FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Spurrier]

spurrier says, "will do"

[mr_mom]

spurrier says, "will do"

<G>  +1k

[Toph]

Here are my takeaways from today's game.  I had the opportunity to see it in person at Shula Stadium. 

JCU's D is legitimately very good.  I don't think this surprises anyone who saw the team last year.  They attack the ball and are extremely aggressive. 

JCU's O is good with the potential to be great.  They struggled to finish at times, and that is a concern.  Tom Arth lit the offense up something fierce after the blocked FG.  Some direct quotes:  "You need to give everything you've got on every play."  "Every time you have the chance you ram it down there throats and put it in the end zone."  "We're not that good" (implying that the team isn't good enough to take its foot off the gas at any point).  It was good to see and the team responded. 

Heidelberg is an above average to good team, but they are nothing special.  The offense struggled terribly for the entire game.  Save a 99 yard INT return (Myers forced a throw to the middle of the field), and Brooks breaking a long run against the 2nd team (while I was on the way to Parnells, the game was well in hand), this game could've been JCU: 60+ Berg: 3.  There was even a punt that JCU tipped, and nearly blocked outright when it looked like the Streaks only had 10 men on the field because of confusion on the sideline.

The Student Prince defense looked completely overmatched.  Receivers were running wide open on virtually every play, and the defenders displayed some absolutely terrible tackling, some of the worst I've seen at any level.  Everything from not wrapping up, to taking bad angles, and bouncing off running backs like it's Tecmo Bowl.  Heidelberg will win some games, but unless they improve a great deal they will get their doors blown off against Mount, much like today.  The comparison to the early to mid 2000s Otterbein is spot on, they're above average, but well below top tier. 

A good game from Carroll, but not good enough to beat Mount Union...yet.  I apologize if I come off as harsh in my assessment of Heidelberg, but I was disappointed in their play today.  I came expecting a great game, and for the second straight year I was walking out of the stadium early in the fourth.

[Dr. Acula]

Berg once again gets a subpar passing game and bad defense against a quality opponent.  When teams are wisely going to focus on Brooks you have to be able to hurt them through the air.  They don't seem to do this well.  And I think it's long been a given by now that anyone with talent on offense is scoring on them. 

On the flip side great job by the Streaks.  Myers coming out and playing like Myers had to be a huge boost to their confidence.  They capitalized and did pretty much whatever they wanted on both sides of the ball it looks like.  Not much to do other than tip your hat because that was another arse kicking they handed out.

[mr_mom]

OAC Pick-Em results posted. 

- I was obviously clued in re: the ONU/BWU game.
- I was obviously clueless regarding the Berg-JC game.
- I [like last year] almost spayed y'all on the MTU/MUS game.  But was screwed by the late punt return.  ARG!

Congrats to Chess4Me, wally_wabash, and my spawn Bobert6296 for taking medalist honors this weekend.

wally_wabash now joins theaprof as our current leaders.

[Dr. Acula]

Made the trip to New Concord yesterday.  Quick thoughts:

Musky is bad.  I mean BAD.  That wasn't normal Fish bad, that was "bad enough to potentially lose to Wilm" bad.  The Raiders scored on every possession in the first half.  Even when penalties made it something like 1st and 29 you just assumed Burke would play pitch and catch a couple times and convert.

The starting D looked excellent. The caveat, obviously, being the Musky is usually offensively challenged and appears even more so this year.  If that offense did much against Mount I'd be concerned.  Also, Kappas is indeed rotating a lot of bodies in on the D line.  It seemed like 7-8 guys played quite a bit.

Burke looked very sharp throwing the ball again.  And again he wisely kept the rushing attempts to a minimum.

Kennedy continues to impress returning punts.  He had another one around 40 yds yesterday.  He's slippery back there and seems to have a knack for getting upfield.

