FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[HScoach]

I interpreted NEVER to mean never so far this year.  I've never seen anyone say prior to the game being played that their team is the best that Mount has faced in the history of The Machine.

Makes sense, though over the last 18 years we've heard it all.  And then some.   So obviously I was reading too much into it. 

Though most of this team is seniors so they have played UWW twice in Salem and almost beat them with a back-up QB both years.  So the question still stands, is UST on the Whitewater level at the LOS or not?  We'll find out in 3 days.

[Retired Old Rat]

I interpreted NEVER to mean never so far this year.  I've never seen anyone say prior to the game being played that their team is the best that Mount has faced in the history of The Machine.

Makes sense, though over the last 18 years we've heard it all.  And then some.   So obviously I was reading too much into it. 

Though most of this team is seniors so they have played UWW twice in Salem and almost beat them with a back-up QB both years.  So the question still stands, is UST on the Whitewater level at the LOS or not?  We'll find out in 3 days.

Having seen them play multiple times the past two years, I THINK they are.  They are big, fast and athletic.  As you say, we'll find out in 3 days.  I'm hoping for a competitive game that goes down to the wire.

[formerd3db]

Great stats and research Raider68.  =k!

[USTBench]

With all the discussion about defense, here are some categories for the offense:

Rushing Offense

# 14 Mount Union 263 yds. per game
# 22 St.Thomas   243 yds. per game

Passing Offense

# 25 Mount Union 295 yds. per game
# 83 St. Thomas  222 yds. per game

Total Offense

# 3  Mount Union 558 yds. per game
# 23 St. Thomas  465 yds. per game

Scoring Offense

# 1  Mount Union 54.6 per game
# 29 St.Thomas   36.4 per game

Passing efficiency

# 1  Mount Union 191
# 82 St. Thomas  133

Interceptions thrown

# 11 Mount Union  8
# 39 St. Thomas  19

Red Zone Efficiency

# 11 Mount Union 87%
# 88 St. Thomas  77%

On paper it would certainly appear that MUC has the better offense, and they probably do.

But, UST is definitely not a "stats" team.

I think a better description of them would be something like 18 different players with a TD and 89 different players contributing in a statistical category (be it O or D) (can't remember where I heard that, but I think it's something UST's SID might have passed to our radio guy in a playoff game). UST has had a number of different 100 yard rushers, 3 QBs receive significant playing time, and haven't been afraid to go as low as 5 on the depth chart in key games at positions like RB. Additionally, 6 freshmen on the field at certain times last Saturday, including one 4th down conversion I believe.

I know I'm really hyping UST, but I think the neat thing is that there is a lot of trust in the program and not only a belief, but an expectation that the "next guy up" will do the job and do the job well.

UST has depth, whether our top guys are comparable to MUC's top guys remains to be seen, but in some positions UST doesn't really have true #1s, so, MUC will have to prepare to see a lot of different players. Some of whom don't have a lot of tape on them.

[02 Warhawk]

playoffs get underway, someone comes on the board and gives the argument that ...."well Mount Union as never seen a team like ours..."
It gets old and I guess we will just have to wait and see.

And every year a Mount supporter comes on here and expresses their amazement that some other team might actually be the best team Mount has seen that year.

Well, it IS the National Championship and UST did just hold UWO to 25 yards rushing in a national semifinal to a team that averaged 250+ rushing a game...in the WIAC.

Not saying UST is going to shut out MUC, I just think UST has a much better D than MUC has seen this year. Pretty reasonable considering this the Stagg Bowl.

Same is true on the other side of the ball. UST will face a defense that's much better than anything they've seen yet.

[BrowardRaider]

Not to rain on the numbers crunching but heads up to those getting on the road either this afternoon or early tomorrow, news reports out of WV showing part of I-77 CLOSED due to a gas line explosion near Charleston, in Sissonville. The AP reporting the interstate will be closed for two days for inspection/repair. Safe travels all and especially to Mount's team and travel party that left this afternoon.

[amonachino]

I have no doubt that the Raiders will be at or even higher then Sat. to play any opponent that is on the other side of the field Friday night..  They  got their A***'* handed to them 3 yrs. in a row. I could care less what the other team has done will do or hopes to do.  All I want for Christmas is the Raider's to play a solid game like the other great teams in the past have done to capture the  title.  This is what their goal was to start the season.  Srs. to get the ring and get the championship back in Alliance.  Mount respects each team.  There should be no let down, this is the game of the year.  Take no prisoners. 

