FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[skunks_sidekick]

JP...that's always THE question. 

When Mount has lost it's always been because....

The opponent was able to always answer a surge with a surge. (MHB 2004)

The opponent played fantastic defense and didn't miss any tackles, therefore no or few big plays for Mount. (ONU 2005, SJU 2003)

I think IthAca gave Mount a great challenge, and I think it answered at least some of the questions we had as fans as to what would Mount do if they were down early, or challenged beyond half-time.  However, I do think Fisher could take that challenge to the next level.

I think we will control their running game (under 100 yards I would guess?), so it will come down to whether Kramer can answer the bell with all the heat he will have on him.  I have my doubts (most East people say he really isn't much different from last year...just a bit more seasoned). 

On the other side of the ball Mount is just way more diverse this year than when they played Fisher last year.  Play way off Garcon and double him often, while dropping your d-backs early and often (Ithaca), and Kmic runs for 200+.
Double Garcon, and blitz one/two/three every play and all the short stuff is open and turns into long stuff because there isn't anyone there to tackle (TCNJ). 
Get great coverage, great pressure, and then Micheli runs with the ball.  It's definitely a "pick your poison" situation. 

[joelmama]

- I dont think guys in the east have anything against Garcon.  I don't anyway.  I love watching him and I'm glad a guy like that stays d3.  That really says something positive about d3football, Mt. Union, and the whole process.  I did kind of question (and we all speculated a whole lot!) why a 1-AA school like Umass didn't scoop him up though.  What is better for him to get to the NFL is another whole topic in itself.  I personally feel that 1-AA has an edge in that sense.  Frank brought up some good points to counter it.

There are a lot of guys in the east region (primarily in Garcon's former conference) that have plenty of hate for Garcon.  Not dislike, not grudging respect but hate.  If you review some of the posts there you will see what I eman.  I have not spent much time there but the talk was very distasteful for a while so I stopped lurking there a while ago.

[jaypeter]

theaprof,

Do you think we win by that much because our defense holds them to a very few points, or because our offense takes hold and we score a bunch like we did last week?  I'm still surprised that we were able to score the way we did last week against a defense that was (suppossed to be) as good as TCNJ's.  I'm still wondering, not having seen the game, if they just didn't show up, if they were overrated, or if Mount's offense is just that dang good.

That's been the frustrating thing for me this year is that all I have to go on are the scores, stats, and recaps of the games which have all tended to be quite lopsided.  I would feel more comfortable if I knew that we had been tested a little more this year. 

Well, if Mount wins two more games, I'll at least get to see one game this year.  First game since I graduated!

jaypeter

[Toph]

It will be interesting to see if SJF can fight off the second year jinx against Mount.  More often than not, the second time around is better for the Raiders, not their opponents (just ask Bridgewater for starters).  The other problem I see for Fisher is that from most accounts their team is not as strong overall as last year's, and MUC might have their best team yet.  I think Fisher might be able to keep it close for awhile, but ultimately, I have Mount by 20-30.

[Jonny Utah]

- I dont think guys in the east have anything against Garcon.  I don't anyway.  I love watching him and I'm glad a guy like that stays d3.  That really says something positive about d3football, Mt. Union, and the whole process.  I did kind of question (and we all speculated a whole lot!) why a 1-AA school like Umass didn't scoop him up though.  What is better for him to get to the NFL is another whole topic in itself.  I personally feel that 1-AA has an edge in that sense.  Frank brought up some good points to counter it.

There are a lot of guys in the east region (primarily in Garcon's former conference) that have plenty of hate for Garcon.  Not dislike, not grudging respect but hate.  If you review some of the posts there you will see what I eman.  I have not spent much time there but the talk was very distasteful for a while so I stopped lurking there a while ago.

Ive spend the last 3 years on the eastern boards and dont remember anything that bad about him.  Maybe I didnt notice....

[superman57]

If I ever  met garcon I would congratulate him on being a great player, but I compare him to a Jonny Damon type or an A-Rod someone everyone loves to hate but respects his abilities

[Frank Rossi]

If I ever  met garcon I would congratulate him on being a great player, but I compare him to a Jonny Damon type or an A-Rod someone everyone loves to hate but respects his abilities

I think the conversation surrounding Garcon last year in the E8 actually is best summed up by the statement Birthday Boy '57 just made.  After watching him in the Stagg Bowl, I was personally impressed by his speed and shiftyness -- but I can see why some people have a negative impression of him.  Overall, more power to him in his pursuit toward the next level.

[Senor RedTackle]

I'm not concerned about using a former player as an analyst on this game -- we did it a couple years ago, using a John Carroll player on a Mount Union game and sure, someone may be more familiar with one team over the other, but having a former player adds value to the broadcast and we try to do that whenever possible.

