FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[gizzmo13]

so does this mean keeney is starting again, or will deangelo actually play. my guess is he dresses and only goes in if he has too..

[umhb2001]

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)

Actually, we won the first meeting in 2004.

[hsbsballcoach7]

Umhb2001, honest question here because I don't venture over to the ASC board often. Do you think Coach Fred gets too conservative in the playoffs? They seem so explosive during the season and then it's like he plays the Texas version of Tressel-ball. And yes, I know the teams in the playoffs are better, but to me your defense is still awesome, but your offense is off... What are your thoughts?

[umhb2001]

Umhb2001, honest question here because I don't venture over to the ASC board often. Do you think Coach Fred gets too conservative in the playoffs? They seem so explosive during the season and then it's like he plays the Texas version of Tressel-ball. And yes, I know the teams in the playoffs are better, but to me your defense is still awesome, but your offense is off... What are your thoughts?

I agree. The MO of our team has been to get ahead and then play keep away, sit on the back of the defense, and ride it into the sunset. But, to harken back to something Coach said a few years back, at least at that point, he doesn't give much attention to the offensive game plan. I don't claim to know how the coaching system works, but typically, it seems, the HC has some say in what happens. Several years ago, Coach Fred stated that he doesn't pay much attention to the offensive game plan during the game. But yes, it does seem to bog down once we get a lead.

It drives me nuts. I will say, though, that against HSU this week, we got the ball with around a minute to play in the first half, and I was shocked when we took a shot deep and scored to finish out the half. That may be a sign that things are changing. I don't know.

Our play calling becomes very predictable: run up the middle, bubble screen, RPO, something like that. Even with the addition of a new offensive coordinator in 2016, I don't feel our offense opened up too much. In the Stagg in 16, we did take some shots deep, but we fumbled inside the 10 yard line. Last year, we really didn't have a QB that could read and handle the pressure the Raiders gave us.

I believe the fits that HSU gave us in the game last weekend will surely help. Their offensive scheme was based on a lot of misdirection which took our speedy defense by surprise early. After the half, it was pretty much a shut down case. Their defensive alignment was different, too. At one point, they had 3 down lineman, 3 or 4 linebackers, and 4 or 5 DB's. We marched down the field to start the game, stalled a bit, then figured it out. The coaches did a great job of adjusting mid half and at halftime.

[skunks_sidekick]

Greetings OAC ers!

For approximately (too old to really remember) the 15th year, the Skunk clan will do their usual Saturday after Thanksgiving extravaganza for the Mount game.  Pancho's for breakfast margaritas , and then off to the game.  Some years we have had 30 people, this year is a light one with 12-14.  If anyone would care to join us show up around 10 ish to eat, drink, and possibly get in on the playoff game pool for the game.  We only play for pride and at no time is money changing hands.   

Jr started lighting up my phone this morning at 3:15 AM as he is on his way back from his Spain study abroad.  And the reason he started calling then you ask?  OF COURSE HE MISSED HIS FLIGHT!  Got there 45 minutes before he was to take off, and NOPE boarding was already closed.  Yesterday's conversation:

JR - what time do you think I should get to the airport?
ME - at least 2 hours before if not more.
JR - why so early?
ME - it's an international flight so early is good.
JR - ok dad I will be there early.

Sigh...now he is doing a Spain to London to Chicago to Cleveland flight which gets in at 12:45 AM IF he can make all his connections.  Part of me wouldn't be too horribly upset if he ends up having to stay in an airport to sleep.  Good life lesson there.

Back to football!  I don't think we see Fulford on Saturday, but would expect him to play the week after if recovery keeps on the track it's on now.  Nothing against Centre but I think Mount can win with the backups.

[raiderpa]

I know you guys are a bit down on the Mount backups, but I felt that Keeney threw a nice ball, and got it to the open man when he had to.  Obviously, not the talent of Fulford, nor many before him. However, I see him as a workman-like performer who will not kill us with mistakes.  His short throws to open receivers were tight and right on, and with another week prep, and a game under his belt, I think he'll be fine this week.

[Pat Coleman]

I think Mount has a great shot at winning the title! Hope my buddy MUC57 is well always love his comments! on the NWC Board!

Way to go out on a limb....

  ;)I

Bluenote is like that. Never afraid to take a stance. Have to admire his (I don't know what). ❓❓❓

Struggle for lucidity?

I think I saw Struggle For Lucidity play a house show in college.  Not bad.

That's like a Queensryche cover band, right?

[wally_wabash]

I think Mount has a great shot at winning the title! Hope my buddy MUC57 is well always love his comments! on the NWC Board!

Way to go out on a limb....

  ;)I

Bluenote is like that. Never afraid to take a stance. Have to admire his (I don't know what). ❓❓❓

Struggle for lucidity?

I think I saw Struggle For Lucidity play a house show in college.  Not bad.

That's like a Queensryche cover band, right?

Tribute band, please. 

[Pat Coleman]

Struggle for lucidity?

I think I saw Struggle For Lucidity play a house show in college.  Not bad.

