FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[HScoach]

All I know is that with good QB play, not great, just good the last 2 years we're sitting here today worrying about how to get title #13.  Not the evasive #11.

It's pretty hard for me to take that too seriously when I can look at the stats and see the following:

Over the past two years combined, you've averaged about 240 passing yards per game, completed 64% of your passes for ~8 yards per attempt, and have a 2.5-1 TD-to-INT ratio.  Most of those numbers would be near the top of the leaderboard in any division (including the NFL).  I know that I'm nitpicking the difference between "good" and "great" here, but saying that Mount Union's QB play has been less than "good" the last few years just seems like it's taking things a little far, IMHO.

If you wish to discount the regular-season statistics because they're compiled against lesser competition, even that's fine with me.  However, UMU managed 300+ passing yards in three of five postseason games in 2010 (including the semifinals and finals).  You might also suggest that the lofty 2010 statistics were boosted by Cecil Shorts' phenomenal ability.  Fair point.  However, with Shorts gone, your QB threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns in the national semifinals this year.

I do believe that it's fair to suggest that the current UMU QB's are not playing as well as previous incarnation(s).  I also think it's fair to suggest that UMU has lost the past two Stagg Bowls because of struggles at the QB position in the title game.  However, I think that saying that UMU only needs "good" QB play to win the Stagg (implying that they have not received "good" QB play) is a little bit unrealistic.

I'm not worried, nor commenting, about the regular season.  I'm specifically talking about the Stagg Bowl.   Looking simply at the stats doesn't tell the whole story.  Strauch and Ciccone had good rushing stats in 2004 but they were very average D3 running backs.  The stats didn't show it, but watching them play did. 

And after watching every Mount game since 1992, I think I can offer an opinion on the comparative level of QB play over the years.  I might not be an expert on the finer points of the QB position, but I'm very comfortable in making the assertion that the QB play in the last 2 Stagg's has not been up to typical Mount standards.  Most of D3 might be thrilled to have our QB playing for their team, but here the expectations are much higher.  Might not be fair or right, but that's the way it is.  If they don't like being under a microscope and playing with expectations and pressure from younger players trying to take their spot they should go to Hiram.

In terms of your point about the 271 yards in the semi's against Wesley, it was a good day on paper.  However watching it live shows that a good, accurate QB would have thrown for 400+.   Wesley couldn't cover any of the receivers and the defensive pressure was handled pretty well by the Mount O-line.  They got to the QB a few times, but it typically took blitzing to do so.  Again, nothing out of the ordinary.

For the record, I'm not expecting the next Jim Ballard or Bill Borchert to show up.  I'd be more than happy with another Gary Smeck, Rob Adamson or Kurt Rocco.

HS Coach

I certainly understand where you seem to be coming from.  I would submit that quality defense sometimes takes good or at time great quarterback play and makes it mediocre.  Having personally been at 09, 10 and 11 Stagg Bowls, I believe the UWW defense had some impact on the QB play.   To some degree Pilotto's lack of mobility really hurt UMU in 10 & 11.  Whether or not Seaman could do better is speculation, but he would have had more mobility if healthy.

To a UMU/UWW Purple rematch (#8) in 2012.

WarhawkDad

Wdad:  Didn't mean to imply that the UWW defense had nothing to do with it.  Actually the contrary.  It's your defense than requires us to have an QB that is better than just adequate.  Your defensive size and speed advantage is exactly what we saw from LAX and Rowan back in the 1990's, but we had very good QB play that was capable of still making plays when pressured.   

I don't think we need another Jim Ballard (93) or Bill Borchert (96) to overcome UWW because the rest of the team, especially the defense, is so much better than what we had back then.  I was specifically thinking of Gary Smeck who was a very smart, accurate QB that didn't have a big arm and had ZERO mobility, but he was one cool customer under pressure.

