FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[runyr]

Good pics here:
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2008/12/mount_union_reclaims_title.html

[runyr]

Happy Birthday and many thanks to Cecil Shorts II:
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2008/12/terry_pluto_birthday_wishes_co.html

[Mr. Ypsi]

hscoach,

A (small?) correction on the officiating.  Don't blame Michigan (MIAA) for those zebras; they were from Minnesota (MIAC) - we get enough grief from OSU (and now even Toledo ).

While the officiating stunk both ways, the two most egregious errors (IMO) both favored the Raiders - the phantom 'roughing the kicker' (which should have been holding against MUC for throwing the Warhawk into the kicker) and the 'out-of-bounds' call on the reception which would have made the fg attempt about 8-9 yards shorter.  Still (as usually happens) the 'breaks' about balanced out over the course of the game, with UWW getting the 'luck' on Micheli's goal-line fumble and recovering Anderson's fumble for an extra 7 yard gain.

Congratulations to the Raiders on another well-deserved title.  While no player has more than three rings, will they start designing toe rings for staff members?

[seventiesraider]

I'm offically accusing Coach Lance of stealing those running plays from the Knute Rockne movie. I was waiting for them to link arms or throw the running back over the line. I don't know that I've seen a team use nine linemen shoulder to shoulder moving as one anywhere but the goal line.

I want to know how the sideline mark shrinks by 6 inches from the sideline to the middle of the field. That last measurement should not have been close, let alone a first down. Perhaps you pick up the link on the far side of the line and place it on the nearside. I was looking straight down the yard at the marker and it was even close.

BTW How did WW get a three minute commercial timeout?

[reality check]

After watching both of the previously discussed pass attempts over and over in super slow-mo on my DVR I don't understand how anyone can say either was a legitimate catch.  The first one that Bentley went nuts on was no catch IMO.  If the receiver brings the ball from the fingertips into the body, then the act of possession doesn't apply until the ball is secured in to his body.  He was clearly out of bounds by the time he truly possessed that ball.

The second catch, that was reviewed and ruled a catch was closer IMO.  I couldn't get a definitive look at whether or not the foot or toes were inbounds before the shin and knee were out of bounds.  

But after reviewing over and over both plays, I think neither was a catch.  Both were so close I wouldn't have minded the calls made either way without replay but after reviewing the second, I am leaning towards it being a make-up call for the first.  I'd like to think I'm looking at it without bias and as a "NEUTRAL OBSERVER".  

[badgerwarhawk]

Obviously I wouldn't be mistaken for a neutral observer but I thought the first pass was correctly called incomplete.  It didn't appear that our receiver had possession of the ball before he was out of bounds.  I did think the second catch was a catch and he had possession in time for it to be a completed pass.  Regardless the calls are what they are, shall remain so and neither in my opinion was a deciding factor in the outcome. 

I thought the deciding factors were 1. the intensity with which the Purple Raider came out of the gate.  We just didn't match it and when we finally did the hole we'd dug was too deep.  And 2. Micheli, he just been very difficult for us to control.  He throws the ball well and he also runs it well.  He's just been a load for us. 

The roughing the kicker call was a poor one.  Our lineman was not only held but he was pushed into the punter by the Mount Union blocker.  I think even the punter knew it was a bad call because afterward TV caught him laughing on the sideline.  It did result in about 5 more minutes of MU possession and a successfull field goal.  I thought we were playing at their level by that time but whether it would have made a difference is pure speculation. 

Regardless of any of the these calls we still missed two field goals and threw a pick-six so if we want to know why we lost we only have to look in the mirror.  Mount Union made more plays than we did.  They earned a championship.  End of story.   

[purpled]

Congratulations to the Raiders!! A well deserved win!

Not much I can add to all the comments made about the game. Someone made a comment that Vince could not have been pleased by giving up 450 yards...I'm sure he made the defensive team run back to Alliance even though we won. This title game was played the way a title game should be played...right to the end.

Watching Nate and Greg grow these last 4 years has been a pure joy to watch. The memories of these two making play after play will be with us forever. I'm sure at least 9 teams are saying, "Thank God those 2 guys won't be back another year."

A few other thoughts...

Not sure I'll take the redeye bus trip again.

The Mount girls that sat in front of us cannot have any voices left.

How my son managed to get us seats 3 rows up and on the 50 yard was one of the best Christmas gifts ever.

Cheers to the city of Salem for a job well done.

Jeers to the keeper of the clock.

Thank you to Coach K and all the players for making this year one helluva ride!

Cheers to D3 Football and to all the media who really understand what DIII football is about.

Happy Holidays to all! Be safe, enjoy your family and friends, and God Bless!

[formerd3db]

rc and badgerwarhawk:
With all due respect to your opinions (mine included! ), I disagree with you both on the two receptions in question.  Also, one doesn't have to bring the ball into the body to have possession.  While IMO they were both legit receptions, I agree with you that neither were a factor in the game, other than as Mr. Ypsi points out one would have made the FB attempt a shorter one.  Then again, the UW-W kicker might have missed that one as well as he was just in a "bad streak" at that time of the game.  Anyway, all of us could argue/discuss this ad-nauseum - suffice to say that it obviously won't make any difference - what's done, is done!   So I'm done with this one!

