FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[mr_mom]

Myers is a stud and runs the O like Arth used to. Gee I wonder why

  +k

[mr_mom]

OMG!  Bluffton (2-6) was getting 49.5 points against Franklin ... guess they didn't need them.

Bluffton 24, Franklin 17   

[purpled]

Two things about Mount's game today...

An uninspired game by the Raiders...

Looked like B-W needed a GPS

[Toph]

I suppose the only thing appropriate to say today is...like a hot knife through butter.

[Toph]

A 15-yard pile-driver penalty helps JCU march to a field goal right before half.  31-7

Sidenote on this:  The fact that the Heidelberg fans booed this call is comical.  I don't remember the players involved, but there's no question that this was a penalty.  It would've been questionable if the receiver had the ball...the fact that the body slam came long after the whistle on a dropped pass made it an easy call. 

OAC officiating has been horrible, but this one was correct.

[raiderpa]

I snuck up to University Heights and have the following to report:

John Carroll is for real and has the weapons to beat Mount Union.  The three step passing game is outstanding and corp of receivers is well above average. It will be a bear to defend. They have speed receivers on the outside and their tight ends caught the ball and YAC was very strong.  Running game is not great, but enough to keep you honest.  The QB is the best I have seen there in years...accurate and throws the deep pass well.
The defense is very disciplined and does not get out of position.  Sure tackling and their schemes are solid. 
Overall, the best JCU team since Arth was at the controls behind center.
Their talent level is much improved, and they have the fans back in the seats, the home side at Shula was SRO...Surprisingly the Berg did not travel well and their crowd was disappointing to me.
I think they will score a bunch and it may take at least 42 to beat them.  but, I have been wrong before.
Heidelberg was never in the game, ever.  They were manhandled in every phase of the game.
As a 40 year Raider, I hope I have over estimated the Blue Streaks, but I don't think so.  Should be the best OAC matchup in a long time.

[Desertraider]

I suppose the only thing appropriate to say today is...like a hot knife through butter.

Perhaps: "Another day at the office"

[HScoach]

I suppose the only thing appropriate to say today is...like a hot knife through butter.

The 48 doesn't surprise nor impress me.   The 7 on the other hand is very impressive!

When was the last time Mount went into an OAC game without the better defense?    1998 maybe against BW?    Raiders definitely going to need their A-game.   Could be a matchup worthy of a regional final or better.

[pradierguy]

I snuck up to University Heights and have the following to report:

John Carroll is for real and has the weapons to beat Mount Union.  The three step passing game is outstanding and corp of receivers is well above average. It will be a bear to defend. They have speed receivers on the outside and their tight ends caught the ball and YAC was very strong.  Running game is not great, but enough to keep you honest.  The QB is the best I have seen there in years...accurate and throws the deep pass well.
The defense is very disciplined and does not get out of position.  Sure tackling and their schemes are solid. 
Overall, the best JCU team since Arth was at the controls behind center.
Their talent level is much improved, and they have the fans back in the seats, the home side at Shula was SRO...Surprisingly the Berg did not travel well and their crowd was disappointing to me.
I think they will score a bunch and it may take at least 42 to beat them.  but, I have been wrong before.
Heidelberg was never in the game, ever.  They were manhandled in every phase of the game.
As a 40 year Raider, I hope I have over estimated the Blue Streaks, but I don't think so.  Should be the best OAC matchup in a long time.

Thanks for the info. Seeing both teams, what's your spread for the game?

[Desertraider]

I snuck up to University Heights and have the following to report:

John Carroll is for real and has the weapons to beat Mount Union.  The three step passing game is outstanding and corp of receivers is well above average. It will be a bear to defend. They have speed receivers on the outside and their tight ends caught the ball and YAC was very strong.  Running game is not great, but enough to keep you honest.  The QB is the best I have seen there in years...accurate and throws the deep pass well.
The defense is very disciplined and does not get out of position.  Sure tackling and their schemes are solid. 
Overall, the best JCU team since Arth was at the controls behind center.
Their talent level is much improved, and they have the fans back in the seats, the home side at Shula was SRO...Surprisingly the Berg did not travel well and their crowd was disappointing to me.
I think they will score a bunch and it may take at least 42 to beat them.  but, I have been wrong before.
Heidelberg was never in the game, ever.  They were manhandled in every phase of the game.
As a 40 year Raider, I hope I have over estimated the Blue Streaks, but I don't think so.  Should be the best OAC matchup in a long time.

