FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[mr_mom]

Ric/Mark -- Whatever you do, don't turn on the Auburn-Miss State game.  Maybe 50,000 cowbells!   

[Dr. Acula]

BW blocks a punt for a safety, gets a pick 6 and altogether puts 23 on the board in the 4th to win a dog fight at Etta 40-33.  The Pios got into the red zone with a chance to tie (or win) with 23 sec left, but were picked off in the end zone to end the game.  That 6-4 season almost slipped away this afternoon.

As expected, JCU rolled Wilm and Berg did likewise to Musky.  I wonder if Bryan Lacey is hurt because he had no carries today and Brooks was still in there getting carries into the 4th quarter when they were up 7 TD's after 3.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount had another day at the office in Ada.  I was very impressed with their ability to completely shut down the ONU passing game.  Price had 6 catches for 2 yards.  Angle only threw for 42 yards.  Coach Paul seemed very conservative with the game plan today.  They took a few shots downfield, but other than that it was very conservative play calling I thought.  And the punt on 4th and 2 in Mount territory down 21-0 was odd to me.

The Raiders ran the ball well today (305 yds, 6.8 ypc) including the return of "that" Burke.  The one from last year.  He had 65 yds and 3 scores on 8 carries.  I'm happy to see he's still got it, but I'll be equally happy to keep seeing those single digit rushing attempts.  From what Ric and HScoach said it sounded like he may not have been quite as crisp today with the accuracy.  And yes, I do realize that he was still 65%.  But it sounded like the WR made a few plays for him and there were some underthrown balls into the wind.  That kind of thing.  This is how good he is...complaints that he doesn't drill the WR in stride or in the chest every single throw.  We're spoiled.

Namdar and Mitchell had nice days again today.  Mitchell's streak ended at 10 straight games with a rushing TD, but he had 93 yards on only 10 carries.  Namdar could be scary good.  I mean, he already IS really good.  But I'm talking about being in that Garcon/Shorts/Collins class. 

After listening to that game I'm completely baffled how JCU and ONU played a 17-10 game 7 days ago.  It makes no sense.

Curious to hear thoughts from anyone who went today though. 

[PurpleSuit]

Burke was a little off today, looked more like a timing thing than anything.  He still played a hell of a game.  Namdar and Meacham were a little banged up throughout the game as well.  Namdar is about as uncoverable as any WR Mount has had since Pierre or Cecil.

I have no idea how JCU only put up 17 on ONU.  Mount really didn't struggle at all moving the ball other than the one quick drive in the 1st(?).  Just a dominating game over all by Mount.  ONU never really threatened to score.  The QB had a couple of deep plays available but the Mount DL was able to pressure him all day.  Mount went with a 2 DL look on 3rd and longs today with multiple blitzers. I can't remember seeing that before from the Raiders. 

Furda's INT was a JJ Watt-esque play.  He is going to be a player with some added strength and size.

I would recommend watching Brandon Williams cover kicks and punts, he goes full speed and was de-cleating Polar Bears each kick.

[reality check]

Well, my squad made national headlines this morning.  This story is currently on the front page of Maxpreps.

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/J0vS6flA3kC2tXqrbHg7Qw/video--teams-combine-for-170-points,-1,600-yards-in-3-hour,-37-minute-bonanza.htm

The bad part is I was coaching (THE OFFENSE) on the wrong side of the final score.  The article is mostly one-sided (video only shows the other team moving the ball) but I had the privilege to coach the little guy that threw all over us last night when he was my quarterback last year at Higley.  Mason's a gamer regardless of his size.  He threw for 2000 yards and 20 TDs to 7 picks for me as a frosh.   I'm pretty sure that while all the attention is being given to our opponent (rightfully so because of the outcome), we broke the Arizona state record for total offense in a game. 

[HScoach]

My thoughts on the Mount scrimmage against ONU:

1.  Burke was not at his best, but still good enough for Mount to score at will.   Way too many weapons at WR and RB for ONU to slow down. 

