FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[emma17]

^^
Are you giving both Jorris and Micheli credit for the same Stagg Bowl victory?

That is really an impressive list.
Were the 2009, 10 and 11 QB's one-year guys?

I may have with Jorris and Micheli.  I was looking at Career stats from each year.  Jorris started a lot that year and then Micheli took over more in the playoffs right?

Seaman probably was the one letdown of the bunch as he was oft-injured and never won the big one as a local kid.

There were a couple-three or so years when Moore, Kmic and Pugh were the workhorses and the QB wasn't as important as a component to the success (Bruney, Burghart, Jorris, Adamson) as when you had guys like Borchert, Micheli and Burke.

Unfortunately for UWW (if I recall correctly) Micheli took over for Jorris during the 2006 Stagg and played an incredible game. I'm pretty sure the game was super tight until the Sophomore wonder kid came in (I say that with all respect as I think he was a great QB).

UWW never did see much of Seaman as he was either hurt or platooned by Stagg Bowl time during his run.

[hsbsballcoach7]

I like the discussion here on the Raider QBs. My hope as the season ended was for someone to step up out of Peyakov, Burkes or an incoming guy. It would be nice to keep Namdar and Scott at WR for playmaking ability. Burkes ran the read option very well in limited action, but didn't get to see him throw much. If Scott is indeed the choice at QB it looks like we will run much more, as that fits his skill set better than throwing 30 times a game, but that's not to say that he CAN'T throw it 15 times effectively.

As for anyone still interested in the Walsh/Malone D3 rumor, I've talked to different people around the area and they've said that it seems to be the money for Malone, as expected. They cut tennis last year and have discussed other sports for the near future. Malone will more than likely go D3 in the very near future, unless something changes. Many athletes are already looking to transfer out. Walsh is planning to stick with D2 from what I've been told. They only have 26 scholarships to divide among their players however the coaches see fit, rather than all getting half or 3/4 scholarships. Their dream was to put stands where their nice turf practice field is right now, but I think that is going to be a challenge. Walsh will be fine for the time being. This is a great reminder to people that keep telling Mount Union to go D2 how difficult it really is to get there financially and stay there as an entire athletic department!

[Dr. Acula]

Scott and Burkes would be home run threats at QB running the ball.  Burkes looked very quick.  I think Scott would be fine throwing the ball more than 15 times a game.  He can throw and he has a good arm.  I'm certainly not expecting no drop off because it will be noticeable one when you replace a 2x Gagliardi winner. Burkes is an unknown to me.  I only saw him throw a couple passes just like most of us.     

[emma17]

I'm curious as to the preference Mt fans have regarding the style of offense the Purple Raiders will run.
KB was no doubt a special player and made the Read Option work w very limited turnovers.
Do you want to see that style of offense or would you like to see something else?

[joelmama]

Speaking only for myself.  I have no preference whatsoever.  Fit the offense to the best athlete (and those supporting him) you have and build around that.

[D3MAFAN]

Speaking only for myself.  I have no preference whatsoever.  Fit the offense to the best athlete (and those supporting him) you have and build around that.

I agree, if you can't recruit based on what you want to do, then adjust appropriately based on the current skill set, that's what I have noticed that separate elite coaches from good coaches. I have seen teams go from having great seasons to subpar solely due to the coaches stubbornness to adjust.

[Dr. Acula]

That's the LK system that all those coaches learned in...

"They do not adhere to any sort of fixed orthodoxy at Mount. The key philosophy Kehres uses, and that at least four people echoed back to me, is PLAYERS, FORMATIONS, PLAYS — one leads to the next, which leads to the next."

Grantland Story

[emma17]

That's the LK system that all those coaches learned in...

"They do not adhere to any sort of fixed orthodoxy at Mount. The key philosophy Kehres uses, and that at least four people echoed back to me, is PLAYERS, FORMATIONS, PLAYS — one leads to the next, which leads to the next."

Grantland Story

I get this philosophy however I do think preference comes into play. Prior to KB Mt wasn't really a read option offense as I recall. KB was a special talent.
So the question really is what type of player Mt wants to recruit. Like another poster said, if Mt can't get the type of player they are very willing to adjust to a special player's abilities like KB.
This season will be interesting as there seems to be style options. VK can opt for the running QB style or he can opt for a different style as he seems to have options on the roster.

[Dr. Acula]

I think the running QB is here to stay for now.  None of the known candidates for QB are really what I'd call a rocket armed pocket passer.  Peyakov is the biggest and least mobile, but he's not that big and he can still run.  He's just not a Taurice Scott type athlete or blessed with Roman Namdar type speed.  Scott, Namdar and Burkes would all feature running as part of their package with (my guess being) Scott and Burkes doing so heavily.  And the incoming guys mostly look like dual threat QB's too.  However, I think part of that is also the idea that most of those kids will end up at another position so I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in that.   

[bceagle80]

I like the discussion here on the Raider QBs. My hope as the season ended was for someone to step up out of Peyakov, Burkes or an incoming guy. It would be nice to keep Namdar and Scott at WR for playmaking ability. Burkes ran the read option very well in limited action, but didn't get to see him throw much. If Scott is indeed the choice at QB it looks like we will run much more, as that fits his skill set better than throwing 30 times a game, but that's not to say that he CAN'T throw it 15 times effectively.

As for anyone still interested in the Walsh/Malone D3 rumor, I've talked to different people around the area and they've said that it seems to be the money for Malone, as expected. They cut tennis last year and have discussed other sports for the near future. Malone will more than likely go D3 in the very near future, unless something changes. Many athletes are already looking to transfer out. Walsh is planning to stick with D2 from what I've been told. They only have 26 scholarships to divide among their players however the coaches see fit, rather than all getting half or 3/4 scholarships. Their dream was to put stands where their nice turf practice field is right now, but I think that is going to be a challenge. Walsh will be fine for the time being. This is a great reminder to people that keep telling Mount Union to go D2 how difficult it really is to get there financially and stay there as an entire athletic department!

