FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

But in 2003 I remember the Johnnie faithful on the boards, going up against a team being touted as Mount's 'Best Ever' (going for their 4th straight Natty no less) and making the arguments that they were going to win because of moxie. And several making the argument, 'but you've never faced a player like X before.'

Of course, Player X was Johnnie Jesus, aka Blake Elliot, and he was kinda special. He was also surrounded by guys like Cam McCambridge and Jeremy Hood who did actually have loads of moxie too.

Anyone who touted the 03 squad as best ever had not watched much Mount Union football.  2003 was one of their weakest squads.  They didn't even have a starting QB or RB.  They rotated QB's during games.  They rotated tailbacks as well.  That wasn't because there was an overflow of talent.   

Agree 100%. 

'03 and '04 were not great teams.  Zac Bruney at QB was serviceable at best and the RB tandem of Ciccone & Strauch were even less. 

I think in Hindsight we can say that. But there was serious Mount chest beating on the MIAC board (NB: no one has earned the right to legitimately chest beat more than UMU, then MUC). You were going for 4 straight and had won a ridiculous number of games in a row. You had 'What's his Face' at tackle from OSU (which started the myth that UMU wasn't playing fair because all their players were OSU transfers), etc. No, there wasn't a Chuck Moore or Dan Pugh, but the expectation was a Mount win, blowout not out of the question.

Those of us who'd played against or watched Blake Elliot & Co knew SJU had the horses, the confidence, and the Johnnie Magic^TM to pull off the win. But I'll admit, I was shocked by the final score.

All that to say, the Machine almost always does what the machine does. HSCoach's recent list of playoff results is mind boggling.

I think the other piece to this is that no one tends to compete with Mount in the first or second swing at the machine. SJU, UWW, UMHB, etc. all had to take their lumps (SJU '96). Then get competitive (SJU '00). Then finally field a team that could climb the Mount (SJU '03).

What's remarkable is that Mount is the lone constant for the last 25 years among all those remarkable programs. Kudos (not that you need anything of the sort from me, your rings will suffice)

[edward de vere]

I remember three things about the 2003 Stagg Bowl.

One of which might be a false memory, which would be:  1)  A Mount Union receiver dropped a touchdown pass early in the game.

2)  Mount was definitely subpar (by Mount standards) at QB and RB.  Huge drop-off from Adamson and Pugh the previous
year.

3)  It seemed that  every player on every play on defense and special teams was in position for St. John's.  I kept waiting for a mistake.  I'm still waiting for it.

[Dr. Acula]

I remember three things about the 2003 Stagg Bowl.

One of which might be a false memory, which would be:  1)  A Mount Union receiver dropped a touchdown pass early in the game.

2)  Mount was definitely subpar (by Mount standards) at QB and RB.  Huge drop-off from Adamson and Pugh the previous
year.

3)  It seemed that  every player on every play on defense and special teams was in position for St. John's.  I kept waiting for a mistake.  I'm still waiting for it.

All I remember is thinking "Mount has played terribly and they're going to have a good chance to win this thing anyway" as Mount was about to score to make it 17-13 SJU.  Then about 3 seconds later there was that little INT in the end zone that the Johnnies ran back 100 yds for the ultimate back breaking TD.  I felt bad for Burghardt because while neither QB had played well he had definitely played better than Bruney that day. 

[MUC57]

I remember three things about the 2003 Stagg Bowl.

One of which might be a false memory, which would be:  1)  A Mount Union receiver dropped a touchdown pass early in the game.

2)  Mount was definitely subpar (by Mount standards) at QB and RB.  Huge drop-off from Adamson and Pugh the previous
year.

3)  It seemed that  every player on every play on defense and special teams was in position for St. John's.  I kept waiting for a mistake.  I'm still waiting for it.

The receiver that dropped the ball was Randall Knapp. It looked like he would score but.......
I knew then we were in trouble. Numbers 2 and 3 seem right on.
Don't forget - Mount had just beaten Bridgewater in the semifinal 66-0. I have heard they were a little cocky. SJU wasn't!

[MUC57]

I remember three things about the 2003 Stagg Bowl.

One of which might be a false memory, which would be:  1)  A Mount Union receiver dropped a touchdown pass early in the game.

2)  Mount was definitely subpar (by Mount standards) at QB and RB.  Huge drop-off from Adamson and Pugh the previous
year.

3)  It seemed that  every player on every play on defense and special teams was in position for St. John's.  I kept waiting for a mistake.  I'm still waiting for it.

All I remember is thinking "Mount has played terribly and they're going to have a good chance to win this thing anyway" as Mount was about to score to make it 17-13 SJU.  Then about 3 seconds later there was that little INT in the end zone that the Johnnies ran back 100 yds for the ultimate back breaking TD.  I felt bad for Burghardt because while neither QB had played well he had definitely played better than Bruney that day.

And that int was on a play call that was changed at the line of scrimmage. Kehres didn't call that play.

[emma17]

Ahhh the first "you havent seen a team like us" comment. Now it's really the playoffs !