That's like a Queensryche cover band, right?

Tribute band, please.

I've heard it both ways. 

[bluestreak66]

Struggle for lucidity?

I think I saw Struggle For Lucidity play a house show in college.  Not bad.

That's like a Queensryche cover band, right?

Tribute band, please.

I've heard it both ways. 

The right way and then yours

[joelmama]

Greetings OAC ers!

For approximately (too old to really remember) the 15th year, the Skunk clan will do their usual Saturday after Thanksgiving extravaganza for the Mount game.  Pancho's for breakfast margaritas , and then off to the game.  Some years we have had 30 people, this year is a light one with 12-14.  If anyone would care to join us show up around 10 ish to eat, drink, and possibly get in on the playoff game pool for the game.  We only play for pride and at no time is money changing hands.   

Jr started lighting up my phone this morning at 3:15 AM as he is on his way back from his Spain study abroad.  And the reason he started calling then you ask?  OF COURSE HE MISSED HIS FLIGHT!  Got there 45 minutes before he was to take off, and NOPE boarding was already closed.  Yesterday's conversation:

JR - what time do you think I should get to the airport?
ME - at least 2 hours before if not more.
JR - why so early?
ME - it's an international flight so early is good.
JR - ok dad I will be there early.

Sigh...now he is doing a Spain to London to Chicago to Cleveland flight which gets in at 12:45 AM IF he can make all his connections.  Part of me wouldn't be too horribly upset if he ends up having to stay in an airport to sleep.  Good life lesson there.

Back to football!  I don't think we see Fulford on Saturday, but would expect him to play the week after if recovery keeps on the track it's on now.  Nothing against Centre but I think Mount can win with the backups.

If he is on American I will be picking up my daughter from that flight.

[archgemini24]

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?

Maybe only me.  And "Brad".

I think UMHB will have a tough time with St John's before they get to UWW. In the pick em, I have St John's advancing. I believe their defense will hold UMHB and their offense is legit! They'll put some points on the scoreboard IMO.

I agree they will definitely put some points on the scoreboard. But, I also think a very good offense should be able to put up some points on the Johnnies as well.  But i'm not sure how good UMHB's offense is this year. In the past it has always moved from excellent to ok as the playoffs progress. That's understandable given the competition increase, but it certainly isn't the case with Mount and it isn't usually the case with UW-W when we are right. The St. John's UMHB game will be a heckuva quarterfinal!

UMHB likes to get leads and sit on it with their defense, and then punish any mistakes the opposing team makes in trying to comeback by converting short fields via turnovers or Special Teams (if they do not immediately score via turnover or return). Maybe they have changed things up a bit this year, but the Cru does not do a lot of exotic stuff on offense, but they do execute very well (several Raiders noted it over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, even if they only went 1-1). Against almost everyone else, it is good enough for a rout, but in the later rounds it can be a problem if their leads do not get large or if they get leads, at all. Defensively, they might be more aggressive, but it still looks like it is predicated on really good players and better execution than scheme. It is a very "novocaine" approach, but hard to argue the results. Not that they do not have a scheme (clearly, they do), but if there is one team in the tournament I would say is the "we all know what we want to do and we dare you to stop us" team, it is the Cru.

[hsbsballcoach7]

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?

Maybe only me.  And "Brad".

I think UMHB will have a tough time with St John's before they get to UWW. In the pick em, I have St John's advancing. I believe their defense will hold UMHB and their offense is legit! They'll put some points on the scoreboard IMO.

I agree they will definitely put some points on the scoreboard. But, I also think a very good offense should be able to put up some points on the Johnnies as well.  But i'm not sure how good UMHB's offense is this year. In the past it has always moved from excellent to ok as the playoffs progress. That's understandable given the competition increase, but it certainly isn't the case with Mount and it isn't usually the case with UW-W when we are right. The St. John's UMHB game will be a heckuva quarterfinal!

UMHB likes to get leads and sit on it with their defense, and then punish any mistakes the opposing team makes in trying to comeback by converting short fields via turnovers or Special Teams (if they do not immediately score via turnover or return). Maybe they have changed things up a bit this year, but the Cru does not do a lot of exotic stuff on offense, but they do execute very well (several Raiders noted it over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, even if they only went 1-1). Against almost everyone else, it is good enough for a rout, but in the later rounds it can be a problem if their leads do not get large or if they get leads, at all. Defensively, they might be more aggressive, but it still looks like it is predicated on really good players and better execution than scheme. It is a very "novocaine" approach, but hard to argue the results. Not that they do not have a scheme (clearly, they do), but if there is one team in the tournament I would say is the "we all know what we want to do and we dare you to stop us" team, it is the Cru.

That makes sense. They are extremely talented all over the field and their defense is exceptional, which leads to good field position throughout the game. I just thought with better passing quarterback options, I expected to see more of a threat last week vs HSU.

[MUC57]

Happy Thanksgiving to all my OAC friends. We're very fortunate to have all great schools in our membership. As I say, "Go Everybody"! 🍗 🍷 😃

[Raider 68]

To all the OAC posters, have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday!