FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Craft_Beermeister]

Wow, two exciting games yesterday.  I was at Belton and the updates of the Mount Union game on the scoreboard were a few minutes ahead of the radio feed.  It was driving me nuts to see one team score while I'm listening to the other team with the ball!  Then, one of Mount Union's scores came during the beginning of the national anthem.  Hard to be patriotic and a fan at that moment!

Was glad to see a guy from my hometown make the winning catch.  Sort of got me wondering if catching a couple of these western New York guys has anything to do with playing g STJ in Rochester a few years ago. 

I'll say that  if Mount Union ever has/gets to play down in Belton, don't even think about it...just go.  Amazing stadium, great tailgate, and really great fans.  I'll share a little of my experience later tonight but wanted to check in after a great Purple Raiders win!

I know for sure if Mount Union ever has to play in Belton I'm going down there early so that I can get another chance to go to the Dead Fish Grill on Lake Belton.  I love that place.  Maybe know that LK has handed of the reins to his son Vince Mount might sign a home and away series with UMHB since Larry is the guy that hates to fly.  However, on second thought Mount Union has a tough AD that hates to fly so probably no home and away series. 

[Craft_Beermeister]

For what it is worth.

@JeffZupReview: Mount Union has never played North Central. @purpleraiders are 31-1 vs first-time opp in playoffs since 1993. Avg. score is 46-13

Beermeister, I'll take the under on that 33 point spread this coming weekend for $100.  At the same time, I'll take the over on NCC's total points being higher than 13 for another $100.  Exactly how confident are you in the Raiders?

Bust
I suggest you donate your losses to charity since it is Christmas time.

[bleedpurple]

For what it is worth.

@JeffZupReview: Mount Union has never played North Central. @purpleraiders are 31-1 vs first-time opp in playoffs since 1993. Avg. score is 46-13

Beermeister, I'll take the under on that 33 point spread this coming weekend for $100.  At the same time, I'll take the over on NCC's total points being higher than 13 for another $100.  Exactly how confident are you in the Raiders?

Bust
I suggest you donate your losses to charity since it is Christmas time.

I think he won both bets. NCC lost by far less than 33 and NCC scored more than 13. 

[Craft_Beermeister]

I heard at the game that ncc pulled out all stops to prep for the game.  Apparently on journey to the Alliance  they stopped at Notre Damn and rented out their practice facility.

Yes, and also at Massillon's indoor practice facility.

Why would Jason Hall a former Raider linebacker and present Massillon Tiger Head Coach do such a thng? If this is true then history will be made when every real estate sign from Alliance shows up in Halls yard. This usually only happens only when Massillon loses to McKinley, and the signs dont come from across the county!

Actually it was suggested before the game that the indoor facility should be offered by Hall to show support for his alma mater. No bleachers....but its better to stand and be warm and dry IMHO.

Apparently from what i heard from a former player NCC decided to stay in a different hotel in Canton that playoff visitors normally stay at preferring a more expensive option.  My first thought was wow NCC was putting a lot of effort and $ into prep for their first visit to Alliance.  Then my second thought was they probably plan to pass the travel bill onto the NCAA.  I aslo heard that one thing that was on their prep for Mount Union plan that they couldn't get was access to classrooms at Mount Union, but that didn't stop them for asking for them a few times.

[HScoach]

Didn't get to see any of the uww/umhb game due to company christmas party,  but wa s following on my phone.  What in the world was umbh thinking at the end by kicking a FG from the 3?   Are you kidding me?    Even if you stop uww and get the ball back, you still have to drive against the best defense in d3, one that shut you down all game.    Bigtime idiotic decision!    Go for the win.   

[Kovo]

I heard at the game that ncc pulled out all stops to prep for the game.  Apparently on journey to the Alliance  they stopped at Notre Damn and rented out their practice facility.

Yes, and also at Massillon's indoor practice facility.

Why would Jason Hall a former Raider linebacker and present Massillon Tiger Head Coach do such a thng? If this is true then history will be made when every real estate sign from Alliance shows up in Halls yard. This usually only happens only when Massillon loses to McKinley, and the signs dont come from across the county!

