FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Bartman]

Looking forward to the trip, the stadium looks nice, seating on one side.
Do they draw well? Is rain still forecasted? 
thanks to the Hobart fans who have been classy in  providing info on restaurants and hotels, etc..

The Statesmen will have a respectable, but not huge turnout. Campus is still open (guessing exams going on) as Thanksgiving / fall break starts on 11/23. There will also be several NCAA games going on as HWS is the host for this year's D3 Women's FH championship close by the football stadium (so plan accordingly parking and walking wise). I believe schools like Tufts, Salisbury, Babson and Messiah are competing so it's possible a Dad or two may sneak a peek at the Mount while their daughter's game is on break or over. The Women's soccer and men's BB are on the road but otherwise hockey teams have a big home game (both teams in top 10) that night so the campus should be relatively full.

Last wkd's FB game vs. UofR had a reported attendance of 932 but I imagine that's a guess vs. an actual number. I would strongly recommend visiting fans go take in the view of Seneca Lake from Main St and the main Quadrangle before heading back home to Alliance. Unfortunately the chance of rain is very high. The noon start may help miss that but it wouldn't surprise me if the game is played under grey skies, wind and rain.

Oh, keep a look out for Jon McGriff. He's a parent of a former Hobart captain ('15) who will be leading the "Gimme a H!" cheers throughout the game. Great guy who'll add to what should be an exciting atmosphere (assuming the Raiders aren't up 35-0 at the half).

The Geneva weather forecast for The Raiders vs. the Statesman prior to the game looks beautiful.....but then the rains should start during the game.....I am thinking this favors the Raiders awesome running game(Mitchell 6.8 per carry, very impressive)...although I will be rooting for a Statesman win it will be a pleasure to see the UMU team live .....Good luck to both teams

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Looking forward to the trip, the stadium looks nice, seating on one side.
Do they draw well? Is rain still forecasted? 
thanks to the Hobart fans who have been classy in  providing info on restaurants and hotels, etc..

The Statesmen will have a respectable, but not huge turnout. Campus is still open (guessing exams going on) as Thanksgiving / fall break starts on 11/23. There will also be several NCAA games going on as HWS is the host for this year's D3 Women's FH championship close by the football stadium (so plan accordingly parking and walking wise). I believe schools like Tufts, Salisbury, Babson and Messiah are competing so it's possible a Dad or two may sneak a peek at the Mount while their daughter's game is on break or over. The Women's soccer and men's BB are on the road but otherwise hockey teams have a big home game (both teams in top 10) that night so the campus should be relatively full.

Last wkd's FB game vs. UofR had a reported attendance of 932 but I imagine that's a guess vs. an actual number. I would strongly recommend visiting fans go take in the view of Seneca Lake from Main St and the main Quadrangle before heading back home to Alliance. Unfortunately the chance of rain is very high. The noon start may help miss that but it wouldn't surprise me if the game is played under grey skies, wind and rain.

Oh, keep a look out for Jon McGriff. He's a parent of a former Hobart captain ('15) who will be leading the "Gimme a H!" cheers throughout the game. Great guy who'll add to what should be an exciting atmosphere (assuming the Raiders aren't up 35-0 at the half).

The Geneva weather forecast for The Raiders vs. the Statesman prior to the game looks beautiful.....but then the rains should start during the game.....I am thinking this favors the Raiders awesome running game(Mitchell 6.8 per carry, very impressive)...although I will be rooting for a Statesman win it will be a pleasure to see the UMU team live .....Good luck to both teams

Mitchell is not a plant your foot and run N/S type of runner.  He is a get the edge and juke people out type of runner.  Not sure if a wet track will favor Mitchell's style or not.

[HScoach]

I sure wouldn't classify the Mount running game as awesome.  Not with a 103 lb TB that couldn't break a tackle to save his life.    Mitchell is a good change of pace to a bruiser, but he's not a feature back.  He's way too inconsistent to be a legit back.  He's as likely to lose yardage as he is to gain yardage on any given play.   I actually find it quite odd, and a bit unfortunate, that he's a high on the Mount rushing list as he is. 

