FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[WRMUalum13]

I think it will be interesting to see what direction the defense takes now that Vince is gone.  Different alignment?  More attacking? 

It's theoretically possible I'm all mixed up here but . . . isn't that what was said when VK succeeded Don Montgomery?  More attacking?

. . . I'm pretty much convinced the 2019 early playoff exit wasn't a problem of defensive scheming.  Rather, it was a problem of:  A)  Lack of All-American talent on defense, and B) Playing the best team in the country in the second round.  North Central had a GREAT offensive line, a GREAT running back, a GREAT wide receiver and a GREAT quarterback.
..



(Also, for the second year in a row, Mount's QB didn't see a wide-open receiver on the left side of the field for a touchdown late in a Very Important Playoff game.)

(Dadgummit.)

Edward, or Ed as I sometimes call you

Please keep in mind I don't have the in-depth knowledge some of you do. Having given that caveat, I shall continue.

Mount's early exit from the playoffs was, at least partially, due to the defensive plan. Playing the number 2 QB in the country does not call for only 3 down linemen and no pressure on the QB. Defensive plan wasn't a problem? Please! Give a QB as good as NCC's  was that much time and he'll find an open receiver. He could have read "War and Peace" while he looked for an open man.

For sure, other factors came into play, like, after 11 games, finally playing a standout team. Also, Mount's secondary seems to have trouble covering receivers, even if  8 guys are back. The stats bear this out.

Fulford certainly has the numbers to be called a terrific QB. No argument there. He does, however; tend to key in on # 1 (Hill). More than once he has  missed an open receiver because he wasn't, seemingly, looking for one. Various commentators, while broadcasting the games, have stated Fulford keeps his eye on Hill the entire play. I think we have all observed that.

Lack of All-American talent on defense? I know we had at least two. Did we need 11?.

I'm not only an alum but a huge fan. These are just some of my thoughts. As I said earlier, I don"t have a coaches knowledge of the game. I am, however; entitled to my opinion- right or wrong. Wait! My opinion can't be wrong. It's just MY opinion.

Looking forward to the 2020 season. Hope we make it to Canton. GO RAIDERS!

In terms of AA talent I only saw one defensive player, Kordell ford, listed on d3fb's list for 2019 and he was 3rd team.

This is a HUGE drop off from 2018 where we had 2 first teamers (including DPOY Lou Berry), 2 second teamers, and 2 3rd teamers.

So last year over half of the defensive was AA caliber.

I'm not saying the defensive scheme was good, or that we need 11 AA athletes on defense, but this years lack of elite talent should certainly not be ignored as a factor for the early exit.

[MUC57]

I think it will be interesting to see what direction the defense takes now that Vince is gone.  Different alignment?  More attacking? 

It's theoretically possible I'm all mixed up here but . . . isn't that what was said when VK succeeded Don Montgomery?  More attacking?

. . . I'm pretty much convinced the 2019 early playoff exit wasn't a problem of defensive scheming.  Rather, it was a problem of:  A)  Lack of All-American talent on defense, and B) Playing the best team in the country in the second round.  North Central had a GREAT offensive line, a GREAT running back, a GREAT wide receiver and a GREAT quarterback.
..



(Also, for the second year in a row, Mount's QB didn't see a wide-open receiver on the left side of the field for a touchdown late in a Very Important Playoff game.)

(Dadgummit.)

Edward, or Ed as I sometimes call you

Please keep in mind I don't have the in-depth knowledge some of you do. Having given that caveat, I shall continue.

Mount's early exit from the playoffs was, at least partially, due to the defensive plan. Playing the number 2 QB in the country does not call for only 3 down linemen and no pressure on the QB. Defensive plan wasn't a problem? Please! Give a QB as good as NCC's  was that much time and he'll find an open receiver. He could have read "War and Peace" while he looked for an open man.

For sure, other factors came into play, like, after 11 games, finally playing a standout team. Also, Mount's secondary seems to have trouble covering receivers, even if  8 guys are back. The stats bear this out.

Fulford certainly has the numbers to be called a terrific QB. No argument there. He does, however; tend to key in on # 1 (Hill). More than once he has  missed an open receiver because he wasn't, seemingly, looking for one. Various commentators, while broadcasting the games, have stated Fulford keeps his eye on Hill the entire play. I think we have all observed that.

Lack of All-American talent on defense? I know we had at least two. Did we need 11?.

I'm not only an alum but a huge fan. These are just some of my thoughts. As I said earlier, I don"t have a coaches knowledge of the game. I am, however; entitled to my opinion- right or wrong. Wait! My opinion can't be wrong. It's just MY opinion.

