FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[HScoach]

After 22 quarters of football Mount Union has outscored opponents 326-7. I hope this does not hurt them come BW and then Berg or the playoffs. Quick question: what is the Mount record for most consecutive shutouts? Most in a season?

Playing outmatched opponents certainly will do nothing to HELP them for the post-season, that's for sure.  Will it come back to bite them or are they simply enough better than everyone else so it doesn't matter? Time will tell. 

326-7 is what you get when a really good Mount team opens the season with the bottom half of the conference.   Next 4 weeks will be much better competition.  Otterbein will be decent, H'Berg should be a real good game, the Flaming Pile will play hard for 4 quarters and JCU's got a good D1 transfer QB.   The first half of the season has padded the stat sheet.  Last 4 weeks will prepare them for the playoffs.

[Dr. Acula]

The thing I like is that the defense will get different things thrown at them by good teams (or at least pretty good).  BW is going to be physical and want to run on you.  That game is always tough physically.  JCU has a dangerous QB/WR combo and is going to really test the secondary.  Berg is balanced with very good skill guys and gaudy numbers.  They'll have to be sharp all around to stop them.  It's a great way to prepare the D heading into the postseason.

[reality check]

Congrats to Dean Paul for his 100th career win today.  ONU found some offense, which is also code for "found Marietta".  A win's a win.  Good day for the Polar Bears.

[ITH radio]

Just a reminder UMU's Lenny Reich will join us tonight on www.inthehuddlle.com to discuss Mount's strong start, the OAC and the D3 landscape.  We're on the air at 7:30 pm.  Thanks!

[reality check]

I regret to inform you all that the Apocalypse is indeed upon us as yesterday D3's own, Saintsfan, tricked a female into saying "I do". 

Say your goodbyes and start scratching things from your bucket list because the Mayans were right and you've only got about 2 more months people.

[Dr. Acula]

I watched the TV replay this morning.  Quick thoughts:

Burke showed some nice moves running the ball on the 1st play of the game and the 40 yd TD.  He's shifty and a little faster than I thought.

Namdar is outstanding at those quick 8-10 yd throws.  He's just automatic.  Puts them on the numbers every time.  He also threw an absolute strike on the 28 yd. TD to Moore.  The kid is exactly what his stats say...obscenely accurate.   

Tip of the hat to a few of the back ups I noticed.  Simon ran HARD when he got to be the featured RB.  He always does.  Minnich continues to look good at RB too.  Jack Nicholls made a couple nice plays on short passes.  On D Avila and Lally did a nice job on the DL.

Cap is really lacking talent especially at QB and DB.  The days of Pentello, Stark and the Hauslers are LONG gone.  Collins was 2+ steps behind them multiple times.  The only saving grace for the Crusaders was that Burke was a touch off on a couple of deep balls.  Kremchek made a couple nice throws, but overall seemed to stare down his target too often (allowing things like Scott jumping 2 passes).

Overall I think Cap is an underdog against everyone not named Wilm going forward.  Yes, even Musky.  I think Musky is better than Cap this year.  So basically I'm thinking 2-8 with 1-9 not out of the realm of possibility for Cap.  For Mount...let's just be glad that half of the OAC slate is done.  Now the fun begins.

[purpled]

Anyone know if OTT will have streaming video next week?

[amonachino]

    As of what is out there Mount will not be on video vs Otterbein or Heidelberg.  They will be on video for BW and John Carroll as of information from today.

[Desertraider]

    As of what is out there Mount will not be on video vs Otterbein or Heidelberg.  They will be on video for BW and John Carroll as of information from today.

As in streaming or not on STO etc.? The OTT game could be a real test for the Raiders. I must emphasize "COULD". Hadn't really looked at Mount schedule until it was pointed out that they have played the bottom of the OAC so far - essentially 5 extra weeks of practice (and some most of them they were not nearly as competitive as a practice). However with what Berg did to OTT and Berg being right around the corner maybe the Raiders look ahead. I doubt it since they have so many upperclassmen - but ya never know.

