FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

I saw an OSU receiver get flagged for hurdling on a sideline pass that turned into a breakaway down the sideline (a couple of years ago). It was flagged for hurdling. Thats one way to protect the knees. You are correct that it is illegal in HS ball.

Must have been a while ago.  This kind of play was illegal in college at some point, but isn't currently.  I can't find when exactly that rule change happened, but hopefully I'll stumble across it sometime todya. 

Apparently you can "hurdle" players in high school, except for instances where the defender you're trying to jump over is only contacting the ground with his feet.  You can legally "hurdle" a defender who has a hand or knee on the ground.  In high school, the play from the UMU RB on Saturday would have brought a 15-yard penalty. 

Update:  I've gone back to 2005 rules books and the NCAA consistently says that hurdling is a 15-yard penalty with one exception: the ball carrier is exempt from hurdling penalties.   

[JCUStreaks70]

Thoughts on Mount yesterday:

I know it's against Etta, but 5 TD passes is still 5 TD passes.  That being said, Fulford was not quite as sharp as he was week 1 with his accuracy.  In his defense no one is going to be quite as accurate as he was week 1 though (16-21).  I was also happy to see that he really limited the running to plays where Etta got pressure and he was forced to scramble.  We don't need him taking too many unneeded shots against anyone not named JCU.  He's at 488 yards, 8 TD, 0 INT and 72% through 2 games.  You can't do much better than that.

Welcome to the party, Mr. Petruccelli.  It's hard to call a game where you rush for 88 yards a breakout game, but what was noticeable from game 1 to game 2 is that his time on the field increased.  He was effectively rotating series with JEM.  To me that means he must be doing the right things in practice.  He's going to be a good one and we're going to see it early on.  For everyone pining for a physical back he's it.  He does not shy away from contact. 

The defense seemed a little flat on the opening drive and Etta did a nice job putting together a nice long drive with a lot of short, quick passes.  But they stuffed them on 4th down and then turned up the aggressiveness from then on.  They did a great job of forcing turnovers and just extinguishing any hope Etta had early on.  That last 20 minutes of the first half was textbook putting away an over matched team.  D forces turnovers, O makes them pay by scoring.  I don't know how much we'll learn next week.  I watched the BW/JCU game and for the 15th(?) straight year BW doesn't have much at QB.  They just don't seem to get the skill guys in Berea.

Other OAC thoughts:

ONU looked like they had defensive issues against Adrian and Berg certainly made them look like they did yesterday.  ONU had issues with an athletic WR from Adrian and Magee torched them yesterday (176 yds).  The Bears gave up 655 yards and 40 points to Berg.  Barring disastrous weather I don't see them offering a ton of resistance for the Mount offense.  Berg, in classic Berg fashion, seems to be in track meet mode again this year.  Both of those offenses will make Mount's D work for it.

BW/JCU was one of those close, bad games if that makes sense.  I thought Kukura ran hard for JCU, but outside of that their offense looked very mediocre the entire time I was watching.  Moeglin played the whole time at QB.  Their WRs did not look as good as last year's talented corps.  Defensively they were fine.  BW hit a couple big plays on them, but had trouble putting together any type of sustained drives for the most part.  Hilvert definitely has BW more competitive already.  He's going to improve that program quickly.  I still maintain that JCU and Mount are clearly the top 2, but I admit watching JCU yesterday did give me a slight pause.  They just didn't look great.  We'll see how BW looks against Mount this week though.

I agree that I am a little worried about the Offensive start for JCU, but in the interest of being fair (I think fair at least) last year, the offense started slow out of the gate as well for JCU, through 2 games. However, once we played Berg, in Week 4, it jump started the offense. Am I saying that the offense will for sure get going next week? No. However, I am interested to see if that pattern happens again this year. Either way, we will all know more about how good JCU will be this year come Saturday.

[Dr. Acula]

The other bigger point to be fair to them is that it's a new offensive staff.  They're going to get better as they get more comfortable with the system and the coaches get a better handle on their players' strengths.

[BergAlum]

Either way, we will all know more about how good JCU will be this year come Saturday.

Oh yeah, hyped for this game; going to find out if Heidelberg is as good as it was a few years ago.  I think they have a shot at ending the Blue Streaks four year run on the Berg, but I don't have the highest of hopes.  I at least expect a game, instead of a blowout.

