FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Raider 68]

Does anyone know the  extent of injury on Scott Panchik?

[Kehresma]

Does anyone know the  extent of injury on Scott Panchik?

Possibly, but the "MOM!  " factor is inviolable--trumping even my life goal of reaching 12 K before MY kid graduates.   Besides, it would be a HIPA (or is that HIPPO?) violation.   Hence, with Sgt Schultz, "I know nuthing...nuTHING!" As is readily apparent in my "football game" postings.
   

[raiderguy]

Just my casual observation about this season so far but don't you think that the overall strength and improvement of the OAC teams might be a factor in the defenses performance. As I recall last year ONU was hit hard with injuries before they played Mount. Assman at Capital was not playing when the Raiders met them too. As noted The Berg is improved and the first game at St John Fisher was well....the first game. BW was also better than last years team although the score does not really reflect it.
With the number of OAC teams ranked this year it is clear others think the teams are better too. The point made earlier that teams feel like they are still in games when the offense is struggling also plays in the the oppenents playing harder later in games.

Just my thoughts.

I do like the record setting perfomance from Rodney Dangerfield oops I mean Curt Rocco yesterday.

[PurpleSuit]

Trusnik getting the start today for the browns

[reality check]

Trusnik getting the start today for the browns

Great for Trus.  I wish I could see him get the start.

[beenhit2hard]

Have not seen MUC play or practice this year,,my question is this..Has Rocco silenced his early season critics or doubters,,or have you just moved on to other subjects ?? Just wondering ,,,,

[Raider 68]

Have not seen MUC play or practice this year,,my question is this..Has Rocco silenced his early season critics or doubters,,or have you just moved on to other subjects ?? Just wondering ,,,,

beenhit2hard,

Kurt Rocco is starting to be more confident on his reads. His passes are sharp, threw several quick outs that were on target against the Berg. Not sure if his movement is there yet, but offense seems to be responding to his leadership. We will see how he improves for the balance of the season.

[Ric]

Rocco has been superb two weeks in a row now.  And the wind was miserable yesterday, yet he still had the fourth best passing day in Mount Union history. The kid will be fine.

Biggest difference to me this year is Mount's offense on third down.  They are not staying on the field like they have done in the past.  This year they are converting 35% of their third downs.  That's a number a lot of teams would like, but in Alliance it's not up to past years.

2008 57% - 54%
2007 50% - 47%
2006 55% - 54%
2005 50% - 50%
2004 52% - 47%
2003 51% - 51%
2002 56% - 52%
2001 46% - 51%
2000 52% - 48%

The first number is 3rd down percentage in the regular season, the second number is for all games played that year, including playoffs.

That's as far back as I'll go.  But as you can see the team needs to do a better job on third down and that percentage converted is way down this year. It's not all Rocco's fault.

On another note, I was following the debate on whether Mount Union is number one or not.  There have been times that I have not voted them number one but I think they are right now.

To lose votes after beating a top 25 team on their field like they did, a team that twice in the last few years, pushed the Raiders at Mount Union Stadium during the playoffs only to fall by 3 points each time, is ridiculous.  Even more so when Capital jumps five places in the poll.  I don't think you can have it both ways.

Voting them second, OK I can see some doing that. Third? I don't see the logic there at all.  If someone at some point this year wants to give me points AND Mount Union, give me a call, I'll be happy to take your money.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

+K for Ric for his first (non Pick'ems) post of the season.   

[purpled]

SaintsFan,

I'll take your word that 'Berg has a few good offensive players but Mount's D is supposed to be a rock this year...when you return 9 starters you expect stellar performances not giving up 330 yards to a team in the bottom of the conference.

[aj444]

The RAIDERS are just fime! 

[reality check]

I'm surprised the throngs of Heidelberg fans didn't point out that this was only the second home game for the Student Princes so far this year...and before you ask, that hasn't happened since 2006 in Tiffin.

Interestingly though, they put up 331 yards of total offense in their loss to JCU and 333 in yesterday's loss.





On another note, with Earlham and the HCAC announcing that they'll be joining the Heartland, that leaves a an opening in the NCAC.  Is JCU thinking about it?  If they would bolt for the NCAC would that be a good thing or bad thing for the OAC?  It would be interesting for the OAC to shrink so that a second non-conference game could be had.  Of course, that would make MUC's scheduling twice as challenging.

[pradierguy]

Did anyone else think the Patriots game looked like an MUC game at all? 5 TD's in the 2nd quarter?!?!?

[Dr. Acula]

I definitely thought it did when The Hoody had to decide whether to go for it on 4th and goal and risk a TD or kick a chip shot FG to make it 62-0.   

[Raider 68]

"On another note, with Earlham and the HCAC announcing that they'll be joining the Heartland, that leaves a an opening in the NCAC.  Is JCU thinking about it?  If they would bolt for the NCAC would that be a good thing or bad thing for the OAC?  It would be interesting for the OAC to shrink so that a second non-conference game could be had.  Of course, that would make MUC's scheduling twice as challenging."


I would think JCU would have to consider the  best move for all their programs as a whole. Not sure where the other sports stand competitively in the OAC.

For Football:

JCU -             last 10 years Wins- 69, losses 35  win percentage 66%

Wabash-       last 10 years Wins- 84, losses 26 win percentage 76%
Wittenburg-  last  10 years Wins- 85, losses 26 win percentage 76%
Wooster-      last  10 years Wins- 69, losses 32 win percentage 68%

JCU has placed in the OAC since 2000
                 
                  1- 2nd
                  5- 4th
                  1- 5th
                  2- 6th

Based upon these stats ( from Ric and D3football), JCU could be at least
a top 3 team in the NCAC or higher given that the stronger conference
is the OAC. Loss of cross town rival B-W would weigh in a change for
football.

For the OAC, I think it would hurt due to JCU being an upper half program
and scheduling would be a problem not only for Mount but the other
top schools as well.