A lot has been said about the depth at WR (they settled into a 6 guy rotation yesterday shuttling Meacham, Wilkinson, Namdar, Scott, Gainer, Herrington in and out), but they were rotating 3 RB yesterday early as well.  Mitchell started and got his touches with Nemeth spelling him like normal. But Brandon Williams played early and showed some burst through the hole.  He's the kid that ran track at UC-Riverside (I had to look it up).  When he got into the open he was gone on a 48 yd TD.  And he's a little bigger at 210.

The three freshmen skill guys I heard mentioned by name during camp were Burkes, Johnson and Friss.  Johnson had a very impressive 31 yd TD run.  Friss had a punt return for a TD.  Burkes was 3-3 for 26 yds, but he didn't run it at all which was what I wanted to see because he can supposedly fly.

Another tune up next week so we should get another chance to see lots of guys play.

[mr_mom]

And all this time I thought it was three nines on his forehead!   

That's because you're usually looking down at him when he is passed out at the tailgate!

Hmmm ... starting to see a disturbing pattern here ...

[bceagle80]

Freshman QB David Burkes getting some PT time today as the 3rd QB for the Raiders.

Speaking of Freshman, I was able to drive in for the Junior Varsity game yesterday and enjoyed a pleasant day with my wife watching the game. It was a long drive for us but, if you live in the area and have not gone and seen Mount Union's Junior Varsity on a Sunday in the Fall, its a great way to spend the afternoon. We sat on the original stadium side and found all the fans to be polite yet vigorous in the support of the team.

They won 42-21. Yes, there were some "freshman" mistakes but, on the whole, the game was fun to watch, exhibited some great athletic play and gave a very favorable impression for how things will continue be at Mount Union in the coming years. VK was there, with his assistants, all giving positive reinforcement and proper attitude adjustments when needed. My only criticism of the game is that Mount Union did not have an announcer for the football game.

My son got in again and played well making multiple blocks on all plays while he was in there. He believed his performance was right where he needed to be and that the coaches would be very happy with it. The intensity he showed in working hard all football season last year in his senior high school as well as his weight training and Mount workouts, came to a boil after one series. The series ended in a fumble with Washington and Jefferson recovering the fumble. He came out and "scared a few people". He said, "Are you kidding me?!!!! I get in the game and we fumble!!!!". He was not out of control but intense. One of the coaches tried to make light of the situation (to help him keep under control) and made a comment about him not being around guns. The point is this: teams need this fire, focus and intensity. For great teams, it is the heart of the team. I like the freshman!

We then had a nice dinner at Pizza Hut after the game with him and enjoyed the new bacon-stuffed crust pizza.

[Dr. Acula]

The JV Raiders seem to be chugging along offensively.  They've put up a lot of points all 3 games.  Sounded like a nice Sunday, bceagle.  Glad you got to watch your son and enjoy some dinner with him.  If you're anything like my old man that was probably a perfect day!

[ohiofan1954]

Made the trip to New Concord yesterday.  Quick thoughts:

Musky is bad.  I mean BAD.  That wasn't normal Fish bad, that was "bad enough to potentially lose to Wilm" bad.  The Raiders scored on every possession in the first half.  Even when penalties made it something like 1st and 29 you just assumed Burke would play pitch and catch a couple times and convert.

The starting D looked excellent. The caveat, obviously, being the Musky is usually offensively challenged and appears even more so this year.  If that offense did much against Mount I'd be concerned.  Also, Kappas is indeed rotating a lot of bodies in on the D line.  It seemed like 7-8 guys played quite a bit.

Burke looked very sharp throwing the ball again.  And again he wisely kept the rushing attempts to a minimum.

Kennedy continues to impress returning punts.  He had another one around 40 yds yesterday.  He's slippery back there and seems to have a knack for getting upfield.

A lot has been said about the depth at WR (they settled into a 6 guy rotation yesterday shuttling Meacham, Wilkinson, Namdar, Scott, Gainer, Herrington in and out), but they were rotating 3 RB yesterday early as well.  Mitchell started and got his touches with Nemeth spelling him like normal. But Brandon Williams played early and showed some burst through the hole.  He's the kid that ran track at UC-Riverside (I had to look it up).  When he got into the open he was gone on a 48 yd TD.  And he's a little bigger at 210.