I was watching the Streaks on the video feed and kept thinking about the 3OT 57-51 game in 99. That was an incredible game - but one I have no desire to revisit. JCU is built to beat Mount - they have all the right tools.

[amonachino]

John Carroll could not run against Heidelberg. they were 33 for 88 for 2.7ypc.  The Berg got 124 after 55 yds. in sacks was taken off the top.  they were able to run it.  the berg did not move it by the air they were 12 of 28 for 129 yds.  John Carroll was 31 of 44 for 387 yds. that is excellent.  John Carroll beat BW 27-7.   they ran it for 110 yds on 36 tries.  Mike Myers was 19 out of 33 for 258 yds.  58% comp.  respectable.   so in conclusion,  for John Carroll  to win they must complete passes with high rate of completions. the Mount def. must disrupt that rhythm.  I see John Carroll as one dimensional on Off.  The Carroll def. has potentially  more to be concerned with.  Mike Meyers has negative rush yds.  Kevin Burke has over 700 yds with a 6.9 avg.  Plus the rushing attack is getting better with Mitchell and Minnich.  Burke 65% for 2173 yds with 28TDS and 5 int.  Myers 68% 2581yds with 25TDS 6 int.  what ever def. places better will give their team a chance to win.  whatever QB makes the most plays will give their team the best chance to win.  this game has the chance to be a MHB type game.  I think Carroll has more to think about to stop Mount's off.  It is at Mount, a plus.  I have no idea what heidelberg's mental state was for is game, other then  to they left their desire and focus on the bus or in Tiffin. They gave it all to try to beat Mount.  This was not the same team that faced mount. this can be a   Great game.  Mount can win by 14 to 20.  I see Carrooll winning by 1 to 6.  They beat Arth, now they will have 2 shots at Myers. Plus this is why you to come to play at Mount Union.   Good weather would be nice.

[Raider 68]

After watching the Raider game today, it was not one of their best games. That said, BW always plays
the Raiders tough home or away. Can't help think however, they may have been thinking about next
Saturday vs. today's game.

As other posters have said. Mount needs to bring their "A" to win it. It could be a game like last
year's MHB game. JCU has talent and a great QB and defense. but the intangibles in Mount's
favor may be playing at home and the playoff experience. Not many years ago, JCU came to Alliance
undeated with a great QB. This year's JCU team has a top defense. I think Heidelberg was not
ready to play a tough team on the road this week, after all the build-up for the Raider game.

IMHO, this game for the title will come down to hanging tough for 4 quarters with the winner
holding on for the last drive. No doubt one of the biggest OAC games in awhile!

[Walt]

Gee...I seem to recall a certain Cap fan getting called out on twitter after he got on this board and said that he wasn't as impressed by Heidleberg as he was JCU after seeing both in back to back weeks....

[amonachino]

John Carroll students made a statement,a different one at that, when then were selling t-shirts after the game.  the shirts read MOUNT WHO?  is not John Carroll suppose to be for the more intelligent students?  they could have gone on the computer for the schedule for the 10th game.  why did they not do that.  now they may show up Don Shula stadium or travel to Mount Hope. if they do find out it is Mount Union what will they think.  I hope they do not ask the head coach how it went.

[jaypeter]

That's not really anything new for John Carroll.  They have a history of selling similar themed t-shirts.  I remember a "Muck Fount Union" shirt at one point.  What I remember about JCU fans is that they hate Mount Union--rightfully so--in large part because of how closely they played Mount Union for a number of years and were unable to get a win, but overall they know very well how good Mount Union really is (They should given how many times Mount Union has reminded them!    )

Although it hasn't been at a high level for a few years, this was one of the better rivalries going in the early 2000's.  Finally good to see JCU having some swagger coming into the game again.  Wish I could be up there to see the game this week but I'm now at the point where the only game I'll get see each year will be if they make it to the playoff rounds that ESPNU televises.

This should be a great game and really show what Mount Union could be capable of this year in the postseason.  I'm still not sold on the defense as a whole being able to come up with a stop if needed, but have a lot of confidence that the offense will be able to score with anybody.  But anytime you get into get into a shootout, you really want to be able to depend on the D for one more stop.  Will Mount's D be able to get that when it's needed this year?