I flew to Delaware for a meeting yesterday, then drove from DE to Salem.  Left DE at 4pm, arrived in Salem at 2:30am.  Lots of snow, but the worst part was dealing with the other cars.  We ended up getting off of 81 and driving the last 60 miles on back roads (rt 11).  More snow, but less traffic.

We had 2 other cars coming from OH to meet us.  The got caught on 81 about 10 miles short of Salem and were stuck there for over 8 hours.  They left Friday morning and finally arrived at 7am today.  It was nearly a 22 hour trip.

Love having the games here, but I'd vote for Charlotte or Nashville.

Mount and Coach K will dial up a victory - Mount 24  UWW 17.

Redtooth,

Thanks for the repost.  That was really funny.  It doesn't happen often, but I had tears in my eyes from reading that one...


On another note, I'm a big time Mt fan, but we need to give the Bethel guys a break.  They should definitely be on here boasting about their team.  They've earned that right.  It would be a boring place if they just came on here to acknowledge their subservient position.  And the coach saying they will "punch 'em in the mouth", I applaud that.  That's not saying anything bad about Mt, that is his approach.  He may be doing it to get his own team fired up more than anything else.  And bulletin board material?  LK doesn't need it.


I'm looking forward to Saturday and watching the air go out of the Bethel baloon.  I can hear the cheers for the first few minutes while they think they are still in the game.  Then later, they will be cheering simply to get a first down.  One of the funniest moments of last weeks game was when SJF had a first and goal late in the 3rd qtr down by 40 some points and a lady behind me was cheering "Jam it down their throats."  That was good fun (of course it was followed by Mt stuffing them on 3 plays and a field goal - not exactly stuffing it down our throats).

So Bethel - be proud of your team.  Keep the hopes high.  Prepare to punch Mt in the mouth.  But also bring some good entertainment for the long ride home.

Watched the final Mount game from the east (visiting) stands again.  Saw something I just felt I had to comment on.

Cheerleaders.

I'm all for cheering and supporting your team, but there should be some coaching given to MUC opponents cheerleaders.

Here's what I mean.  The score is 49-0 in the 2nd qtr and they are cheering "Go! Fight! Win!" and "Let's Go! clap, clap, De Fense clap, clap." "Push 'em back, Push 'em back, Wayyyy Backkkk."  You can fill in the rest of the cheers.  It is kind of awkward and shows a total disconnect from reality.

I think it would be good for the cheerleaders to scout the games and come prepared.

In the same situation, if on offense, the MUC opponent cheerleaders could chant:

"Forget the Punts! clap clap Just Score Once! clap clap"  or  "Get 10 yards!  Get 10 Yards!"

On Defense, they could cheer:

"Come on D, play real Nifty!  Try an' hold 'em Under Fifty!" or "Make  Them  Punt!"  "Make  Them  Punt"

And the all purpose:

"H  U  R  T    Don't Get Hurt!"

How can Mount fans be so complacent about winning?

Well, most of the people on this board can take a look in the mirror.  In the last several pages of posts, I've seen many posters talk about the fact that Mount winning is not big news, or that every knows Mount will win so it is no big deal.  Some say that there are 238 teams and all are equally important.  These are all comments of complacency.

I don't care if you are Mount Union fans.  If you are football fans, this is news.  The lack of interest displayed on this site by the writers or readers is not really any different than that shown at Mount Union stadium.  The winning becomes expected, and therefore not exciting (or news worthy).  Is it right?  No.  Does it happen?  Yes.

Beating Heidelberg or Marietta may not be news, but another win added to the history, unbelievable stats, and incredible individual performances are.  And beyond that, what is happening at MUC will probably never be witnessed again by any of us that are living right now.  Therefore, each win is important and does have a magnitude beyond the win itself.

I spent 5 years in NM, listening to every game I could online and flying home for the Staggs.  I am now back in OH and fighting with my schedule to make every game.  I cheer the plays, the players and the scores.  I take my son out to shake hands with the players after the games, and we slap their pads as they run on the field at halftime.

What is happening here deserves to be cheered, deserves to be celebrated, and is certainly newsworty - more newsworthy than any other story in sports right now.  The stadium should be packed every game.  Every HS coach within a 30 mile radius should take his team to these games to show them the excellence that can be strived for.  Football fans should DVR the Buckeyes and show up to see MUC in person.  History buffs should realize this is history in the making.

So we can say "shame" on the Mount Union fans.  Why not, they're easy to pick on.  But we can also say "shame" on many of the D3 posters and football fans in general.

I personally marvel at the wonder that is playing out before us.  More people should.

I have to believe this team has the potential to be the best Mount team yet.  I know the opponents have not been much yet this year, but the speed and power of this team is amazing.  Micheli is big time.  They score so fast Kmic isn't even getting carries.  While that has to be frustrating, it will keep him fresh.  Garcon - enough said.  The kicking game is strong, returns with Wray are always a threat to score, and the defense is just plain awesome.  I love the attacking aggressive style of this D.  Bring it, bring it again, then bring it some more.