[bluestreak66]

Either way, we will all know more about how good JCU will be this year come Saturday.

Oh yeah, hyped for this game; going to find out if Heidelberg is as good as it was a few years ago.  I think they have a shot at ending the Blue Streaks four year run on the Berg, but I don't have the highest of hopes.  I at least expect a game, instead of a blowout.

I think it will take a few more weeks to figure out how good everyone is! I feel like in terms of JCU, they only have two games to draw from, and those two games are close results against other teams we still don't know about. By the time BW plays MU, and by time UWO plays UWW (and JCU plays Berg), things should begin to fall into place. If BW puts up a fight this weekend, and Oshkosh rolls through Whitewater (which, at this point, seems possible), that will be a positive for JCU.

And if the offense decides it wants to show up! 

[Desertraider]

Either way, we will all know more about how good JCU will be this year come Saturday.

Oh yeah, hyped for this game; going to find out if Heidelberg is as good as it was a few years ago.  I think they have a shot at ending the Blue Streaks four year run on the Berg, but I don't have the highest of hopes.  I at least expect a game, instead of a blowout.

I think it will take a few more weeks to figure out how good everyone is! I feel like in terms of JCU, they only have two games to draw from, and those two games are close results against other teams we still don't know about. By the time BW plays MU, and by time UWO plays UWW (and JCU plays Berg), things should begin to fall into place. If BW puts up a fight this weekend, and Oshkosh rolls through Whitewater (which, at this point, seems possible), that will be a positive for JCU.

And if the offense decides it wants to show up! 

JCU has some hurdles to overcome. They have talent but losing an entire staff is tough. Could be a difference in terminology or communication. I will give them some benefit of the doubt since its only the 2nd game. However, as was previously stated, I saw a bunch of guys standing and watching. Not saying the Ezekiel Elliotted it but it seemed they were watching the game and not playing it. If that's the case then..well it will catch up. Of course its evil JCU ...probably sandbagging until the Mount game and then 

[Desertraider]

I saw an OSU receiver get flagged for hurdling on a sideline pass that turned into a breakaway down the sideline (a couple of years ago). It was flagged for hurdling. Thats one way to protect the knees. You are correct that it is illegal in HS ball.

Its not completely illegal in HS Fball. The National Federation of State High School Association's rule book defines hurdling as "an attempt by a player to jump (hurdle) with one or both feet foremost over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of his body except one or both feet." (CPD, Nov. 15, 2015). The play referenced was a penalty (15yds) on a player from Hudson while a player from Elyria did not get one. Turns out the Elyria play ruled the defender had a knee on the ground so it wasn't termed "hurdling".

[Desertraider]

I thought the hurdling rule in NCAA was 2013 but the only interesting rule change on 2013 was:
6.      Minimum Time to Spike the Ball for Another Play Set at 3 Seconds:

Teams will need a minimum of three seconds from the referee's signal to "spike" the ball to allow for another play at the end of a half. Teams must still execute the spike, but they will have a reasonable opportunity for another play.  If the clock shows one or two seconds, they will only have enough time to run a play without first spiking the ball.

Sorry for salt in the wound JC fans.......um no I'm not

[Desertraider]

Prayers to the WOO on the loss of Clayton Geib after Saturdays game. Don't know the circumstances but 21 is young and thoughts and parayers to the family and friends.

[wally_wabash]

I thought the hurdling rule in NCAA was 2013 but the only interesting rule change on 2013 was:
6.      Minimum Time to Spike the Ball for Another Play Set at 3 Seconds:

Teams will need a minimum of three seconds from the referee's signal to "spike" the ball to allow for another play at the end of a half. Teams must still execute the spike, but they will have a reasonable opportunity for another play.  If the clock shows one or two seconds, they will only have enough time to run a play without first spiking the ball.

Sorry for salt in the wound JC fans.......um no I'm not

This rule remains the worst rule in the history of organized sports. 

[mr_mom]

My apologies for the slow response to Week #3.  Life got in the way.

Congratulations to HSCTiger74 and Raider 68 who managed to get 13 out of a possible 16 points to take medalist honors in Week 3 of the 2017 OAC Pick-Em.