[Desertraider]

Well with limitations on the number of players that can dress - I doubt 5QBs and 89 contributers are gonna see playing time. Stats are great but they really mean nothing (what they reveal is interesting, what they hide is essential?). Neither has a common opponent and neither has seen a team like the one they will see Friday night. Both are skilled and talented on Offense. Both have strong D's. Both teams have holes that can be exploited - so it all comes down to execution. I trust in LK.

Saw Mount loading up the buses and pulling out today from the stadium. Was eating lunch with LK sitting behind me - I so wanted to say something but the last time I did that Mount lost (UMHB 2004). I got out of there quick before I jinxed them again.

[Desertraider]

I have no doubt that the Raiders will be at or even higher then Sat. to play any opponent that is on the other side of the field Friday night..  They  got their A***'* handed to them 3 yrs. in a row. I could care less what the other team has done will do or hopes to do.  All I want for Christmas is the Raider's to play a solid game like the other great teams in the past have done to capture the  title.  This is what their goal was to start the season.  Srs. to get the ring and get the championship back in Alliance.  Mount respects each team.  There should be no let down, this is the game of the year.  Take no prisoners.

That reminded me - this team makes me think of the 2005 team. The Stagg bowl when they drove the length of the field and ate up like 10mins of clock, punched it in and won. The final drive against UMHB showed me this team has similar character. Champions always finish - and they have showed that. A good sign in my book.

[MUC80]

First sighting on St Thomas board:
"Mount Union has not seen a defense like we have" 
to paraphrase:  UMHB defense not even close to being as good as the Tommies...
here we go

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I just wanted to win Friday, now I want to win and score 40...or 50...or 60

UMHB may be the better team. We'll get an idea on Friday. But it's not at all outlandish to claim UST has a better D than the Crusaders. And you are blatantly putting words in their mouths to claim they are saying UMHB is "not even close to being as good as the Tommies." No one has said that.

Rush D:
1. UMU - 46 yds/g
6. UMHB - 72 yds/g
7. UST - 76 yds/g

Pass D:
4. UMU - 133 yds/g
110. UST - 210 yds/g
225. UMHB - 262 yds/g

Pass Eff D:
2. UMU - 79
19. UST - 102
59. UMHB - 113

Total D:
1. UMU - 179 yds/g
16. UST - 278 yds/g
80. UMHB - 334 yds/g

Scoring D:
1. UMU - 8.6 ppg
11. UST - 14.1 ppg
65. UMHB - 20.4 ppg

3rd Down Pct:
3. UMU - 25.1%
6. UST - 27.4%
62. UMHB - 33.8%

Turnovers Gained: (maybe this is why they seem to have such a superior D  )
3. UMHB - 38
7. UST - 34
10. UMU - 33

Sacks:
18. UST - 44
38. UMHB - 40
42. UMU - 39

UMHB ranks ahead of UST in just two categories, and only marginally so (4 yds/g rushing; 4 TO's on the season). In every other category, UST has the edge. Several times by a good margin.

Now, if UST fans were claiming their D was superior to Mount's, I could see you getting your purple panties in a bunch. But I know of no credible UST or MIAC poster (i.e. not including the drivel that Purple Reign puts out there) who is claiming UST has the edge on D or as a team. They are confident, but not delusional. And they've earned that right by making the Stagg, a path that included several quality teams that UST dominated on D and made totally one dimensional.

It's entirely possible that Mount has not seen a D this year like UST's. It's also highly likely UST has not seen an offense or defense as good as Mounts. And that's why I can't wait for Friday. We get to see it proved on the field! We really do have a great, even if not perfect, system in place at the end of the day.

A topic that was discussed on this board a couple of weeks or so ago: Mount's offense faces the #1 defense in the country every week... in practice. Sure, it's not actual game conditions, but Coach Kehres doesn't have them "walk through" the plays. On every rep, the offense is working their butts off to try to beat a defense working just as hard. So when someone says "they have never faced a defense like ours", it should be modified with the qualifier: "outside of their own practices."

[ExTartanPlayer]

First sighting on St Thomas board:
"Mount Union has not seen a defense like we have" 
to paraphrase:  UMHB defense not even close to being as good as the Tommies...
here we go

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I just wanted to win Friday, now I want to win and score 40...or 50...or 60

UMHB may be the better team. We'll get an idea on Friday. But it's not at all outlandish to claim UST has a better D than the Crusaders. And you are blatantly putting words in their mouths to claim they are saying UMHB is "not even close to being as good as the Tommies." No one has said that.