The stats are good because most of the OAC sucks.   Mitchell has proven over 3+ years that he looks great against the crappy teams and disappears against the good ones.   I don't expect the playoffs this year to be any different.   

[HScoach]

And yes, I realize Mitchell is bigger than 103 pounds.   But just barely.....

[Desertraider]

And yes, I realize Mitchell is bigger than 103 pounds.   But just barely.....

Yes he is bigger - with his pads and helmet on. 

If it were basketball they would say BJ can break ankles with his cross-over. I have seen him go from N/S to E/W at full speed and the cut is instant. It actually defies the laws of physics (IMHO) - but as has been stated he dances and jukes way too much. Played with a kid like him once and he always said 'I may lose 5 yards on 3 straight plays, but I will break one for 30 on the 4th'. Maybe. Would rather he hit the hole and run.

[ITH radio]

Hobart's run defense was pretty porous earlier in the year but they've improved a lot in the last month. Their DL is young and not very deep (the DC doesn't rotate guys in a lot like his predecessors did) so I could see Coach Kehres use the read option since the FY QB has decent wheels himself. The Statesmen LBs have good tackle stats but they aren't very fast. Hobart definitely has good DEs and OLBs so I'm guessing the Raiders would do better to run straight ahead vs. off tackle, but one missed tackle and you've got a 10-20 yard gain.

I could also see Mount test the CBs in man coverage since they are short and susceptible to getting beat on jump ball type of passes.

[Desertraider]

Hobart's run defense was pretty porous earlier in the year but they've improved a lot in the last month. Their DL is young and not very deep (the DC doesn't rotate guys in a lot like his predecessors did) so I could see Coach Kehres use the read option since the FY QB has decent wheels himself. The Statesmen LBs have good tackle stats but they aren't very fast. Hobart definitely has good DEs and OLBs so I'm guessing the Raiders would do better to run straight ahead vs. off tackle, but one missed tackle and you've got a 10-20 yard gain.

I could also see Mount test the CBs in man coverage since they are short and susceptible to getting beat on jump ball type of passes.

I haven't seen a great deal of jump balls getting tossed (actually two taht may meet the "jump ball" definition were both INTs as they were under thrown). The Raider WRs are fast and very quick with cuts and routes. It isn't so much your DBs but do you have LBs that can match up with RBs and TEs that have speed also. On any given pass play you have to defend Hill, Kennedy, Friss, Herrington, Mitchell and Ruth - all have speed to spare. If you have 4 solid DBs...that accounts for well 4 of them. Herrington at TE is not all that big but he can move and BJ out of the backfield (or Aaron) is a mismatch for just about any LB. In addition - there is Hargrove. I haven't seen the 2 deep so I don't know his status, but with him, Ruth and Hill stretching the field and Kennedy running the seam it creates a lot of space between the DBs and LBs real quick.

[Desertraider]

2 deep is here if it hasn't been posted yet - and it is here if it has.

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2016-17/files/16fbgm-hobart.pdf

Hargrove is listed behind Hill.

[02 Warhawk]

Warning...Tongue-in-cheek below!!!


I can picture Saturday going like this for two elderly loyal Mount Union fans in Alliance:

A white Cadillac (Ohio plates: LK4PREZ) pulls into the parking lot, and finds a first-row spot just outside of Mount Union Stadium. "First row...we got lucky today!", the driver mumbles to his friend. The two old timers then simultaneously open their door and very gingerly get out, both sporting their faded 1960's Purple Raiders jacket. A tradition they started wearing back when Mount won their first Stagg Bowl in 1993. Totally oblivious to their surroundings, they very deliberately begin making their way to the stadium's entrance. As they make the short trek their debate rages on (which started 30 miles back just outside of Akron) about who was the better Raider: Chuck Moore or Dan Pugh. As they approach the gate, to no one in particular without breaking stride, they instinctively each flash their Purple Raiders Athletic Events Patron pass, which is about as routine to them as tying one's shoe. Then the two 1965 alums begin their ascend up the bleachers...eventually making their way to their lucky playoff seats. The same seats they've occupied every November for the past 23 years. Finally, as they get settled in, and mutually agree that Nate Kmic was better than both Moore and Pugh, one takes a curious look around and says to the other "Hmmmm....small crowd today".