I miss this.  Used to happen every year at the turn of the century and for a few years after that.  And every time Mount Union mount-unioned the other team.

It is generally fun to watch. And I do think it's pretty funny to watch, especially back in the day when it happened more frequently.

But in 2003 I remember the Johnnie faithful on the boards, going up against a team being touted as Mount's 'Best Ever' (going for their 4th straight Natty no less) and making the arguments that they were going to win because of moxie. And several making the argument, 'but you've never faced a player like X before.'

Of course, Player X was Johnnie Jesus, aka Blake Elliot, and he was kinda special. He was also surrounded by guys like Cam McCambridge and Jeremy Hood who did actually have loads of moxie too.

Anyone who touted the 03 squad as best ever had not watched much Mount Union football.  2003 was one of their weakest squads.  They didn't even have a starting QB or RB.  They rotated QB's during games.  They rotated tailbacks as well.  That wasn't because there was an overflow of talent.   

Agree 100%. 

'03 and '04 were not great teams.  Zac Bruney at QB was serviceable at best and the RB tandem of Ciccone & Strauch were even less. 

'10 and '11 with an injured Neal Seaman and Matt Piloto pissing down his leg were similar to '03 and '04.   Mount teams that overcame sub-par QB's to reach the semi's or stagg.




The QB that gets overlooked and/or downplayed is Kurt Rocco in 2009.  Lost to UWW in the Stagg but not because of QB play.  Rocco threw for 383 and 3 TD's and no INT's.  That team had a chance but a 4th quarter Morring fumble doomed their ability to close the deal.  If everything else is equal, Mount wins in '10 and '11 if Rocco was QB instead of Piloto.  In all honesty, they probably win in '10 and '11 if Seaman is healthy enough to play over Piloto. 


This trip down memory lane reminds of how important it is that Fulford gets healthy soon.  Much like '10 and '11, the '18 Raiders don't have the back-up QB on the roster to finish it with title #14.

Let me first say the Mt stats are amazingly impressive. We all know how good Mt is and has been for so long, yet stats like these somehow refresh the idea. A great program.

Now, second. For 2010 and 2011-  "If everything else is equal"- well, it wasn't equal. UWW was a better defense than Mt those years.
Fwiw, UWW played with a backup QB in 2010.

[hazzben]

I remember three things about the 2003 Stagg Bowl.

One of which might be a false memory, which would be:  1)  A Mount Union receiver dropped a touchdown pass early in the game.

2)  Mount was definitely subpar (by Mount standards) at QB and RB.  Huge drop-off from Adamson and Pugh the previous
year.

3)  It seemed that  every player on every play on defense and special teams was in position for St. John's.  I kept waiting for a mistake.  I'm still waiting for it.

The receiver that dropped the ball was Randall Knapp. It looked like he would score but.......
I knew then we were in trouble. Numbers 2 and 3 seem right on.
Don't forget - Mount had just beaten Bridgewater in the semifinal 66-0. I have heard they were a little cocky. SJU wasn't!

I'd forgotten about the Bridgewater result the week prior.

I do remember Elliot's toe tapping TD catch in the back of the endzone that got called out of bounds. Replay showed he got both feet down. Today we'd have gotten the call reversed upon review. Which is also a great advantage in the Semi's and Title game, it's really nice to have replay available.

Along those lines, would a targeting call in the Stagg be reviewed via video like it is in FBS games? I'm assuming they would.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Danny Robinson, Gagliardi semifinalist:

https://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/11/gagliardi-semifinalists-announced

[WRMUalum13]

Ahhh the first "you havent seen a team like us" comment. Now it's really the playoffs !

I miss this.  Used to happen every year at the turn of the century and for a few years after that.  And every time Mount Union mount-unioned the other team.

It is generally fun to watch. And I do think it's pretty funny to watch, especially back in the day when it happened more frequently.

But in 2003 I remember the Johnnie faithful on the boards, going up against a team being touted as Mount's 'Best Ever' (going for their 4th straight Natty no less) and making the arguments that they were going to win because of moxie. And several making the argument, 'but you've never faced a player like X before.'

Of course, Player X was Johnnie Jesus, aka Blake Elliot, and he was kinda special. He was also surrounded by guys like Cam McCambridge and Jeremy Hood who did actually have loads of moxie too.

Anyone who touted the 03 squad as best ever had not watched much Mount Union football.  2003 was one of their weakest squads.  They didn't even have a starting QB or RB.  They rotated QB's during games.  They rotated tailbacks as well.  That wasn't because there was an overflow of talent.   

Agree 100%. 

'03 and '04 were not great teams.  Zac Bruney at QB was serviceable at best and the RB tandem of Ciccone & Strauch were even less. 

'10 and '11 with an injured Neal Seaman and Matt Piloto pissing down his leg were similar to '03 and '04.   Mount teams that overcame sub-par QB's to reach the semi's or stagg.




