FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[HScoach]

I hate Massillon with a passion, but congrats to Coach Jason Hall on his 17-0 win over McKinley to finish 6-4 and earn a playoff spot.

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=17&ID=438162&r=12&subCategoryID=29

[purpled]

I believe that somewhere in Nate's head he would like to have the rushing record...to leave football (chances are he won't play at another level) as the #1 rusher in DIII would be something he can take pride in. I estimate that if Mount goes to the Stagg he has 8 more games and he is 959 yards from the record, which means he has to average 120/game. So....

RUN NATE RUN!!

[reality check]

hscoach

I know this is looking WAY, WAY ahead.  I mean OTT and MUC have playoff runs to look forward to but with Micheli and Kmic gone next year, MUC will be in a spot it hasn't had to worry about in some time: replacing both a stud QB and the best back in program (maybe D-III) history at the same time.  Is this the "reload" that a contender in the OAC needs?

For the most part in the past when one great was gone, another was already the heir in waiting like Pugh to Moore or the Schmeck/Adamson/Bruney progression.  After Pugh graduated, there were some "lean" years with Ciccone, Strauch, Robinson before Kmic's arrival.  Of course, lean means the feature backs only got 1000 yards, 10 TD's and about 5.5 YPC.  

But as you eluded to, there's no heir-apparent showing flashes of brilliance.  Is Panchik the next big thing in the backfield?  Is it Orr-Zody because he's got a couple years of eligibility left?  Will Rocco prove to be worthy of the starting job despite the shortcomings you noted?  He is afterall completing over 70% in mop-up duty.

According to the CAP/OTT recap on OTT's website, Rafferty is "junior-eligible" although he's listed as a grad student on the roster.  Colton Coy (leading rusher) is a soph.  Ryan Rowley (leading receiver) is a junior.  I know skill guys aren't the only things that matter but they are the first things you notice and according to the numbers, OTT has all their big "weapons" back next year too.

ONU could be back with Simmons, Donley, Sneed and the top 3 WR's back next year.  CAP should bounce back as well.  JCU's losing a lot next year so I think they have a lot of questions to answer.  

2008 still has a lot of life left but 2009 could be real interesting in the OAC.  I wouldn't have to type this lengthy look-ahead if my Bears realized there was an endzone at the other end of the field through the first four games.

[reality check]

Kmic and records....

If my research on ncaasports.com is correct, Nate needs 2 more rushing TD's to become career leader in rushing TD's in all divisions.  He sits at 99 and the record belongs to Chadron State's Danny Woodhead at 101 whom also sits on top at 7962 career yards rushing to lead all divisions as well.

Just for the informational purposes:

Nate Kmic: 965 carries for 6399 yards and 99 TD's, 6.63 YPC
RJ Bowers: 1188 carries for 7353 yards and 91 TD's, 6.19 YPC
Danny Woodhead: 1156 carries for 7962 yards and 101 TD's, 6.89 YPC

[ADL70]

The Dispatch in September said Rafferty had another year of eligibility after this season.  I thought the rule was a player had a five year "clock" within which to have four years of participation (unless medical hardship, but I have never heard injury mentioned about him).  He graduated high school in 2004, so it seems to me his "clock" would run out this year.  But I could be mistaken.

[OldOtter]

First off... just wanted to thank JK for coming through with his promise. Don't worry, it looks good at the bottom of each post.

I was at the game. Otterbein looked good on both sides of the ball. Cap really doesn't have a rushing attack and Otterbein has only given up 7 rushing td's all season. Not having Marty really gave them no passing attack but i still think Otterbein wins that game with him. Talked to Marty down on the field after the game. He said it was a broken vertebrae and he's out up to 12 weeks. I feel bad for the guy. Two big injuries in two season. I can relate to that!

Not trying to look past Etta but im looking forward to the MTU game. I think OC has a team that can stay with mount. The hardest thing when you play mount is getting out of the first half with the game still close. In my four years I'm not sure if we scored a TD in the first half. Makes a tough game almost impossible.

Good luck Cards against Etta. Get this great season going!

[reality check]

I don't think the window counts until you start playing though.  According to OTT's media guide, Rafferty spent his first two years of college at Western Kentucky and was redshirted as a freshman.  Asa redshirt freshmen he was WKU's holder for PAT's and FG's.  He did not play after that and last season was his third year of football but second in terms of eligibility.  He's going to OTT for an MBA.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I don't think the window counts until you start playing though.  According to OTT's media guide, Rafferty spent his first two years of college at Western Kentucky and was redshirted as a freshman.  Asa redshirt freshmen he was WKU's holder for PAT's and FG's.  He did not play after that and last season was his third year of football but second in terms of eligibility.  He's going to OTT for an MBA.

Can a redshirt be a holder - sounds like playing to me?  (Honest question - I don't know the rule on this.)

[HScoach]

hscoach

I know this is looking WAY, WAY ahead.  I mean OTT and MUC have playoff runs to look forward to but with Micheli and Kmic gone next year, MUC will be in a spot it hasn't had to worry about in some time: replacing both a stud QB and the best back in program (maybe D-III) history at the same time.  Is this the "reload" that a contender in the OAC needs?

For the most part in the past when one great was gone, another was already the heir in waiting like Pugh to Moore or the Schmeck/Adamson/Bruney progression.  After Pugh graduated, there were some "lean" years with Ciccone, Strauch, Robinson before Kmic's arrival.  Of course, lean means the feature backs only got 1000 yards, 10 TD's and about 5.5 YPC.  

But as you eluded to, there's no heir-apparent showing flashes of brilliance.  Is Panchik the next big thing in the backfield?  Is it Orr-Zody because he's got a couple years of eligibility left?  Will Rocco prove to be worthy of the starting job despite the shortcomings you noted?  He is afterall completing over 70% in mop-up duty.

According to the CAP/OTT recap on OTT's website, Rafferty is "junior-eligible" although he's listed as a grad student on the roster.  Colton Coy (leading rusher) is a soph.  Ryan Rowley (leading receiver) is a junior.  I know skill guys aren't the only things that matter but they are the first things you notice and according to the numbers, OTT has all their big "weapons" back next year too.

ONU could be back with Simmons, Donley, Sneed and the top 3 WR's back next year.  CAP should bounce back as well.  JCU's losing a lot next year so I think they have a lot of questions to answer.  

2008 still has a lot of life left but 2009 could be real interesting in the OAC.  I wouldn't have to type this lengthy look-ahead if my Bears realized there was an endzone at the other end of the field through the first four games.

You bring up a great question for '09.  Mount loses the focal points of the current team with Micheli and Kmic graduating, but overall the Raiders are pretty young this season.  Using this week's 2-deep as the basis, the following returns for next season:


OFFENSIVE LINE:  3 starters (LT Crowl, C Mike Nitz and RG Guerrero) and all 5 back-ups return.  Should be a very good line.  Not expecting dominant, but very good.

WIDE RECEIVERS:  all 3 starters (Shorts, Petruziello and Claycomb) return.  These guys are a great receiving core.

TIGHT END:  starter Reynolds graduates but back-up Judd Harrold returns.  Harrold is a bigger, slightly less athletic version of Reynolds but is a great blocker at 6'-5" 230 lbs.

TAILBACK:  Kmic is gone and I'm not sure anyne on the roster is the next stud.  Panchik is good and versatile, but he isn't a difference maker.  The starting TB might be Terrance Morring who returns after season ending knee injury.  There are a couple freshman that have looked decent in JV games, but nothing that really stands out.  Definite question mark for '09.

FULLBACK:  starter Judd Lutz returns and is a good one.

QUARTERBACK:  no idea who will replace Micheli.  HUGE question mark for '09.




DEFENSIVE LINE:  should be a real strength of the '09 team as 3 starters return (DE Herbert, DT Williamson and DT Saum) as well as 3 of the 4 back-ups.  Only Millings needs replaced.  Herbert and Williamson are future All-Americans.

LINEBACKERS:  Yoder gradutates, but sophomore Sam Kershaw returns as well as Yoder's back-up (Spencer Williams).  LB's shouldn't miss a beat next year.

SECONDARY:  another strength for '09 will be a deep and talented secondary that returns 4 of 5 starters (CB Renbarger, SS McClain, FS Jordan and WS Stewart) as well as all 5 of the back-ups.  McClain is a Kostelnik in training at strong safety and Chaz Jordan and Roger Stewart have played great at safety in their first season as starters and should only gbet better with more experience.



So in general, the defense should be even better than it is this year and the offense very strong at WR and O-Line.  Obviously QB and TB are huge question marks, but they should be strong enough up front to allow a young QB and TB to get comfortable.  Hopefully there is a young QB and TB here that can step into those spots.

[Pat Coleman]

The Dispatch in September said Rafferty had another year of eligibility after this season.  I thought the rule was a player had a five year "clock" within which to have four years of participation (unless medical hardship, but I have never heard injury mentioned about him).  He graduated high school in 2004, so it seems to me his "clock" would run out this year.  But I could be mistaken.

Your clock in D-III doesn't run unless you are a full-time student.

[seventiesraider]

The question is, do you put Shorts back at QB? If Larry doesn't then there is more talent than Rocco in the wings.

[ADL70]

The Dispatch in September said Rafferty had another year of eligibility after this season.  I thought the rule was a player had a five year "clock" within which to have four years of participation (unless medical hardship, but I have never heard injury mentioned about him).  He graduated high school in 2004, so it seems to me his "clock" would run out this year.  But I could be mistaken.

Your clock in D-III doesn't run unless you are a full-time student.

If he already has a bachelor's degree (he's reported as being in grad school), it's likely he was a full-time student from 2004-8

[OldOtter]

If the whole "5 years and you're done" clock is in effect, how did Rocky Pentello still have eligibility?

[ADL70]

Not sure if it was in effect in time to apply to Rocky.  He also had a medical hardship year which stops the clock.

[raiderpa]

sorry JK...The Steelers go down...another weekend for Mrs. JK to hide the sharp objects...

IF anyone ever says anything again about Kehres and running up scores, point them to yesterday's game.  The Raiders could have scored 120, Kmic could have run for 300 and all Larry does in the second half is kick two field goals. You got to respect the man....

I would not be at all surprised if Shorts ends up at QB next year.  He would  bring Mount a different dimension and may be just the "change" that LK needs to stay interested...a new offense.

Actually, one of the young QB's was throwing lasers in pregame the last couple weeks...perhaps Mount's best advantage in developing QBs is the full JV sked and extra weeks of practice and preparation they have every season.

A coupe questions:  Can all DIII football teams continue to practice as long as the playoffs are going on?
                   and...are Ohio high school football teams allowed to practice until the end of the playoffs , if they are not involved in the tournament?