FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[skunks_sidekick]

That was the best line play Mount has produced in about two years.  Both sides of the ball were dominant.
UWW is another animal though, and Mount always brings out the best from the Warhawks.  VK has really schemed well on defense the last few weeks, so it will be interesting to see what he comes up with for UWW.  I think the question still remains that if UWW is firmly set to pound the rock, can Mount stop them?

You guys and your VK to Y-State are hilarious!   

Here's to a great game Friday night, and to Mount getting #12.

[Toph]

My loyalty shows in my screen name.

After TG with my son's family we stopped in Alliance for the game. Left at half time because it was cold, the game was over, despite our request we were on the UMU side, and we had dinner plans in Cincinnati.

Based on today's results it will be another UWW-UMU Stagg Bowl.

UMU (and UWW) have proven they can dominate like no other two teams in college football. Have UMU and the Wisconsin schools ever considered moving up to DII where they might truly be tested? I recognize that the other sports might not be competitive, and that could be a reason for not moving up, but I'd be interested in others perspective.

Jeff in Tennessee

For what feel like the 100th time...if either school wanted to move up, they have to move every sport up. You say as much in your post. A university doesn't change its entire athletic philosophy because it has a really good football team.

Has W&J considered getting better players instead of asking for lesser competition?

[reality check]

Might as well fuel the fire...

I don't see the guy claiming a big announcement is coming shooting the YSU theory down.  I'd think he'd shut that down rather than let the wildfire spread if everyone was creating a fuss like this...

Just saying.   

[pradierguy]

Might as well fuel the fire...

I don't see the guy claiming a big announcement is coming shooting the YSU theory down.  I'd think he'd shut that down rather than let the wildfire spread if everyone was creating a fuss like this...

Just saying.   

That would at least be the responsible thing to do...

[ohiofan1954]

and I was getting excited with the rumor of Bo Pelini going to YSU and YSU entering the MAC soon. Oh well tells you what rumors are worth.

[mr_mom]

Fourth round scores are posted.  Although no one earned any points on the MUC-Wesley half of the "Pick Your Spread" bonus [I was tempted to give desertraider a point for having a pair], it did what it was supposed to and broke up the logjam a bit.

Raider 68 took the top spot this week, stretching his lead to three over raider-in-law.

The traditional final week spread and side-bets will come out Monday night.

[Shark]

As for this Friday, I think UWW is the favorite until proven otherwise.  Their close games don't really affect my opinion because unlike Mount's offense UWW is not designed or intended to put up huge numbers.  It's designed to control the ball and win football games.  Wartburg having success against the UWW defense is the most positive thing I've seen.  It means that if Mount can protect Burke they can score some points.  But recent history has taught us that's a big if.  Hopefully the lines are up to the challenge this year.  It should be a great game.

This ^^^

[Craft_Beermeister]

This could possibly be the last Mt./UWW matchup for a while.

UWW is going to find next year a difficult one. Replacing 4 coaches - gotta hurt. Unless the "big announcement" is that LK is moving to UWW and VK will stay at Mount. Now that could be interesting.

You guys are guessing.  Just wait.

[Raiderplaybyplay]

As for this Friday, I think UWW is the favorite until proven otherwise.  Their close games don't really affect my opinion because unlike Mount's offense UWW is not designed or intended to put up huge numbers.  It's designed to control the ball and win football games.  Wartburg having success against the UWW defense is the most positive thing I've seen.  It means that if Mount can protect Burke they can score some points.  But recent history has taught us that's a big if.  Hopefully the lines are up to the challenge this year.  It should be a great game.

This ^^^

I disagree, I think Mount's put up a more impressive resume this year. Both teams are undefeated, both have beaten quality opponents, but UWW seems a little more beatable than Mount.

That being said, LL really knows how to game plan against Mount, and though I hope it'll be a reverse of last year, I'm expecting a good game.

Biggest conerns for UWW
- Can they stop a running QB? They looked especially vulnerable to a mobile QB against Linfield.
- Will they be able to get enough pressure on Burke? If Burke has enough time, he can shred any defense.

Biggest concerns for Mount
- Can they stop the run? They struggled when Wesley ran off tackle (I actually think they really shot themselves in the foot by not running more)
- Can they protect Burke?

[raiderpa]

Lots of talk and criticism on the WIAC board about Mount running up the score and being classless. 
Never have heard Mount being called classless by anyone that knows anything about the program.  Field goals on first and goal in the third and fourth quarters over the years and no passing in the fourth quarter of most blowouts.

Mount's offense this year is up tempo, not huddle and go go go..that leads to more plays, more scoring and short scoring drives, (check the stats)..
56-0 at half and starters played vanilla football in the third period.  Mount to my memory has never sat the starters at the half, they usually play a couple series in the third and this is what they did.