Looking forward to the 2020 season. Hope we make it to Canton. GO RAIDERS!

In terms of AA talent I only saw one defensive player, Kordell ford, listed on d3fb's list for 2019 and he was 3rd team.

This is a HUGE drop off from 2018 where we had 2 first teamers (including DPOY Lou Berry), 2 second teamers, and 2 3rd teamers.

So last year over half of the defensive was AA caliber.

I'm not saying the defensive scheme was good, or that we need 11 AA athletes on defense, but this years lack of elite talent should certainly not be ignored as a factor for the early exit.

C' Mon! Let's not nit-pick how many AA's we have. You mentioned 2018. As I recall, we did not win the national championship that year. Maybe it takes more than a handful of really stud players to win. How about a good defensive game plan! That would go a long way, even with less than a bunch of All-.Americans. 

[ADL70]

Wishing Dartt 20 - 30 years of success.

And then a handoff to an LK grandchild.   

Since Dartt is Larry's son-in-law and Vince's brother-in-law, does this mean his wins continue the family line?   

Desitively bonnaroo!

+K for Mac Rebennack (RIP Dr John) reference.

[HScoach]

The problem with the 2019 defense was D-line.  A bunch of guys that were solid rotational type players, but no difference makers that could win a one-on-one battle.  And definitely none that required special attention.  There haven't been many seasons in the last 25+ years that the Mount defense didn't have at least one really good D-lineman.  Unfortunately 2019 was one of the those seasons.

[emma17]

The questioning of MT's defensive game plan vs. NCC reminds me of the MT at UWO game. UWO seemed unwilling to change their defensive scheme in that second half, while MT's passing game just picked them apart.
I wonder if coaches aren't just taking the position of "I trust the players that got us here to make a play within the defensive scheme we've run all year"?
I don't know, just curious.

[MUC57]

The problem with the 2019 defense was D-line.  A bunch of guys that were solid rotational type players, but no difference makers that could win a one-on-one battle.  And definitely none that required special attention.  There haven't been many seasons in the last 25+ years that the Mount defense didn't have at least one really good D-lineman.  Unfortunately 2019 was one of the those seasons.

Thanks coach. Your insight is much better than mine. What you said makes sense.
But wasn't Andrew Roesch on somebody's AA liist, maybe The AP All -Americans? I know I saw it somewhere!

But, "the moving finger writes and having writ moves on". 2019 is but a memory. We look forward to 2020 - a new season, a new coach, a new athletic director, a new president and a renewed enthusiasm for The Purple Raiders of The University  of Mount Union
Hey, alums and friends of the college, let's hope we play our last game of the season at The Pro Football Hall of Fam

GO RAIDERS!

[MUC57]

The questioning of MT's defensive game plan vs. NCC reminds me of the MT at UWO game. UWO seemed unwilling to change their defensive scheme in that second half, while MT's passing game just picked them apart.
I wonder if coaches aren't just taking the position of "I trust the players that got us here to make a play within the defensive scheme we've run all year"?
I don't know, just curious.

emma17

Great comparison. It's "deja vu"  all over again. You raise a terrific question. I don't know either.   

[WRMUalum13]

The problem with the 2019 defense was D-line.  A bunch of guys that were solid rotational type players, but no difference makers that could win a one-on-one battle.  And definitely none that required special attention.  There haven't been many seasons in the last 25+ years that the Mount defense didn't have at least one really good D-lineman.  Unfortunately 2019 was one of the those seasons.

Thanks coach. Your insight is much better than mine. What you said makes sense.
But wasn't Andrew Roesch on somebody's AA liist, maybe The AP All -Americans? I know I saw it somewhere!

But, "the moving finger writes and having writ moves on". 2019 is but a memory. We look forward to 2020 - a new season, a new coach, a new athletic director, a new president and a renewed enthusiasm for The Purple Raiders of The University  of Mount Union
Hey, alums and friends of the college, let's hope we play our last game of the season at The Pro Football Hall of Fam

GO RAIDERS!

Roesch was a d3fb.com all american in 2018 and was a pre season AA this year, but didn't make the final list. Not sure about AP

[WRMUalum13]

So... maybe HScoach, or someone with more X and O knowledge then me can answer this, what is the logic behind only rushing 3 if you have a bad dline. Is it the idea that we don't have enough talent to get pressure with 4, so let's just give up on trying to create pressure we'll put more guys into coverage and hope for a coverage sack?

