FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I know its Otterbein but I like some of the potential match-ups in this game. Stepp is a solid, mobile QB. He has capable WR in Lowe (I still find him irritating - sat on the OTT side of the field 2 years back and last year, very Keyshawn esque) and Joseph. The running back Johnson is physical (remindss me of a Christiaan Williams from ONU). The defense resembles...well not much of a defense but they have some weapons on O.

The test for Mount will be control and coverage - they have a tendancy to push up field and leave a gap for a good QB to run. Granted haven't faced a QB that can shed a tackle or get outside. Stepp has the ability to do that if the rush isn't controlled. The WR - I think- are the best Mount has faced this year. Lowe has speed and good hands. That is a test for the DBs in coverage.

Of course on the other side - OTTs O hasn't faced a balanced D with team speed and skill at every spot. They struggled at times against BW and that D isn't great. I can see OTT scoring some points - maybe 17? - but their O would need to put 70 on the board to make up for the lack of defense, and that is beyond a pipe dream. I mean the D gave up 28 to Wilmington, 42 to Cap, 27 to Musky...ouch. We shall see.

It'll be interesting to see mounts dbs against Otts receivers. I noticed they had trouble in 1 on 1 coverage a few times against Capital. There was one drive when they threw to the same guy 3 or 4 drives and mounts dbs just couldn't stay with him.

I'm also fascinated to see how long Fulford's no interception streak can go (knock on wood) we need a block pool or something lol.

You just jinxed him.  NEVER say that!  LOL

[WRMUalum13]

I know its Otterbein but I like some of the potential match-ups in this game. Stepp is a solid, mobile QB. He has capable WR in Lowe (I still find him irritating - sat on the OTT side of the field 2 years back and last year, very Keyshawn esque) and Joseph. The running back Johnson is physical (remindss me of a Christiaan Williams from ONU). The defense resembles...well not much of a defense but they have some weapons on O.

The test for Mount will be control and coverage - they have a tendancy to push up field and leave a gap for a good QB to run. Granted haven't faced a QB that can shed a tackle or get outside. Stepp has the ability to do that if the rush isn't controlled. The WR - I think- are the best Mount has faced this year. Lowe has speed and good hands. That is a test for the DBs in coverage.

Of course on the other side - OTTs O hasn't faced a balanced D with team speed and skill at every spot. They struggled at times against BW and that D isn't great. I can see OTT scoring some points - maybe 17? - but their O would need to put 70 on the board to make up for the lack of defense, and that is beyond a pipe dream. I mean the D gave up 28 to Wilmington, 42 to Cap, 27 to Musky...ouch. We shall see.

It'll be interesting to see mounts dbs against Otts receivers. I noticed they had trouble in 1 on 1 coverage a few times against Capital. There was one drive when they threw to the same guy 3 or 4 drives and mounts dbs just couldn't stay with him.

I'm also fascinated to see how long Fulford's no interception streak can go (knock on wood) we need a block pool or something lol.

You just jinxed him.  NEVER say that!  LOL

I said knock on wood!  .

[merlecanlas]

http://www.wbko.com/content/sports/WKU-offensive-line-coach-Dartt-recovering-from-successful-brain-surgery-452512253.html

Mount alum, former OC and son-in-law of LK

[HScoach]

^  holy smokes!

[merlecanlas]

^  holy smokes!

no joke,  it sounds like he's going to be ok

[Desertraider]

Best wishes to Coach Dartt and family. Hope for a quick recovery.

On the Fulford bit - I hope he throws 2, in the same game, early. Sorry - but I want to see how he recovers. INTs have a way of rattling guys - I would rather find out against an OTT or Musky...than jcu or even worse - UST or UWO.

[purple]

 Fulford is certainly the Player of the Year thus far. The sophomore has been phenomenal. From what I've heard about this kid he is unflappable and will not be affected by a mistake or two. Remember he has fumbled a few times. The story of Mount this year is these speed demons from Florida playing receiver for Mount. Who ever recruited Florida for Mount Union these past years is a rockstar. No defense this passing attack plays against will have experienced anything close to the talent this group has. These guys know they cannot be stopped. Throw in the D3 Heisman Trophy candidate at QB, and your looking at the best team in D3.
Can't wait to see the pasting they put on JCU.

[merlecanlas]

Fulford is certainly the Player of the Year thus far. The sophomore has been phenomenal. From what I've heard about this kid he is unflappable and will not be affected by a mistake or two. Remember he has fumbled a few times. The story of Mount this year is these speed demons from Florida playing receiver for Mount. Who ever recruited Florida for Mount Union these past years is a rockstar. No defense this passing attack plays against will have experienced anything close to the talent this group has. These guys know they cannot be stopped. Throw in the D3 Heisman Trophy candidate at QB, and your looking at the best team in D3.
Can't wait to see the pasting they put on JCU.

I agree with 99% of this, but who are these FL WR?  Hill is from Circleville, Ruth - Indianapolis and Friss - Avon. 

[WRMUalum13]

Fulford is certainly the Player of the Year thus far. The sophomore has been phenomenal. From what I've heard about this kid he is unflappable and will not be affected by a mistake or two. Remember he has fumbled a few times. The story of Mount this year is these speed demons from Florida playing receiver for Mount. Who ever recruited Florida for Mount Union these past years is a rockstar. No defense this passing attack plays against will have experienced anything close to the talent this group has. These guys know they cannot be stopped. Throw in the D3 Heisman Trophy candidate at QB, and your looking at the best team in D3.
Can't wait to see the pasting they put on JCU.