Rush D:
1. UMU - 46 yds/g
6. UMHB - 72 yds/g
7. UST - 76 yds/g

Pass D:
4. UMU - 133 yds/g
110. UST - 210 yds/g
225. UMHB - 262 yds/g

Pass Eff D:
2. UMU - 79
19. UST - 102
59. UMHB - 113

Total D:
1. UMU - 179 yds/g
16. UST - 278 yds/g
80. UMHB - 334 yds/g

Scoring D:
1. UMU - 8.6 ppg
11. UST - 14.1 ppg
65. UMHB - 20.4 ppg

3rd Down Pct:
3. UMU - 25.1%
6. UST - 27.4%
62. UMHB - 33.8%

Turnovers Gained: (maybe this is why they seem to have such a superior D  )
3. UMHB - 38
7. UST - 34
10. UMU - 33

Sacks:
18. UST - 44
38. UMHB - 40
42. UMU - 39

UMHB ranks ahead of UST in just two categories, and only marginally so (4 yds/g rushing; 4 TO's on the season). In every other category, UST has the edge. Several times by a good margin.

Now, if UST fans were claiming their D was superior to Mount's, I could see you getting your purple panties in a bunch. But I know of no credible UST or MIAC poster (i.e. not including the drivel that Purple Reign puts out there) who is claiming UST has the edge on D or as a team. They are confident, but not delusional. And they've earned that right by making the Stagg, a path that included several quality teams that UST dominated on D and made totally one dimensional.

It's entirely possible that Mount has not seen a D this year like UST's. It's also highly likely UST has not seen an offense or defense as good as Mounts. And that's why I can't wait for Friday. We get to see it proved on the field! We really do have a great, even if not perfect, system in place at the end of the day.

A topic that was discussed on this board a couple of weeks or so ago: Mount's offense faces the #1 defense in the country every week... in practice. Sure, it's not actual game conditions, but Coach Kehres doesn't have them "walk through" the plays. On every rep, the offense is working their butts off to try to beat a defense working just as hard. So when someone says "they have never faced a defense like ours", it should be modified with the qualifier: "outside of their own practices."

Does Mount scrimmage #1 offense vs #1 defense very often? From my experience and speaking to other Division III alums, this is relatively rare. We ran about 10 plays of first-O-vs-first-D in a typical practice and that was it, the rest of the time was spent scrimmaging vs scout teams.

Scrimmaging first-O-vs-first-D is fun and good for competitive juices, but not really practical for game preparation because you need to spend most of your time preparing for the next opponent's system. Our defensive coordinate hated the scrimmage because nobody on our schedule played a wing-T, so they had to practice alignments and calls that were not in that week's game plan.

Like I said: good for competitive juices, less useful when it comes to game preparation.

[MUC80]

A topic that was discussed on this board a couple of weeks or so ago: Mount's offense faces the #1 defense in the country every week... in practice. Sure, it's not actual game conditions, but Coach Kehres doesn't have them "walk through" the plays. On every rep, the offense is working their butts off to try to beat a defense working just as hard. So when someone says "they have never faced a defense like ours", it should be modified with the qualifier: "outside of their own practices."

Does Mount scrimmage #1 offense vs #1 defense very often? From my experience and speaking to other Division III alums, this is relatively rare. We ran about 10 plays of first-O-vs-first-D in a typical practice and that was it, the rest of the time was spent scrimmaging vs scout teams.

Scrimmaging first-O-vs-first-D is fun and good for competitive juices, but not really practical for game preparation because you need to spend most of your time preparing for the next opponent's system. Our defensive coordinate hated the scrimmage because nobody on our schedule played a wing-T, so they had to practice alignments and calls that were not in that week's game plan.

Like I said: good for competitive juices, less useful when it comes to game preparation.

Here is the article from this site that initiated the original discussion: http://d3football.com/playoffs/2012/mount-union-junior-spectacular-senior-season. The specific quote from Junior Collins we talked about was: "The advantage for us is that we go up against the best defense in the country in practice every day. They make things tough and do a great job of preparing us for games."

Perhaps there is someone out there that participates in or observes UMU practices that could clarify how often the starting O and D actually face off against each other during practices?

[raiderpa]

Just reported by West Va hiway dept that they hope to have I77 opened by tomorrow night barring any more problems.

[ron doney]

I'll be in Boston on Friday. Any fans from either side going to be watching the game at a bar?  We have a few folks interested. Message me if so. Thx.

[RoyalPurple]

 Quote all the stats you want but the Number One Defense in the Nation kept it close till Burke got it together. Seriously doubt Kevin will be rattled again this week and even so, Collins can run to anything in the neighborhood. Expect a good but not really close game