Johnnies have a local connection

WHITWORTH, IDAHO, COLLEGE FOOTBALL

When St. John’s comes to the Pine Bowl on Saturday (noon) to face Whitworth in the NCAA Division II playoffs, one of the Johnnies will be playing a home game of sorts.

As John Blanchette relates, Coeur d’Alene High graduate Phil Giesen will be coming back to the Inland Northwest as the starting tight end for St. John’s. Like a lot of Johnnies, he’s a legacy.

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Dennis Erickson coached the San Francisco 49ers for two years. Those weren’t the best two years in the franchise’s history, though some might say the foundation for the 49ers’ current success was laid then.

With the Vandals playing San Jose State on Saturday, here’s a view of Erickson from the Bay Area. The Spartans play at the Kibbie Dome in the Vandals (4-7 overall, 3-4 in the WAC) last game on Saturday.

For more, check out Jim Meehan’s blog.

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Bud Withers writes about the chance Seattle might get another bowl game at Qwest Field.

The Pac-10 rankings from the Vancouver Columbian and a commentary about the lack of a Division I playoff.