The three freshmen skill guys I heard mentioned by name during camp were Burkes, Johnson and Friss.  Johnson had a very impressive 31 yd TD run.  Friss had a punt return for a TD.  Burkes was 3-3 for 26 yds, but he didn't run it at all which was what I wanted to see because he can supposedly fly.

Another tune up next week so we should get another chance to see lots of guys play.

I'm glad I went to the Ashland-Ohio Dominican game instead. That was a good game, much better then the final score indicated.

[joelmama]

Freshman QB David Burkes getting some PT time today as the 3rd QB for the Raiders.

Speaking of Freshman, I was able to drive in for the Junior Varsity game yesterday and enjoyed a pleasant day with my wife watching the game. It was a long drive for us but, if you live in the area and have not gone and seen Mount Union's Junior Varsity on a Sunday in the Fall, its a great way to spend the afternoon. We sat on the original stadium side and found all the fans to be polite yet vigorous in the support of the team.

They won 42-21. Yes, there were some "freshman" mistakes but, on the whole, the game was fun to watch, exhibited some great athletic play and gave a very favorable impression for how things will continue be at Mount Union in the coming years. VK was there, with his assistants, all giving positive reinforcement and proper attitude adjustments when needed. My only criticism of the game is that Mount Union did not have an announcer for the football game.

My son got in again and played well making multiple blocks on all plays while he was in there. He believed his performance was right where he needed to be and that the coaches would be very happy with it. The intensity he showed in working hard all football season last year in his senior high school as well as his weight training and Mount workouts, came to a boil after one series. The series ended in a fumble with Washington and Jefferson recovering the fumble. He came out and "scared a few people". He said, "Are you kidding me?!!!! I get in the game and we fumble!!!!". He was not out of control but intense. One of the coaches tried to make light of the situation (to help him keep under control) and made a comment about him not being around guns. The point is this: teams need this fire, focus and intensity. For great teams, it is the heart of the team. I like the freshman!

We then had a nice dinner at Pizza Hut after the game with him and enjoyed the new bacon-stuffed crust pizza.

it is good to get reports on the young guys coming up.  Keep it up.

Did Cecil Shorts younger brother play in the JV game?

[Dr. Acula]

^^^ Seconded.  I always enjoy hearing about the youngsters.  All updates and details are much appreciated!  +k

[bceagle80]

The JV Raiders seem to be chugging along offensively.  They've put up a lot of points all 3 games.  Sounded like a nice Sunday, bceagle.  Glad you got to watch your son and enjoy some dinner with him.  If you're anything like my old man that was probably a perfect day!

It was a perfect day! The drive was a little tough at night. Rain and getting back home at midnight but it was worth it.

[bceagle80]

We then had a nice dinner at Pizza Hut after the game with him and enjoyed the new bacon-stuffed crust pizza.
[/quote] it is good to get reports on the young guys coming up.  Keep it up.

Did Cecil Shorts younger brother play in the JV game?
[/quote]

It is my impression he did. As I was watching, I saw a receiver who, although not big, was fast and could cut great. We did not have programs or a sheet with players names and numbers so I don't know for sure. They change the numbers even week to week. My son has had 2 jersey numbers already. After the game, I was more focused on my son than asking about Steven Shorts. I did talk with a Raider named Tahir Prophet for a few minutes while we were waiting for my son to finish up in the locker room. Very nice and polite young man. My son later told me Tahir dubbed his highlight video "The Prophecy". Good player, sense of humor and a gentleman to boot. Mount Union has some great men playing on the JV!

[Desertraider]

Was watching ESPN SC this morning. Saw Pierre and Cecil both on NFL Top 10. Cecil had a nice diving catch at number 10 and Pierre with that great sideline grab at number 8. I still think it is cool to see them on SC. Wish ESPN would do a piece on the two of them that looks at D3 football and of course........Thee University of Mount Union!