FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[jcu87alum]

ohio football,

I think some here would take issue with ONU being the "top ranked" OAC school academically.  True for the bachelor's level, but when you rank at the Master's level, check back in with us.

Just kidding - like statistics, one can spin the rankings many ways.

[OU#25]

As I indicated before the season started, I think Mount will have a special season this year.  They're improved on both sides of ball as compared to MUC teams from the last couple of years.  Anything can happen...to any team...but Mount has some very special chemistry and talent building at a pace that no one predicted for this season.  Regarding matchups this weekend...I see Capital fielding a similar team as last year which was VERY GOOD...but MUC is that much better and more focused than '04. I'm not sure anyone from this region will be able to matchup with Mount talent-wise on both sides of the ball...let alone scheme-wise with Kehres & Co. on the sidelines.

[seventiesraider]

Despite all these glowing assessments of ONU and Ada, I'll stick with my decision to not get out of the car the day of my campus visit.  After all it gave me more time in Alliance.

If you have been sitting in Raider66's seats this year, better find another place to sit this week. His daughter and husband will be there to use them one last time. Guess I'm still as popular with his wife as always, not one offer to let me use the tickets all year.

[mtfan]

HScoach
I agree gettting a few first downs would have sealed the reservations for Roanoke last year and saved me cancelling mine, lol, but Losing Jesse in the last quarter definitely made for the end zone nightmare! Plus abandoning the draw play when pressure was getting through the O-line didnt help either.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Not making excuses, but didn't Mt also loose a DB on that last drive in the Semi Finals? I seem to remember a safety leaving the game.

[Ric]

OU#25 I thought going into this year there were A LOT of question marks.  Was there a QB to step up? Who was going to catch the ball?  Who the heck was going to fill in for all the guys lost on defense that were difference makers last year?  What impact would Monty leaving have?

Yes Mount Union always seems to reload and there always seems to be a young guy to replace a veteran.  But not since '98 has Mount had this many holes to fill in one year.  I know they won a title in '98 but I doubt there are many Mount fans that watch the team every week that would argue they had some better teams that did not win a title.  That is all the more credit to that group of guys that year.

Anyway because of how high Mount has raised the bar for themselves, just about the only way you can have a "special" year around here is to win a title.  Realistically there was no basis to think that before this season.  There were way to many questions. 

What do I think now?  Well to answer my own questions, they have two solid QB's and one that has looked better than anyone could have imagined based on his spring and August. 

The receiver corp is deeper than it has been since the mid to late 90's.  Not only has Casto been spectacular but who would of guessed the Garcon situation? Not me.  Casto is a guy that had a great freshman year, not so great soph season, was so-so last year but has really had a fine season so far.  These two are great and it doesn't end there.  I'm not going to list all the receivers here but the depth is amazing.

On defense the speed is unbelievable.  Maybe the fastest defense ever.  They changed the scheme to fit the talent and I wasn't sold on that scheme prior to the season but what do I know? They have performed at a very high level.  Today will give us a real good indication of where they are because this will be the biggest test yet for them.  Lets see what happens today.

And as for Monty, great guy, great, great guy.  Wonderful coach, recruiter, etc...  But I have said it before and I'll say it again, LK getting involved in another facet of your football team is not a bad thing. I sat here and read all the doom and gloomers about the impact of Monty leaving and really couldn't beleive it.  I got lots of email about the era being over.  It's ridiculous.  I think Monty could use LK a bit more right now than vice versa.  I said it when Monty left and I'll say it again.  LK is the reason Mount Union football is what it is.  He has had tremendous help over the years and would he have acheived the level his program is at without that help? He'd be the first to tell you no way.  But he is what he is because he knows how to fill those spots.  Period.

But back to this topic I have read numerous times that you knew this is going to be a great team.  Frankly if you knew that you knew/know more about this team than me because I certainly did not.  Their start this year has me very pleasantly surprised.  I never would have thought they'd beat JCU 70-0 and follow that up with a 55-7 win over a team that knocked off Capital.

There is still a lot of football to play, A LOT.  Including today.  I think this will be a real test today, a real test.  And if it is not, I will once again be pleasantly surprised.

[b4uknewit]

Any takers on which quarter the "ill fated " reverse play will take place today       ROLL~~RAIDERS!

[jdean]

Very good post Ric. For what its worth I agree 100%.

There are two things that have hit a cord with me so far this year. Garcon is a gift you don't plan for or expect but when it arrives you don't smile, you grin. Putting him on the field has to have a ripple effect on the way a D attacks Mount, and that's good for all the other skill players on Mount's O.

The second is the contribution of the young players. They have more talented sophs and frosh that are making a varsity contribution than my failing memory can recall. I saw the intrasquad JV game a couple wks ago and we don't have to worry about a QB for four years.

Looking forward to the play of the D today against the very good short passing of Cap. If Cap doesn't do its annual shooting itself in the foot it should be a good game.

[Ric]

It means a lot jdean thank you.

A couple questions to throw out...

1) Has there ever been worse officiating that we have seen to start this year?  I mean you add one official and you add one bad official.  Maybe the worst call I have ever seen is the guy calling Garcon's catch a non catch last week.  I mean its one thing to miss a hold or think someone held but how do you miss a guy CATCH THE BALL? Incredible.  Then we have the guy blow a 30-yard pass dead because he bought the fake to the running back at JCU.  Are you kidding me? Is this flag football or college football?

2) I read somewhere that Tim Gleason, the commissioner of the Ohio Athletic Conference, is on the committee that will hear Ohio Northern's appeal of the NCAA sanction against its football program.  Is this correct?  If so is there anyone out there that thinks this guy will fight for ONU?  I have news for you, he will not.  And that's all I will say on that subject.

[jdean]

I was on the wrong side and the wrong 35 yd line to see Garcon hang onto the ball. I couldn't believe the picture when I saw it--WoW, a circus performer. I guess we should be happy they didn't call offensive interference! As to that joke of a call in Univ Hgts I'd like to think Jorris is such a magician with the ball that even the refs can't follow it. As a fan I don't expect perfection from the stripes but I think the players deserve a higher level of competence than we've seen thus far. A good, loud boo won't change the call but its something I've done and heard too many times already.

As to Gleason, I'd think he'd have to recuse himself from any hearing or appeal involving an OAC team. Maybe if Pat sees this he can comment on how potential conflicts like this are dealt with.

[reccespynav]

Hello...hello...is this thing on today?

[reccespynav]

Where you at Reality Check?  No "Fricker's" in New Haven that I remember!!!

Sounds like ONU is flatter than a 4th grade girl in a tube top!  (The ONU broadcasters said so...kinda.)

[Swarm275]

BW currently laying an egg in New Concord.

Muskie 9 BW 0 at the half. BW only 4 first downs and 31 yards rushing in the first half.

[reality check]

Sorry Reccespynav

Just got back from a game here.  From what i have heard so far, it sounds like Phillips is picking the defense apart.  Something like 14 of his first 16 passing.  We will see.

I musta missed the broadcaster's comments you are referring to.

[reality check]

Looks like no one is playing defense in U Heights so far.

JCU leads in the 2nd quarter

24-18 with 2 left in the half.  Sloppy special teams.