FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[rscl70]

Gentlemen:

I'm sure for those who were there, it was a fantastic game at Mount Union Stadium today.  Valliant effort by Wesley and congratulations to them for a great season, yet congratulations to Mount Union for the tenacity to not give up.  I wish I could have made the trip down to see the game as from the summary article, it was a great atmosphere and very exciting.

One question, however....where were all the Mount Union faithful.  I realize that it was extremely (actually bitter) cold today, however, 1392 reported attendance at Mount Union Stadium is disappointing, especially after you guys had about 8,500 for the OAC title game.  For that matter, the playoff attendance so far for all of Div. III has been poor (I hate to use the word pathetic, but... ) as 986 at the UMHB/SJF game and only 862 at the UW-W/Linfield game is disappointing/sad.  NCC/Bethel had 2467 reported and from the photos, it seemed like they had the most snow.

That said, I hope the attendance for the semi-final games are much better and, of course, for the Stagg Bowl this year.  However, I have my doubts about the latter.  What do you think is the reason for this lower attendance (granted, I have not gone back and check the figures for last year's playoffs for comparison).

The faithful were in the stands.  The bandwagon stayed home and stayed warm.  Maybe next week, with North Central, the crowd will be better.  It seems the only way to get a big crowd is if folks think Mount might lose.

In addition Mount has finals starting Monday so I know alot of "local" students that were going home to avoid distractions. Some faithful (and I am one regardless of what you may think) were up until 3AM grading final papers (after getting 2 hours sleep from doing the same the night before) and getting the final exams ready for the week. So when I said I was going to bed - it was because of this. I stayed "up" to hear the game. I decided "to heck with this" I would rather sleep for the first time in nearly 48 hours.

OK, you're excused, as are those preparing for finals.  Now, what about the other 2,000 or so?

[wesleydad]

WesleyDad:    thanks for hanging around to BS after the game.   2014 should be a good year to be a Wesley fan.

Hope your drive home is a safe one.   With a good working heater.

HScoach, was glad to hang around and chat with you.  it was amazing to watch and you have a wealth of Mount knowledge to add to the enjoyment of the game.  Drive home was uneventful, which is the way I like it and I agree, if this is the team that shows up next year then Wesley is going to be very good.

[wesleydad]

skunks_sidekick,

It was great joining you, Skunks, wesleydad and Raiderguy for breakfast/lunch. I thank you for the
invite. Hope wesleydad has safe travels back home. It was quite a game in many ways and I will
post later after collecting my thoughts on what I saw today.

Needless to say NCF fan will be coming to support North Central, assuming it is at Mount Union!

Next week will have the game time build-up like last year's UMHB's game, we'll see!

Raider 68, I was great meeting you today also.  Good luck next week.  Something tells me that changes will be made, although if what HScoach told be about the d backs there may not be any options to change to.

[bleedpurple]

Whitewater graduated a ton of players and lost multiple games.  Duke lost a ton of players and struggled to find wins. The difference is that UMU lost a ton of players and  is still undefeated.

No doubt about it. Business as usual for Mount. It's what they always do. Good luck next week. It should be a great game.

[wesleydad]

I can't even believe what I am reading. 633 yards passing and 8 TD's. Against Mount Union. In one game.
I'm not bringing this up to be a jerk and I'm not trying to harass Mount fans in any way. Unlike even some Mount faithful, I have not thought for one second anyone other than Mount would end up in the Stagg Bowl from that side of the bracket.  I honestly can't even process 633 and 8. 

Maybe my question is how in the world could Mount not make adjustments and stop the bleeding before 633 and 8??

Wesley made the adjustments to counter what Mount was doing early and Mount had no answer.  Once Callahan found a way to avoid the rush and he had to quite often in the second half he had many open receivers, but they did pick on #5 often.  He turns and runs with receiver and never looks back for the ball.  He got lucky on a pivotal play in the game, he was beat badly on a play but the ball was slightly underthrown and Koudusso pushed him aside to get the ball.  If koudusso just stops #5 runs into him and gets called for interference and Wesley continues the drive with the ball inside the 30.  The fact that they could not keep the Wesley receivers in front of them when they knew Wesley was going to throw is a whole different issue.  Looking into the back field is my guess, which is a killer if the sack is not made.

[wesleydad]

thanks to skunkssidekick for breakfast and the ticket, greatly appreciated.  As usual the trip to Alliance was fun and hanging with you guys is always worth the trip, but yes, I was wondering why I drove that far to watch that beating that was occurring only to be glad that I made the trip to see a fantastic game.

Nice chatting with Skunk, who looked to be in shock as the game got closer, Raiderguy and Raider 68.  Good luck next week, looks like another good QB is coming to town, so buckle up you could be in for a rough one.  May need to score in the 50's to win again.  Only good thing about that is that the offense is capable of doing it.