Nonetheless, it is always great to have these discussions after the games and, again, that's the purpose of this forum.  Best wishes to you guys and all our OAC friends here for most enjoyable and blessed holidays over these next two weeks.

 

[purpled]

I did forget one thing...

If any of you make dvd copies of the game, please be kind enough to PM me and we can work something out.

Thanks!

[runyr]

Obviously I wouldn't be mistaken for a neutral observer but I thought the first pass was correctly called incomplete.  It didn't appear that our receiver had possession of the ball before he was out of bounds.  I did think the second catch was a catch and he had possession in time for it to be a completed pass.  Regardless the calls are what they are, shall remain so and neither in my opinion was a deciding factor in the outcome. 

I thought the deciding factors were 1. the intensity with which the Purple Raider came out of the gate.  We just didn't match it and when we finally did the hole we'd dug was too deep.  And 2. Micheli, he just been very difficult for us to control.  He throws the ball well and he also runs it well.  He's just been a load for us. 

The roughing the kicker call was a poor one.  Our lineman was not only held but he was pushed into the punter by the Mount Union blocker.  I think even the punter knew it was a bad call because afterward TV caught him laughing on the sideline.  It did result in about 5 more minutes of MU possession and a successfull field goal.  I thought we were playing at their level by that time but whether it would have made a difference is pure speculation. 

Regardless of any of the these calls we still missed two field goals and threw a pick-six so if we want to know why we lost we only have to look in the mirror.  Mount Union made more plays than we did.  They earned a championship.  End of story.   

badgerwarhawk, excellent post.  That about sums it up, except you guys should be ranked 2009 preseason No. 1 immediately.  Whitewater has an amazing team coming back next year (amazing this year as well).

[usee]

My congrats to the Mt Union team, coaches, staff and fans for #10. I have great respect for what LK and the school has done. I thought Whitewater played a great game after giving up the early scores. thanks to both programs for a great title game.

[HSCTiger74]

I'm offically accusing Coach Lance of stealing those running plays from the Knute Rockne movie. I was waiting for them to link arms or throw the running back over the line. I don't know that I've seen a team use nine linemen shoulder to shoulder moving as one anywhere but the goal line.

I want to know how the sideline mark shrinks by 6 inches from the sideline to the middle of the field. That last measurement should not have been close, let alone a first down. Perhaps you pick up the link on the far side of the line and place it on the nearside. I was looking straight down the yard at the marker and it was even close.

BTW How did WW get a three minute commercial timeout?

Seventies, we understand your annoyance but c'mon ... you won. No harm no foul. Enjoy the moment. 

[pradierguy]

I second the comment about if anyone is making DVD's please Message me. I don't "get" that kind of technology.

[mtfan]

Congrats to the Raiders on a truly wonderful season, I also must say, watching Greg and Nate these past 4 years has been an incredible joy to witness! Every time I think we won't see another QB or RB like we've had ala.... Ballard, Borchert, Smeck, Adamson, Bruney, as well as Moore, Pugh surprisingly LK somehow pulls another rabbit or two out of the hat and now Micheli and Kmic will be forever etched in our memories!
Still feeling a sting from last season's Stagg Bowl loss, this year's senior class especially, kept the determination, focus, and commitment it took to be National Champions once again!  I gotta agree with HSCoach this has to rank right near the top of Larry Kehres and staff's most enjoyable masterpieces. Ten times guys, truly incredible! I guess this dubs this Raiders team as the
X-MEN of '08!
(hmm...any orders for t-shirts here?  Lol)

Thanks to everyone that joined us tailgating as well as Stone Station Crew! Hurfmuc, Rscl70, beenhit2hard, llamaguy, Kirasdad, Wesleydad, Smallbutslow, Religion Major, Seventiesraider, MUC students and others I may have missed while at the grills. Thank you for the compliments on marinated Kielbasa(Memphis recipe ) as I was hearing from many of you it was a hit, and the sausage gravy, biscuits, hash browns and fixins kept moving as well. It is truly a pleasure for myself, family and friends in doing this for the fans of the RaiderNation and even the other D3 football fans that are fortunate enough to make it to the Salem!
Thanks as well to Ric & HSCoach for the wonder play by play and color job you both do on  the radio, cowbells and all , you both bring a lot of enjoyment to those that aren't able to make the games. Furthermore, HSCoach, thanks again for all your time and effort at keeping the pick em's contest a true challenge each week, as I have usually found you can go from the top of the heap to mediocrity quite rapidly!
To the Warhawk Nation, congrats on a terrific season, with that young a team and all the potential there, I'm sure purple will in one way or another become a fixture of color for future Stagg Bowls. You have to be just as proud this season and Coach Leipold and what he's accomplished in such a short few years.

PS  OLINEmom...............the raspberry/chocolate brownies ............awesome!  Though they may be lethal to my doctors advise they are delish!

[mtfan]

I second the comment about if anyone is making DVD's please Message me. I don't "get" that kind of technology.

the bookstore will have copies of the Stagg Bowl available sometime in January i beleive. Contact them for an approximate time.