FB: Centennial Conference

[MULEY]

CUse Fan,
I saw the Muhlenberg/Union Game and The F&M / Berg game. I am a Berg fan but I am also a former player ( Rowan) and coach and I have to tell you, Union was lucky to get by The Mules ( the onside kick by Berg followed by yet another Mule fumble after taking a 4th Q lead changed momentum. Meanwhile , not to denigrate F&M, but I left the Dips/Mule game feeling that if The Mules had played just a little bit like they palyed against Union, F&M would not have had a chance to win. Union is the best offense i have seen in a while . Good Pass/Run balance, great runner,good QB and Receivers and nice play calling.
Don't be surprised if Union racks up a lot of points on F&M(PS last time I checked CC was 0-5 against The Liberty Conf.)

[Amish Allstar]

If the Dips played a little better versus Muhlenberg then F&M would have won the game by more then 6 points.  F&M's offense had multiple opportunities to put points on the board but did not.

On the other hand, Muhlenbergs offense did not have those opportunities.  All pts by Mules came from the D and Special Teams.  Offense did not mov the ball at all.

[wr22]

Haven't seen Union, but it sounds like their offense is impressive.  M-berg had well over 300 yards of offense against them, but just over 200 against F&M.
Can F&M's defense stand up to Union?  It depends how long they have to be on the field, which if dependent once again on how the offense does.

I can't believe F&M's offense is averaging over 100 yards per game LESS in total offense than last year.  The offense essentially lost two players from last year, a running back and a wide receiver.  They return a quarterback who was on the all-conference team the last two years (1st team and 2nd team).  Thru five games, the running game is a little bit over last years yardage, although on a few more carries.  Which means the passing game is the issue.
I know that when the quarterback is given the time, he can hit the receivers.  So what's the problem???
Do they miss #2 and #17 that much?
Is the quarterback just having an off year?
Is the line playing up to their abilities?
Are the receivers not running proper routes?
Is it the play calling?

Amish... your thoughts?   

[Amish Allstar]

WR22:

You bring up some very important points.  I also can not believe that the offense is averaging 100 less yards.

To answer some of your questions:

1) i think they do miss Stephen and Boyce.  I think they miss them for the leadership they brought last year.  Whenever they needed a big third down completion #17 was there to bail them out, which is something that they have been missing this year.  So far noone has been able to step up and make a big play like they did last year.  However, i dont believe they are missed all that much as compared to another senior from last year.  I think the person they miss the most is Hiltner.  Although he didnt start he was a termendous player that again brought alot of leadership to the offense.  It was also a change of pace when he got in there and Defenses had to prepare for both QB's.  He kept Harner on his toes and both completmented each other.  I truly believe Hiltner is the missing link to the O.

2) Harner has been apart of some turnovers this year that he wasnt apart of last year.  Sometimes tries to force the ball but others the ball has been deflected, in which case it is not his fault.  He has also had A LOT of balls dropped on him this year.  A LOT.

3) The line has played well.  I believe Harner has only been sacked a few times (4-5).  But when your record is 2-3 there is obviously room for improvement.

4) Receviers are young.  Doesnt help when Wagner goes down for the year, Freiler is out until further notice and you have freshmen who are playing significant minutes.  However, just because they are freshmen is not an excuse.  it is the 6th game now, so yu can say they arent freshmen any more.

5) dont believe it is play calling.

Hope these answer your questions.  I really feel that this game versus Union will turn their season around.  Just one of those feelings.  I think the offense will put it together and get a nice balance between run and pass to keep them off balanced.

[GoDips71]

CuseFan:

F&M has proved to be two very different teams this year.  The one playing at home is pretty good.  The one playing on the road is different story.  F&M's defense has been pretty solid, but I don't think that they have faced an offense as good as Union's appears to be.  F&M's offense has been unimpressive.  Having seen the F&M - Mule game, F&M is better then the Mule in every facet IMHO.


AA and 22:

Harner does not appear to be the same player this year.  Whether it was his confidence that was rattled in losing to Bethany or simply a bad string of luck, we'll never know for sure, but he is not the same.  I don't think he has found a receiver that he truly trusts and is comfortable throwing to.  It is shame Boyce chose not to play this season - he would be been a huge help.  Their two best receivers are currently out (Wagner's leg and Freiler (heard it was mono?)) and the kids playing have simply not stepped up.  There have been way too many dropped balls.  The o-line has done a pretty good job.  They are not necessarily controlling the LOS, but making the blocks nonetheless.  Some members of the line are much better than others IMO.   With all that said, you cannot win games when you turn the ball over as much as F&M does.  The offense must take care of the ball if they want to win - it is really that simple. 

