FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[skunks_sidekick]

I'm POSITIVE ESPN knows less about DIII than they do about umm...competitive eating!   

[rscl70]

When I was coaching HS ball, more years ago than I care to remember , we had one rival our Head Coach truly loved to beat.  His dream was having a three or four touchdown lead late in the game, and the ball first and goal.  In this situation, he said he would punt the ball out of the stadium on first down.  This situation never came about, but I don't doubt he would have done it.

There is no graceful way to handle a blow out.  No matter what you do, someone is going to find insult and poor sportsmanship in it.  Frankly, if I were on the receiving side, I'd rather see the other team continue to compete, with their 2's, 3's and even 4's rather than disdaining opportunities to score.   And the "Mercy Clock" is just the ultimate insult.

JK - Ignorance of DIII is no surprise.  There are still people in Stark County (this so called home of the sophisticated football fan) who think a good Federal League team could beat Mount Union.

[skunks_sidekick]

RSCL70...dude.....don't confuse Massillon fan with anyone else in Stark County!     Only Massillon fan thinks their team is the best high school, small college, semi-pro team around. 

I did see one hell of an athletic McKinley team last Saturday against NC Hoover.  This was to be "the year" in which Hoover would not only compete with McKinley, but potentially beat them.  Although Dahl getting hurt didn't help, Hoover was simply outmatched.  McKinley's speed and athleticism is scary.  They aren't that polished on offense, but their defense is just sic!

[KennethK]

Now that we're a couple of games in..it sure looks like MU is unbeatable.  Can Capital or Ohio Northern stay with the Raiders?

[cut above]

Now that we're a couple of games in..it sure looks like MU is unbeatable.  Can Capital or Ohio Northern stay with the Raiders?

not sure about northern, but cap can definently run with mount. should be a great game!

[e_lee]

I think Cap can play with MUC.  Its looking like the harping on the lack of quality receivers for Rocky to throw to is much ado about nothing.  I look forward to that game.

[rscl70]

It may be a little early to call Mount "unbeatable".  They haven't even been tested, and won't be until ONU comes to town.  This schedule provides a lot of practice for Mount, but not any preparation for an important game.

I'd like to see Mount schedule a better opponent in the opening game, but I'm sure that is more easily wished for than done.

[theaprof]

I agree with rscl70--would be nice to have a tougher opener, but what "contending" program wants to risk an early out-of-conference loss that puts their post season chances in jeopardy?  I'd also like to see a rotating preseason schedule with "local" non-conference teams--Wooster, Witt, Allegheny, etc.  But since it's not my decision, I'll continue to watch in awe as Mount essentially has an extra week of practice at the begining of the season.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I agree with rscl70--would be nice to have a tougher opener, but what "contending" program wants to risk an early out-of-conference loss that puts their post season chances in jeopardy?  I'd also like to see a rotating preseason schedule with "local" non-conference teams--Wooster, Witt, Allegheny, etc.  But since it's not my decision, I'll continue to watch in awe as Mount essentially has an extra week of practice at the begining of the season.

Best chance recently that Mount Union had for a tough opener was UW-WW in 2002-2003.
2002 score was 44-21
2003 score was 40-17

[OU#25]

For those who know...and I know you're out there checking this board...Mount has had difficulty scheduling out of conference opponents.  

Does anyone think there is a possibility Mount would play an NAIA (Malone etc.) team or a DII team (Tiffin etc.) during the regular season?  My sense is that Mount would be more than competitive and enjoy similar success.  It certainly would make things more interesting but would Kehres go for it?

More importantly would the opposing teams go for it?  Has it ever been discussed?

Just curious.

[KennethK]

Jorris's QB efficiency rating after two games (272)..not to shabby.  Will Union play anyone with outstanding pass defenses in the near future?

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Jorris's QB efficiency rating after two games (272)..not to shabby.  Will Union play anyone with outstanding pass defenses in the near future?

ONU National Rankings (Oct 7 in Alliance):
6     Total Defense 142.5ypg
9     Rushing Defense  33.0ypg
105  Pass Effic. Defense  109.7
38    Scoring Defense  10.5ppg

Capital National Rankings (October 28th in Alliance):
4    Total Defense  109ypg
13  Rushing Defense  37ypg
28  Pass Effic. Defense  80.2
4    Scoring Defense  3.5ppg

MUC National Rankings:
1  Total Offense  633ypg
6  Rushing Offense  301ypg
6  Passing Offense  332ypg
1  Scoring Offense  67.5ppg

23  Total Defense 191ypg
2    Rushing Defense -12.5ypg
30  Pass Effic. Defense 80.7
38  Scoring Defense  10.5

See the rest here:
http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/rankings?sportCode=MFB

[section13raiderfan]

A team that would want to play a Mount Union early is one that is building a program and knows it isnt going to the playoffs this year but would benefit greatly from the experience of it. Averetts coach has coached in the OAC before so he knew what his team was up against, and that down the road they would see the results. The other kind is a team that knows that this is not their year and could use some of the gate money that such a contest would generate to benefit their program. Its hard to find teams to admit to either situation and get them to sign up for a contest. If I was a coach of a potential playoff qualifier  im not sure if I would risk catching Mount Union early before they jell as a team and schedule them 1st game or not. If you got lucky, the emotional high could carry your team pretty far. But I know having to play them in the playoffs later would be much harder. Whatever their reasons you gotta respect whoever plays Mount Union and doesnt have to.

[OU#25]

Kirasdad:
Great job pulling together all the stats.

One funny error of note on the NCAA site you linked to...
Under "NCAA Passing Efficiency" they've listed Rocky Pentello (11th overall) as a Freshman.

See...maybe he will never leave Capital after all.

[section13raiderfan]

I know this tidbit is not D3 but I just had to tell someone before I puked....Lydell Ross is selling his national championship ring on ebay.......anyone care to bid on it?