FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[seventiesraider]

In reviewing stats for this weeks MUC/ONU game it was nice to see that B-Dubs is nationally ranked in at least one category: Drum Roll Please-PUNTS.

[raider4505]

ONU May look good in some stats. BUT They ain't played the RAIDERS yet

[Touchdown Tommy]

Greetings Raider fans,

Just checking in wondering how your season is going.  The Johnnies would love to matchup with the Raiders in another Battle Royale.  Looks like you are taking care of business.  You are all tremendously dedicated and passionate fans for which you should be commended.  Keep up the good work from God's country in Ohio.

[HScoach]

Bus Driver:  No offense, but the MUC/SJU matchup has been there, done that.  I want to see MUC/Linfield! 

[skunks_sidekick]

RC - in all honesty, I see the game being a fairly safe 30 point Mount win.  I don't believe ONU can score on Mount as they have been able to against other teams, and that means their D better be top notch, and we know it isn't.  I understand the loyalty to the alma mater, and appreciate your hope for a good game.  35-14 at  best is my prediction.  It could get much worse for ONU.

BUS DRIVER - you guys had your one glorious moment in the sun.  We will welcome the chance to POUND on some good ole catholic boys from over there in the frozen wasteland.  But, I am guessing you will have to get through Linfield to get to us.  Good luck!

[raiderguy]

Hey Bus Driver,

Thanks for the shout out to the OAC.
As a Raiderguy living in Johnnie land I have been attending your games for years. The fan support for the team is tremendous. We could take a lesson. Games with as many as 10,000 in attendance is quite impressive. The setting is beautiful too.

I too would like a rematch to settle some unfinished business and it would mean you took care of the guys from Oregon.

As a side note in the game program Mount is the only team that has a winning record against St Johns in their history. 3-1.

I am pretty easy to spot at the games so if you are in attendance sometime say hello.

[reality check]

skunks

If nothing else, I am as loyal a fan as can be.  As a fan of a school that has been trying to dethrone the mighty Raiders for years and years, we know the odds are always stacked against us.  I do take a little from last year's game though.  ONU was not supposed to play MUC as closely as they did under a first year head coach and with the team that MUC had.  I do recall last year that there was talk of the 2004 edition of the Raiders being one of the three or four best overall teams ever fielded by the MUC.  Of course that was all before UMHB pulled out that win in the playoffs.  ONU gave them a great game last year and the Raiders managed to pull away in the 4th quarter for the win.  In my opinion, this year's ONU team is as potent or more potent offensively (which is a bit of a surprise) and about the same on D.  They are more exciting this year which could mean they make a big play on D or special teams that I did not see last year during their successful campaign.  I just want ONU to show up and play the way they can.  

[jdean]

Skunks:
Your comments to RC on the upcoming game are my sentiments exactly. If Mount avoids the TO's and drive killing penalties it will be worse than your predicition. I would enjoy seeing a repeat of last years game (without the RAIN).

[skunks_sidekick]

RC - I too hope your guys show up to play.  I truly think Mount needs battle-tested during the season to get ready for the play-offs.  The John Carrol game was amazing, but it did little to prepare Mount for a barn burner. 

I too (like HSC) wonder how Mount will fare against a big, bruising, run game type offense a la MHB last year.  I truly believe they can match up to anyone in overall team speed. 
As far as the return game goes, having Casto (punt) and Garcon (kick) returning the ball is a big advantage for the Raiders.

RC - does ONU have anyone who can even attempt to cover Garcon, or will they zone/double him?

[reality check]

skunks

For the record Wes Hostetler's return numbers are better than Casto and Garcon both. 

Hostetler's Stats:
33.3 yards per kick return on 9 returns with 1 TD.
17.9 yards per punt return on 17 returns with 2 TD's.

Casto and Garcon's Stats:

24.1 yards per kick return on 10 returns with 1 TD for Garcon.
12.2 yards per punt return on 19 returns with 0 TD's for Casto.

Wes has 3 returns for TD and his stats are in spite of teams kicking away from him all season.  And it is not as if Hos is getting more opportunities to pile up his stats than Garcon or Casto.  So your statement is not exactly backed up based on the performance.

As for cover men, ONU's defensive backfield is solid.  Hostetler plays a very physical corner.  Ryan Robertson is a speedster on the other corner.  Midlam is is the all-time INT leader at ONU and has a shot at the OAC record.  Jake Bennett is also talented but took over for Dustin Alexander when he fell to an injury.  You guess is as good as mine as to whether or not they zone, man or double Garcon. 

l39eagle, do you have perspective on probable coverage?

[JK]

I know this is an old subject, but I have been busy lately.  Not a lot of time to check the boards.

On the issue of eligibility with Rocky...

Jason White, the former Oklahoma QB and 04 Heisman winner was granted a sixth year of eligibilty last year.

Don't know how that translates to D3, but there is a way to play a sixth year.

[reality check]

JK

We know a sixth year is possible but it means you have to have taken at least two redshirts (medical or regular).  My hs buddy that went to MSU had two medical redshirts granted and played six years.  What we wanted to know was whether or not Rocky took a redshirt or if he was involved in football at Toledo which was basically answered.

[jdean]

Fans of Chuck Moore will be glad to hear that the Canton paper reported today that he re-signed with the Canton indoor pro football team next season.
A good short article about Jorris on page 2 of the Akron Beacon Journal sports section and its not by Terry Pluto.

[bushman]

Mt. this year has shown a lot of turn overs in the games I've seen.   They also have produced alot of major penalties as well.  If they commit alot of these mistakes on saturday, and ONU plays error free , this could be a close game that could come down to the wire.  All that being said,  It will be hard to break their streak on their home field.

[Ric]

Since its been mentioned here a couple times I did a Tale of the Tape and added it to the site.  I think I have waited until playoff time in the past but this is a big game.  Should be a good one too.

http://www.mtunionfootball.com