Quote from: Raider 68 on August 08, 2024, 04:30:25 PMShould North Central just be awarded the National title now, since they have the significant
majority of All-Americans?

I'm actually shocked with each key player that actually graduates. 5-6 years of private college tuition...yikes

Quote from: Raider 68 on August 08, 2024, 04:30:25 PMShould North Central just be awarded the National title now, since they have the significant
majority of All-Americans?

Did that work when it used to be Mount Union that had the significant plurality (not majority) of All-Americans?

Point taken!

Quote from: D3fanboy on August 08, 2024, 03:15:03 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on August 08, 2024, 02:19:33 PM0 Mount Union skill players on the 1st 2nd or 3rd pre-season all American list. two Linemen (which is great) but Mount has always had more depth in the skill players then the line. Wonder if this has ever happened in the history of the D3FB.com era.

I can't tell you how worried that I am that Mount won't have any decent skill players, how will they ever score any points or stop anyone?

I know you're being sarcastic, but this was a very real concern against Alma last year

Quote from: D3fanboy on August 08, 2024, 04:58:52 PM

Quote from: Raider 68 on August 08, 2024, 04:30:25 PMShould North Central just be awarded the National title now, since they have the significant
majority of All-Americans?

I'm actually shocked with each key player that actually graduates. 5-6 years of private college tuition...yikes

It's a good point but you'd be surprised how comparable some of the private colleges can be with financial aid to state schools. The one I work at is actually almost the same price as Akron and Cincinnati after aid

I think they got it right with the PS All American's.  Boyes deserves to be ahead of Lehnen, although without those 2 WR coming back I'm skeptical, some goes for Lehnen without Hardy coming back.  I'm sure Madsen is good, but I dont think he's that good. 

Rossy Moore is an obvious pick and I think some other guys on the D line like Factor and Kaleb Brown could be big this year too, hopefully filling Duke Hill's shoes.  I think the defensive backfield is gonna need to step up bigger this year with the Josh Jones moving on. 

Offensively, I think Echevary could have breakout season.  I think he's the best 3 down back, with the other being more change of pace and receiving threats.  There's a lot of young guys that will be looking for targets this year, with Ruby and Lawson moving on... I'm anxious to see who takes the leap.   

QB is clearly the biggest question mark on the team, and UMU has almost always had a stud replace the last stud.  Plunk definitely fit that bill.  I was never sure if the play calling was what limited him at times, or if was himself.  I wonder if he was not comfortable running the ball, or if he was coached to throw it.  I felt often, especially at Alma, he tried to force a pass that was not there, when he could have pump faked and took off.

I'd like to see a guy that is a throw first, but requires the defense to put a spy on him, cuz if he takes off he can do serious damage.  I think Lehnen fits that description.  Not that there isnt designed runs for him (see 2pt conversions attempt), but you're almost forced to add extra players in the box, to keep him contained even on clear passing downs.   

As for the season, I think UMU will roll through their schedule.  Playing JCU early and at home is an advantage.  After that, I think Marietta could be undefeated when we play them, but also at home so I expect a win.  I'm exctied for the playoff this year, even though there wont be any drama in selection process, there will be the larger field of teams.  I would love to see another OAC school in the playoffs again.

Quote from: Pat Coleman on August 08, 2024, 05:27:41 PM

Quote from: Raider 68 on August 08, 2024, 04:30:25 PMShould North Central just be awarded the National title now, since they have the significant
majority of All-Americans?

Did that work when it used to be Mount Union that had the significant plurality (not majority) of All-Americans?

They didn't bu they almost could have. 

Quote from: Captainred81 on August 09, 2024, 10:37:51 AMI think they got it right with the PS All American's.  Boyes deserves to be ahead of Lehnen, although without those 2 WR coming back I'm skeptical, some goes for Lehnen without Hardy coming back.  I'm sure Madsen is good, but I dont think he's that good. 

Rossy Moore is an obvious pick and I think some other guys on the D line like Factor and Kaleb Brown could be big this year too, hopefully filling Duke Hill's shoes.  I think the defensive backfield is gonna need to step up bigger this year with the Josh Jones moving on. 

