FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Raider 68]

Raider 68

I could be wrong, and if I am then I apologize, but it sounds like you're implying in your most recent posts that ONU's run game is suspect and didn't show up today.  I think when you really look at the collective bodies of work and what these terms are all about, then that point is completely inaccurate.  I mean, we're talking about ONU running against an MUC defense that perennially measures it's effectiveness not on YPC but rather FPC or IPC (feet per carry or inches per carry).  I'm not making that up; it's talked about midway through every season in here.  The Raider rush defense has been a strength of the defense for years.  Teams have had more success (albeit modest) through the air than they typically have on the ground against MUC.  I was more surprised today at MUC's ability to stop the passing game completely than what they did to the running game.  Between the pressure they put on Simmons in the pass rush and the fact that the secondary only surrendered 8 completions for 56 yards on 26 attempts says more about an effective game plan in coverages and bringing heat than it does about a QB's inability to hit a receiver on occasion.  To say it any other way would be a disservice to the defense's effort and effectiveness.

And if you take away the sack totals, which I have always felt should go against the passing numbers and not a QB's rushing numbers, then Simmons carries 6 times for 24 yards.  The true rushing totals were 25 carries for 61 yards.  Not many teams run for 2.5 YPC against the Purple Raiders.  It's not like 2.5 YPC is something to brag about, but I've seen far more teams do worse than better than that number.  Simmons, Donley and crew will put up some good numbers on the ground this year.  It's convenient to forget that this offense put up 400 yards against NCC week one.  I have to believe that overhyped or not, NCC is a better test than some of the OAC competition this year and if the Polar Bears can rush for over 200 yards on 49 carries against NCC, then they darn sure will put up some numbers against the rest of the OAC.  If they throw like they did against North Central, then look out because a playoff run is not out of the question.

It seems that it would be more fair to applaud another incredible MUC defensive effort than to say that the opponent had an inferior offense.  The Purple People Eaters were out in full force and stopped a good offense today.  Let them celebrate that effort instead of belittling it in favor of pointing out offensive shortcomings.  Unless ONU was running into each other in the backfield and throwing lolly pops, it seems fair to think that some of the stops were in large part due to defensive pressure and relentless flow to the football. 

I'd be interested in hearing what thoughts are out there from MUC fans that were actually at the game.  You guys are used to winning but I'd have to think you didn't walk away saying you beat a team with no offensive firepower but rather you beat a team by shutting down it's offense.  Please attending Raider faithful, fill us in.

Well, I happened to be one of the Raiders fans attending the game today.  It was a game of two halves.  The first half Mount got off to a Rocky start...all puns intended.  The interception could have been dropped as it bounced around but the defender did a good job juggling it into his possession.  After that (and that was the first play from scrimmage), everything was ONU.  They had field position, enthusiasm and confidence.  Mount seemed to not be able to get things going.  The defense kept them in the game.  The second half started out with no one doing much of anything but then Mount's D kicked in.  After the first of several 3-and-outs, the O got confidence and took control of the game.  My take on all of this still revolves around the starting QB.  Until he settles down and gets (and maintains) a level of confidence and consistency, we may see more games like this--(but I hope not).

RC,

You are probably correct and no need for any apology. My "one" post on
ONU's running game is based on the numbers. No, I did not attend the
game, just listened to the broadcast . You are much closer to their
performance than many of us including me.

Here are the numbers I looked at and based my one comment on:


                                   MTU      ONU

FIRST DOWNS..............      22        7
  Rushing.....................       14        3
  Passing.....................        8        2
  Penalty.....................        0        2
NET YARDS RUSHING....      227       24
  Rushing Attempts.......       50       29
  Average Per Rush........      4.5      0.8
  Rushing Touchdowns.....        3        0
  Yards Gained Rushing.      241       64
  Yards Lost Rushing......       14       40
NET YARDS PASSING......      169       56
  Completions-Attempts-Int....  13-27-2   8-26-1
  Average Per Attempt.........      6.3      2.2
  Average Per Completion......     13.0      7.0
  Passing Touchdowns..........        1        0
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS........      396       80

No doubt the Raider defense created problems for ONU, But I also said
I thought IMHO that ONU would do well going forward, since their
defense is strong and "may' be a little ahead of their offense.
If Donley get help to move the chains then you will see all those numbers improve.