I agree with 99% of this, but who are these FL WR?  Hill is from Circleville, Ruth - Indianapolis and Friss - Avon.

Lols... Merle.

My only concern would be that a great passing game can be mitigated by a great pass rush. Even Burke looked human with Uwws dline in his face every down. If fulford and those receivers have time I don't think anyone can stop them but that falls on the guys up front.

[merlecanlas]

Fulford is certainly the Player of the Year thus far. The sophomore has been phenomenal. From what I've heard about this kid he is unflappable and will not be affected by a mistake or two. Remember he has fumbled a few times. The story of Mount this year is these speed demons from Florida playing receiver for Mount. Who ever recruited Florida for Mount Union these past years is a rockstar. No defense this passing attack plays against will have experienced anything close to the talent this group has. These guys know they cannot be stopped. Throw in the D3 Heisman Trophy candidate at QB, and your looking at the best team in D3.
Can't wait to see the pasting they put on JCU.

I agree with 99% of this, but who are these FL WR?  Hill is from Circleville, Ruth - Indianapolis and Friss - Avon.

Lols... Merle.

My only concern would be that a great passing game can be mitigated by a great pass rush. Even Burke looked human with Uwws dline in his face every down. If fulford and those receivers have time I don't think anyone can stop them but that falls on the guys up front.

I hear your concern and you are 100% right, but there is no other D3 team this year as good as that 2014 UWW team.  UMHB has the defense, but not a championship offense and UWO is the exact opposite.  There's a few more weeks for everyone to improve, but that's my take after watching each team this season.

Burke played his worst game in his career at a horrible time.  I wish Mount would have leaned a little bit more on Nemeth, but hindsight is 20/20. 

[Craft_Beermeister]

^  holy smokes!

HScoach
Geoff  Dratt was who you were praying for a couple of weeks back when I asked for prayers and you replied cioncider it done.  I know that the Kehres family is greatful for all the prayers.

[Desertraider]

Fulford is certainly the Player of the Year thus far. The sophomore has been phenomenal. From what I've heard about this kid he is unflappable and will not be affected by a mistake or two. Remember he has fumbled a few times. The story of Mount this year is these speed demons from Florida playing receiver for Mount. Who ever recruited Florida for Mount Union these past years is a rockstar. No defense this passing attack plays against will have experienced anything close to the talent this group has. These guys know they cannot be stopped. Throw in the D3 Heisman Trophy candidate at QB, and your looking at the best team in D3.
Can't wait to see the pasting they put on JCU.

I agree with 99% of this, but who are these FL WR?  Hill is from Circleville, Ruth - Indianapolis and Friss - Avon.

I agree with 98%. The D3 Heisman Trophy - I can only assume you mean the Gagliardi - is about more than on the field which is why it isn't the D3 Heisman Trophy. I think the Melberger is the Heisman equal - but no one wants it cause of the rules on who can get it (I think they would rather be in the playoffs and thus unable to attend the ceremony). His stats put him in the talk for Gagliardi but I don't know what he does off the field in terms of community. If it was just about football and stats - he probably would have already have it in his room.

[HScoach]

Glad to hear he's recovering.  As someone who lost his Dad at the ripe old age of 38 to leukemia, I can empathize.  That's scary stuff.  Especially at that age.

[HScoach]

Fulford is certainly the Player of the Year thus far. The sophomore has been phenomenal. From what I've heard about this kid he is unflappable and will not be affected by a mistake or two. Remember he has fumbled a few times. The story of Mount this year is these speed demons from Florida playing receiver for Mount. Who ever recruited Florida for Mount Union these past years is a rockstar. No defense this passing attack plays against will have experienced anything close to the talent this group has. These guys know they cannot be stopped. Throw in the D3 Heisman Trophy candidate at QB, and your looking at the best team in D3.
Can't wait to see the pasting they put on JCU.

I agree with 99% of this, but who are these FL WR?  Hill is from Circleville, Ruth - Indianapolis and Friss - Avon.

I agree with 98%. The D3 Heisman Trophy - I can only assume you mean the Gagliardi - is about more than on the field which is why it isn't the D3 Heisman Trophy. I think the Melberger is the Heisman equal - but no one wants it cause of the rules on who can get it (I think they would rather be in the playoffs and thus unable to attend the ceremony). His stats put him in the talk for Gagliardi but I don't know what he does off the field in terms of community. If it was just about football and stats - he probably would have already have it in his room.

I'm thrilled with the play of Fulford this year, but I need to see him against real competition before I can anoint him.

[hsbsballcoach7]

I'm not concerned about Mounts passing offense, I'm concerned about the running game. When the real playoff games roll around a great running offense is necessary. I rewatched some of the 2015 Stagg Bowl and really hope we can work in the 2 RB formation that put our offense in great situations.

A concern I have is that St Thomas D ran a 3-5-3 (that's what our base D is considered now, right?) and is open to the big plays in the middles the field. Now our offense that year had 4 major weapons in my mind (Scott, Namdar, Nemeth and Mitchell) and maybe 2/3 D3 offenses can beat it, but it's still a concern to me.