Raider 68 has [slightly] separated himself from the rest of the group and leads the overall 2017 OAC Pick-Em by two measley points.

Week #4 spreads are out.  I got pretty lazy ... I put the onus on the rest of you.  Sorry [no I'm not!]  Please get your picks in before Saturday Noon.

[Desertraider]

I thought the hurdling rule in NCAA was 2013 but the only interesting rule change on 2013 was:
6.      Minimum Time to Spike the Ball for Another Play Set at 3 Seconds:

Teams will need a minimum of three seconds from the referee's signal to "spike" the ball to allow for another play at the end of a half. Teams must still execute the spike, but they will have a reasonable opportunity for another play.  If the clock shows one or two seconds, they will only have enough time to run a play without first spiking the ball.

Sorry for salt in the wound JC fans.......um no I'm not

This rule remains the worst rule in the history of organized sports.

Matter of perspective. I find the rule to be very well thought out and forward thinking. 

[JCUStreaks70]

Either way, we will all know more about how good JCU will be this year come Saturday.

Oh yeah, hyped for this game; going to find out if Heidelberg is as good as it was a few years ago.  I think they have a shot at ending the Blue Streaks four year run on the Berg, but I don't have the highest of hopes.  I at least expect a game, instead of a blowout.

I think it will take a few more weeks to figure out how good everyone is! I feel like in terms of JCU, they only have two games to draw from, and those two games are close results against other teams we still don't know about. By the time BW plays MU, and by time UWO plays UWW (and JCU plays Berg), things should begin to fall into place. If BW puts up a fight this weekend, and Oshkosh rolls through Whitewater (which, at this point, seems possible), that will be a positive for JCU.

And if the offense decides it wants to show up! 

JCU has some hurdles to overcome. They have talent but losing an entire staff is tough. Could be a difference in terminology or communication. I will give them some benefit of the doubt since its only the 2nd game. However, as was previously stated, I saw a bunch of guys standing and watching. Not saying the Ezekiel Elliotted it but it seemed they were watching the game and not playing it. If that's the case then..well it will catch up. Of course its evil JCU ...probably sandbagging until the Mount game and then 

HAHAHAHAHA Yes, that's it!

[Desertraider]

Either way, we will all know more about how good JCU will be this year come Saturday.

Oh yeah, hyped for this game; going to find out if Heidelberg is as good as it was a few years ago.  I think they have a shot at ending the Blue Streaks four year run on the Berg, but I don't have the highest of hopes.  I at least expect a game, instead of a blowout.

I think it will take a few more weeks to figure out how good everyone is! I feel like in terms of JCU, they only have two games to draw from, and those two games are close results against other teams we still don't know about. By the time BW plays MU, and by time UWO plays UWW (and JCU plays Berg), things should begin to fall into place. If BW puts up a fight this weekend, and Oshkosh rolls through Whitewater (which, at this point, seems possible), that will be a positive for JCU.

And if the offense decides it wants to show up! 

JCU has some hurdles to overcome. They have talent but losing an entire staff is tough. Could be a difference in terminology or communication. I will give them some benefit of the doubt since its only the 2nd game. However, as was previously stated, I saw a bunch of guys standing and watching. Not saying the Ezekiel Elliotted it but it seemed they were watching the game and not playing it. If that's the case then..well it will catch up. Of course its evil JCU ...probably sandbagging until the Mount game and then 

HAHAHAHAHA Yes, that's it!

I KNEW IT!! 

[Dr. Acula]

We're going to learn a lot this weekend:

Berg is hosting JCU.  Berg is fresh off a nice W over ONU.  JCU, as has been mentioned, did not look great last week at BW.  How this game goes will tell us quite a bit.  I still think JCU handles Berg.  The Streaks are balanced enough offensively to put points up on Berg.  And forgive me, but I always view Berg's offense with a skeptical eye.  Can they do it against a very good D like JCU?

ONU vs. Ott is a good "pecking order" game.  If Ott beats ONU it positions them with Berg and sets up an absolute track meet between those two. 

BW at Mount will give us a little insight into BW.  As usual we have to expect BW to be a challenge defensively.  The Jackets are always up for Mount and their D usually plays well against Mount.