FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[BillyRayJimBob]

I mean no disrespect to anyone but - #2 doesn't matter. None of the teams entered the year saying "we want to almost win it all". Now that the season is done we know only 1 thing: Mount is #1. #'s 2 through 25 are all a debate based on this and that. And no I am not saying this because Mount won. Look back in this board and I said it 2 years ago when Mount got pasted by UWW. I said that who is number 2 (some said UMHB, some Wesley or NCC or insert school here) is irrelevant because Mount didn't play for 2nd and neither did the others. It may be unfortunate but it is what it is. Ok now I have to go look at stats - I believe Mount held Roberts under 40 yards in second half...nice. Oh - and Mount won! Nicer!

I have always remembered that post from 2013; it was a classic.  I have paraphrased it a time or two with my Staff.

[Joe Wally]

Congratulations, Mount!

[pradierguy]

joelmama, New Tradition, theaprof, and raider-in-law all led the way with 21 of the 25 possible points this last week.  And rams1102 made a major move on our leaders with 19.

But it was Ladie's Night as PurplePanda held onto her single point lead over freshman bluestreak66 (and rams1102) to win the 2015 OAC Playoff Pick-Em.

I want to thank everyone for playing.  Have a safe and happy holidays and we'll see you again next year.

Year		Regular Season		Post Season
2007		D3Poster & runyr		Acky & RIC
2008		Bobo & RIC		Mr. Mom
2009		reality check		Bashbrother
2010		USee		Jaypeter
2011		HScoach		BWJacket
2012		Chess4Me & praiderguy		Shark
2013		FCGrizzliesGrad		bleedpurple, FCGrizzliesGrad & NCF
2014		theaprof		Raider 68
2015		02 Warhawk		PurplePanda

Thanks for doing this again, always so much fun. And I have to point out that I nailed 23 out of 25 Stagg Bowl points. If not for that blasted 4th round I would've prevailed!

Merry Christmas to all the OAC'ers and other friends of the boards. Always so nice to celebrate with a championship!

[bceagle80]

Merry Christmas to all d3boarders!!

Congratulations to to all the Purple Raiders receiving recognition for their contributions to the team!! All well deserved.

A special thank you to all seniors who have worked with my son to help him be all can be on the football field. Your support will be remembered long after your exploits on the field are a distant memory.

The senior leadership on the team was great this year. It really makes difference and I know the team next year will be back to the playoffs and the championship due in no small part to the seniors who step up next year!!

My best to all for the Holiday season!!

[Desertraider]

Still celebrating a great win for the Raiders. On the stat side of things I am more impressed with Mount than before. The "fluke" (ESPN's word) 56 rush by the QB aside - Mount really nailed it down in the 2nd half. Roberts went into half with 18 carries and 101 yds with a long of 22, and came out after to go 12 carries for 32 yards with a long of 7. In the air - the DBs did a fantastic job. Gould was a 60% passer on the year and was held to 8/22 (36%). Nice job D! On offense Nemeth was incredible. He finished the playoffs with 127 carries for 967 yards (7.6 yds per carry) and 12TDs and had 218yds on Wesley, 214 on UWW and 220 on UST. Gonna miss that kid! Go Raiders!

[sjusection105]

I posted this question over on the MIAC board and thought I would bring it to the source:
What does a recruiting coordinator at somewhere like Kent State or Miami of Ohio say or do when they have a kid who would really make a contribution to their squad and the kid says that his choices have been narrowed down to their school (MAC school second tier) and Mount Union,and the kid really wants to win championships.

[Jonny Utah]

I posted this question over on the MIAC board and thought I would bring it to the source:
What does a recruiting coordinator at somewhere like Kent State or Miami of Ohio say or do when they have a kid who would really make a contribution to their squad and the kid says that his choices have been narrowed down to their school (MAC school second tier) and Mount Union,and the kid really wants to win championships.

I think it depends on the level of interest, and how much you want to play.  If you are getting a full ride from Kent State or Ohio, I think most kids take that over Mt. Union.  If you had a choice of walking on to a MAC school, then Mt. Union may be a better choice. As much as we all love d3 football here, MAC schools get some pretty decent exposure these days on ESPN and on Bowl Games, and you get to play 1-3 big schools a year (Big 10/ACC).  Playing at a MAC school is still a pretty good experience.  Now you are using bottom tier MAC schools in your example, so that adds another dimension.  That being said, they lose to Minnesota by 3.  Would beating Minnesota be bigger than winning a national championship at Mt. Union in terms of overall experience?  I guess that may be up for debate.

[sjusection105]

I posted this question over on the MIAC board and thought I would bring it to the source:
What does a recruiting coordinator at somewhere like Kent State or Miami of Ohio say or do when they have a kid who would really make a contribution to their squad and the kid says that his choices have been narrowed down to their school (MAC school second tier) and Mount Union,and the kid really wants to win championships.

I think it depends on the level of interest, and how much you want to play.  If you are getting a full ride from Kent State or Ohio, I think most kids take that over Mt. Union.  If you had a choice of walking on to a MAC school, then Mt. Union may be a better choice. As much as we all love d3 football here, MAC schools get some pretty decent exposure these days on ESPN and on Bowl Games, and you get to play 1-3 big schools a year (Big 10/ACC).  Playing at a MAC school is still a pretty good experience.  Now you are using bottom tier MAC schools in your example, so that adds another dimension.  That being said, they lose to Minnesota by 3.  Would beating Minnesota be bigger than winning a national championship at Mt. Union in terms of overall experience?  I guess that may be up for debate.

