FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[theotherguy]

TAGS... dont be fooled by the size of stickley. he is very capable of being a run stopper. he is a large reason they are only allowing 25 yds a game. playing the run from the weak side of the D isnt easy. but then again, SJF wouldnt be the first team to try and do that. looking forward to a great game on sat.

[JT]

A little hard for me to comment because I missed the game.  I didn't get home from a European vacation until Saturday at 10 pm.  The only football scores I got on the Virgin Atlantic plane was "football" (soccer) scores from the captain.  Like I care if Liverpool beat Devonshire 4 - nil.

Basically Rowan had trouble accounting for the loss of two NFL caliber receivers all season. Also another two of the best inside receivers (twin brothers) who would have been juniors left to join the Marines.  The lack of offensive production wore out the defense over the course of the season.  Backs to the wall, they've been the cardiac kids with three major come from behind wins (Cortland, Hobart, and Wilkes).  Not taking away anything from SJF, but Rowan was running out of gas.  I thought it might happen in the East finals or in Alliance.

There's still quite a bit of talent at Rowan. The best receiver is only a freshman. The  big question mark will be at the QB slot in 2007.

I also think that the East is getting better and is more competative than in years past.  Hopefully a good performance by the Cardinals will prove me correct.

SJF was able to capitalize on three Prof turnovers and a big punt return for a TD. And took Rowan out of their game in the first half.  The fact that SJF put up 130 yards rushing tells me they were successful at running in between the tackles, because no one ran outside on the Profs all year.  175 passing might be a bit light the week before heading to Alliance.  However they didn't turn the ball over against a Prof team that was between plus 8 - 10 in the turnover catagory.  They also held the Profs to three sacks, which tells me that this o-line of Fisher's is pretty good and might be the best line Rowan faced this year.

I heard that the SJF defense was pretty quick and they have been the first team to blank the Profs since the 2004 semi-final in Oregon.

Given the teams I have seen this year, I'd say that SJF has a enough weapons to be competative on Saturday.  The big question is can they handle the Mount Union mystique.  Like Pat said... It does exist and it is for real.  Best thing for SJF to do is treat every game after the East region final like gravy, and just go for it.  Kinda like RPI in 2003.

[OU#25]

I think the comparison between MU and the Yankees is a good one and why people like to see MU lose.  The Yankees have the highest payroll and get whomever they want.  That is similar to MU who has every advantage you could ask for at this level.  They have built great tradition, they have great facilities and they get the great athlete who may not get into other schools in the league.  That's not to say they will not graduate and be successful but it is a huge advantage.  With all those advantages it is hard to root for them.  That's why everyone cheers for the Marlins or the Tigers.

Had to stick one more knife jab in the ribs there...

When Kehres is asked about his amazing career winning percentage he frequently deflects the question to an even more amazing stat.  The FACT that his team's graduation rate normally exceeds his winning percentage year in and year out.  Please don't bring the "education topic" here because it has no place.  Another FACT that will also amaze some folks on this board is that when Kehres meets a potential recruit during an initial meeting...football... is rarely... if at all even discussed.  Your comparisons to the Yankees are off base as well.  The Yankees are generally made up of talented castoffs and trouble-makers who are more individually motivated then team motivated.  Also the Yankees buy their championships and their teams year in and year out lack continuity. 

Spending was high but not as high as it is now.  The Yankees started saddling themselves with expensive and selfish ballplayers ie,  A-Rod, Randy Johnson, etc. The chemistry isn't the same and that is the reason why they aren't winning in the post season.  Trying to buy the title from 2002 forward is the reason why the Yanks aren't winning.  Getting free agents regardless of team fit has been the problem, not the solution.

Just MHO... been a Yankee fan since 1973.

That was exactly my point...so we don't disagree.  I'm comparing today's Mount Union versus today's Yankees.  Anyone can go back in time to find a sampling to fit their argument.  Every knowledeable sports fan in this country knows what the Yankees are all about. 

The long and continuous string of success by Mount should not be degraded by the Yankee reference...that's all I'm saying.  When the day comes when college sports (specifically DIII) gets lumped in with professional athletes, scandals, individualism, poor behavior etc.. then I'm going back to taking up yardwork again.

[JT]

What I would like to know from JT is how this year's Rowan defense compares to last year.  They played Mount pretty tough last year, so if they're comperable you have to give a lot of credit to the SJF offense.

It is basically the exact same defense.... returning 9 starters.  I thought this defense was better than the 1999 defense that beat Mount Union. Lack of offensive production finally wore them out. But you still have to give SJF props for handling Rowan like they did.

[JT]

I think the comparison between MU and the Yankees is a good one and why people like to see MU lose.  The Yankees have the highest payroll and get whomever they want.  That is similar to MU who has every advantage you could ask for at this level.  They have built great tradition, they have great facilities and they get the great athlete who may not get into other schools in the league.  That's not to say they will not graduate and be successful but it is a huge advantage.  With all those advantages it is hard to root for them.  That's why everyone cheers for the Marlins or the Tigers.

Had to stick one more knife jab in the ribs there...

When Kehres is asked about his amazing career winning percentage he frequently deflects the question to an even more amazing stat.  The FACT that his team's graduation rate normally exceeds his winning percentage year in and year out.  Please don't bring the "education topic" here because it has no place.  Another FACT that will also amaze some folks on this board is that when Kehres meets a potential recruit during an initial meeting...football... is rarely... if at all even discussed.  Your comparisons to the Yankees are off base as well.  The Yankees are generally made up of talented castoffs and trouble-makers who are more individually motivated then team motivated.  Also the Yankees buy their championships and their teams year in and year out lack continuity. 