Offensively, I think Echevary could have breakout season.  I think he's the best 3 down back, with the other being more change of pace and receiving threats.  There's a lot of young guys that will be looking for targets this year, with Ruby and Lawson moving on... I'm anxious to see who takes the leap.   

QB is clearly the biggest question mark on the team, and UMU has almost always had a stud replace the last stud.  Plunk definitely fit that bill.  I was never sure if the play calling was what limited him at times, or if was himself.  I wonder if he was not comfortable running the ball, or if he was coached to throw it.  I felt often, especially at Alma, he tried to force a pass that was not there, when he could have pump faked and took off.

I'd like to see a guy that is a throw first, but requires the defense to put a spy on him, cuz if he takes off he can do serious damage.  I think Lehnen fits that description.  Not that there isnt designed runs for him (see 2pt conversions attempt), but you're almost forced to add extra players in the box, to keep him contained even on clear passing downs.   

As for the season, I think UMU will roll through their schedule.  Playing JCU early and at home is an advantage.  After that, I think Marietta could be undefeated when we play them, but also at home so I expect a win.  I'm exctied for the playoff this year, even though there wont be any drama in selection process, there will be the larger field of teams.  I would love to see another OAC school in the playoffs again.

Factor will be an All-American type DL, a very underrated player.  As long as Kaleb has more sacks than penalties, he should have a big time season. Kaleb and Rossy rushing the passer on the edge will be a nightmare.  It looks like Deuce Parker is back at one of the CB spots and all of the Safeties are back.  Marcus Jackson wasn't starter at LB last year, but played a bunch.  He'll likely man one of the two LB spots

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on August 09, 2024, 07:59:58 AM

Quote from: D3fanboy on August 08, 2024, 03:15:03 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on August 08, 2024, 02:19:33 PM0 Mount Union skill players on the 1st 2nd or 3rd pre-season all American list. two Linemen (which is great) but Mount has always had more depth in the skill players then the line. Wonder if this has ever happened in the history of the D3FB.com era.

I can't tell you how worried that I am that Mount won't have any decent skill players, how will they ever score any points or stop anyone?

I know you're being sarcastic, but this was a very real concern against Alma last year

I hope that was the wake up call needed for the team and coaching staff to keep the pedal down.  Getting up big and then laying off has been a Mount M.O. recently and it finally bit them in an embarrassing fashion. 

2022:
JCU - up 34-14, win 34-28
BW - up 17-0 in 4th qtr, win by a helmet bounce 23-21
Cap - 35-0 at half, first teamers play the entire game. win 49-14

2023
Etta - 28-0 at half, finished 28-0
Alma - Mount dominated the first half, but only up 10-0 at half.  up 20-10 with 5 min to go.  Embarrassing L due to dink and dunk, ultra conservative play.  47 passing attempts for 261 yards....what?

you hate to see 77-0 games, but I'd love to see more of a killer instinct from the Raiders in '24

Quote from: D3fanboy on August 09, 2024, 12:10:29 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on August 09, 2024, 07:59:58 AM

Quote from: D3fanboy on August 08, 2024, 03:15:03 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on August 08, 2024, 02:19:33 PM0 Mount Union skill players on the 1st 2nd or 3rd pre-season all American list. two Linemen (which is great) but Mount has always had more depth in the skill players then the line. Wonder if this has ever happened in the history of the D3FB.com era.

I can't tell you how worried that I am that Mount won't have any decent skill players, how will they ever score any points or stop anyone?

I know you're being sarcastic, but this was a very real concern against Alma last year

I hope that was the wake up call needed for the team and coaching staff to keep the pedal down.  Getting up big and then laying off has been a Mount M.O. recently and it finally bit them in an embarrassing fashion. 