Let's hope they get things together....quickly.

Go Dips!

[Amish Allstar]

Go Dips71:

Agreed, turnoves have been a killer this year for the Dips

[MULEY]

I repeat, I have seen both teams against a common opponent. Union is very good and very consistent.

The F&M /Mule game was very sloppy and undisciplined.Maybe f&M could have played a little better, I won't know til I see that but I have seen The Mules play a whole lot better agaist a far better team....Union.

Although I hope for the CC's sake that F&M wins. I am fairly certain that The F&M team I saw will not be able to stay with Union. Hope so, but don't think so.

[wr22]

Amish:

1)  I can't believe I missed Doug as he was a tremendous asset last year and sorely missed.  Three key players lost does not help.

3)  Take a look at the "hurries" number.  (Can't remember if it was the Hobart or CM game that sack/hurries were on over 25% of pass attempts.)  Could be the opposition pass defense, line, or holding the ball too long?  Line has improved.

4)  Agreed not having Wagner and Freiler hurts.  I believe alot the the receivers got playing time last year.  Do not see many of short catch, big runs after the catch.

5)  We disagree somewhat on this.  Thru the first five games Harner has rushed 49 times.  Last year he had 48 total rushes, total.  While I think there are times for him to run, it has to take a toll.  The tight end has 4 catches, and hasn't been thrown to much more than that (according to the "play by play").  He probably has the best hands on the team.  Not nearly the amount of sprint out throws for 5,6,7 yards as last year, which resulted in second and short yardage.  
Of course if the players execute the plays called, it would be a non-issue.
It's easy to point fingers from the stands, however I believe there are some questionable calls.

Agree that turnovers have been a BIG problem.

Guess it's just frustration.  It's a great group of guys and want them to do well.

[mandfense]

Either of the Pats going to be in Baltimore Friday night for JHU/Gettysburg???

[Pat Coleman]

Doesn't look like it for me. My parents are in town this weekend and I am anticipating plans for that night. Sorry.

[ktroutvon]

Muley,

  I am assuming that you haven't seen Hobart or RPI play, but do you think there is any point in analyzing the F&M/Union game in regards to Union's last two games of the season (i.e. Hobart & RPI).  In other words, is F&M improved enough from its first 2 games that analyzing this one matters.  If they aren't then the score and stats don't seem to be relelvant. 

I can't stand the my team beat team C by 20 pts and your team beat team C by 14 pts so my team must be better. 

[Amish Allstar]

WR22:

I believe the TE must be more involved within the offensive scheme.  Like you said i think this would be a non-issue if it has not been for turnovers.  I believe F&m has fumbled twice inside the 3 yard line.  Doesnt sound like a lot but when you are only scoring 9.8 point a game those TDs would certainly help.

Again, another problem along with TO's is dropped passes. What a killer they can be especially when Harner gets them the ball in the open field. 

Hopefully, some of these things will change heading into this weekends game. 

[Amish Allstar]

After 6 weeks:

AA: 19-10 (1-3 last week)
Mandfense: 19-10 (3-1)
Badbad: 18-11 (2-2)

Gburg 14  JHU 27: Gburg will hang tough for a half and then JHU will copen it up a bit

McDaniel 21 Dickinson 6:  Although McDaniel lost to gburg last week i just dont think Dick has the O to score points.

Muhlenberg 19 Ursinus 17:  Muhlenbergs D has been scoring TDs but I am not sold on ursinus.  The CC losing strak continues

Union 28 F&M 31:  I think the O will finally score some points this week.  I know i have been saying that a few weeks but it can only go up from where they have been.  F&M defense has its hands full but will keep the RB (cant spell it) under 170.  A feat considering he is average 210

[mandfense]

Union 28 F&M 31:  I think the O will finally score some points this week.  I know i have been saying that a few weeks but it can only go up from where they have been.  F&M defense has its hands full but will keep the RB (cant spell it) under 170.  A feat considering he is average 210

F&M gave up 240 yards rushing against JHU, on a day where they knew JHU was going to run the ball because of the weather and had 8 or 9 in the box.  What makes you think they're going to contain D3's leading rusher on a day where they'll have to think run and pass???

[Amish Allstar]

good question. Faith and i think the Dips will rise to the occasion.