The QB that gets overlooked and/or downplayed is Kurt Rocco in 2009.  Lost to UWW in the Stagg but not because of QB play.  Rocco threw for 383 and 3 TD's and no INT's.  That team had a chance but a 4th quarter Morring fumble doomed their ability to close the deal.  If everything else is equal, Mount wins in '10 and '11 if Rocco was QB instead of Piloto.  In all honesty, they probably win in '10 and '11 if Seaman is healthy enough to play over Piloto. 


This trip down memory lane reminds of how important it is that Fulford gets healthy soon.  Much like '10 and '11, the '18 Raiders don't have the back-up QB on the roster to finish it with title #14.

Let me first say the Mt stats are amazingly impressive. We all know how good Mt is and has been for so long, yet stats like these somehow refresh the idea. A great program.

Now, second. For 2010 and 2011-  "If everything else is equal"- well, it wasn't equal. UWW was a better defense than Mt those years.
Fwiw, UWW played with a backup QB in 2010.

Not that it matters but I don't think UWW had a better d in 2011, 7 of the points mounts d gave up during that game was a result of a fumble on the 1 yard line.

Then again the uww d did force that fumble in the first place... bolstering their claim... hmmm now I'm not convinced lol...

[JCUStreaks70]

To all my friends from John Carroll - JCUStreaks70, Bluestreaks66, Onward On, John Carroll and whoever else.

First, congrats on a great season. I know it fell short of your expectations. But, a whole bunch of teams would love to have a 9-2 record. It shows that the Blue Streaks have a solid program and will be heard from in the future. I think every team has it's bad day. Mount certainly has had a few. Unfortunately, yours was in the playoffs.
Second, no one around here (here being in Alliance and the Mount Union community) wanted to play JCU again. No matter what the records may be, UMU vs JCU is always a dog fight. That happened once this year. And once is enough!
Knowing the type of guys you all are, you'll be rooting for the Raiders. Might not be easy, but it is the OAC.
Best to all of you in the off-season. I know you'll be back next year. Have a super and safe holiday.
😃🏈🍺❗️

Thanks MUC.. For anyone worried about me and thinking I'd be on Suicide watch, I am fine.... I think..

It was a tough loss on Saturday, and I wish it had gone differently; but Randolph Macon wanted the win and played a better game. It sucks going home early, but I can't help but think of the positive in this situation (yes, I found one)..

I have expectations now, and we have now made the playoffs without Arth (so the program did not die when he left) .. When BlueStreak66 and I were playing we were 5-5/6-4.. We didn't even get close to smelling the playoffs. And here we are 6 years later and 4 playoff appearances in that time. 2013's disappointing finish to SJF was easy because A.) it was our first appearance in 10 years and B.) it was another at large bid. In 2014 and 16 then, we finished in the Top 5 even after losing to UMU in the Quarter's and then Oshkosh in the magical 2016 run... But this one, did not have any "at least" finish..

So while this loss sucks, I can at least be excited for where we can go from here.

[repete]

I remember three things about the 2003 Stagg Bowl.

One of which might be a false memory, which would be:  1)  A Mount Union receiver dropped a touchdown pass early in the game.

2)  Mount was definitely subpar (by Mount standards) at QB and RB.  Huge drop-off from Adamson and Pugh the previous
year.

3)  It seemed that  every player on every play on defense and special teams was in position for St. John's.  I kept waiting for a mistake.  I'm still waiting for it.

That the 2003 MUC team was sub-par might be true with 15-year hindsight.

That was not the talk before the game. Heard plenty of about this potentially being one of the best teams, better it was said than the one that needed a last-minute FG to beat SJU in 2000.  Heard all this stuff about Dillard, Kinnard, Knapp ... and they looked pretty darn good in running that win streak to 55. You folks here know better, but it might be a good team having a bad game . . . . against another good team that had its game plan, especially on defense, dialed in ... and made fewer mistakes. But this also speaks to how high the bar is at Mount.

[HScoach]

^  not taking anything away from SJU, that team was very good and had the best player on the field by a wide margin.  Just saying that Mount was lacking their usual difference maker at QB and/or RB.

[Craft_Beermeister]

Game Notes for Centre posted: 

https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/4/5/ppx33sphx25vkn/18-notes-gm12.pdf

There's an extra QB listed on the playoff roster this week:

9 Caleb Homol Fr from NC

I don't know how accurate Caleb is, but he can sure sling it.

[purple]

 I do not understand how Louis Berry is not a Gag nominee. His exploits have surpassed any DB in memory, history and legend.
How can Ruth be left off the First Team OAC?  Absurd. He's the most explosive player to wear the Purple since Pierre Garcon.
Question for the crowd? Is this the best defense Mount Union has ever had? Seems like it to this long time observer.
Loved the people in Salem and especially that brunch! But will not miss the weather.
Whose picking WWW to beat UMHB?

[HScoach]

  Question for the crowd? Is this the best defense Mount Union has ever had? Seems like it to this long time observer.

Not even close.   D-line isn't nearly good enough for this defense to be in that discussion.  It's very solid, but no dominant.  LB's are very good.  Secondary is typical, very athletic but somewhat inconsistent.

It's a very good defense overall, but let's not go crazy.