FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[reality check]

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?

I agree that the measurement seemed a little fishy on tv.  The officials didn't look like they did much to stretch the chains.  But UWW had another down if they didn't get it there right?  Moot point anyways I guess.

I wasn't following the ESPN play clock and the corresponding whistles.  The time the crowd got real loud and LK was yelling and signalling to wind the clock, the ESPN graphic had it moving but the official blew the whistle to wind it shortly after they cut away from LK on the sideline.  There was a call earlier in the drive where the UWW receiver caught a pass on the sideline for a first down, lounged and came down elbow-first out of bounds and the official missed the call and wound the clock when the ball was set.  Maybe it all evens out and bad officiating went both ways.  I dunno.

As for the nine linemen comment, when did that happen? 

[formerd3db]

Not to be a "thorn in your guys sides", but from the TV view, the official actually marked the ball well short of where the UW-W player actually ended up (i.e. where the ball actually was).  So in reality, IMO and some others who were watching, it was truly a first-down anyway.  Yet, I understand your frustration with the poor officiating because I hate that too.  I do not think, nor do you either I'm sure, that these officials delibertly make some of the incorrect calls that they make i.e. trying to favor one team over another and thus influence the outcome of a game.  However, I do believe that we can all expect some consistency and a high level of officiating (after all, this is not Pop Warner league ball ) not only for regular season games, but especially since it is the Stagg Bowl Championship Game.  Being selected as an official for that type of game carries with it the obligation to be at one's highest form and is a privilege, so performance should count and is expected.  Unfortunately, as has been said by many here and which I also agree with you, this year's crew did not do a stellar job and was not anywhere near the level that officiating crews in past recent Stagg Bowls has been.  Again, just my $0.02 worth.

[seventiesraider]

The National Championship t-shirts and other stuff s/b arriving tomorrow at the bookstore. Be sure to call first. PS I wear a large

Agreed the officiating was just lousy both ways

Don't have a Tivo copy to watch but I beieve the nine man shove was 1st quarter on several occaisions that I recall

[seventiesraider]

BTW My only unanswered question from yesterday is how is SmallbutSlow is taller than me?

[Mr. Ypsi]

BTW My only unanswered question from yesterday is how SmallbutSlow is taller than me?

He never said he was short - did he ever state what part(s) of him are small (or slow)?

[sjfcards]

I know this is a little late, but congrats to MUC on a great season and another National Championship.
It blows my mind how a school can consistently just reload year after year the way MUC does. It is good to be the king. Congrats on another great season.

Should be a lot of fun next year when you all come to Rochester for a game with Fisher. I know the campus is excited about it.

[beenhit2hard]

70's Raider

Have not seen the Tivo yet,, but the nine man line looked like a tight wing on either side,,slightly off the ball,,caused our D end to flex a little more than usual . I was sitting down low so my view might not have been as good as up higher.

[Toph]

Congrats to Mount and Whitewater on a fantastic game.  Nice job by Mount to come out and punch UWW in the teeth, and it was great to see UWW battle back the way they did.  Anderson is a stud, I'm surprised the UWW coaching staff tried to go to the air as much as they did early.

I didn't take the time to look this up, but I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time I've mentioned this after a Stagg Bowl:  What is the story with the clock operator?  Is he/she local or brought in by the NCAA?  Either way, that was embarrassing.  This is a national championship game and the clock operator doesn't seem to have a grasp of the rules.  There were two occasions in the second half where Whitewater ran a play where the clock should've been running (and it was wound by the officials) and didn't.  Several occasions where the play clock was not operated properly.  I don't think it's too much to ask to have the clock working correctly in a national championship game.  Also, how do the officials not notice that the clock isn't running on second down after a running play that ended in bounds?  I think Whitewater saved about 50-60 seconds (at least) on plays where the clock should've been running but wasn't.  The MIAC should be ashamed of the crew they sent.  They weren't worthy of the Stagg Bowl.

Great game by both teams, though.  Couldn't ask for a better contest.  I'm afraid we may see UWW-MUC V in 2009.  Nate Kmic has an "off" day at 22 carries for 88 yards and a touch.  As a JCU fan whose team plays apparently without a running back, I'd take that any day of the week.

[seventiesraider]

70's Raider

Have not seen the Tivo yet,, but the nine man line looked like a tight wing on either side,,slightly off the ball,,caused our D end to flex a little more than usual . I was sitting down low so my view might not have been as good as up higher.

I was also down low and behind the plays

[reality check]

I just received news that former ONU All-OAC LB Aaron Esposito passed away early this morning.  Please say a prayer for the ONU football family and keep his family in your hearts and prayers. 

[raiderfan1983]

First chance I've had to get on here since the Stagg...

Mount Union- 31
UWW- 26

...and order was restored in the world.

[HScoach]

I just received news that former ONU All-OAC LB Aaron Esposito passed away early this morning.  Please say a prayer for the ONU football family and keep his family in your hearts and prayers. 

Consider it done.

[MUfan_72]

Since this was my first Stagg Bowl, i don't think i could ask for a much better game. Congratulations to both teams for an outstanding display of gamemanship.

Actually met LK for the first time Friday night. His first words to my son, "How are your grades?" Some people ask me why my son decided on MUC. Now I can explain. If this doesnt demonstrate the quality of the coaching, I really dont know what does.

[Small but Slow]

The trip to see Mt. Union win #10 was well worth the nearly 30 hours of travel time and any expense incurred.   It was great to meet all the other "regulars" here on the board.  I wish I would have had an opportunity to spend time with you guys, but by the time I got the boys back to the Hojo and warmed up, I wasn't getting them back out anywhere to hang out.

[wildcat11]

Catdomealumni.com is hoping to post up their now annual Stagg Bowl video recap by next saturday.  Here are the past two season's recaps.

2007 Stagg Bowl
2006 Stagg Bowl