Quote from: wally_wabash on January 07, 2025, 10:02:11 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 07, 2025, 06:16:17 PMDon't think Mount is down?  Nearly every "expert" picked Mount to disappoint and picked teams such as Salisbury or CMU to beat them lol

Three of seven panelists picked Salisbury.  Nobody picked Mount Union to lose to CMU or JCU or JHU.  I'm sorry that this doesn't fit the narrative you're desperately trying to paint. 

I'll reiterate that on the surface, this current 5-year stretch isn't a heck of a lot different for Mount Union than let's say 2009-2013/14.  It sounds different in here mostly because you're comfortable criticizing and nitpicking the current HC in a way that you wouldn't dare nitpick the HC back then. 

VK got plenty of criticism for his shortcomings in '13-14, the "media" just didnt fall all over themselves to bring up 28-2 or whatever.  Changes were also made in Alliance and Mount won the only national titles awarded between 2015 and 2017.

Quote from: crufootball on January 08, 2025, 11:48:44 AM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on January 07, 2025, 11:07:25 PM

Quote from: wally_wabash on January 07, 2025, 10:02:11 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 07, 2025, 06:16:17 PMDon't think Mount is down?  Nearly every "expert" picked Mount to disappoint and picked teams such as Salisbury or CMU to beat them lol

Three of seven panelists picked Salisbury.  Nobody picked Mount Union to lose to CMU or JCU or JHU.  I'm sorry that this doesn't fit the narrative you're desperately trying to paint. 

I'll reiterate that on the surface, this current 5-year stretch isn't a heck of a lot different for Mount Union than let's say 2009-2013/14.  It sounds different in here mostly because you're comfortable criticizing and nitpicking the current HC in a way that you wouldn't dare nitpick the HC back then. 

Eh not sure that comp is all that similar. 2009 to 2014 Mount played in every Stagg Bowl and won in 2012, only 3 years from their 2008 win.

This 5 year run includes only 2 title game appearances, a semi finals loss and a second round loss but most importantly we're in the midst of biggest gap between titles since the run started in 1993. If we go back to 2019 we get another 2nd round loss (but it should have been a semi final loss... the committee botched that bracket)

They may have played in every Stagg Bowl but to use D3fanboy's logic who did you really beat?

In 2009, you beat Wesley in the semi's and you lost to UWW in the Stagg.
In 2010, Bethel was the semi-final opponent and you lost to UWW in the Stagg.
In 2011, you beat Wesley in the semi's and you lost to UWW in the Stagg.
In 2012, you did win it all but beat UMHB and St. Thomas neither of which had a won a Stagg Bowl at the time.
In 2013, you had very close games against Wesley in the quarters, NCC in the semi's and lost to UWW in the Stagg.
In 2014, you beat Wesley in the semi's and you lost to UWW in the Stagg.
 

D3FB would be a hell of a lot better in '24/25 if there was a 00's Wesley around, a mid 10's St Thomas, even a Rowan from back in the day or if there were two teams at the top a la the Mount & UWW run. NCC has had a great 5 year stretch, no doubt.  But having the JHU's, Susquhanna's etc of the world ranked in the top 5...come on. Many factors in place, but D3FB is weaker than ever.

K & J Dad,

Time to look what the Raiders have coming back for 2025, you're on!

From a Mt outsider perspective, I was honestly a bit surprised with the reduced amount of football talent I had come to expect. Past Mt teams had stud receivers that made the offense dangerous from anywhere on the field. They typically had mobile QB's that could throw or pocket passers w great accuracy (and receiving weapons). I was also surprised with the lack of defensive playmakers. I know Moore is AA, but did I miss something? I remember great Mt safeties that would ball hawk and tackle and D ends that would create havoc.
This isn't a knock on Mt as I see the same at UWW. I think Pat mentioned the disbursement of talent that now exists in the WIAC and I assume some of the same for Mt. NCC has managed to capture the market on talent, including the all important offensive line.

I wonder if some of the struggles aren't more related to recruiting losses to other programs more than coaching decisions.

Quote from: emma17 on January 08, 2025, 03:32:55 PMFrom a Mt outsider perspective, I was honestly a bit surprised with the reduced amount of football talent I had come to expect. Past Mt teams had stud receivers that made the offense dangerous from anywhere on the field. They typically had mobile QB's that could throw or pocket passers w great accuracy (and receiving weapons). I was also surprised with the lack of defensive playmakers. I know Moore is AA, but did I miss something? I remember great Mt safeties that would ball hawk and tackle and D ends that would create havoc.
This isn't a knock on Mt as I see the same at UWW. I think Pat mentioned the disbursement of talent that now exists in the WIAC and I assume some of the same for Mt. NCC has managed to capture the market on talent, including the all important offensive line.

I wonder if some of the struggles aren't more related to recruiting losses to other programs more than coaching decisions.

You're seeing the end days of the COVID year problem.  Pair that with the transfer portal somehow being a thing in D3, and you're seeing a much smaller number of kids sticking with the program that they committed to and running to "greener pastures".  Underclassmen have been stuck behind 5th and 6th year guys that seemingly never seem to graduate, the younger players are even stuck behind those underclassmen.  Maybe it's a generational thing, but today's players seem more likely to bounce around chasing their "D1" or "NFL" dream rather than staying committed and building something.

