FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[reality check]

rscl

I didn't say anything about Mount Union!   

Has ONU ever filled up the home stands?

Yes.  I've been to just one game in the new stadium with the aforementioned Saintsfan and it was at capacity.

Beside the lack of visitor seating, concessions, restrooms or even a fence around the facilty to make sure a ticket is purchased, nothing is wrong with ONU's stadium

While I appreciate your concern over ONU getting ticket money from every single spectator, I think that's actually a unique feature of our "facilty".  Honestly, why should anyone care about the fact that if they feel so inclined, they could skip on paying admission?  That's really where we stand? 

I think I get it.  You don't like ONU because sometime, being in northwest Ohio, there is less than perfect weather.  You run the risk of soiling that thrift store lavender polyester suit of yours.  Fear not though, they clean the stands pretty regularly and the rain helps wash away other dirt.  The only way you'd ruin that pretty little jumpsuit of yours would be if you were on the field of play and we all know that won't be a problem.   

[SaintsFAN]

Not OAC or even football related... but a TMC guy caught two HR's last night at GABP.  We're going to see if RC can't get three of them in June when he's in town..

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7958478/lucky-cincinnati-reds-fan-snags-balls-back-back-homers

[Raider 68]

There is a God.......

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/college-football-says-goodbye-espn-announcer-pam-ward-172935781.html

Although she lasted 10 years with ESPN, she would put you to sleep if you listened to
her play by play. That said, ESPN has had its share of announcers that resulted in watching
the game on TV and listening to the school's local coverage.

[Dr. Acula]

From the Canton Rep:

Heidelberg lands five area players

Five local athletes will play football for Heidelberg University this fall. They are GlenOak's Jon Spohn, Sandy Valley's Cody Murphy, Tuslaw's Nathaniel Betts, Minerva's Ethan Rodgers and Marlington's Clayton Staib.

Spohn played defensive back for GlenOak and had 49 tackles, a sack, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Murphy was selected to play in the Repository East-West football game this year.

Betts played on the offensive line and defensive line for Tuslaw.

Rodgers played linebacker for the Lions and had 69 tackles, seven sacks, six tackles for losses and two fumbles recovered.

Staib played linebacker and wide receiver for Marlington. He had 107 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries last year. Staib also had 22 catches for 215 yards with six touchdowns.

[reality check]

Tonight we hosted the first ever graduation ceremony at Combs High School.  I was lucky enough to get my senior linemen together for this shot.

[Desertraider]

Sorry I am late on this one but I was so sad to hear of Pam Wards departure (sarcasm intended - more to follow). What an amazing announcer she was - right up there with Holly Rowe. The Stagg Bowl will not be the same without her - maybe the announcers will sound like they have a clue, or at the very least a genuine interest. You will be missed Pam, though I am not too sure it will be fondly .

BTW I was checking on some Pierre news and googled him. On the right side of the google list is this: "Pierre Garçon isn't very good if i may say so myself. Wikipedia". It appears next to his photo. Now if you go to the wikipedia site it appears no where. I am not very tech-savy but why does this happen and can it be changed? Just curious.

[raiderguy]

Just happened to see a Lindy's pre-season guide which always has a D3 section . They had the Raiders #1 Wesley #2 and Whitewater #3. Wesly was the featured team in the article and their main reason for chosing Wesley #2 was they were just thinking this might be their year. Raiders because they have been there so many times before and WW #3 because they are having to replace Blanchard with a pretty qualified back up. Don't remember the rest for sure but I think St Thomas (Tommies suck) were #4. Didn't feel like spending the $9. or whatever for two pages of reports on D3.

[Raider 68]

Just happened to see a Lindy's pre-season guide which always has a D3 section . They had the Raiders #1 Wesley #2 and Whitewater #3. Wesly was the featured team in the article and their main reason for chosing Wesley #2 was they were just thinking this might be their year. Raiders because they have been there so many times before and WW #3 because they are having to replace Blanchard with a pretty qualified back up. Don't remember the rest for sure but I think St Thomas (Tommies suck) were #4. Didn't feel like spending the $9. or whatever for two pages of reports on D3.

raiderguy,

I think Lindy's has some good insight:

1. Mount- the Raiders will be good, question which QB will lead them.

2. Wesley will be real good this year and returns a ton of key players

3. UWW could be another #1 for D3 football based upon the last 3 years, but replacing
    both Coppage and Blanchard will be a tall order for 2012. Brekke will be effective
    at QB, but is not the duel threat that Blanchard was for UWW.