If a team, any team can rush for 64 yards gross, then it is not a good
day running the ball. Next week is a new week, with doubt a different result and the same can be said for the Raiders.

[jcu_fan]

Congrats, JCU on a great win!  This'll be a fun team to watch this year.  A great win for the home crowd.  (Plus, the stands were full.  That was great to see.)

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Former MUC player involved in the NIU victory over Purdue:

Jay Sawvel

[Small but Slow]

ONU is a strong, well coached team.  Coach Paul had his team prepared for an early meeting with the d3 Goliath and came out a bit short.  LK and staff will continue throughout the year to correct shortcomings exposed today.  Coming from an area where longsnappers have been a focus for development, I can add this.  A kid with some size and speed to cover punts can earn an FBS or FCS scholarship makes it tough for a d3 school to compete for these kids.  A consistent snapper is a valued commodity at the scholarship level.  D3 teams must either find an angle to recruit top quality longsnappers or develop the talent from athletes they can recruit.

[purple]

 I was at the game and I think the wind disrupted both passing games. Rocco's two long pass attempts to Cecil just missed but it looked like the ball was changing course in the air. It was good to see Panchik return to form and Mooring looked like he has shaken off the rust from a year off. The ONU QB had no chance today, he had no time in the pocket, even when Mount only rushed three of four guys. The throws he got off were early most of the time because he had to let it go or eat the ball. The Mount Union  defensive line just ate the ONU line. Congrats to ONU on their beautiful stadium and setting. I went to Ada's cool downtown, found a little bar[Mexico's?], and was soundly booed when I came in wearing the Purple. The people were great.

[DII/DIIIFan]

Reporting in.........Skunk, Jr. and I were there today.  

Whoever questioned the throw when it was 4th and whatever on the 35....ummm.....was Mount supposed to PUNT?  That is just silly dude......

That is all......carry on!

Skunks or "Dude" (whatever you prefer),

"Silly" - hardly, only you appear to be silly!

No, of course I didn't expect a punt on 4th and 6, up 24-10 from the opponents 35 with 2 minutes to play and ONU allowing the clock to run out by not using its TO's. Given MUC's long time class in winning, I would have expected another running play - a running play that based on the other carries in the second half likely would have netted a first down. What I wouldn't have expected was a play action pass for a 25 yard gain.

Enjoy the success of the MUC program - but the arrogance in your reply to my post is unbecoming!

To all the MUC posters avoiding classless comments like "dude" and "silly", I again commend and congratulate you for what is, as I said, an exceptional team with an other worldly defense!

[formerd3db]

ONU is a strong, well coached team.  Coach Paul had his team prepared for an early meeting with the d3 Goliath and came out a bit short.  LK and staff will continue throughout the year to correct shortcomings exposed today.  Coming from an area where longsnappers have been a focus for development, I can add this.  A kid with some size and speed to cover punts can earn an FBS or FCS scholarship makes it tough for a d3 school to compete for these kids.  A consistent snapper is a valued commodity at the scholarship level.  D3 teams must either find an angle to recruit top quality longsnappers or develop the talent from athletes they can recruit.

A good point and interesting topic re:  longsnappers in DIII.  I've noticed that also in the last couple of years with regard to poor snapping at various games.  At Hope about 4 years ago, we had a freshman player come in who was recruited as a longsnapper.  He was from Hawaii and had turned down a full DI football scholarship at the University of Hawaii to attend Hope (his aunt/uncle lived in Michigan and had family history of attending Hope).  He was a great longsnapper and was in that position immmediately (he missed the first 3 games due to recovering from surgery that he had had about 4-5 months previous).  Unfortunately, he gave up football after his second year - for some reason lost interest and decided to focus more on his degree and other interests (music, etc. - although he was a good student and was not having any academic problems).  IMO, that was shame as we lost a great asset to the team in regards to the longsnapping.  However, it was an example of how that really helps a team.  We had no problems with that aspect of the game during his playing tenure as I recall.  So, indeed, there is a place for someone on teams who excels in that capacity - a rarity.

[HScoach]

Reporting in.........Skunk, Jr. and I were there today.  

