FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Blutarsky]

So, Coach K split his vote between ONU and the Otters??

[seventiesraider]

And the coaches pick jcu 8th

[skunks_sidekick]

With Simmons (the best QB in maybe the country) and Donnally back (maybe the best back in the country) I think ONU may be the best team in the country. #1 overall.

Same with Capital- With Assman and the RB back Wesley is in trouble.

Could the Raiders go 7-2 in the conference?

Yaaaaahhhh......Simmons is DEFINITELY in the discussion for "best QB in the country".  Especially when you review how he really showed up for the Mount game last year.  Ummm.....8-26 with a pick.  NICE!   

[JK]

Media day initial thoughts:

Though things stay the same (Mount at the top), they have surely changed.  Who would have thought we would see a day when JCU and BW were in the bottom half of the conference?  When I was in school you could pencil in BW and JCU for anywhere between 2nd and 4th and feel confident about that.  Etta was challenging MUC and Musky and ONU were solid middle of the pack teams, with OTT, CAP, and Hiram at the bottom.

Then we went through the phase where ONU was the #2 every year and you knew the Berg wasn't going to win a game and Musky was right there with them.

Now, OTT and Cap are 3 and 4, the Berg 5 and Musky 6...

I think Cap and Ott ought to be reversed, but I also think both will probably be 7-3.  Cap losing to Mount, ONU and Wesley and OTT losing to Mount, ONU, and CAP, so it's kind of a wash.  I think the coaches poll is almost exactly how I would have voted how I had a vote.

[Raider 68]

And the coaches pick jcu 8th

With no changes in the Head Coaches at B-W and JCU, is anyone surprised by their falling to the second tier in the OAC? Never would have thought the alumni and Admin. at those schools would have allowed it to happen!

We will see if JCU can get by CRWU and B-W can win against Wooster in the openers.

[runyr]

With Simmons (the best QB in maybe the country)...

I'd put these two above him:

Alex Tanney, Monmouth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXId6BHQ5xY

Aaron Boehme, Linfield: http://podcasts3.stretchinternet.com/linvideo/fb/hsu091209.mov

Boehme's my why-not sleeper for National OPOY. Linfield could really be tough this year...

BashDad,

Boehme has what any D3 coach would want for a QB.  Here is a little better look at him in action:  2010 Linfield offensive preview

Thanks, Bashdad.  Boehm looks good in highlight reel and should be even better this year.  He's fun to watch.

[75 bucks]

Polar Bear Express is rumbling towards a showdown with The University of Mount Union

This is potentially the best Northern Team in the history of the school. I believe the best team in the history of a school has to have a chance to beat a reloading Mount team.

[Raider 68]

Polar Bear Express is rumbling towards a showdown with The University of Mount Union

This is potentially the best Northern Team in the history of the school. I believe the best team in the history of a school has to have a chance to beat a reloading Mount team.

It will be a very competiive game, but both teams have to get through summer camp healthy, then win their first 3 games. I am sure that Coach Paul would rather be playing the Raiders in Ada not Alliance!

[seventiesraider]

It was an interesting trip to Columbus and the Shoe, complete with a social visit from Coach Sweatervest.. Was honestly surprised JCU didn't get a 4-5-6 spot from the coaches but on reflecting on last year and today's presentation, I can see them and BW struggling it out in the second division.

Spoke briefly with the new Wilmington coach who is a super nice guy with no unrealistic ideas about his situation. To go from planning summer practices for Summit Country Day to trying to turn around a program in a league like the OAC in a handful of days is a daunting task.

2010 pre-season polls

If you read the whole release, please DON'T make reservations for St John Fisher on Sunday September 5th. B'gosh, we be in Wisconsin the following Saturday

[Raider 68]

It was an interesting trip to Columbus and the Shoe, complete with a social visit from Coach Sweatervest.. Was honestly surprised JCU didn't get a 4-5-6 spot from the coaches but on reflecting on last year and today's presentation, I can see them and BW struggling it out in the second division.

Spoke briefly with the new Wilmington coach who is a super nice guy with no unrealistic ideas about his situation. To go from planning summer practices for Summit Country Day to trying to turn around a program in a league like the OAC in a handful of days is a daunting task.

2010 pre-season polls

If you read the whole release, please DON'T make reservations for St John Fisher on Sunday September 5th. B'gosh, we be in Wisconsin the following Saturday

Seventies,

Very informative post, +k, Nice venue for OAC Media Day at OSU!

[seventiesraider]

 The only thing I saw as a little strained was Ott Coach Loth going on a bit about the adveristy his team faced and we understood, but he went on and on and I wonderer if Coach Paul would bring up the Ott-ONU game where if it could go wrong it would. In the caravan to the game, one of the ONU  parents fell sick and was presumed to have died. I'd call that Polar Bear adversity. In the second half ONU crawled back to within 8 and the normally reliable kicker misses hitting the upright, only to have them score again to get the score down to 2, and the kicker shanks  another one.

As time is expiring, ONU forces a fumble, only to fumble and return it to Ott 2 plays later.

Normal Day, ONU wins, ends up with a 9-1 record goes to the playoff, but having had their share of adversity, they got an 8-2 record, no offer

[reality check]

Back to school for teachers from 7 to 4 and "camp" running from 4 to 8/8:30 right now is kicking my butt.  Can't wait for school when we get home "early" after practice.


I can't remember ever seeing LK split a first place vote before.  Interesting decision.

[reality check]

And to reply to the question about Simmons and what made him stand out as POY, it goes beyond passing numbers.  He was a true dual threat in 2009 scoring 10 TD's on the ground averaging 4.6 yards per carry.  That's a ridiculous number for a QB considering sacks count against the rushing average.   

Consider this:

Assman - 2382 passing, 24 TD to 7 INT, 58.2% complete; 81 yards rushing, 3 TD's, 1.7 YPC

Simmons - 1793 passing 16 TD to 5 INT, 60.0% complete; 441 yards rushing, 10 TD's, 4.7 YPC

Similar yeah, but Simmons certainly scared teams more as a dual threat.  I don't think anyone was scared of Assman running the ball all day.

Now I know Assman couldn't help this next fact but maybe the POY honors should have just gone to cumulative CAP opponents in 2009.  According to the CAP athletics site CAP opponents went for 2652 yards, 19 TD and 9 INT, completing 63.2% of passes.  OUCH.

Regardless of who deserves or deserved the award, it's been fun to watch Kyle Simmons develop and grow into a pretty darn good OAC QB.  I received an email 3 summers ago from someone very much inside the ONU football family that was jubilant in regards to landing Simmons and I have to think this young man has met or exceeded all the hopes and expectations as an individual.

[BashDad]

Maybe it's been discussed, but isn't it pretty ridiculous that THIS guy didn't get POY?

Kurt Rocco   Regular Season:  210.95  155-223-6   69.5%  2680yds  31TDs 

[HScoach]

Maybe it's been discussed, but isn't it pretty ridiculous that THIS guy didn't get POY?

Kurt Rocco   Regular Season:  210.95  155-223-6   69.5%  2680yds  31TDs 

Rocco had a great season, but those are pretty average numbers for a Mount QB.    Heck, he was wasn't even The Man until mid-season game at Capital.

Too bad he isn't back for this year.  With the receiving corps MTU has it would be a true passing clinic each Saturday with an experienced Rocco under center.