[Raider 68]

skunks_sidekick,

It was great joining you, Skunks, wesleydad and Raiderguy for breakfast/lunch. I thank you for the
invite. Hope wesleydad has safe travels back home. It was quite a game in many ways and I will
post later after collecting my thoughts on what I saw today.

Needless to say NCF fan will be coming to support North Central, assuming it is at Mount Union!

Next week will have the game time build-up like last year's UMHB's game, we'll see!

Raider 68, I was great meeting you today also.  Good luck next week.  Something tells me that changes will be made, although if what HScoach told be about the d backs there may not be any options to change to.

wesleydad,

Great to meet you as well! Glad you had a safe trip back!

[amonachino]

Who did Mount play in the 1st game of the playoffs?  What was the exact score?  All that matters is that you WIN.  That is what Mount did.  Now on to the next game.  Mount made one more play then the other team did.  Their are all kinds of way to lose a game, and their are different ways to win the game.  Coach Larry K. preached that in the playoffs it only mattered to score more points then they did.  Mount is all about doing what you got to to that day to WIN.  Each game has it's own unique way to play out.  The one yesterday was one such game.  Better to win and work on your mistakes then lose and go home.  It is always better to beat  better teams then to lose to them.  The mind of the players playing the game is the most important talent that each one has.

[dlippiel]

 Really great game yesterday! Great effort by Wesley to not give up and great effort by Mount to keep fighting through the comeback and get the win!

Dlip thinks it's great all you guys from the board got together (skunks, wesleydad, raider guy, raider68). Dlip hopes you guys had a great day!

[HScoach]

Who did Mount play in the 1st game of the playoffs?  What was the exact score?  All that matters is that you WIN.  That is what Mount did.  Now on to the next game.  Mount made one more play then the other team did.  Their are all kinds of way to lose a game, and their are different ways to win the game.  Coach Larry K. preached that in the playoffs it only mattered to score more points then they did.  Mount is all about doing what you got to to that day to WIN.  Each game has it's own unique way to play out.  The one yesterday was one such game.  Better to win and work on your mistakes then lose and go home.  It is always better to beat  better teams then to lose to them.  The mind of the players playing the game is the most important talent that each one has.

Beat W&J in first round 34-20.   Backup freshman QB had big passing day for W&J.   Which unfortunately has become a reoccuring theme this season.

[mr_mom]

I can neither confirm nor deny the rumor that HScoach was ready to jump out of the press box window if Wesley recovered that onside kick at the end.

That would have been entertaining, considering the windows don't open in the new box.

[section13raiderfan]

As noted earlier a certain DB has a style of coverage that puts a target on his back and for 3 weeks now has been exploited for this  ( tendancy...flaw...habit...vulnerability) insert word of your choosing. We saw what he can do when he sees the throw. Big props for the pick six, but if he cant help himself or cant be coached out of it then VK needs to change the scheme to keep him out of 1 on 1 situations. Good luck with that!

We all know what UMU can do when the issue is pressed. The worst thing that can happen is for them to get up early and then back off and try to protect their lead. Thoroughbreds make poor trotters. BJ is an amazing runner but if you are going to try and drain the clock why would you not bring in another bigger back to absorb the pounding? At least use 2 back sets and protect him a little more. Give the defense 3 players to worry about.

I expect more of the same gameplan next week since it has worked so well thus far for our opponents. If not prepared for it after all this time, then i dont see UMU getting away with it next week. We are gonna need more skill and less luck from here on out.

It was tough watching all the holding and pushing off and snap jumping that went unnoticed by the refs. Maybe one should be in the stands to get a better big picture view of the game.

[edward de vere]

Latest Washington Post story on Pete The Waiter.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/pierre-garcon-evolves-into-no-1-threat-for-washington-redskins/2013/12/07/7246d6ca-5e94-11e3-8d24-31c016b976b2_story.html

Also, I saw reference to ESPN doing a "30 On 30" show next Saturday (I think) on Jim Tressel and Maurice Clarett and their Youngstown connections.

[Desertraider]

Great story on PG. I would like to congratulate PG on his first 1000 yard season in NFL. Came into today with 980 and just had a grab for 12 - I feel very confident he will get the remaining 8 yards in the next 3.5 quarters of play.

[mr_mom]

Great story on PG. I would like to congratulate PG on his first 1000 yard season in NFL. Came into today with 980 and just had a grab for 12 - I feel very confident he will get the remaining 8 yards in the next 3.5 quarters of play.

I think you jinxed him ... no, nevermind ... there it is!  Only high-point for this game!    31-0 ... time for HSCoach to call this game.