FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Raider 68]

Some thoughts on the Raider/ONU game:

- ONU has size, speed in key areas but were unable to have any success against the Raider defense.

- The Raider Defense put ONU poor field position much of the game.

- The Raider running was great with 3 guys just getting it down.

- Hats off to the Raider O line for the blocking, but Mitchell and Nemeth just refused to go down.

- The passing game was not crisp, too many drops and in-accurate throws, IMHO.

I expected the game to be more competitive, but the Raider Defense was at another level. Nice tribute for the tragic loss
of the Mount Union freshman this week.

[raiderguy]

Can we get a few contemporary references...what are guys, like seventy

40's. Sorry but modern films are more about how many cars can be destroyed, how many explosions can be stuffed into 2 hours, and how much CGI can replace actors. Plus - minoring in Russian Literature and Film has gotten me so far in life!

As far as the ONU upset of Mount in the game known as "The plague of toads" - I am searching for a good stone now and will meet you in the square later! Could have gone another 10 years without that reference. Today WILL NOT be a repeat. Roll Raiders ~ Roll!!

Whew I did some research and found that Toads hate artificial turf. The rubber pebbles play hell on their delicate skin. Not a Toad in sight.

Boy I was really impressed with that new running back Mount introduced today....I think his name was Logan Nemeth? He is really going to be a good one!

[Desertraider]

I watched the Raider game last night and while please with the outcome I am concerned with a few areas. First - OMG!!! The uniforms were hideous. I have stated my dislike for Nike before - but the uniform thing is another reason why. You want to change the scheme, the fit, the material - fine. Dude, Mount in gun-metal gray? WTF. I am going to the Raiders/Otters game and I hope to god the Raiders are not wearing those.

On to the game-
Mounts passing is on life support. Scott does not seem to be able to throw the ball anywhere close to where it should be (prefers 10 feet to high, and 10 feet short) and for a strong arm seems unable to throw the deep ball. Namdar's long reception in 1st qtr - was a touchdown. He beat double coverage and had 5 yards between him and the DB's but Scott's throw forced him to stop and wait for the ball to get there. Taurice did that all day long. On the rare opportunity the ball was on time and on target it was dropped.

Mount can run on just about anybody. Period. Nehmeth was a beast. I still think BJ carries the ball too far from his body (actually saw a few plays where he "swung" the ball over a defenders head when he made his cutback). I think the better teams down the road will expose that.

The D is downright brutal. I don't care what the final stats say (184 total yards......) the reality is ONU got its @$$ kicked by a 1 dimensional Mount team, while Mounts D shut ONU down all day. Through 3 qtrs (actually 3 qtrs and 7 minutes into 4th) ONU punted 10 times and had 4 first downs. End of story. Jim Ballard said through the first 36 plays run by ONU they had 77 yds in total offense.

That about sums it up - did I mention the uniforms?

[Dr. Acula]

The thing that Ballard has mentioned on more than one game is that Scott throws the ball flat footed.  He doesn't even step into the throws which is crazy that he can throw the ball that far without even stepping into it.  But he was under throwing Namdar yesterday and it cost them several times including the interception.  The other thing I didn't like is that they seem to decide they're going deep to Namdar and he throws it no matter what.  Namdar is a great athlete, but that goes back to the judgment thing.  You can get away with that against Cap.  You can't against UWW.  The passing game was the most disjointed it's been all year yesterday.  Part of that should be credited to ONU.  They're by far the stiffest test to date.  But part of it was just poor execution.  Wilson dropped another couple balls yesterday, something he's struggled with so far.  Fortunately he atones for some of that by blocking like a beast on runs.  Hargrove I think had one pass thrown at him.

The running game looked playoff ready.  Nemeth ran like a man possessed.  Mitchell ran well too.  The line was opening up some gaping holes for them all day so great job by the big guys again.  And Scott adds that X factor on top.  Mitchell and Nemeth are both good RB's and yet it's the QB who is the most dangerous big play threat.  That 53 yard TD run was a perfect example.  Puts his foot in the ground and makes a cut, runs through an arm tackle and just outruns them from there. 

