The Johnnies opened the MIAC regular season Saturday at Clemens Stadium with a heartbreaking loss to the Concordia Cobbers 9-6. The game was John Gagliardi’s 589th college game coached, surpassing former Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson for yet another statistical record in his 60-year career as a college coach. Somehow I think John would take a victory over the Cobbers and another MIAC title instead of the record for most games coached. Opening week in the MIAC was full of surprises; so don’t count the Johnnies out just yet.
The QB merry-go-round continued for the Johnnies as Michael Crees started the game and was not able to get the offense on the scoreboard. Joe Boyle replaced Crees during the 2nd Qtr. in an unenviable position, taking over on SJU’s own one-yard line, after the Johnnie defense turned back the Cobbers four times inside the 4-yard line. On the second play of that series Johnnie RB Jeff Schnobrich was unable to break free of the end zone and was tackled for a safety. This concluded the Cobbers scoring for the day, after marching 85-yards on the ground in their opening drive as Cobber QB Jesse Nelson scored from 26-yards out. Boyle continued at QB for the Johnnies and was able to move the offense, both with his ability to run and to throw. Boyle connected with RB Jakob Reding on a 20-yard pass play with 3:19 remaining in the 2nd Qtr. Once again, as was the case twice last week, the Johnnie PAT team was unable to convert and this would be the final score of the game, 9-6 in favor of the Cobbers. Boyle began the second half and continued to move the offense, but without being able to lead the Johnnies to pay dirt. Jordan Hansel replaced Boyle in the 4th Qtr. after Boyle left the game with a bloody nose. Hansel also moved the team but was unable to put points on the board.
The Johnnie defense played great, giving up just one TD on the day. Unfortunately, this was a day that the Johnnie offense was stymied by the Cobbers defense. The Johnnie defense allowed just 44 yards and 2 first downs in the second half. Joe Luke and Ethan Eid who each had 13 tackles, led the Johnnie defense.
Boyle who had 51 yards rushing and 119 yards through the air led the Johnnie offense statistically. Ben Vanderheyden led the Johnnie receivers with 102 yards on 5 receptions.
The coaching staff will be reviewing video of this game to determine where the breakdowns came and take corrective measures, this I am certain of. There were a lot of positive things to take from this game as well as lessons learned.
One thing I have learned through the years that I have been involved with Johnnie Football as a fan and as a family member of two former players is that these young men put their heart and soul into this program. The players know that when their career at SJU is over, very likely their football playing days are over. Only a handful of Division III players ever have a remote possibility of playing professional football. As I gathered last evening with members of my family to have a meal and a few cocktails at the Stonehouse Tavern and Eatery in St. Joe, I witnessed several players dining with their families as well. I spoke to a couple of these young men and their parents, giving them my words of encouragement. As my wife and I drove home, I thought of similar situations I had been involved with in years gone by. It’s never easy to lose, especially when you feel you could have and should have won. The thing that I love about Division III athletics is these young men are student athletes, where being a student comes first. These young men are also sons and grandsons, brother and nephews, cousins and uncles. In the big picture of life they have a lot of love and support to help take the sting away from a heartbreaking loss.
The MIAC race has begun and the perennial favorites, Bethel and St. John’s, were both defeated on opening weekend. At this point it is a race for the Lutefisk, with Concordia, St. Olaf and Gustavus all winning on opening day. Augsburg was idle this weekend so we have no word on how their highflying aerial assault holds up against MIAC competition. This may be the year that a two-loss team wins the MIAC. If opening day was any indication, parity is the theme in the MIAC for 2008.
