FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[bushman]

JH was big and their receivers were hugh as well.  I thought their secondary was slow and reacted poorly to Mt.'s receivers.  It was very apparent they had not seen a team as fast as Mt. this year. Their play calling became very predictable as the game wore on.  You know my feelings about the purple chicken, lets bring back the pirate if you must have a mascot.  I suppose Weidner will remember their  last trip to Mount, I sure do as I also remember MHB trip as well.  If MHB looks beyond Wesley, their run could end abruptly.  Mt.'s road record speaks for itself, perhaps it might be a good thing if we went to Belton, you never know.

[mr_mom]

The results of the second round of the OAC Pick-Em are in.

On the basis of a perfect 8-for-8 day, PurpleSuit is now the current leader by 4 over Joelmama. 

Congratulations to all playas ... Week3 spreads come out on Monday.

[rscl70]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

[bleedpurple]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

Unless the NCAA decides to suddenly go to a "No Division" Bowl season and Mount is invited to a BCS game, I don't think Mount will have trouble scoring any time soon. There are no defenses in the playoffs who can hold them to under 30 and only a couple who could hold them to under 40.

[raiderpa]

I agree that an announcement being made at halftime about a semi final locale,  before the quarterfinals are even played, is somewhat ludicrous, however, nothing the NCAA does or will do would surprise me.  The only reason I could think of for the rationale to to this would be the fact that Mount has hosted so many playoff games, perhaps they feel it would be fair to make them travel...I agree that UMHB had better not look past Wesley as they are quite capable of a big game...
It looks like Oshkosh should scrimmage for a quarter or so before the game to get in mood to play before they fall behind 14-0....One game at a time, but I feel confident that the Raiders will beat Weidner and see UMHB or Wesley, wherever the game may be held...

[HScoach]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

I agree.  Especially early.  Burke wasn't his usual accurate self and he didn't read a couple blitzes and took big shots because of it.  And the running game was very average.  The rushing total looks OK in the box score, but most of that came late long after JHU gave up.   Hard to say with a straight face after 653 yards and 55 points, but the Mount offense can play a lot better.

Defensively Mount was fine.  Not overly dominant.  Not porous.  The first two INT's early were great plays by Dieseul and Driskill and jump started the offense.   Rest of the game was pretty good.  Was more disappointed in the JHU game plan, play calling and QB play than I was excited about the Mount defense's performance. 

How do you come into a playoff game with a RB that has 1400+ yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry with 21 TD's, and a QB with more INT's than TD's and think it's a good idea to throw that ball all the time?   What little shot they had of making it a game was eliminated by the game plan to start the contest.  If you're going not feed the ball to your stud RB, at least run play-action passes to take full advantage of him.

Was obvious on both sides of the ball that JHU had never played anyone as athletic as Mount.  I kept waiting for them to adjust to the Mount speed, but it never came.  The Blue Jays were a decent team, probably a 6-4 team in the OAC but they're going to be in trouble next year unless they can replace Rigaud at RB.   He was the ONLY playmaking talent on their entire offense.  The QB was terrible and the receivers slow.  And defensively there were pretty decent along the D-line, but the secondary was slow and poor tacklers in the open field.   

I sure hope next week against Widener is a better test because if all we see before MHB is crap like the first 2 rounds, I don't like our lack of preparedness.   The last time we saw Widener it was ugly.  Hoping for a better showing.

[UMUplayerdad]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

I agree.  Especially early.  Burke wasn't his usual accurate self and he didn't read a couple blitzes and took big shots because of it.  And the running game was very average.  The rushing total looks OK in the box score, but most of that came late long after JHU gave up.   Hard to say with a straight face after 653 yards and 55 points, but the Mount offense can play a lot better.

Defensively Mount was fine.  Not overly dominant.  Not porous.  The first two INT's early were great plays by Dieseul and Driskill and jump started the offense.   Rest of the game was pretty good.  Was more disappointed in the JHU game plan, play calling and QB play than I was excited about the Mount defense's performance. 

How do you come into a playoff game with a RB that has 1400+ yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry with 21 TD's, and a QB with more INT's than TD's and think it's a good idea to throw that ball all the time?   What little shot they had of making it a game was eliminated by the game plan to start the contest.  If you're going not feed the ball to your stud RB, at least run play-action passes to take full advantage of him.