I posted last night on the D, but again, what an effort.  It's becoming more and more apparent that the defense may be too good to allow them to see a close game until the playoffs.  We're seeing the payoff of the dismal (by Mount standards) 2013 defense that featured all those sophomores starting and taking their lumps.  This defense is battle tested with kids who have started for 3 (or more) years now.  Berg has hit the accelerator offensively since switching QB's, but I don't see them accomplishing much more than ONU.  I think ONU across the board is better offensively.

On an ONU note, I like Freed.  It's certainly not fair to assess him as a freshman against this D, but I thought he did some good things.  He seems to have really good awareness in the pocket and did a great job of stepping up in the pocket or taking a little sidestep to avoid a sack and buy himself time to get rid of the ball.  He seems calm out there.  And he made some nice throws.  I think he's going to do well in Ada. 

[Craft_Beermeister]

ONU fans showed up in numbers for the Mount game with parking spaces a premium before noon.  Unfortunately with the Mount defense playing very stout the polar bear fans didn't have a lot to cheer about.  ONU offense had their best series on their first drive, but after that they were pretty much shutdown until down 44 in the 4th after Mount had pull their starters. 

Mount had a very dominant running game, but the passing attach seemed to be off all day.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I am interested in seeing how the first place votes are divided between Mount Union and Linfield this week.

[Dr. Acula]

I watched the Raider game last night and while please with the outcome I am concerned with a few areas. First - OMG!!! The uniforms were hideous. I have stated my dislike for Nike before - but the uniform thing is another reason why. You want to change the scheme, the fit, the material - fine. Dude, Mount in gun-metal gray? WTF. I am going to the Raiders/Otters game and I hope to god the Raiders are not wearing those.

I think this may be another time someone might ask how old you are, desertraider!     I personally think less is more when it come to uniforms, but I'm also not 21 anymore.  If the players like gun metal and having 20 different combination options then great.  For their unveiling I'm fine with wearing all gun metal.  It was probably fun for the team.  Do I want to see them weekly though?  I'm with you there...no thanks.  Of course, I also want a return of the big block RAIDERS on the chest on some retro jerseys... 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I watched the Raider game last night and while please with the outcome I am concerned with a few areas. First - OMG!!! The uniforms were hideous. I have stated my dislike for Nike before - but the uniform thing is another reason why. You want to change the scheme, the fit, the material - fine. Dude, Mount in gun-metal gray? WTF. I am going to the Raiders/Otters game and I hope to god the Raiders are not wearing those.

I think this may be another time someone might ask how old you are, desertraider!     I personally think less is more when it come to uniforms, but I'm also not 21 anymore.  If the players like gun metal and having 20 different combination options then great.  For their unveiling I'm fine with wearing all gun metal.  It was probably fun for the team.  Do I want to see them weekly though?  I'm with you there...no thanks.  Of course, I also want a return of the big block RAIDERS on the chest on some retro jerseys...

I agree with the uniforms, other than the Block RAIDERS on the front.  Font too big.

[Raider 68]

I watched the Raider game last night and while please with the outcome I am concerned with a few areas. First - OMG!!! The uniforms were hideous. I have stated my dislike for Nike before - but the uniform thing is another reason why. You want to change the scheme, the fit, the material - fine. Dude, Mount in gun-metal gray? WTF. I am going to the Raiders/Otters game and I hope to god the Raiders are not wearing those.

I think this may be another time someone might ask how old you are, desertraider!     I personally think less is more when it come to uniforms, but I'm also not 21 anymore.  If the players like gun metal and having 20 different combination options then great.  For their unveiling I'm fine with wearing all gun metal.  It was probably fun for the team.  Do I want to see them weekly though?  I'm with you there...no thanks.  Of course, I also want a return of the big block RAIDERS on the chest on some retro jerseys...