Whoever questioned the throw when it was 4th and whatever on the 35....ummm.....was Mount supposed to PUNT?  That is just silly dude......

That is all......carry on!

Skunks or "Dude" (whatever you prefer),

"Silly" - hardly, only you appear to be silly!

No, of course I didn't expect a punt on 4th and 6, up 24-10 from the opponents 35 with 2 minutes to play and ONU allowing the clock to run out by not using its TO's. Given MUC's long time class in winning, I would have expected another running play - a running play that based on the other carries in the second half likely would have netted a first down. What I wouldn't have expected was a play action pass for a 25 yard gain.

Enjoy the success of the MUC program - but the arrogance in your reply to my post is unbecoming!

To all the MUC posters avoiding classless comments like "dude" and "silly", I again commend and congratulate you for what is, as I said, an exceptional team with an other worldly defense!

Pissing and moaning about throwing it in an obvious passing situation in a 2 score game against a top 10 team an the road is worse that "silly".  It's just plain dumb. 

If Mount was up 44-10, or even 34-10, they'd have given you the ball back.  But there is no way you're giving your opponent any, albeit very slim, chance to come back.

[HScoach]

Results for Week 3 have been posted. 

Spreads for Week 4 should be up sometime tonight.

[raiderpa]

I was at the game and I thought that Mount was very lucky not to be down 14-0.  The ONU QB missed two open receivers for what could have been TD's...Mount made mistakes, however, I would give ONU credit for a great effort.  the Mount "TD pass", was a bit of luck as two ONU defenders knocked each other off the ball and Miller was the recipient of a "gimme",the pass was ill advised and thrown into traffic, Rocco got lucky on that one..Panchik was stellar, let Morring block

Day was beautiful, stadium super, I agree that turf should be added soon, best of all were the fresh off the grill burgers on the visitors side....

[seadog2]

Blown out of the water again. I'll have to look at the radar a little closer this week.

[skunks_sidekick]

Thanks HSCoach......I was trying to be "nice" to the guy by calling him dude and silly.  If you know ANYTHING about LK and the Mount program, you know that he will bend over backwards to not rub a win in the opponents face.  So believe me when I tell you he certainly thought the game was still in doubt, hence the 4th down pass.  To suggest it was anything else but the correct call is...hmm..let's see.......IDIOTIC! 

[Wideout]

I was at the game yesterday MUC needs to find a QB and stick with him, the timing with the receivers is all off going back and forth. I can see he's thinking about next year but blow teams out early then bring in back-ups.As of now Shorts is getting closer to center..... how much longer?

[DII/DIIIFan]

Thanks HSCoach......I was trying to be "nice" to the guy by calling him dude and silly.  If you know ANYTHING about LK and the Mount program, you know that he will bend over backwards to not rub a win in the opponents face.  So believe me when I tell you he certainly thought the game was still in doubt, hence the 4th down pass.  To suggest it was anything else but the correct call is...hmm..let's see.......IDIOTIC! 

Skunks,

You only further embarass yourself with another attempt at personal criticism and name calling. Frankly, I'm embarassed for you.

[TooForRaider]

Reporting in.........Skunk, Jr. and I were there today.  

Whoever questioned the throw when it was 4th and whatever on the 35....ummm.....was Mount supposed to PUNT?  That is just silly dude......

That is all......carry on!

Skunks or "Dude" (whatever you prefer),

"Silly" - hardly, only you appear to be silly!

No, of course I didn't expect a punt on 4th and 6, up 24-10 from the opponents 35 with 2 minutes to play and ONU allowing the clock to run out by not using its TO's. Given MUC's long time class in winning, I would have expected another running play - a running play that based on the other carries in the second half likely would have netted a first down. What I wouldn't have expected was a play action pass for a 25 yard gain.

Enjoy the success of the MUC program - but the arrogance in your reply to my post is unbecoming!

To all the MUC posters avoiding classless comments like "dude" and "silly", I again commend and congratulate you for what is, as I said, an exceptional team with an other worldly defense!

Classless? Not in the least. Getting a first down enabled the Raiders to end the game with the ball. We usually have to defend a field goal up 40-0 and now a pass on 4th down is "classless."  There really is no point in responding to it, because it is so baseless.  A run on 4th a 6?