Second team DBs LBs were in most of second half, and Wesley took advantage of them for statistical gains which meant nothing except for some records which were set by the Wolverine individuals..notably QB and WR...

We took our beatdown by the Warchicks last year with humility, however, this is one Raider that would like to send Lance out with his worst loss ever... I think we can..

[Raiderplaybyplay]

Lots of talk and criticism on the WIAC board about Mount running up the score and being classless. 
Never have heard Mount being called classless by anyone that knows anything about the program.  Field goals on first and goal in the third and fourth quarters over the years and no passing in the fourth quarter of most blowouts.

Mount's offense this year is up tempo, not huddle and go go go..that leads to more plays, more scoring and short scoring drives, (check the stats)..
56-0 at half and starters played vanilla football in the third period.  Mount to my memory has never sat the starters at the half, they usually play a couple series in the third and this is what they did.

Second team DBs LBs were in most of second half, and Wesley took advantage of them for statistical gains which meant nothing except for some records which were set by the Wolverine individuals..notably QB and WR...

We took our beatdown by the Warchicks last year with humility, however, this is one Raider that would like to send Lance out with his worst loss ever... I think we can..

AGREE, Mount had plenty of opportunities to run up the score this year, but they never did. Last year Mount took a 31 0 lead against Wesley in the first quarter and they ended up coming back, you can never feel safe when there's still a good amount of time on the clock. Not to mention the fact that running your offense at full speed against a good defense is excellent preparation for the next game.

Second, their is no such thing as "running up the score" in the playoffs, this is big boy football. Regular season OAC matchups against inferior opponents are one thing, but no team has an obligation to stop scoring in the playoffs.

Also, since their is a limited roster in the playoffs  it's not like Mount has the ability to put in 3rd or 4th string guys really. They can only go so far down the depth chart, what are they supposed to do?

That being said, I'd love nothing more than VK to channel the spirit of Woody Hayes and start going for 2 point conversions against UWW if they rack up a big lead.

[Craft_Beermeister]

Mount putting 70 on Wesley in 3 quarters has gotten into the head of many of the posters on the WIAC board (see below).

I explained to them that Wesley is a well respected D3 team with an explosive offense that has multiple D3 players that have received recognition for their offensive skills.  Additionally, Wesley has a reputation of getting explosive on offense and once on a roll capable of putting up a lot of points in a hurry which Wesley did last time they played Mount. 

In the 3rd quarter Mount was trying to run time off the clock and Wesley came close to scoring twice in the quarter which saw Mount complete only 7 passes the last of which came with more than 4 minutes left in the quarter which put Mount up by 70.  Surely one can't blame Mount for playing so efficient on offense and for mixing in some passes which are an important component in their offense.  If my review of the stats is correct once  Mount got to 70 they didn't attempt another pass the rest of the game and put in their backups. 

There was no attempt to run up the score other than to be wise to protect against a possible Wesley miraculous comeback.  Mount didn't have the killer instinct, the knock out punch mentality last year, but they most definitely have it this year. And why not use it.  There is no need to start the BS about Mount Union being unsportsmanlike and bad for D3.  Below is pasted from the WIAC.

Re Mount Union not letting up:  This happened for one reason and one reason only - the 2013 game started out 31-0 and ended up 62-59.

Anybody with the slightest bit of historical knowledge and the slightest bit of intellectual integrity would confirm this.

Say the what?

Leipold's been kicking the arses of Kehres pere and Kehres fils all over Salem the last few years.  (Unfortunately.)  There's no score that Mount Union could have won by today that would have "sent Whitewater a message."

31-0, then 62-59 is the reason for today's continued scoring by Mount.  Well, that, and a second-half pick six, which can hardly be blamed on Mount's offense.

I'm not sure what drug you're under the influence of or if that drug is just wearing off, but :

1.  the pick 6 wasn't in the second half, but the second quarter -
2.  nobody was blaming Mount's offense for a pick 6 - but it was partially responsible for Mounts continued scoring - you lost me there, Edward. Care to explain?

Those two items make me question if you have the slightest bit of intellectual integrity (I use that phrase loosely, because like you, I have no idea what it means; I hope retagent can tell us!)

Frankly, I don't really care what Mount decides to do with their personnel. Just thought it was odd that VK felt the Raiders couldn't hold a 56 point halftime lead against a team that was more than capable of tripping over their own two feet, all by themselves. It screams of inferiority complex.

[Craft_Beermeister]

Lots of talk and criticism on the WIAC board about Mount running up the score and being classless. 
Never have heard Mount being called classless by anyone that knows anything about the program.  Field goals on first and goal in the third and fourth quarters over the years and no passing in the fourth quarter of most blowouts.