2.  ONU's offensive game plan was HORRID.   Nothing but bubble screen/hitch routes.   Regardless of whether they worked (which they never did) or the situation on the field or down/distance. 

3.  ONU is average on defense.  Secondary was pretty good, but D-line was weak and LB's nothing special either.   No pass rush and very little resistance to the running game.   Only bright spot on D was that they held up better than expected in the secondary.   If you look at the box score against JCU, they gave up a bunch of yards but not sure how they kept Myers & Co from scoring 40+.   Weird.  Just as shocking is how ONU ever scored 50+ against Heidelberg.   I understand Heidi isn't any good on D, but the ONU offense we saw today would struggle to score on Marietta.

4.  ONU offense was terrible today.  Only 1 athlete (Devon Price) and they couldn't figure out how to get him the ball.   QB Angle was a good, big, strong athlete that avoided the rush and was hard to tackle but couldn't throw the ball.   Think Tebow in the NFL but with less accuracy or arm strength.  Yes, he was that bad today.

[Desertraider]

Think Tebow in the NFL but with less accuracy or arm strength.  Yes, he was that bad today.

Ouch - talk about a back handed compliment! I listened to the game via the phone today. First and foremost - OMG it was impossible to hear anything. The WRMU crew sounded like they were set-up right next the PA speakers. Regardless - Mount scored at will and all I kept thinking was "how in the he!! did ONU hang with JCU?". It seemed like when Mount did not score it was because Mount failed to execute and stopped themselves. I would love to have a bright spot for ONU - but all I got is: Mount didn't score on ALL of their drives. ONU sounded terrible today. Sorry Polar Bear fans but 64 plays and 130 yards doesn't leave alot of room for sunshine.

[wesleydad]

OAC guys, is the bottom of the league really this bad?  There are so many blowouts that it would seem to make going to games rather anti-climatic.  Would it be more fun if the league was like the E8 where 4 or 5 teams can beat anyone and each week has a couple of games that will be close and could change the top of the standings?

[Desertraider]

OAC guys, is the bottom of the league really this bad?  There are so many blowouts that it would seem to make going to games rather anti-climatic.  Would it be more fun if the league was like the E8 where 4 or 5 teams can beat anyone and each week has a couple of games that will be close and could change the top of the standings?

This is only my opinion but I don't think ONU is the bottom of this league. I see it more that Mount is that much better than the middle of the league. Mount had 2's and 3's getting tons of yards yesterday. ONU was a top team 5 or so years ago. Then it was Heidelberg - now it looks like maybe JCU. For whatever reason it is not sustained. As far as the E8 - I would not mind seeing Mount tested more often. I think it would benefit them in playoffs more than playing 2 qtrs. However - I can't see too much shake-up in OAC due to lack of options. Where would Mount "take their talents" to? Anywhere reasonably close is a step down in my opnion. For now it is great to see the 2s and 3s get a ton of playing time to prepare for their turn.

[ohiofan1954]

Well, my squad made national headlines this morning.  This story is currently on the front page of Maxpreps.

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/J0vS6flA3kC2tXqrbHg7Qw/video--teams-combine-for-170-points,-1,600-yards-in-3-hour,-37-minute-bonanza.htm

The bad part is I was coaching (THE OFFENSE) on the wrong side of the final score.  The article is mostly one-sided (video only shows the other team moving the ball) but I had the privilege to coach the little guy that threw all over us last night when he was my quarterback last year at Higley.  Mason's a gamer regardless of his size.  He threw for 2000 yards and 20 TDs to 7 picks for me as a frosh.   I'm pretty sure that while all the attention is being given to our opponent (rightfully so because of the outcome), we broke the Arizona state record for total offense in a game.

Reminds me of a High School game I saw in 08 between Columbus Beechcroft and Columbus Centennial. Final score was 96-0. Should have been 102-0 but one score   was taken off board at request of Beechcroft coach.