And with that, I am very much done talking about our broadcast. Hopefully you can be too.

Pat...I only have 1 comment myself on broadcasting - thank you for letting me, as a former RPI player, do color on the RPI/TCNJ game. I think all who listened, including Gordon, will attest to my complete neutrality. I agree w/ your position on using former players for what they bring to the broadcast. If folks here want to complain, let them audition...

Peace

[SJFF82]

It will be interesting to see if SJF can fight off the second year jinx against Mount.  More often than not, the second time around is better for the Raiders, not their opponents (just ask Bridgewater for starters).  The other problem I see for Fisher is that from most accounts their team is not as strong overall as last year's, and MUC might have their best team yet.  I think Fisher might be able to keep it close for awhile, but ultimately, I have Mount by 20-30.

What do think is better about MUC this year?  Likewise to the accounts that you are referring to about SJF not being as strong this year, I have read several accounts of posters claiming that MUC is dominating, even more so than last year, not because of improvements, but due to a relatively down year in the OAC, including several key injuries on the likes of Capital and MUC's other 'so-called' competition...

[Frank Rossi]

It will be interesting to see if SJF can fight off the second year jinx against Mount.  More often than not, the second time around is better for the Raiders, not their opponents (just ask Bridgewater for starters).  The other problem I see for Fisher is that from most accounts their team is not as strong overall as last year's, and MUC might have their best team yet.  I think Fisher might be able to keep it close for awhile, but ultimately, I have Mount by 20-30.

What do think is better about MUC this year?  Likewise to the accounts that you are referring to about SJF not being as strong this year, I have read several accounts of posters claiming that MUC is dominating, even more so than last year, not because of improvements, but due to a relatively down year in the OAC, including several key injuries on the likes of Capital and MUC's other 'so-called' competition...

Vosburgh sort of answered that question today on the coaches' conference calls -- sorta pointing at the idea that it's the same cast of characters out there from MUC and that their experience is that much more honed since last year.  Yet, Kehres suggested the same about SJF with the exception of Robinson (where is he now, I wonder ), but the two-back rotation SJF runs seems to have kept the RB position strong for SJF.  So, each coach believes that the experience of playoffs and of the last season has helped their respective opponent grow stronger since last year.

[SJFF82]

I'm not concerned about using a former player as an analyst on this game -- we did it a couple years ago, using a John Carroll player on a Mount Union game and sure, someone may be more familiar with one team over the other, but having a former player adds value to the broadcast and we try to do that whenever possible.

And with that, I am very much done talking about our broadcast. Hopefully you can be too.

The real question is whether the members of d3.com should be concerned that the proprietor of this site is employed by the Mount Union gravy train

[skunks_sidekick]

Better for Mount.....

QB - a full year of Micheli...quite honestly he throws better than our QB last year..and he runs as well as he did last year.

WR - when Mount goes spread, and splits out Wray, Garcon, Cecil Shorts, et al......the speed and skill is a huge task for any d-backfield to handle.

DL - McCullough has been literally unblockable all season.  When's the last time a D-tackle led the team in tackles.

LB - both All-OAC, All-American candidates playing for a third? year.

[Jonny Utah]

Here are what I see are the advantages for SJF that an Ithaca might not have....

-SJF has a much bigger oline.  Will that help them run better?

-Overall, SJFs QB and Wrs have been a little better than ICs Qb and WRs in a short 2 year comparable history.  BUT, Juvan and ICs TE, and 2 Wrs had probably the best game out of any SJF passing team has ever had.  And I mean that.  Ithaca could have scored 5 touchdowns in that game (1 especially inside the 5 yd line)  Ithaca scored its 3 touchdowns using 3 WR or an I-Pro set with one flare pattern.  The two times IC didnt score, they were in a wishbone/2 TE formation that failed horribly.  SJF is still going to have to try to run (As IC did), but dont try to pass out of goaline offenses with playaction.  use the play action out of the wider sets

-special teams for SJF are probably equal to Ithaca.  I thought Ithaca was equal to MUC that day.  But MUC has Garcon, Kmic and Wray, three guys that SJF do not have.  They have to tackle them like IC did.

-Someone said on this board earlier that MUC is always in the top of the league in penalties.  Im not sure why this is, but I did see several holds on MUC, and 3 pass inteferences (one wasnt called)  As bad as people on here make the refs out to be, MUC did commit a lot of penalties.  (the refs did miss a big Ithaca hold that I saw, but all the calls on MUC were spot on I thought)  bottom line, SJF cannont let themselves get held on the contain man, especially on punt or kick returns.....

And a few more points I mentioned in an earlier post: (some may be repeated)

Here are the keys I think to beat Mt. Union.