I kid because I love  Good luck to you Mount fans.

[ITH radio]

2 deep is here if it hasn't been posted yet - and it is here if it has.

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2016-17/files/16fbgm-hobart.pdf

Hargrove is listed behind Hill.

Thx for posting. Hobart uses doesn't provide game notes until a couple hours before the game. Worries me to see 3-3-5 D. Hobart has never fared well against that type of defense.

[Sherburne]

Warning...Tongue and cheek below!!!


I can picture Saturday going like this for two elderly loyal Mount Union fans in Alliance:

A white Cadillac (Ohio plates: LK4PREZ) pulls into the parking lot, and finds a first-row spot just outside of Mount Union Stadium. "First row...we got lucky today!", the driver mumbles to his friend. The two old timers then simultaneously open their door and very gingerly get out, both sporting their faded 1960's Purple Raiders jacket. A tradition they started wearing back when Mount won their first Stagg Bowl in 1993. Totally oblivious to their surroundings, they very deliberately begin making their way to the stadium's entrance. As they make the short trek their debate rages on (which started 30 miles back just outside of Akron) about who was the better Raider: Chuck Moore or Dan Pugh. As they approach the gate, to no one in particular without breaking stride, they instinctively each flash their Purple Raiders Athletic Events Patron pass, which is about as routine to them as tying one's shoe. Then the two 1965 alums begin their ascend up the bleachers...eventually making their way to their lucky playoff seats. The same seats they've occupied every November for the past 23 years. Finally, as they get settled in, and mutually agree that Nate Kmic was better than both Moore and Pugh, one takes a curious look around and says to the other "Hmmmm....small crowd today".

I kid because I love you: Good luck to you Mount fans.

So the two elderly get out their tablets and review the MUC:Hobart preview, waiting for game time. Huh, as they read. More huh, reading on. I didn't know our PRaiders play games away:
"#RoadRaiders:

Mount  Union  is  playing  its  team record  seventh  road  game  in  a  single  season  this week.  Including  this  weekend,  the  Raiders  have logged over 3,000 miles on the road in 2016.
huh...

The  last  time  Mount  Union  played  a  playoff  game on the road was a national semifinal game vs. UW-Lacrosse  at  Camp  Randall  Stadium  in  Madison, Wisconsin on Dec. 7, 1996. Mount Union won 39-21.
huh...

The  last  time  Mount  Union  played  a  first  round game  on  the  road  was  Nov.  19,  1994  at  Allegheny College  in  Meadville,  Pa.  Mount  Union  won  28-19.
huh...

The  next  week  Mount  Union  went  on  the  road  to Albion  College  in  Albion,  Michigan  and  lost  34-33 which is the last time Mount Union lost a road game.
huh...we've been told MUC NEVER plays on the road."

I kid because I love you.

Sherb

[Desertraider]

Warning...Tongue-in-cheek below!!!


I can picture Saturday going like this for two elderly loyal Mount Union fans in Alliance:

A white Cadillac (Ohio plates: LK4PREZ) pulls into the parking lot, and finds a first-row spot just outside of Mount Union Stadium. "First row...we got lucky today!", the driver mumbles to his friend. The two old timers then simultaneously open their door and very gingerly get out, both sporting their faded 1960's Purple Raiders jacket. A tradition they started wearing back when Mount won their first Stagg Bowl in 1993. Totally oblivious to their surroundings, they very deliberately begin making their way to the stadium's entrance. As they make the short trek their debate rages on (which started 30 miles back just outside of Akron) about who was the better Raider: Chuck Moore or Dan Pugh. As they approach the gate, to no one in particular without breaking stride, they instinctively each flash their Purple Raiders Athletic Events Patron pass, which is about as routine to them as tying one's shoe. Then the two 1965 alums begin their ascend up the bleachers...eventually making their way to their lucky playoff seats. The same seats they've occupied every November for the past 23 years. Finally, as they get settled in, and mutually agree that Nate Kmic was better than both Moore and Pugh, one takes a curious look around and says to the other "Hmmmm....small crowd today".