I watched the replay on STO Saturday night and I have one comment: I hate the white pants w/ purple stripe thing down the leg. I miss the older style uniforms (4 years ago) and the purple jersey w/ purple pants. I know - many teams have much more serious issues than uniform styles, however it's just my 2 cents.

[Raider 68]

    As of what is out there Mount will not be on video vs Otterbein or Heidelberg.  They will be on video for BW and John Carroll as of information from today.

As in streaming or not on STO etc.? The OTT game could be a real test for the Raiders. I must emphasize "COULD". Hadn't really looked at Mount schedule until it was pointed out that they have played the bottom of the OAC so far - essentially 5 extra weeks of practice (and some most of them they were not nearly as competitive as a practice). However with what Berg did to OTT and Berg being right around the corner maybe the Raiders look ahead. I doubt it since they have so many upperclassmen - but ya never know.

I watched the replay on STO Saturday night and I have one comment: I hate the white pants w/ purple stripe thing down the leg. I miss the older style uniforms (4 years ago) and the purple jersey w/ purple pants. I know - many teams have much more serious issues than uniform styles, however it's just my 2 cents.

desertraider,

Coach Kehres will not allow his team to look ahead! Their focus is on Otterbein this week. IMHO, I have more concerns about the Otterbein game away then Heidelberg, even though Heidelberg is strong this year. This raider team vs. the past few years is all about consistent play, the next four games test them (as HSCoach has posted). 

[Dr. Acula]

    As of what is out there Mount will not be on video vs Otterbein or Heidelberg.  They will be on video for BW and John Carroll as of information from today.

As in streaming or not on STO etc.? The OTT game could be a real test for the Raiders. I must emphasize "COULD". Hadn't really looked at Mount schedule until it was pointed out that they have played the bottom of the OAC so far - essentially 5 extra weeks of practice (and some most of them they were not nearly as competitive as a practice). However with what Berg did to OTT and Berg being right around the corner maybe the Raiders look ahead. I doubt it since they have so many upperclassmen - but ya never know.

I watched the replay on STO Saturday night and I have one comment: I hate the white pants w/ purple stripe thing down the leg. I miss the older style uniforms (4 years ago) and the purple jersey w/ purple pants. I know - many teams have much more serious issues than uniform styles, however it's just my 2 cents.

desertraider,

Coach Kehres will not allow his team to look ahead! Their focus is on Otterbein this week. IMHO, I have more concerns about the Otterbein game away then Heidelberg, even though Heidelberg is strong this year. This raider team vs. the past few years is all about consistent play, the next four games test them (as HSCoach has posted). 

Couldn't disagree more.  I'm MUCH more concerned about Berg.  Ott can't run the ball.  At all.  Zero.  Their best threat is their 215 pound QB who is in and out of the lineup.  They had a lot of trouble moving the ball against Berg (200ish total yds).  They got shut out.  Not saying Mount will shut them out, but I'll take my chances against a one dimensional team that doesn't have a QB named Arth or Pentello. 

[amonachino]

All home games are on STO. on a delay basis. Check their T.V. schedule.   The BW and JC games are on streaming right now.

[Raider 68]

    As of what is out there Mount will not be on video vs Otterbein or Heidelberg.  They will be on video for BW and John Carroll as of information from today.

As in streaming or not on STO etc.? The OTT game could be a real test for the Raiders. I must emphasize "COULD". Hadn't really looked at Mount schedule until it was pointed out that they have played the bottom of the OAC so far - essentially 5 extra weeks of practice (and some most of them they were not nearly as competitive as a practice). However with what Berg did to OTT and Berg being right around the corner maybe the Raiders look ahead. I doubt it since they have so many upperclassmen - but ya never know.