We see how it begins to take shape this fall, IMHO!

[BoBo]

Just happened to see a Lindy's pre-season guide which always has a D3 section . They had the Raiders #1 Wesley #2 and Whitewater #3. Wesly was the featured team in the article and their main reason for chosing Wesley #2 was they were just thinking this might be their year. Raiders because they have been there so many times before and WW #3 because they are having to replace Blanchard with a pretty qualified back up. Don't remember the rest for sure but I think St Thomas (Tommies suck) were #4. Didn't feel like spending the $9. or whatever for two pages of reports on D3.

raiderguy,

I think Lindy's has some good insight:

1. Mount- the Raiders will be good, question which QB will lead them.

2. Wesley will be real good this year and returns a ton of key players

3. UWW could be another #1 for D3 football based upon the last 3 years, but replacing
    both Coppage and Blanchard will be a tall order for 2012. Brekke will be effective
    at QB, but is not the duel threat that Blanchard was for UWW.

We see how it begins to take shape this fall, IMHO!

Raider 68 - here are a couple quick hits back...+k for your thoughts!

1.  IMHO, Lindy's has only slightly more measurable insight into DIII football as the average man or woman walking down the street. Three things in life are certain - death, taxes and picking Mount #1 in a preseason poll - this very site has done just that 4 out of the last 5 years I looked. I'm sure that's where many of these preseason publications get their inspiration (it's probably not due from actually following DIII football  ). But, seriously, with the serious questions that exist over who is going to lead them to a championship, this may not be the year.

2. As far as Wesley goes, I'm going to keep my lips sealed - but I will say I have seen them play a few times but not all that well! A couple years ago was supposed to be their year when they had UWW at home in the playoffs, but that didn't turn out very well for the home team!! I've probably said too much already. 

3.  Raider, have you forgotten that UWW has had recent experience in replacing both their graduated featured RB (Justin Beaver) and QB (Danny Jones) in a Stagg Bowl winning year ('07). Those guys were both pretty good players - I'd say Coppage and Blanchard were on par with them. Looking back in time, I think we can agree that the Warhawks bounced back and recovered quite nicely (& quickly) from that rebuilding process!! . Remember that the guy who replaced the dual threat Danny Jones (Jeff Donovan), wasn't a dual threat in any stretch of the imagination (probably a complete opposite), yet was effective & efficient against everyone he played. So, I'm not sure what your point is about Brekke not being the dual threat that Blanchard was? How does that matter in the Warhawks offensive philosophy of Pound The Rock? * He won the Stagg Bowl as a starting QB as a Soph. before Blanchard did!!  That did not factor into your polite comment about him? Wow, considering the uncertainty in Raider camp under center heading into the season, I would think you of all people would give Brekke more than a gently tap on the butt and a '...nice job kid...' comment.  But, the fact is, all Brekke needs to do is be effective, just like you said.  Dual threat? Meaningless!!  I think his teammates & coaches have a lot of confidence in his ability and leadership, considering what he did at the end of the '10 season & all throughout last season. Tell me that same kind of confidence and leadership is overflowing in Alliance!! I doubt that it is.  Oh, btw, the O-line and D-line will be as strong as ever in '12 - that's where the game will be won and lost anyway!! 

* I just wonder how many teams are able to replace a graduated starting QB with a Stagg Bowl championship with another starting QB with their own Stagg Bowl championship as a starter under his belt? UWW will be OK!!

[Raider 68]

BoBo,

Good points on UWW! Will they be the favorite to reach the playoffs, sure, but there will be other top teams who could be competitive as well. I agree UWW came back strong after Beaver and Jones graduated, but Jones was not Blanchard. It is M. Blanchard who got picked up by the NFL Bears. not sure if Jones got a look.  Donovan was better than Jones, IMHO. OL and DL are the keys to close games, but who is going to step in for Coppage and have the year he had even with a top O line.