I kid because I love  Good luck to you Mount fans.

That's funny. A few corrections. 1) They would be discussing Russ Kring vs. Moore vs. Pugh before deciding on that "young 'un" Kmic. 2) The license plate would say "LKRULES". 3) The jacket would be the 1960 Mount Union College but have all of the Championship patches stitched on the back (saw that one at the UWW playoff game last year). You also left out the thermos of tea and 2 cups ("cheers Martha"! "cheers Harry"!)

Oh - and the "lucky playoff seats" don't exist. They have been sitting in the same ones since 1994. Getting a seat on the home side during playoffs is almost impossible because of them!

[Desertraider]

2 deep is here if it hasn't been posted yet - and it is here if it has.

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2016-17/files/16fbgm-hobart.pdf

Hargrove is listed behind Hill.

Thx for posting. Hobart uses doesn't provide game notes until a couple hours before the game. Worries me to see 3-3-5 D. Hobart has never fared well against that type of defense.

They normally go more 3-5-3...but Holly Rowe (Rowe) astutely pointed out its actually a "3-5-4" defense.  Actually, she may have even said it was a 4-5-3...regardless it was wrong.

[02 Warhawk]

2 deep is here if it hasn't been posted yet - and it is here if it has.

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2016-17/files/16fbgm-hobart.pdf

Hargrove is listed behind Hill.

Thx for posting. Hobart uses doesn't provide game notes until a couple hours before the game. Worries me to see 3-3-5 D. Hobart has never fared well against that type of defense.

They normally go more 3-5-3...but Holly Rowe (Rowe) astutely pointed out its actually a "3-5-4" defense.  Actually, she may have even said it was a 4-5-3...regardless it was wrong.

Against most teams, It probably just seems that way anyhow.

[02 Warhawk]

Warning...Tongue-in-cheek below!!!


I can picture Saturday going like this for two elderly loyal Mount Union fans in Alliance:

A white Cadillac (Ohio plates: LK4PREZ) pulls into the parking lot, and finds a first-row spot just outside of Mount Union Stadium. "First row...we got lucky today!", the driver mumbles to his friend. The two old timers then simultaneously open their door and very gingerly get out, both sporting their faded 1960's Purple Raiders jacket. A tradition they started wearing back when Mount won their first Stagg Bowl in 1993. Totally oblivious to their surroundings, they very deliberately begin making their way to the stadium's entrance. As they make the short trek their debate rages on (which started 30 miles back just outside of Akron) about who was the better Raider: Chuck Moore or Dan Pugh. As they approach the gate, to no one in particular without breaking stride, they instinctively each flash their Purple Raiders Athletic Events Patron pass, which is about as routine to them as tying one's shoe. Then the two 1965 alums begin their ascend up the bleachers...eventually making their way to their lucky playoff seats. The same seats they've occupied every November for the past 23 years. Finally, as they get settled in, and mutually agree that Nate Kmic was better than both Moore and Pugh, one takes a curious look around and says to the other "Hmmmm....small crowd today".

I kid because I love  Good luck to you Mount fans.

That's funny. A few corrections. 1) They would be discussing Russ Kring vs. Moore vs. Pugh before deciding on that "young 'un" Kmic. 2) The license plate would say "LKRULES". 3) The jacket would be the 1960 Mount Union College but have all of the Championship patches stitched on the back (saw that one at the UWW playoff game last year). You also left out the thermos of tea and 2 cups ("cheers Martha"! "cheers Harry"!)

Oh - and the "lucky playoff seats" don't exist. They have been sitting in the same ones since 1994. Getting a seat on the home side during playoffs is almost impossible because of them!

Ha! I'll do better next time. 

In all seriousness...I wouldn't be surprised if some fans show up in Alliance expecting to see a game Saturday. I imagine 20 straight years(?) of traveling to Alliance for playoff games is a hard habit to break for fans.