Anxious to see them play better competition, but I don't think anybody will even get close to this team.  The biggest challenge Mount has is keeping their emotions and excitement up and playing to their own potential.

What a joy to watch this team play.

Raiderpa,

Interesting - I started typing my post before yours was on the board.  Looks like we had many of the same observations.  Agreed that DB's played well, as did the DLine.  W&J QB was under heat all day.

Mount's second team would challenge for 2nd or 3rd in the OAC (OK, second team O with the first team D).

After 5 yrs in NM and no Mount games (except for the Stagg's), I can't express how awesome it was to go to the Mount scrimmage today.

Things I took away from the scrimmage:

LK is 100% in charge and in command of his team (coaches, ball boy and water team included).
Micheli is ready for the season to start.
If Micheli gets hurt, we'll still be OK.  (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th QB's all looked like they could start on most other D3 teams).
Running backs will be "strong... to quite strong" this year.
Pierre is fast.
Wray is fast.
O-Line dominated.
Defense, defense, defense.
DeRiggi has arms as big as a tree trunk.
Even the punter excited me.
If you're a Mount fan, it's not too early to start thinking about December.

Seriously, I don't know much about W&J this year, but they are a preseason top 20.  Mount dominated them in every way.  It was a monkey stomp.  My tally had Mount with 9 possessions resulting in 8 TD's and 1 FG.  On the other side, the D pitched a complete shutout. To me, Mount appeared to be in mid season form, and W&J looked like a team in pre-season.

btw - I got to enjoy the Friday Night Lights as Lake whooped Copley big time.

I absolutely love OH football.

Seventies - Nice meeting you.  Email me if you can as I couldn't get your email off of your profile.

D3 Gurus - can't believe you guys still buck MRI.  9 out of 10 Stagg wins should earn more respect than you guys give.

Coach Kehres, as well as the Mount program - still the class of D3.  I am looking for 4 consecutive Staggs to match the Auggie record.  That's about the only thing Kehres hasn't done.

Pat, nice work on the broadcast.  The thing I'd say is use more excitement.  Doesn't have to be slanted towards a team, just excitement for a big play or big hit.  Thanks for covering.

Great game by SJF.  LK continues to do what is required to win.

Kirasdad - Still in the high desert, but not for long.  This transplanted buckeye is headed back to OH.  On the more immediate front, I am flying into CAK next Thursday and driving down for the Stagg.  Man, it is tough not getting to watch these guys all through the season.

Kehres 45  Fisher Kings 10.  Enough said.

Most unnoticed or unrecognized "big time" players of the game?

Brauer - he was absolutely HUGE upfront.  He made so many big plays - beating blocks, forcing the QB to run out of the pocket, keeping Beaver from turning upfield.  In my book, he was THE MAN on the DLine Saturday.

Rose - Great job playing DB.  Looking forward to seeing more of him next year.

Mount Union isn't BACK, they never went away.  I might give the MVP for Mount's season to ONU.  Thanks for getting the winning streak monkey off our back.

Larry Kehres is absolutely the best.

On another note.  I heard that the UWW coach was somewhat disrespectful to the Raiders at the banquet, referring to them as the "Red Raiders."  Also heard that the UWW players were talking the blue streak.  Is this true?  If so, they get the KC Keehler award, and the thumping they deserved.

Unless I am wrong, and I could be, when Chuck set the record in 2001, it was in only 4 games as Mount had a first round bye.  Therefore, even if Kmic had limited duty in game 1 this year, those were all bonus carries if trying to compare on an even basis (5 playoff games this year).

Either way, hats off to Kmic.

UDub - the bell tolls...

kirasdad - I was a poor, broke employee in 2000.  See if you can't make it.  With the way UDub is talking, it could be a sweet, sweet victory.  B4, I think the 250K just means it is broken in and a proven commodity.  That horse still has legs.

As an after thought, you both are in FL.  Either of you near St. Augustine or Ormond Beach?  I will be driving there following the Stagg.

As for Udub, you gotta love the cocky posts.  As obnoxious as it is, it makes this week kinda fun.

In my book, there are a few too many pansies out there when it comes to road trips.  I have not missed a Stagg yet, and have had to fly in from Seattle, WA (2000), and Albuquerque, NM (2001, 2002), and Abq again via Buffalo, NY (then driving from Buf to Salem, then driving on to FL, then back to Abq in time for Christmas), this year.

If you are a Raider fan, you gotta be there.

I don't know anyhting about UWW (other than what I have read).  I hope they are as good as billed.  I would love to see another game the likes of the 93, 96 or 98 championship games.  MUC comes in as underdogs, and pours it on in the second half for the W.

Don't know LK's plans on play calling, but if he takes the helm this Sat, Mount will not lose.  Sorry YouDub, get ready for the long ride home.