Actually it was suggested before the game that the indoor facility should be offered by Hall to show support for his alma mater. No bleachers....but its better to stand and be warm and dry IMHO.

Apparently from what i heard from a former player NCC decided to stay in a different hotel in Canton that playoff visitors normally stay at preferring a more expensive option.  My first thought was wow NCC was putting a lot of effort and $ into prep for their first visit to Alliance.  Then my second thought was they probably plan to pass the travel bill onto the NCAA.  I aslo heard that one thing that was on their prep for Mount Union plan that they couldn't get was access to classrooms at Mount Union, but that didn't stop them for asking for them a few times.

My guess is that the NCAA either approves or sets the budget in advance.  I don't think a team can stay at the Four Seasons (if there is one in Canton), and pass the bill on.  Not sure why the Cards would want classrooms.  They have been out of school for two weeks, and I'm sure that there were conference rooms at the hotel to use for meetings.  To drive from Canton to Alliance to use some classrooms seems to be a minor issue.  But if they did want to use classrooms, it seems that it would be easy to supply.

[raiderguy]

Inserting Nemeth into the fray late in the game was the right call, and waaaaaay too late. Burke and Mitchell were struggling to work their magic via the run option plays. You cant cut upfield in a quick, strong move in that slop. Nemeth was an immediate improvement with his running style, not to mention his blocking was better. Burke ran it in with Nemeth lead blocking for him when earlier he couldnt get much going on the usual cut back runs. I wonder what Mitchell might have done following Nemeth up the middle. The line can only do so much in the snow. And we werent using the receivers anyway, so you might as well take one out and bring in another back for extra protection. Nothing against Mitchell, hes awesome, but sometimes you have got to just grab another tool when your favorite one isnt working out the best for you.

Salute to Kevin Burke, hes got the spirit of a champion. Heres hoping he wins the Gagliardi award. 

Pffffffffftttttttt! on Friday Stagg Bowl games. Who is going to lose a days pay to travel to see that live?

GO RAIDERS. Squeak out just one more

The right call ....are you kidding me... he should have been in the game in the begining..... and not just this game but in several games past. He is a force and should have been used before. I have been screaming for him to be used as part of the starting backfield. I think his talent has been waisted so far. I only hope this wakes some people up to his value going forward. Logan, BJ and Burke is a winning combination that should be utilized ....OOPS... maybe we should not use him, keep him our little secret... don't tell WW oh now look what I've done, I let the cat out of the bag. Anyone from WW don't pay any attention to this post.

[raiderguy]

Just as a heads up...ESPNU is broadcasting the replay of both games next week. The Raiders and NCC is on Wednesday the 18th at 1PM and the WW UMHB game is on Thursday the 19th  at 1PM so get those DVR's cranked up.

[raiderpa]

I liken the 4th down, no go/kick the fg call by MHB to VK decision on the two point conversion late in game...no hesitation from a championship team.."you play to win the game"- with apologies to Herm Edwards
This should be an interesting Stagg, both teams appear to be quite different from the squads that have met before...WWW definitely not the offensive juggernaut from the past and Mt definitely not the defensive stalwart from the past...Lines up to be an interesting matchup.
Congrats to UWW for climbing back to the top of the mountain after a very small slip...has to feel good.
Just when you think you have seen it all from Burke, he pulls victory from the jaws of defeat...NCC did everything they had to win the game, Burke just refused to lose.
I know the Gallardi Trophy is about more than playing ability, so he may not win, but he  is the best player in the nation at this level.

[MUC80]

I don't think I've ever seen one individual on a college football team that plays at a championship level that makes such a difference to the outcome of a game as Kevin Burke. Even when Nate Kmich was racking up 200 yards a game, he still had other stars around him making big plays. But Burke... holy cow! He is the primary reason Mount is headed to the Stagg Bowl.