My biggest problem with the scheme is that it felt like UMU didn't watch film on NCC, Rutter was susceptible to pressure, but able to dice opponents when he had time (well I guess that's true for most QBs, but it just seemed to me that UMU should have been way more aggressive early in the 3rd quarter

[MUC57]

So... maybe HScoach, or someone with more X and O knowledge then me can answer this, what is the logic behind only rushing 3 if you have a bad dline. Is it the idea that we don't have enough talent to get pressure with 4, so let's just give up on trying to create pressure we'll put more guys into coverage and hope for a coverage sack?

My biggest problem with the scheme is that it felt like UMU didn't watch film on NCC, Rutter was susceptible to pressure, but ablest  to dice opponents when he had time (well I guess that's true for most QBs, but it just seemed to me that UMU should have been way more aggressive early in the 3rd quarter

Good comments, WRMU! Kinda fun knocking the subject back and forth.
You're on target about Rutter being susceptible to pressure. In the 2nd half, Mount ran a corner blitz. Rutter had to scramble and ended up throwing the ball away toward the covered stands. Then Mount eased up again.
Always good "chatting"with ya. And I know we both agree on "Go Raiders"! 

[WRMUalum13]

So... maybe HScoach, or someone with more X and O knowledge then me can answer this, what is the logic behind only rushing 3 if you have a bad dline. Is it the idea that we don't have enough talent to get pressure with 4, so let's just give up on trying to create pressure we'll put more guys into coverage and hope for a coverage sack?

My biggest problem with the scheme is that it felt like UMU didn't watch film on NCC, Rutter was susceptible to pressure, but ablest  to dice opponents when he had time (well I guess that's true for most QBs, but it just seemed to me that UMU should have been way more aggressive early in the 3rd quarter

Good comments, WRMU! Kinda fun knocking the subject back and forth.
You're on target about Rutter being susceptible to pressure. In the 2nd half, Mount ran a corner blitz. Rutter had to scramble and ended up throwing the ball away toward the covered stands. Then Mount eased up again.
Always good "chatting"with ya. And I know we both agree on "Go Raiders"! 

Oh for sure, I wasn't having an argument MUC, just some good football talk, go raiders!

[USee]

So... maybe HScoach, or someone with more X and O knowledge then me can answer this, what is the logic behind only rushing 3 if you have a bad dline. Is it the idea that we don't have enough talent to get pressure with 4, so let's just give up on trying to create pressure we'll put more guys into coverage and hope for a coverage sack?

My biggest problem with the scheme is that it felt like UMU didn't watch film on NCC, Rutter was susceptible to pressure, but able to dice opponents when he had time (well I guess that's true for most QBs, but it just seemed to me that UMU should have been way more aggressive early in the 3rd quarter

I watched Rutter for 4 years. He was susceptible to a DLine that beat his OLine. He was very strong vs blitz because he knew exactly where to go with the ball. Many teams tried to blitz him and he absolutely torched them. I have seen the "Mt only rushed 3" argument over and over. If Mt had blitzed against NCC Rutter might have scored 100. It really wasn't a good strategy. Wheaton pressured him with 4 and brought blitzes so their DLine had 1 on 1 blocks and they were better. Rarely did an unblocked Blitzer get to Rutter, he was too smart and knew his protections.

[MUC57]

USee

Rutter is an all-world QB, but he's not a deity. When Mount blitzed, he ran for his life. Don't know why the Raider defense eased up.
Overall, NCC was the better team. The Cardinals were more than just Rutter!
Good luck to NCC in 2020. 

Oh! The Purple Raiders WILL  be back this season. 

[Craft_Beermeister]

This goes into the "who cares, it's not football" category.

Dr. Thomas Botzman, president of Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvana, has been named the 13th president of the University of Mount Union.

I saw the white smoke coming from Chapman Hall, so I knew we had a new leader.

So there. 🎓 ❗️

It sounds like you think Botzman is a good guy. If true it is a shame the change didn't occur a year earlier.

Botzman makes a lot of sense.  He's a NEOhioan and "Mount guy."  Long time professor before moving into admin roles.  Almost every accounting/finance/Econ major around my age had him because he taught Quant 1 and 2 which we all took.

[MUC57]

This goes into the "who cares, it's not football" category.

Dr. Thomas Botzman, president of Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvana, has been named the 13th president of the University of Mount Union.

I saw the white smoke coming from Chapman Hall, so I knew we had a new leader.

So there. 🎓 ❗️

It sounds like you think Botzman is a good guy. If true it is a shame the change didn't occur a year earlier.

Botzman makes a lot of sense.  He's a NEOhioan and "Mount guy."  Long time professor before moving into admin roles.  Almost every accounting/finance/Econ major around my age had him because he taught Quant 1 and 2 which we all took.

Never said he was a "good guy". Just announced his hire. Don't put words in my mouth! ☹️