2022:
JCU - up 34-14, win 34-28
BW - up 17-0 in 4th qtr, win by a helmet bounce 23-21
Cap - 35-0 at half, first teamers play the entire game. win 49-14

2023
Etta - 28-0 at half, finished 28-0
Alma - Mount dominated the first half, but only up 10-0 at half.  up 20-10 with 5 min to go.  Embarrassing L due to dink and dunk, ultra conservative play.  47 passing attempts for 261 yards....what?

you hate to see 77-0 games, but I'd love to see more of a killer instinct from the Raiders in '24

D3Fanboy,

Maybe Coach Dartt needs to read your Post?

I am looking for Beaudrie to light it up for Mount Union.  I thought he was a better athlete than Plunk, and as a passer not that far behind.  Plunk had the advantage of starting ahead of him for so long, it was not sensible to play Beaudrie a lot. Rather  than burn eligibility and money, he sat out a year, then returned when Plunk graduated. I am predicting him to be the 1st team all-oac qb...but...I have made other crazy predictions..

Quote from: raiderpa on August 09, 2024, 07:52:31 PMI am looking for Beaudrie to light it up for Mount Union.  I thought he was a better athlete than Plunk, and as a passer not that far behind.  Plunk had the advantage of starting ahead of him for so long, it was not sensible to play Beaudrie a lot. Rather  than burn eligibility and money, he sat out a year, then returned when Plunk graduated. I am predicting him to be the 1st team all-oac qb...but...I have made other crazy predictions..

raiderpa,

I hope you are correct. Beaudrie can do it all. I am more worried about the Defense and the playing calling this fall. Coach Collins needs to have a major roll on offense, since coaching leadership on offense has been a Mount weakness for the past few seasons.

With a month to go before the season kicks off, I'm hunting for a scouting report. Anyone have any idea regarding the prognosis for John Carroll? I know they are an excellent program but wondering how much they have returning.

Quote from: bleedpurple on August 10, 2024, 03:02:10 PMWith a month to go before the season kicks off, I'm hunting for a scouting report. Anyone have any idea regarding the prognosis for John Carroll? I know they are an excellent program but wondering how much they have returning.

BP,

Have not heard to much other than they lose some weapons on offense, namely QB Joe Collins. Should be strong on defense again.

How do the Warhawks look with all the big transfers coming to UWW?

Quote from: Raider 68 on August 10, 2024, 03:58:58 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on August 10, 2024, 03:02:10 PMWith a month to go before the season kicks off, I'm hunting for a scouting report. Anyone have any idea regarding the prognosis for John Carroll? I know they are an excellent program but wondering how much they have returning.

BP,

Have not heard to much other than they lose some weapons on offense, namely QB Joe Collins. Should be strong on defense again.

How do the Warhawks look with all the big transfers coming to UWW?

Quote from: Raider 68 on August 10, 2024, 03:58:58 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on August 10, 2024, 03:02:10 PMWith a month to go before the season kicks off, I'm hunting for a scouting report. Anyone have any idea regarding the prognosis for John Carroll? I know they are an excellent program but wondering how much they have returning.

BP,

Have not heard to much other than they lose some weapons on offense, namely QB Joe Collins. Should be strong on defense again.

How do the Warhawks look with all the big transfers coming to UWW?

I believe this will be UW-W's strongest team in quite awhile. I never know what to make of transfers. There's a lot of talent, but they've got to buy in to do things the Warhawk way. Some do and really help. Others don't and usually don't last.

More than the transfers, I'm optimistic because of the senior leadership on this team. I think we have 25 seniors. That is the most we've had in a long while. Along with senior leadership, I think the strengths will be:
1. Depth at both skilled positions and along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
2. Two absolute studs at DT.
3. A lot of playmakers at RB and WR (plus a stud tight end).
4. Dual threat QB who is a great leader. Pass first for sure, but will pull it down when needed.

Areas that are more unknown and needing to step up:
1. We need one of our D-ends to step up to be a dominant pass rusher. We will get collective pressure, but that stud sure is helpful.
2. We need some of the young talented linebackers to grow up in a hurry. We have several with some solid experience. They need to step up. The DT's in front of them surely will help.
3. We need one of the new kickers in camp to emerge with some consistency. I think they are pretty good but two are freshman and another is a transfer.
4. I think our O-line will be the best we've had in a long time. But. now they have to actually go out and be that!