[Dr. Acula]

I don't think we need another Jim Ballard (93) or Bill Borchert (96) to overcome UWW because the rest of the team, especially the defense, is so much better than what we had back then.  I was specifically thinking of Gary Smeck who was a very smart, accurate QB that didn't have a big arm and had ZERO mobility, but he was one cool customer under pressure.

Smeck is underrated.  That's my era so I saw more of him than any other QB and he was good.  Beat a good Rowan team his soph. year and his junior and senior seasons had good completion % and insane TD to INT numbers for a guy that gets overlooked.  The one year it was 30/3 or something close to 10/1.  He was a gamer.

[emma17]

WarhawkDad,

A top defense that pressures the QB, often does force the QB to be not as effective as in the case for "10 and :11 Stagg Bowls. In '10 Piloto had to get up to speed in a hurry,but
for '11 it was a different story. As HScoach stated better QB play would have really mattered in '11 since the Raider defense only gave up 6 pts! I am not sure Seaman's play would
have changed the outcome, IMHO.
[/quote

I agree more mobility at QB along w greater accuracy and pocket presence is preferred over the opposite.  However, IMO it's fair to suggest that UWW would not have utilized the same gameplan (especially offensively) against a better/more productive QB. 

I know I'm just an outsider, so my opinion is mostly worthless, but I feel too much critique is placed on the Mt QB's.  Mt lost the field position battle most of the game, and special teams and defense were as much to blame for that in the first 3 quarters as the QB. Granted the defense prevented the score, but their inability to stop UWW from moving the ball resulted in greater pressure on the Mt offense.
I know those on this board know much more about Mt QB play than I ever will, but I don't think they deserve as much blame as they're receiving.

[HScoach]

Who is teaching the quoting class these days?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Who is teaching the quoting class these days?

emma17.  Haven't you noticed the uptake in errors across the boards lately!

Sheesh, emma, ONE goof and the 'quoting police' wanna put you in front of the firing squad!

[bleedpurple]

Who is teaching the quoting class these days?


Who needs a dang quoting class?? 

[Raider 68]

From HScoach

"I don't think we need another Jim Ballard (93) or Bill Borchert (96) to overcome UWW because the rest of the team, especially the defense, is so much better than what we had back then.  I was specifically thinking of Gary Smeck who was a very smart, accurate QB that didn't have a big arm and had ZERO mobility, but he was one cool customer under pressure."


I think the quality that Smeck had and so did Micheli was "poise", which is what the current Mount
QB's lack!

[emma17]

Who is teaching the quoting class these days?


Who needs a dang quoting class?? 

The real kicker is that I have no idea how to quote that way again.  I posted that message from my "smart phone", which I assumed knew what it was getting into when it agreed to take control of my life.   

[Blutarsky]

Who is teaching the quoting class these days?


Who needs a dang quoting class?? 

The real kicker is that I have no idea how to quote that way again.  I posted that message from my "smart phone", which I assumed knew what it was getting into when it agreed to take control of my life.

Don't worry......quoting is overrated.

[Bein_86]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NkArHbNqrg

An interview Trey did, I was proud of the way he handled himself.

Hope everyone had great holidays !

[rscl70]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NkArHbNqrg

An interview Trey did, I was proud of the way he handled himself.

Hope everyone had great holidays !

I like the easy smile and humble yet confident attitude.  Trey seems like a nice young man.  I'll look forward to seeing him play next fall.

[bleedpurple]

Who is teaching the quoting class these days?


Who needs a dang quoting class?? 

The real kicker is that I have no idea how to quote that way again.  I posted that message from my "smart phone", which I assumed knew what it was getting into when it agreed to take control of my life.

Smart phones do have a way of making us look not so smart. Especially when they inexplicably choose to call people without us knowing about it! 

[Raider 68]

Anyone heard from seventiesraider?

[rscl70]

Anyone heard from seventiesraider?

Seventies is doing just fine.

[Raider 68]

Anyone heard from seventiesraider?

Seventies is doing just fine.

rscl70,

Thanks!