[amonachino]

Mount Union has played 6 teams this year that could have or should have  beaten them.  None did due to the QB on Mount.  If Kevin does not win the trophy the player that does should walk over and hand it to him.  If some one said if Mount would give up 99 total points in two consecutive playoff games would they still be in the playoffs?  The last 2 games have been beyond belief.  Truth stranger then fiction.  I do not see Mount beating WW with Burke carry the ball  as much as he did against NCC.  I have been saying on short yds. plays that Nemeth has shown to be like J.Simon was last yr.  Well what do you know, he plays and is the bulldozer   we need.  Once again Mount is going to need to out score WW to win.  And they can.  This is an even match up and Kevin is the ace in the hole.  The offense line will determine this game.  WW def. front is good.  On off. once again is a 6' 5' receiver with great hands.  To all the people who go over what calls were made and not made or should have been made.  If a duck had a goose's neck it could eat it's butt.  ROLL RADIERS!!!!!!!!

[amonachino]

Ever here the phrase "what was he thinking"?  What that phrase is really saying "He was not thinking at all"  After reading the game recap from the UWW vs UMHB I can not believe what the Head coach who is up for "coach of the year" of UMHB did on 4 and 3 for a TD.  Other posts have said to have a play for such a situation, sounds like a good plan, play to win, another good idea, and if you do not make it they have the ball inside the 5 with 3 mins. left.  You are counting on the same def. to stop them after the FG as you are  if you do not make it.  The only difference is you may not get the ball back, plus they get great field position after the kick off. If you do not get the ball back, that 4th and 4 for the win sounds really great, especially if you have a great play for that situation.  If I was a fan of UWW i had to be so plea with the no thinking decision.  Better if you are a UMHB fan that they were down 16-10, the head coach hopefully would have gone for it.  And if he did not make it, he hoped his Def. would keep them inside the 20 for another try to win.  difficult way to lose a game.  There are no guarantees in football or life.  this was like paying alot for nothing in return.  sorry to see you lose.

[USee]

Mount Union has played 6 teams this year that could have or should have  beaten them.  None did due to the QB on Mount.  If Kevin does not win the trophy the player that does should walk over and hand it to him.

If the award were just based on performance in the filed, I don't think anyone would disagree. The Galiardi trophy is based on both on field and off field performance, however.  KB may still win it but not soley based on his on field merit.

[Raider 68]

Mount Union has played 6 teams this year that could have or should have  beaten them.  None did due to the QB on Mount.  If Kevin does not win the trophy the player that does should walk over and hand it to him.  If some one said if Mount would give up 99 total points in two consecutive playoff games would they still be in the playoffs?  The last 2 games have been beyond belief.  Truth stranger then fiction.  I do not see Mount beating WW with Burke carry the ball  as much as he did against NCC.  I have been saying on short yds. plays that Nemeth has shown to be like J.Simon was last yr.  Well what do you know, he plays and is the bulldozer   we need.  Once again Mount is going to need to out score WW to win.  And they can.  This is an even match up and Kevin is the ace in the hole.  The offense line will determine this game.  WW def. front is good.  On off. once again is a 6' 5' receiver with great hands.  To all the people who go over what calls were made and not made or should have been made.  If a duck had a goose's neck it could eat it's butt.  ROLL RADIERS!!!!!!!!

No doubt Kevin Burke is the Big factor, but I do not believe the Raiders won those 6 games that they
should have lost. Heibelberg, was not in doubt despite the comeback by the berg. JCU, right could have gone the other way, there was K. Burke. W & J could have as well, but not sure the Raiders were mentally on top of their game. Wittenberg, Mount was still in control. Wesley, the Raiders were up 11 with not much time left. NCC, agree, could be a different team in the Stagg Bowl.

This year's Raider team returned only 5 starters out of 22, so how many D3 fans thought they would once again be in the the Stagg Bowl for a 17th time. If the Warhawks win on Friday, it will be because they caused K. Burke not to be a huge factor in the game. They know that and so does the Raiders.

[jaypeter]

It doesn't change that UMHB should have gone for it, but from where I was standing, the ball was essentially at the 4 yard line on that fourth down.  Yes, it's harder to get the extra yard there, but you still need to make that call.