I agree with the uniforms, other than the Block RAIDERS on the front.  Font too big.

My favorites were the original black jersey with the Raider logo on the shoulders w/purple pants and my other favorite was the White jersey
with purple pants. Not a fan of the gun metal gray.

[Dr. Acula]

You don't like these ones K&J?  I loved those old all whites on the road.   

[joelmama]

Those are great.  Make them crop tops and they would be even better.

[SaintsFAN]

The thing that Ballard has mentioned on more than one game is that Scott throws the ball flat footed.  He doesn't even step into the throws which is crazy that he can throw the ball that far without even stepping into it. 

If this doesn't get fixed, Mount Union match ups with either of the UW schools snd MHB are bad ones for the Purple Raiders.  As you alluded to by mentioning Whitewater, these schools would rather see a one-dimensional UMU team.  I don't know.  I feel like Mount Union could use a couple big tests before the semis this year.  I guess that's what I'm saying.  It seems Whitewater has similar issues at QB.

[SaintsFAN]

I watched the Raider game last night and while please with the outcome I am concerned with a few areas. First - OMG!!! The uniforms were hideous. I have stated my dislike for Nike before - but the uniform thing is another reason why. You want to change the scheme, the fit, the material - fine. Dude, Mount in gun-metal gray? WTF. I am going to the Raiders/Otters game and I hope to god the Raiders are not wearing those.

I think this may be another time someone might ask how old you are, desertraider!     I personally think less is more when it come to uniforms, but I'm also not 21 anymore.  If the players like gun metal and having 20 different combination options then great.  For their unveiling I'm fine with wearing all gun metal.  It was probably fun for the team.  Do I want to see them weekly though?  I'm with you there...no thanks.  Of course, I also want a return of the big block RAIDERS on the chest on some retro jerseys...

I'm with you, Doc.  My alma mater went with that grey against W&J a few weeks ago and I guess it was ok.  But the kids loved it and that's what counts.  Our helmets have always been silver and now they are white with the blue backs - very much non-traditional.. But again, whatever the kids like.

Hope you're doing well.

[Raider 68]

The thing that Ballard has mentioned on more than one game is that Scott throws the ball flat footed.  He doesn't even step into the throws which is crazy that he can throw the ball that far without even stepping into it. 

If this doesn't get fixed, Mount Union match ups with either of the UW schools snd MHB are bad ones for the Purple Raiders.  As you alluded to by mentioning Whitewater, these schools would rather see a one-dimensional UMU team.  I don't know.  I feel like Mount Union could use a couple big tests before the semis this year.  I guess that's what I'm saying.  It seems Whitewater has similar issues at QB.

I agree that the passing game is not where it needs to be, but the Raiders will improve it before playoffs. I think the Mount
coaches (including the Athletic Director) will come up with some solutions.

[SaintsFAN]

The thing that Ballard has mentioned on more than one game is that Scott throws the ball flat footed.  He doesn't even step into the throws which is crazy that he can throw the ball that far without even stepping into it. 

If this doesn't get fixed, Mount Union match ups with either of the UW schools snd MHB are bad ones for the Purple Raiders.  As you alluded to by mentioning Whitewater, these schools would rather see a one-dimensional UMU team.  I don't know.  I feel like Mount Union could use a couple big tests before the semis this year.  I guess that's what I'm saying.  It seems Whitewater has similar issues at QB.

I agree that the passing game is not where it needs to be, but the Raiders will improve it before playoffs. I think the Mount
coaches (including the Athletic Director) will come up with some solutions.

You're right.  I forgot about him.  He's  a QB guru, for sure.

So if I watch 3 of UMU's games from this year (ones they've already played), what do you guys feel needs the most attention?  Passing game?  Penalties?  I'm curious what y'all think. 

Skunks or Skunkssidekick- do you care to weigh in?