Hello again d3boarders,

I have been very busy with work and other responsibilities. As always, interesting and lively discussions going on.

A few comments....

1) Regarding the QB position: while I have not spoken to my son directly on this, I agree that the running QB is here to stay for a while at Mount. That being said, it will be that running QB's passing ability and intelligence that will create a starting opportunity for him. For that reason, and for the fact the program will be better served with Scott and Namdar remaining at wide receiver, I believe Scott and Namdar will remain as receivers. Keep in mind while a great QB makes his receivers look better, just the opposite is true as well. Scott and Namdar will make catches other receivers may not.

Another thought about keeping with a running QB at Mount: Mount Union likes athletes on the offensive and defensive lines. They have to be able to move well in order to get out in front of the RBs and QBs. As an example, Mike Frank comes to mind. While he is a beast strength-wise, he is an athlete. He is not the tallest lineman nor the biggest but when he hits the defensive linemen, they know it and he is able to keep his blocks going and look for secondary blocks. Their blocking schemes are made for athletic linemen. If there is huge lineman that comes to Mount, he needs to have the total package in order to be able to play in the games.

2) As for Walsh, my son was recruited by them. Coach Karras (yes, Alex Karras's nephew - Hall of Fame d-lineman and Mongo in "Blazing Saddles") is a good recruiter and made my son feel accepted and was willing to give his personal time to my son. He came very close to going to Walsh. Bottom line - my son felt that  Mount Union was a better fit for him. The key for Walsh will be to retain Karras as long as they can while he builds a winning program for them. He has done it before. Ultimately, they will need to have their own stadium right near campus. Build the program, the rest will happen as everything that is needed comes together (community support, university support, alumni support and great fundraising).

[Dr. Acula]

Walsh is just experiencing growing pains.  In terms of colleges, they're still young.  They haven't had 100-150 years of graduates donating and building up their endowment.  If Mount wanted to build a new stadium they'd be able to do it on their own by raising the money.  Walsh would almost certainly have to take on more debt to do it.  They need a stadium on campus and the most likely path is doing something similar to Ohio Dominican (nice field, but basically no seating then add seating as funds permit).

[ohiofan1954]

Walsh is just experiencing growing pains.  In terms of colleges, they're still young.  They haven't had 100-150 years of graduates donating and building up their endowment.  If Mount wanted to build a new stadium they'd be able to do it on their own by raising the money.  Walsh would almost certainly have to take on more debt to do it.  They need a stadium on campus and the most likely path is doing something similar to Ohio Dominican (nice field, but basically no seating then add seating as funds permit).

If the recession hadn't hit I have no doubt ODU would have done something with their stadium before now. Enlarging the gym was most likely all they could afford. Ashland and Oberlin have worked miracles with their stadiums and Akron moved from the outhouse(the worst stadium ever) to the penthouse. Hopefully ODU, Walsh and everyone else who needs to will be able soon to upgrade. It should be noted that Ashland is in serious financial trouble as are other Ohio schools. Doubt if the building of their stadium had anything to do with it but within 5 years of opening of the stadium they are a default risk according to Moody's.

[ohiofan1954]

I like the discussion here on the Raider QBs. My hope as the season ended was for someone to step up out of Peyakov, Burkes or an incoming guy. It would be nice to keep Namdar and Scott at WR for playmaking ability. Burkes ran the read option very well in limited action, but didn't get to see him throw much. If Scott is indeed the choice at QB it looks like we will run much more, as that fits his skill set better than throwing 30 times a game, but that's not to say that he CAN'T throw it 15 times effectively.

As for anyone still interested in the Walsh/Malone D3 rumor, I've talked to different people around the area and they've said that it seems to be the money for Malone, as expected. They cut tennis last year and have discussed other sports for the near future. Malone will more than likely go D3 in the very near future, unless something changes. Many athletes are already looking to transfer out. Walsh is planning to stick with D2 from what I've been told. They only have 26 scholarships to divide among their players however the coaches see fit, rather than all getting half or 3/4 scholarships. Their dream was to put stands where their nice turf practice field is right now, but I think that is going to be a challenge. Walsh will be fine for the time being. This is a great reminder to people that keep telling Mount Union to go D2 how difficult it really is to get there financially and stay there as an entire athletic department!

Where would Malone end up in d3?  OAC, and NCAC already have 10 teams and the HCAC is to far if worried about costs. Not sure if academics are a good fit for most d3 leagues either.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Institution wise I think HCAC would be the best fit. Geography wise I believe the PAC (PrAC) might be a better fit. Thomas moore might be a haul but I believe the other schools are reasonable close.

[hasanova]

Hi, OAC fans. I'm a Guilford College alumnus from the ODAC.  I recently read Steve McNeely is leaving Mount Union to join the Guilford staff as QB coach.  Guilford's 7-year veteran QB coach took a DI job at NC A&T across town in Greensboro.  Everyone in DIII knows the type of success Mount Union's had and that their QB Burkes won the Gagliardi award.  Guilford's rising senior QB Matt Pawlowski was a Gagliardi nominee and has steadily improved with all 30 starts finishing 5-5, 6-4 and 8-2 (lost tie-breaker for ODAC title to Hampden-Sydney).  Based on your observations, what will McNeely bring to a relatively high-powered Quaker offense that scored 52 four times and averaged 41 ppg in 2014?  Thanks