I watched the replay on STO Saturday night and I have one comment: I hate the white pants w/ purple stripe thing down the leg. I miss the older style uniforms (4 years ago) and the purple jersey w/ purple pants. I know - many teams have much more serious issues than uniform styles, however it's just my 2 cents.

desertraider,

Coach Kehres will not allow his team to look ahead! Their focus is on Otterbein this week. IMHO, I have more concerns about the Otterbein game away then Heidelberg, even though Heidelberg is strong this year. This raider team vs. the past few years is all about consistent play, the next four games test them (as HSCoach has posted). 

Couldn't disagree more.  I'm MUCH more concerned about Berg.  Ott can't run the ball.  At all.  Zero.  Their best threat is their 215 pound QB who is in and out of the lineup.  They had a lot of trouble moving the ball against Berg (200ish total yds).  They got shut out.  Not saying Mount will shut them out, but I'll take my chances against a one dimensional team that doesn't have a QB named Arth or Pentello. 

Dr. Acula,

That is your right to disagree. All I am saying, is that Otterbein has always played the Raiders tougher at their place. This year you make a good case against that trend. Heidelberg brings a strong team to Alliance, but the Raiders have always matched well against them and have been successful. Each year is different however, and the remaining four games will tell everyone a lot about both the Raiders and Heidelberg. My guess is that both teams will be in the playoffs this year.

[raiderguy]

I watched the TV replay this morning.  Quick thoughts:

Burke showed some nice moves running the ball on the 1st play of the game and the 40 yd TD.  He's shifty and a little faster than I thought.

Namdar is outstanding at those quick 8-10 yd throws.  He's just automatic.  Puts them on the numbers every time.  He also threw an absolute strike on the 28 yd. TD to Moore.  The kid is exactly what his stats say...obscenely accurate.    

Tip of the hat to a few of the back ups I noticed.  Simon ran HARD when he got to be the featured RB.  He always does.  Minnich continues to look good at RB too.  Jack Nicholls made a couple nice plays on short passes.  On D Avila and Lally did a nice job on the DL.

Cap is really lacking talent especially at QB and DB.  The days of Pentello, Stark and the Hauslers are LONG gone.  Collins was 2+ steps behind them multiple times.  The only saving grace for the Crusaders was that Burke was a touch off on a couple of deep balls.  Kremchek made a couple nice throws, but overall seemed to stare down his target too often (allowing things like Scott jumping 2 passes).

Overall I think Cap is an underdog against everyone not named Wilm going forward.  Yes, even Musky.  I think Musky is better than Cap this year.  So basically I'm thinking 2-8 with 1-9 not out of the realm of possibility for Cap.  For Mount...let's just be glad that half of the OAC slate is done.  Now the fun begins.

Just for fun Namdar is 31/33 for the season, but did you know the two incompletes were both passes caught but the receiver couldn't get his feet down in bounds. Not to shabby. But I agree he is not better than Burke at this point in time. I am looking forward to having some decent competition going forward. With the exception of Franklin I think they have more competition from the back ups than the teams they have played. Heidelberg is in the same boat, they really have not faced anybody serious.  Interesting that they have a pretty good running back.....was Germany going to loose his job anyway?

[HScoach]

^  I'm with the good doctor on this one.  I don't expect Otterbein to be much of a test.   Obviously better than any of our previous opponents not named Franklin, but I can't see a team that was shut out by H'Berg doing much more than 10 points against Mount.   Now I suppose Mount could turn it over 5 times and Burke could throw a couple pick-6's, but I just don't expect Otterbein to break thru enough to make it a game in the 2nd half.  They'll get bonus points in my book if they crack 250 total yards against the 1st string defense.   Unless it's a big, strong O-line and a RB with good vision and open field speed, I don't think a one dimensional offense is going to have much success against this Raider defense.

I'm much more looking forward to Heidelberg because of their running game with Cartel Brooks and the future potential they seem to possess.  They were a very young 8-2 team last year and look to have the capabilities to match that or maybe even better it this season.   And if I remember their roster correctly, 2013 looks to be an even better year.  The last 3 weeks of the Berg schedule is brutal, but win 2 of the last 3 and they'll be in the playoffs.   I don't think their defense will be good enough to hold Mount under 30, but they definitely have the offense to make it very interesting.