Was obvious on both sides of the ball that JHU had never played anyone as athletic as Mount.  I kept waiting for them to adjust to the Mount speed, but it never came.  The Blue Jays were a decent team, probably a 6-4 team in the OAC but they're going to be in trouble next year unless they can replace Rigaud at RB.   He was the ONLY playmaking talent on their entire offense.  The QB was terrible and the receivers slow.  And defensively there were pretty decent along the D-line, but the secondary was slow and poor tacklers in the open field.   

I sure hope next week against Widener is a better test because if all we see before MHB is crap like the first 2 rounds, I don't like our lack of preparedness.   The last time we saw Widener it was ugly.  Hoping for a better showing.

I was kinda surprised that Mount threw as much(43 times) in that weather and it sure seems in the last 3 years that Mount offense has had  more than it's share of  struggles inside the 10 yard line. Even though (I think) it only happened once today But early in the game to pull a long drive and come away with nothing isnt good. Once the defense got the 2 int's and gave us  short fields to work with ya start to get the good familiar feeling that the opponent might be in trouble tho.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

I agree.  Especially early.  Burke wasn't his usual accurate self and he didn't read a couple blitzes and took big shots because of it.  And the running game was very average.  The rushing total looks OK in the box score, but most of that came late long after JHU gave up.   Hard to say with a straight face after 653 yards and 55 points, but the Mount offense can play a lot better.

Defensively Mount was fine.  Not overly dominant.  Not porous.  The first two INT's early were great plays by Dieseul and Driskill and jump started the offense.   Rest of the game was pretty good.  Was more disappointed in the JHU game plan, play calling and QB play than I was excited about the Mount defense's performance. 

How do you come into a playoff game with a RB that has 1400+ yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry with 21 TD's, and a QB with more INT's than TD's and think it's a good idea to throw that ball all the time?   What little shot they had of making it a game was eliminated by the game plan to start the contest.  If you're going not feed the ball to your stud RB, at least run play-action passes to take full advantage of him.

Was obvious on both sides of the ball that JHU had never played anyone as athletic as Mount.  I kept waiting for them to adjust to the Mount speed, but it never came.  The Blue Jays were a decent team, probably a 6-4 team in the OAC but they're going to be in trouble next year unless they can replace Rigaud at RB.   He was the ONLY playmaking talent on their entire offense.  The QB was terrible and the receivers slow.  And defensively there were pretty decent along the D-line, but the secondary was slow and poor tacklers in the open field.   

I sure hope next week against Widener is a better test because if all we see before MHB is crap like the first 2 rounds, I don't like our lack of preparedness.   The last time we saw Widener it was ugly.  Hoping for a better showing.

I was kinda surprised that Mount threw as much(43 times) in that weather and it sure seems in the last 3 years that Mount offense has had  more than it's share of  struggles inside the 10 yard line. Even though (I think) it only happened once today But early in the game to pull a long drive and come away with nothing isnt good. Once the defense got the 2 int's and gave us  short fields to work with ya start to get the good familiar feeling that the opponent might be in trouble tho.

Maybe LK is trying to get his Young QB as many throwing opportunities in meaningful games with questionable weather as he can prior to another possible shot at the Title?

[Dr. Acula]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

Home for turkey so I decided to brave the elements and go today.  I agree, the offense was out of synch for the majority of the 1Q IMO.  Possibly just Burke and his boys getting used to throwing/catching a frozen rock. 

To me the biggest demonstration of what several have mentioned was when Collins caught the ball running across the field toward the pressbox and literally just took a right turn and sprinted by JHU on his way to end zone again.  You could tell just from that play that the Jays just didn't have the speed to keep up w/ Collins et al. 

I thought Orteca played really well at DT.  He was in the backfield making plays, batting down passes and just generally causing problems.  Very good game from Frank today.  He and Fechko are a nice 1-2 on the interior.

Great to see Tate back at tackle too.  I'm not smart enough to know if he played well or not so I just like that he was out there and didn't seem to be limping or anything.

Burke took a bit to adjust, but as usual settled in and had a great game.  I often have to remind myself that he's only a soph because my expectations just keep rising each week.  It's a great feeling to know he's going to be at the controls the next 2 yrs.

Tip of the cap to I. Scott today.  I have always loved the way he plays.  Smallest dude on the field and he will absolutely pop you.  Did it a couple times today.  Once on an overthrown swing pass to the RB he cracked him and I think the JHU sideline was a little surprised #10 put a shoulder in him like that.  He makes mistakes just like any other CB, but I'll always take a tough kid like that who's not afraid to hit you even if you have 40 lbs on him.  It's an attitude and Scott has it. 