As I mentioned, we will see how things shape up for the fall and unless someone really steps again, I still believe it "could" be the Warhawks and Raiders as favorites to play for the trophy again! +k

[BoBo]

BoBo,

Good points on UWW! Will they be the favorite to reach the playoffs, sure, but there will be other top teams who could be competitive as well. I agree UWW came back strong after Beaver and Jones graduated, but Jones was not Blanchard. It is M. Blanchard who got picked up by the NFL Bears. not sure if Jones got a look.  Donovan was better than Jones, IMHO. OL and DL are the keys to close games, but who is going to step in for Coppage and have the year he had even with a top O line.

You're right, Jones was not Blanchard or Donovan, but very good in the style he played. If he was 6'3" 225 lbs like Blanchard, he might of been signed by someone. He was talented, a winner, just undersized by NFL standards. Jones came to Whitewater and kept Donovan on the bench so the coaches must've felt he was better than Donovan at that time. When his time came, Donovan was very good in his own right. Warhawks have been blessed with some quality under center during this run and with a known quantity stepping in, there's no reason to believe that won't continue. Replacing a superstar is never easy. Lightning struck once with Coppage entering immediately following Beaver. Beaver was better, but how can you complain? We hear there's another highly regarded freshman on the way, but only time will tell. The Raiders are still looking for their replacements to a couple of their past superstars - they understand how tough it can be.

[Blutarsky]

BoBo,

Good points on UWW! Will they be the favorite to reach the playoffs, sure, but there will be other top teams who could be competitive as well. I agree UWW came back strong after Beaver and Jones graduated, but Jones was not Blanchard. It is M. Blanchard who got picked up by the NFL Bears. not sure if Jones got a look.  Donovan was better than Jones, IMHO. OL and DL are the keys to close games, but who is going to step in for Coppage and have the year he had even with a top O line.

You're right, Jones was not Blanchard or Donovan, but very good in the style he played. If he was 6'3" 225 lbs like Blanchard, he might of been signed by someone. He was talented, a winner, just undersized by NFL standards. Jones came to Whitewater and kept Donovan on the bench so the coaches must've felt he was better than Donovan at that time. When his time came, Donovan was very good in his own right. Warhawks have been blessed with some quality under center during this run and with a known quantity stepping in, there's no reason to believe that won't continue. Replacing a superstar is never easy. Lightning struck once with Coppage entering immediately following Beaver. Beaver was better, but how can you complain? We hear there's another highly regarded freshman on the way, but only time will tell. The Raiders are still looking for their replacements to a couple of their past superstars - they understand how tough it can be.

OK, my nomination for understated, double entendre of the year.......

[Bein_86]

New Coach Appointed

http://www.otterbeincardinals.com/news/2012/5/29/FB_0529123325.aspx

[PurpleSuit]

I think I get it.  You don't like ONU because sometime, being in northwest Ohio, there is less than perfect weather.  You run the risk of soiling that thrift store lavender polyester suit of yours.  Fear not though, they clean the stands pretty regularly and the rain helps wash away other dirt.  The only way you'd ruin that pretty little jumpsuit of yours would be if you were on the field of play and we all know that won't be a problem.   

cute story, but I haven't worn a Purple Suit in a few years.  It was not polyester, just a nice cotton blend.  But thanks for remembering me. Brings back the glory days, sounds like you enjoy that.  Do you want to compare collegiate 40 times or something to pad the ego?  I'm sorry if I offended you by insinuating that your alumni dollar might have been spent unwisely.   Your stadium looks great from the outside but is a middle of the pack facility.  So I guess it fits with the ONU football program.  Its too bad that your MUC alum coach couldn't replicate more of his college days over there in Ada.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

New Coach Appointed

http://www.otterbeincardinals.com/news/2012/5/29/FB_0529123325.aspx

Bein_86,
What do you think of the hire. Is it a step in the right direction, or Same ol', Same ol'.