Quote from: emma17 on January 08, 2025, 03:32:55 PMFrom a Mt outsider perspective, I was honestly a bit surprised with the reduced amount of football talent I had come to expect. Past Mt teams had stud receivers that made the offense dangerous from anywhere on the field. They typically had mobile QB's that could throw or pocket passers w great accuracy (and receiving weapons). I was also surprised with the lack of defensive playmakers. I know Moore is AA, but did I miss something? I remember great Mt safeties that would ball hawk and tackle and D ends that would create havoc.
This isn't a knock on Mt as I see the same at UWW. I think Pat mentioned the disbursement of talent that now exists in the WIAC and I assume some of the same for Mt. NCC has managed to capture the market on talent, including the all important offensive line.

I wonder if some of the struggles aren't more related to recruiting losses to other programs more than coaching decisions.

North Central's offensive starters come almost exclusively from Illinois, which is not typically a big source of Mount Union student-athletes.

The defense is a little more geographically dispersed.

Mount Union's backyard has more D-II schools than it used to, even with the demise of Notre Dame (Ohio).

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2025, 02:38:49 PMD3FB would be a hell of a lot better in '24/25 if there was a 00's Wesley around, a mid 10's St Thomas, even a Rowan from back in the day or if there were two teams at the top a la the Mount & UWW run. NCC has had a great 5 year stretch, no doubt.  But having the JHU's, Susquhanna's etc of the world ranked in the top 5...come on. Many factors in place, but D3FB is weaker than ever.

Those teams are around, they just aren't named Wesley or St. Thomas.  You're stuck in an era that is gone. 

Quote from: wally_wabash on January 08, 2025, 04:17:32 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2025, 02:38:49 PMD3FB would be a hell of a lot better in '24/25 if there was a 00's Wesley around, a mid 10's St Thomas, even a Rowan from back in the day or if there were two teams at the top a la the Mount & UWW run. NCC has had a great 5 year stretch, no doubt.  But having the JHU's, Susquhanna's etc of the world ranked in the top 5...come on. Many factors in place, but D3FB is weaker than ever.

Those teams are around, they just aren't named Wesley or St. Thomas.  You're stuck in an era that is gone. 

who are they?

St John's? haven't taken advantage of kicking out their rival that they couldn't beat

Wartburg? one great senior class

#5 Springfield?  c'mon

Salisbury? Johnny Hopkins? lol

Cortland? more should be made of NCC's choke job to them last year...yikes

the Hardins?  nah

Linfield? the Baldwin Wallace of the West

how could I forget UW-L and their extremely impressive loss in an exhibition game that rocketed them up the rankings

You named some.  There are more.  Basically all of the teams that you won't let yourself believe can possibly be any good now because they weren't 20 years ago. 

Quote from: wally_wabash on January 08, 2025, 04:24:09 PMYou named some.  There are more.  Basically all of the teams that you won't let yourself believe can possibly be any good now because they weren't 20 years ago. 

or because they simply aren't now...

if you want to say that D3FB is more fun now, sure I'd agree with you.  But the top level has certainly lowered.

Matt Campbell interviewing for the Chicago Bears HC job?

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2025, 04:19:51 PM

Quote from: wally_wabash on January 08, 2025, 04:17:32 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2025, 02:38:49 PMD3FB would be a hell of a lot better in '24/25 if there was a 00's Wesley around, a mid 10's St Thomas, even a Rowan from back in the day or if there were two teams at the top a la the Mount & UWW run. NCC has had a great 5 year stretch, no doubt.  But having the JHU's, Susquhanna's etc of the world ranked in the top 5...come on. Many factors in place, but D3FB is weaker than ever.

Those teams are around, they just aren't named Wesley or St. Thomas.  You're stuck in an era that is gone. 

who are they?

St John's? haven't taken advantage of kicking out their rival that they couldn't beat

Wartburg? one great senior class

#5 Springfield?  c'mon

Salisbury? Johnny Hopkins? lol

Cortland? more should be made of NCC's choke job to them last year...yikes

the Hardins?  nah

Linfield? the Baldwin Wallace of the West

how could I forget UW-L and their extremely impressive loss in an exhibition game that rocketed them up the rankings

Cortland was the real deal last year, not just an NCC underperformance. Did you see how big and physical that dline was. Or their two AA / pro prospect Wide receivers? Boyes is better than any Mount QB on the roster.

Quote from: Raider 68 on January 08, 2025, 02:47:54 PMK & J Dad,

Time to look what the Raiders have coming back for 2025, you're on!

I've started the research. K got married last Friday so we've been busy recently.

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2025, 05:48:58 PMMatt Campbell interviewing for the Chicago Bears HC job?

https://footballscoop.com/news/iowa-states-matt-campbell-reportedly-to-interview-for-bears-opening

Quote from: Kira & Jaxon's Dad on January 08, 2025, 06:17:08 PM

Quote from: Raider 68 on January 08, 2025, 02:47:54 PMK & J Dad,

Time to look what the Raiders have coming back for 2025, you're on!

I've started the research. K got married last Friday so we've been busy recently.

Congrats dad and good luck navigating the eligibility stuff

Quote from: Kira & Jaxon's Dad on January 08, 2025, 06:17:08 PM

Quote from: Raider 68 on January 08, 2025, 02:47:54 PMK & J Dad,

Time to look what the Raiders have coming back for 2025, you're on!

I've started the research. K got married last Friday so we've been busy recently.

Congrats on the wedding!!

Recruiting and development is the life blood of each program. You've got to have the Jimmy's and Joe's to compete with the big boys (figuratively and literally). One you get to the final 8 teams, you've got to have the strength, size and quickness.

Many of those bigger safeties and DEs who would get after opposing offenses now go to Walsh, Ashland, Tiffin,etc or walk on at Akron, Kent, Ohio U, Toledo, Pitt, etc. This is why Mount still must go out of state for guys.