I stayed to the end because I always like to watch the back ups.  I continue to be impressed with Minnich when he gets carries.  He seems to have a knack for falling forward and making sure he gets positive yardage each time.  Also rarely seems to be brought down by one guy.  Also impressed with Jack Nicholls.  He's like their Welker.  Smaller kid who is just quick in tight places and makes people miss.  And he showed again today if he gets free he can run a little too.  Defensively I liked how Kocheff stuck his nose in there all the time.  I honestly thought he was a backup LB until I looked at the roster to see who it was.
 
Finally, I liked that with the offense not clicking early it was Dieuseul and Driskill stepping up to make big plays and swing momentum.  We're spoiled with those 2 anchoring the D.  Just big time players roaming sideline to sideline. 

[bman]

I sure hope next week against Widener is a better test because if all we see before MHB is crap like the first 2 rounds, I don't like our lack of preparedness.   The last time we saw Widener it was ugly.  Hoping for a better showing.

Coach

Don't get your hopes up...not to bash WU or the players, but SU basically beat themselves today...or at least made it easier for WU to win.  WU has a nice team, but to be honest, while they are a tad better defensively,  they are not as good offensively (despite the numbers)...

I think they have beaten everyone at their tier, but UMU is a significant jump up for them.  IMHO, it will be a stretch for them to even be competitive.  Speed will  a problem for them...

I'd wish you good luck next week but well....you know

[Raider 68]

Thoughts on today Mount Union game:

- Agree with the comments on JHU not playing to their strengths and thinking
  they could catch the Raider D off-guard by throwing. Big error on their coaches!

- The JHU running pretty good, but no help from others.

- The JHU QB telegraphed every pass, so the picks came as no surprize.

- The Raiders were solid, and K. Burke while off target, had yet another great
   day.

- Agree with Bleedpurple, no one including UMHB will hold the Raider O under
   30 pts.

- Congrats to J. Collins on a fabulous day. Could he get some NFL looks, we'll see!

- 2 down and 3 to go. IMHO, it will not matter where the final games are played.
  this year's Raider team is the most focused since 2008.

- Widener should be a better test, but we will have this week to look at them
  closer.

[UMUplayerdad]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

I agree.  Especially early.  Burke wasn't his usual accurate self and he didn't read a couple blitzes and took big shots because of it.  And the running game was very average.  The rushing total looks OK in the box score, but most of that came late long after JHU gave up.   Hard to say with a straight face after 653 yards and 55 points, but the Mount offense can play a lot better.

Defensively Mount was fine.  Not overly dominant.  Not porous.  The first two INT's early were great plays by Dieseul and Driskill and jump started the offense.   Rest of the game was pretty good.  Was more disappointed in the JHU game plan, play calling and QB play than I was excited about the Mount defense's performance. 

How do you come into a playoff game with a RB that has 1400+ yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry with 21 TD's, and a QB with more INT's than TD's and think it's a good idea to throw that ball all the time?   What little shot they had of making it a game was eliminated by the game plan to start the contest.  If you're going not feed the ball to your stud RB, at least run play-action passes to take full advantage of him.

Was obvious on both sides of the ball that JHU had never played anyone as athletic as Mount.  I kept waiting for them to adjust to the Mount speed, but it never came.  The Blue Jays were a decent team, probably a 6-4 team in the OAC but they're going to be in trouble next year unless they can replace Rigaud at RB.   He was the ONLY playmaking talent on their entire offense.  The QB was terrible and the receivers slow.  And defensively there were pretty decent along the D-line, but the secondary was slow and poor tacklers in the open field.   

I sure hope next week against Widener is a better test because if all we see before MHB is crap like the first 2 rounds, I don't like our lack of preparedness.   The last time we saw Widener it was ugly.  Hoping for a better showing.

I was kinda surprised that Mount threw as much(43 times) in that weather and it sure seems in the last 3 years that Mount offense has had  more than it's share of  struggles inside the 10 yard line. Even though (I think) it only happened once today But early in the game to pull a long drive and come away with nothing isnt good. Once the defense got the 2 int's and gave us  short fields to work with ya start to get the good familiar feeling that the opponent might be in trouble tho.

Maybe LK is trying to get his Young QB as many throwing opportunities in meaningful games with questionable weather as he can prior to another possible shot at the Title?