1) You have to throw the ball well. A good qb and some speed recievers can beat MUC's defense.  BUT, you must have some sort of a threat to run to keep MUC's defense up at the line.  This is what IC did against them.  Juvan had his career best in yards in a game, and I must say, he was near perfect.  A few balls were even dropped.  A draw play or two might work, but you have to get the ball downfield.  Play action is a must, and guys must be able to block the extra blitzer and Kramer must be able to throw a good pass to the open hot read reciever.

2) Dont focus on Garcon You have two safties deep, a LB in the flat, and a corner on him. Dont go overboard and worry too much about one player.  The only way he is going to beat you bad is if the saftey gets beat, or if he gets the ball in a posisition where he is running at full speed.  Dont let the DBs get blocked on a screen and pursue to the ball!

3) Don't change your game plan and don't think you can slow down the game by running the ball SJF will not be able to run the ball next week.  Its that simple.  At least they wont be able to run to set up the pass anyway.  SJF will still have to try to run, but sending the RBs in the flat or middle of the field can work against them. 

4) Try to keep your contain man unblocked This is tough, but Kmic likes to run back to the sideline.  Make sure the contain man can remain unblocked, and hope to god he can tackle.

Final thoughts:

I think IC suprised Mt. Union a little.  They will not be suprised by SJF.  If MUC had to play IC over again, I think they might do a few different things.  Expect to see this from MUC this week:
-More no-huddle
-More short/screen passes to Garcon
-Less blitzing

[Toph]

It will be interesting to see if SJF can fight off the second year jinx against Mount.  More often than not, the second time around is better for the Raiders, not their opponents (just ask Bridgewater for starters).  The other problem I see for Fisher is that from most accounts their team is not as strong overall as last year's, and MUC might have their best team yet.  I think Fisher might be able to keep it close for awhile, but ultimately, I have Mount by 20-30.

What do think is better about MUC this year?  Likewise to the accounts that you are referring to about SJF not being as strong this year, I have read several accounts of posters claiming that MUC is dominating, even more so than last year, not because of improvements, but due to a relatively down year in the OAC, including several key injuries on the likes of Capital and MUC's other 'so-called' competition...

I think I've presented a pretty good case over the past couple weeks that the OAC isn't as down as most of the easterners like to think.  Did TCNJ just have a "down" game last week, or was that legit?  MUC is dominating because they are that good.

MUC is stronger this year because they lost very little at skill positions last year.  They are more experienced this year at nearly every position, and with the exception of last week's game against TCNJ, they have been unbelievable at protecting the QB (a sellout blitz every third play is bound to get you a few sacks).  I see that Fisher has also protected the QB very well, and that's a big key if they're going win on Saturday. 

MUC is stronger because they are holding their opponents to an average of 2.2 yards per play.  Before you point to IthAca's 324 passing yards, I will point out that they rushed for only 13 yards on 29 carries.  .4 yards per carry.  That's 130 yards below their average output, and almost 4 yards per carry below their average.  LK wanted to shut down the run, and that's exactly what MUC did.

MUC is stronger because Nate Kmic is a year older.  He might be the best RB DIII has ever seen (we can debate that until we're blue in the face), and last year he shredded SJF's D. 

MUC is stronger because this is the best defense they've ever had.

Here are the keys for SJF:
1.  Protect the QB.  They've done well so far, keep it up.  Mount is averaging 4.25 sacks per game, so that big o-line needs to step up in a huge way.
2.  Protect the ball.  Again, Fisher has been excellent so far this year in giveaway/takeaway margin.  You don't often score without the ball, and to beat Mount you're going to have to score.
3.  Don't let Mount get going early.  SJF's best chance to keep it close is to have a long first drive, ideally resulting in a touchdown, to keep Mount's O on the sideline's as long as possible.  If they get into a 14-0, 21-0 hole early, say goodnight, sweetheart.
4.  Limit big plays.  This isn't an easy thing to do.  Mount has a lot of home run hitters.  The more they make Mount work, the better.  Big plays can kill momentum and really affect the morale on the sideline.
5.  Don't help MUC out.  The Raiders will commit their share of penalties.  Do not return the favor.  They don't need the help.
6.  Pray.

[rscl70]

In the breif interview after the Stagg Bowl, LK said that Mike Jorris had been injured earlier in the playoffs and that he had kept that quiet.  If you look at the passing and rushing yardage in last years games you can see it.

Against Hope Mount rushed for 240 yards and passed for 344.
Against Wheaton Mount rushed for 397 and passed for 95
Against Capital Mount rushed for 302 and passed for 28
Against SJF Mount rushed for 378 and passed for 51
In the Stagg Bowl Micheli took over and Mount rushed for 161 and passed for 202.

Last year SJF faced a very one dimensional Mount Union attack.  This year it will be balanced and wide open, with more speed on the offense with the addition of Shorts.  I would say that will be the big difference between this year and last.