[Dr. Acula]

OAC guys, is the bottom of the league really this bad?  There are so many blowouts that it would seem to make going to games rather anti-climatic.  Would it be more fun if the league was like the E8 where 4 or 5 teams can beat anyone and each week has a couple of games that will be close and could change the top of the standings?

Yes, the bottom of the league is very bad.  But as desertraider said, ONU is not the bottom of the league.  They're the middle.  This year it's clearly Mount, JCU, Grand Canyon sized gap, the rest of the OAC.  And even within that there's a big gap between an ONU/Ott and Cap/Wilm/Musky/Etta.  Those bottom 4 have almost no chance to beat even a mid tier team right now. 

To answer your question about whether it'd be more fun if it were like the E8 I would answer it this way.  As a fan of the OAC yes, it would absolutely be more fun.  As a fan of Mount specifically no, I don't think it'd change things much.  If the OAC was like the E8 it'd be the same as now...one team would push them (say SJF) and they would steamroll the rest.  So basically exactly like the OAC for Mount fans.  I would definitely like to see more games like yesterday when Marietta took BW to the wire because it's just more interesting to follow the conference as a whole. 

The new coaches at Etta and Wilm might move them up at least in terms of talent.  Musky is just not going to be good ever because they're just generally not good at sports and Logan has been there for years now.  To me the bigger issue is why the other OAC schools seem incapable of sustaining any level of national or even regional relevance from year to year.  I'm biased, but IMO 2 of the 3 out of BW, JCU and ONU should be good every year.  They have all been good at points, they all have the facilities and administrative support to thrive and they all have good recruiting bases.  Next year will answer it, but it seems like JCU is almost there.  Where a down year will now be 7-3 at worst.  The other two?  Not so much.       

[mr_mom]

Results of Week #6 of the OAC Pick-Em have been posted.

In a week that had a couple surprise scores, Sir Battlescars (11), Bobert6296 (10), Raider 68 (10), and shark (10) were the only players to eek out double digits.

jaypeter joins theaprof atop the overall standings, with wally_wabash just a point behind.  They have a slight separation from the peloton but there are still a lot of games to be played.

Week # 7 spreads will come out Monday night.

[mr_mom]

MUC's Kyle Miller was previously on the Miami Dolphins practice squad roster, partially due to his ability as a long-snapper.  Alas, he was released in the off-season (now in Atlanta) and Miami's long-snapper was just injured early in the game versus Green Bay.

So who is warming up to take over the duties?  Former Polar Bear Jason Trusnik.

[reality check]

I don't recall Jason ever snapping at ONU.  Very cool.

[reality check]

Well, my squad made national headlines this morning.  This story is currently on the front page of Maxpreps.

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/J0vS6flA3kC2tXqrbHg7Qw/video--teams-combine-for-170-points,-1,600-yards-in-3-hour,-37-minute-bonanza.htm

The bad part is I was coaching (THE OFFENSE) on the wrong side of the final score.  The article is mostly one-sided (video only shows the other team moving the ball) but I had the privilege to coach the little guy that threw all over us last night when he was my quarterback last year at Higley.  Mason's a gamer regardless of his size.  He threw for 2000 yards and 20 TDs to 7 picks for me as a frosh.   I'm pretty sure that while all the attention is being given to our opponent (rightfully so because of the outcome), we broke the Arizona state record for total offense in a game.

Reminds me of a High School game I saw in 08 between Columbus Beechcroft and Columbus Centennial. Final score was 96-0. Should have been 102-0 but one score   was taken off board at request of Beechcroft coach.

There's a big difference between the game you just mentioned from OH and the game I coached in Friday night; the 75 points put up by the losing team (my side).  We actually outgained them and set new state records for total yards, total offense, and individual total offense as our QB threw for 565, ran for 169 and caught a pass for 16 (750 yards total offense).  According the NFHS record book, we put up the tenth highest total offense number in history and probably set a national record for total yards (which includes KR yardage) with 1,049 total yards.  We broke the AZ state record in that category by almost 200 yards.