I had not thought of that(and NO I am not crticizing the play calling in any way-that's what got me in trouble on here in the past- hence the low number of "k's)) but I will say this..... in the past in weather like that a game plan was usually very conservative and Mount would have run most plays and would have won maybe 28 to 7- a grind it out type game.  And really when an offense can put up 500yds plus(650 last 2 last two games) ya sure won't lose many games with a stout defense and a committment to not turning the ball over.    All I can say is that Burke must really have a cannon andLK has a lot of confidence in him. Oh and anyone who would pop into locker room at half time (during LK/coaches talking to players) about where UMU would/might be playing in 2 weeks has a huge set of stones, that's why I have a hard time believing that rumor-it might be true  but I doubt it

[amonachino]

How not to give yourself a chance to win a game.  Have 5 interceptions, fumble the ball 3 times losing 2. One loss fumble on OPP. 3 yd line. Have one interception returned for a T.D.  Have QB sacked 3 times.  Here's more frustration.  You hold the other team to 26 rushes for 26 yds.  You avg. 4.9 per rush for 181 yds.  You gain tot. OFF. 416 for 5.5 per play, opp. 5.0 for 331 yds.  Def. sacks QB. 4 times.  Your OFF. makes 8/14 on 3rd down. theirs 8/16.  In the end you give them 10 pts. plus kill 7 drives of the game that give you 0 pts.  Final score Linfield at home 30 North Central 14.  I have to make a wild guess that this was their worse game this yr. and worse of their play off history. Too bad, tough way to go out.   

[amonachino]

If that rumor is true, has anyone thought how Wesley feels right now??

[UMUplayerdad]

My impression of Johns Hopkins:  Big and Sloooooow.

Now I realize, after looking at the stats, that this statement is going to seem totally ridiculous, but I thought Mount's offense looked a little out of synch today.  Defense was great as always.

Home for turkey so I decided to brave the elements and go today.  I agree, the offense was out of synch for the majority of the 1Q IMO.  Possibly just Burke and his boys getting used to throwing/catching a frozen rock. 

To me the biggest demonstration of what several have mentioned was when Collins caught the ball running across the field toward the pressbox and literally just took a right turn and sprinted by JHU on his way to end zone again.  You could tell just from that play that the Jays just didn't have the speed to keep up w/ Collins et al. 

I thought Orteca played really well at DT.  He was in the backfield making plays, batting down passes and just generally causing problems.  Very good game from Frank today.  He and Fechko are a nice 1-2 on the interior.

Great to see Tate back at tackle too.  I'm not smart enough to know if he played well or not so I just like that he was out there and didn't seem to be limping or anything.

Burke took a bit to adjust, but as usual settled in and had a great game.  I often have to remind myself that he's only a soph because my expectations just keep rising each week.  It's a great feeling to know he's going to be at the controls the next 2 yrs.

Tip of the cap to I. Scott today.  I have always loved the way he plays.  Smallest dude on the field and he will absolutely pop you.  Did it a couple times today.  Once on an overthrown swing pass to the RB he cracked him and I think the JHU sideline was a little surprised #10 put a shoulder in him like that.  He makes mistakes just like any other CB, but I'll always take a tough kid like that who's not afraid to hit you even if you have 40 lbs on him.  It's an attitude and Scott has it. 

I stayed to the end because I always like to watch the back ups.  I continue to be impressed with Minnich when he gets carries.  He seems to have a knack for falling forward and making sure he gets positive yardage each time.  Also rarely seems to be brought down by one guy.  Also impressed with Jack Nicholls.  He's like their Welker.  Smaller kid who is just quick in tight places and makes people miss.  And he showed again today if he gets free he can run a little too.  Defensively I liked how Kocheff stuck his nose in there all the time.  I honestly thought he was a backup LB until I looked at the roster to see who it was.
 
Finally, I liked that with the offense not clicking early it was Dieuseul and Driskill stepping up to make big plays and swing momentum.  We're spoiled with those 2 anchoring the D.  Just big time players roaming sideline to sideline.

Doc, antonio had a lil rust on him BUT he will be fine going forward

I agree that the Minnich kid is a future star,  I LOVE his quickness, and he sure does well up during "garbage time"   -he's usually  playing with third team and still gets a lot of yards

AND Isiah Scott is one of my favorites on defense, he really is a small dude but he makes plays and #1 aint afraid to stick his nose in on any play and #2 he sure can jump(hence his ability to cover the taller receievers)