johnnie Story!

Over the course of the Johnnie Football season, I will be talking to a number of Johnnie Football Alumni and having them share their “Johnnie Story” with me.  It will be an honor to share them with you periodically throughout the year!

Johnnie Up!