Spending was high but not as high as it is now.  The Yankees started saddling themselves with expensive and selfish ballplayers ie,  A-Rod, Randy Johnson, etc. The chemistry isn't the same and that is the reason why they aren't winning in the post season.  Trying to buy the title from 2002 forward is the reason why the Yanks aren't winning.  Getting free agents regardless of team fit has been the problem, not the solution.

Just MHO... been a Yankee fan since 1973.

That was exactly my point...so we don't disagree.  I'm comparing today's Mount Union versus today's Yankees.  Anyone can go back in time to find a sampling to fit their argument.  Every knowledeable sports fan in this country knows what the Yankees are all about. 

The long and continuous string of success by Mount should not be degraded by the Yankee reference...that's all I'm saying.  When the day comes when college sports (specifically DIII) gets lumped in with professional athletes, scandals, individualism, poor behavior etc.. then I'm going back to taking up yardwork again.

Hopefully by shedding payroll and find good fits between farm and free agents "team players", the Yanks might find that 90's magic again.  Then a comparison between Yanks and Mount Union won't sound so bad.

[OU#25]

Hey MUC Fans:

This may have already been mentioned but here's a link to a well done video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAQ0D19qB1c

[evacuee]

This is the week.  This is it.  The week that Mt. Union finally gets exposed.  They've been just barely hanging on the last few weeks, and would have lost last weekend had it not been for a rediculous holding penalty.  They're going to lose on Saturday, and I'm pretty sure that they're not going rebound next season. They might make the playoffs at large, but no further than the second round.  I know you Raiders don't want to admit it, but the balance in D3 is about to shift, starting this week.  New Bully on the block, boys:

Austin College from Sherman, Texas...

[short]

Given the teams I have seen this year, I'd say that SJF has a enough weapons to be competative on Saturday.  The big question is can they handle the Mount Union mystique. 

It will not be Mystigue that beats you SJF it will be, flat go big strong fast player!
I've only seen Mount Union 2 times this year but... This is the BEST Mount Union "Team" ever with the worst Mount QB I've ever seen (I've only been watching D3/Mount Union Football since the days a Smeck). If Mount had Rocky as their QB could beat D2 Playoff teams, and Avg D1AA teams. 

[superman57]

here is some good fisher highlights from the a coule of weeks ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rJP49EmcQI&search=SJFC%20College%20Student%20Media

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

This is the week.  This is it.  The week that Mt. Union finally gets exposed.  They've been just barely hanging on the last few weeks, and would have lost last weekend had it not been for a rediculous holding penalty.  They're going to lose on Saturday, and I'm pretty sure that they're not going rebound next season. They might make the playoffs at large, but no further than the second round.  I know you Raiders don't want to admit it, but the balance in D3 is about to shift, starting this week.  New Bully on the block, boys:

Austin College from Sherman, Texas...

  Where have I heard that before...  Even in 2003-2004, when MUC did not win it all, they still made it to the Stagg and Semi-Finals.  I know that someday it may happen, but it won't happen all at once.

[OU#25]

This is the week.  This is it.  The week that Mt. Union finally gets exposed.  They've been just barely hanging on the last few weeks, and would have lost last weekend had it not been for a rediculous holding penalty.  They're going to lose on Saturday, and I'm pretty sure that they're not going rebound next season. They might make the playoffs at large, but no further than the second round.  I know you Raiders don't want to admit it, but the balance in D3 is about to shift, starting this week.  New Bully on the block, boys:

Austin College from Sherman, Texas...

  Where have I heard that before... 

I know...back in the 70's...Steve Austin & Sherman Hemsley...a great one, two punch! 

[evacuee]

If you step back just enough, you'll see that the bottom is about to fall out.  See short's comment.  Plus, I heard that Kehres really wants to spend more time tending to his non-profit organization.  Do you think he's going to be able to do both?  It doesn't matter, you'll see.  He can start catching up with his side project next Monday because they won't be game planning.  Once that issue is cleared up, he'll realize that the depth problem they're experiencing right now is going to leave them with no talent next year.  A few years of half-hearted recruiting is going to show this week and in next year's losses to B-W, ONU, and the at-large bid that they'll receive on the strength of their legacy.

If Northern doesn't beat themselves, that's two years in a row that they lose that one, then B-W is due to blow the Raiders out next year.  If that doesn't say it all, I don't know what does.  The coaches know it.  Why do you think they keep ducking Austin College?

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Probably because it is not worth the travel to play a 4-6 Austin College Kangaroo squad.  If they wanted to have a challenge playing the Roo's, they would play Zippy and the Akron Zips just down the road.

Now get back to your Dry Cleaning Store before Weezie smacks you upside the head and that honkey from upstairs comes down to have dinner with you.

[JT]

If you step back just enough, you'll see that the bottom is about to fall out.  See short's comment.  Plus, I heard that Kehres really wants to spend more time tending to his non-profit organization.  Do you think he's going to be able to do both?  It doesn't matter, you'll see.  He can start catching up with his side project next Monday because they won't be game planning.  Once that issue is cleared up, he'll realize that the depth problem they're experiencing right now is going to leave them with no talent next year.  A few years of half-hearted recruiting is going to show this week and in next year's losses to B-W, ONU, and the at-large bid that they'll receive on the strength of their legacy.

If Northern doesn't beat themselves, that's two years in a row that they lose that one, then B-W is due to blow the Raiders out next year.  If that doesn't say it all, I don't know what does.  The coaches know it.  Why do you think they keep ducking Austin College?

Looks like Ric is slipping.  Ol' TU2698 knows more about the dire straits of the Mount Union football program.  Come on Ric.... What's the skinny?  You holding out us  8)

Note the use of the Keeler emoticon

[superman57]

hey MUC fans if you could send your recomandation for directions that would be great.... while google maps is great and everything they tend to take you really wierd ways