Mount's offense this year is up tempo, not huddle and go go go..that leads to more plays, more scoring and short scoring drives, (check the stats)..
56-0 at half and starters played vanilla football in the third period.  Mount to my memory has never sat the starters at the half, they usually play a couple series in the third and this is what they did.

Second team DBs LBs were in most of second half, and Wesley took advantage of them for statistical gains which meant nothing except for some records which were set by the Wolverine individuals..notably QB and WR...

We took our beatdown by the Warchicks last year with humility, however, this is one Raider that would like to send Lance out with his worst loss ever... I think we can..

AGREE, Mount had plenty of opportunities to run up the score this year, but they never did. Last year Mount took a 31 0 lead against Wesley in the first quarter and they ended up coming back, you can never feel safe when there's still a good amount of time on the clock. Not to mention the fact that running your offense at full speed against a good defense is excellent preparation for the next game.

Second, their is no such thing as "running up the score" in the playoffs, this is big boy football. Regular season OAC matchups against inferior opponents are one thing, but no team has an obligation to stop scoring in the playoffs.

Also, since their is a limited roster in the playoffs  it's not like Mount has the ability to put in 3rd or 4th string guys really. They can only go so far down the depth chart, what are they supposed to do?

That being said, I'd love nothing more than VK to channel the spirit of Woody Hayes and start going for 2 point conversions against UWW if they rack up a big lead.

Raiderplaybyplay
Great post and great points.  As you was posting your post I was working on a similar one about the posting on WIAC board slamming Mount Union for winning by too much. 

I like your reference to Woody.  One of my favorite Woody quotes was when asked why he went for two after scoring a touchdown against Michigan his answer was because I couldn't go for 3.

[formerd3db]

Lots of talk and criticism on the WIAC board about Mount running up the score and being classless. 
Never have heard Mount being called classless by anyone that knows anything about the program.  Field goals on first and goal in the third and fourth quarters over the years and no passing in the fourth quarter of most blowouts.

Mount's offense this year is up tempo, not huddle and go go go..that leads to more plays, more scoring and short scoring drives, (check the stats)..
56-0 at half and starters played vanilla football in the third period.  Mount to my memory has never sat the starters at the half, they usually play a couple series in the third and this is what they did.

Second team DBs LBs were in most of second half, and Wesley took advantage of them for statistical gains which meant nothing except for some records which were set by the Wolverine individuals..notably QB and WR...

We took our beatdown by the Warchicks last year with humility, however, this is one Raider that would like to send Lance out with his worst loss ever... I think we can..

AGREE, Mount had plenty of opportunities to run up the score this year, but they never did. Last year Mount took a 31 0 lead against Wesley in the first quarter and they ended up coming back, you can never feel safe when there's still a good amount of time on the clock. Not to mention the fact that running your offense at full speed against a good defense is excellent preparation for the next game.

Second, their is no such thing as "running up the score" in the playoffs, this is big boy football. Regular season OAC matchups against inferior opponents are one thing, but no team has an obligation to stop scoring in the playoffs.

Also, since their is a limited roster in the playoffs  it's not like Mount has the ability to put in 3rd or 4th string guys really. They can only go so far down the depth chart, what are they supposed to do?

That being said, I'd love nothing more than VK to channel the spirit of Woody Hayes and start going for 2 point conversions against UWW if they rack up a big lead.

Raiderplaybyplay:


I agree with you completely that Mount did not run up the score.  That said, I would respectfully disagree with you to some extent in that while yes, the playoffs are "big boy football", however, running up the score in the playoffs IS possible.  I think everyone knows what that means and can recognize it i.e. if a coach intentionally put in types of plays that were meant for outlandish attempts at scoring and unnecessary.  That is far different than letting the reserves run the offense at usual for possessions and if they score, they score-so be it.  And all that is a discussion that has been held here on many occasions in the past(both in general and occasionally regarding some supposed/alleged situations, which really haven't occurred).

In addition, IMO, when the score gets like it did late in the 3rd and/or early 4th quarter with the game well in hand, that reserves should get the opportunity to play in the playoff game, like Mount's staff certainly did.  That's what they are supposed to do , especially with the limit on playoff rosters-those others should get the chance when it is a blowout.

Anyway, probably the reserves won't get the opportunity in the Staff if it is a close game.  Congratulations to Mount and all you Mount fans and, of course, the same to UW-W and their fans.  I think it will be a great Stagg Bowl (at least I hope it will be), although I will admit that after Mount's performance yesterday, I am not sure really what to expect! 

[wesleydad]

The first play in the second half was a fly pattern that just missed being completed.  One could easily take that as attempting to run up the score.  I didn't.  I was actually glad that the Wesley D backs played man and were in the faces of the Mount receivers, about 1.5 quarters too late.  I am a believer that if you don't want them to run up the score, stop them from scoring.  Wesley was pathetic yesterday on Defense.  Whatever Mount ended up with was less than it could have been.