Being a Minnesota native and watching the Gophers program wallow in bottom half of the Big 10 through the 9 coaches that I can remember during my lifetime; I would say winning a D3 National Championship would be bigger than beating Minnesota. 

[Jonny Utah]

I posted this question over on the MIAC board and thought I would bring it to the source:
What does a recruiting coordinator at somewhere like Kent State or Miami of Ohio say or do when they have a kid who would really make a contribution to their squad and the kid says that his choices have been narrowed down to their school (MAC school second tier) and Mount Union,and the kid really wants to win championships.

I think it depends on the level of interest, and how much you want to play.  If you are getting a full ride from Kent State or Ohio, I think most kids take that over Mt. Union.  If you had a choice of walking on to a MAC school, then Mt. Union may be a better choice. As much as we all love d3 football here, MAC schools get some pretty decent exposure these days on ESPN and on Bowl Games, and you get to play 1-3 big schools a year (Big 10/ACC).  Playing at a MAC school is still a pretty good experience.  Now you are using bottom tier MAC schools in your example, so that adds another dimension.  That being said, they lose to Minnesota by 3.  Would beating Minnesota be bigger than winning a national championship at Mt. Union in terms of overall experience?  I guess that may be up for debate.

Being a Minnesota native and watching the Gophers program wallow in bottom half of the Big 10 through the 9 coaches that I can remember during my lifetime; I would say winning a D3 National Championship would be bigger than beating Minnesota. 

Ha point taken, but I was actually one of those kids who chose a school (Ithaca in the early 1990s) instead of walking on/partial $ to a few 1-AA schools (Maine/Northeastern).  And Maine and Northeastern were not MAC schools either.  Now Ithaca was no Mt. Union (they did win National championships in 1988 and 1991) but they were at the top of d3 every year.  I'm guessing if the 1-AA schools offered me full rides, I would have gone to those schools.  There weren't many low level D1 school conferences in the Northeast like the MAC, although some kids from this area do end up there, so I do not know if I would have chosen those schools or not.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

MTU Returners from the Stagg Bowl Two Deep (Class this season):

1st Team Offense:
LT  56  Brooks Jenkins  Jr
C   52  Mitch Doraty  Jr
LT  75  Matt Fitchet  So
WR  8 Jordan Hargrove Jr
WR  15 Tim Kennedy Jr

2nd Team Offense:
LT  71 Nick Padrick  Jr
LG  57 Tyler Rentz  Fr
C  53  Cody Shaffer Fr
LT  51  Cole Parrish  So
WR 83 Octavion Wilson So
WR  9 Colin Gilbert So
WR  15 Braeden Friss So
WR/TE 17 Lane Herrington Jr
QB  Nick Peyakov Jr
RB  Bradley Mitchell Jr

Biggest Hole to fill is at QB.  There are enough Lineman returning and Skills guys.  You have Mitchell JR at RB and also Dwane Aaron JR and Jamal Johnson SO returning.  It will also be interesting to see which WR comes in to stretch the field.

1st Team Defense:
DE  44 Durum Alarms So My mistake, Durum was a Sr this year. One more to replace on the D.
NT  99  Mike Vidal  So
SPUR 10 Zach Deerr Jr

2nd Team Defense:
DE  94  Berry Grant So
NT  93  Lane Breyer So
DT  32  Elijah Berry So
LEO  47  Mike Jackson Jr
MLB  42  Charley Dear Jr
SS  20  Austin White  Fr
WS  2  Brian Groves  So
CB  7  Darrell Sullins  Jr
CB  21  Louis Berry   Fr

Lots of guys graduating from the 1st Team Defense who have been mainstays.  I'm looking forward to see who steps up as the leaders of the 2016 group.

Happy Holidays to all!

[Desertraider]

I mean no disrespect to anyone but - #2 doesn't matter. None of the teams entered the year saying "we want to almost win it all". Now that the season is done we know only 1 thing: Mount is #1. #'s 2 through 25 are all a debate based on this and that. And no I am not saying this because Mount won. Look back in this board and I said it 2 years ago when Mount got pasted by UWW. I said that who is number 2 (some said UMHB, some Wesley or NCC or insert school here) is irrelevant because Mount didn't play for 2nd and neither did the others. It may be unfortunate but it is what it is. Ok now I have to go look at stats - I believe Mount held Roberts under 40 yards in second half...nice. Oh - and Mount won! Nicer!

I have always remembered that post from 2013; it was a classic.  I have paraphrased it a time or two with my Staff.

Well thank you sir and a +K to you. I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.

[mr_mom]

Thanks for doing this again, always so much fun. And I have to point out that I nailed 23 out of 25 Stagg Bowl points. If not for that blasted 4th round I would've prevailed!

Merry Christmas to all the OAC'ers and other friends of the boards. Always so nice to celebrate with a championship!

My apologies, you did indeed take medalist honors on the last week.  I'll have to edit the page so we can get your name up in lights.

Happy Holidays!

[bceagle80]

MTU Returners from the Stagg Bowl Two Deep (Class this season):

1st Team Offense:
LT  56  Brooks Jenkins  Jr
C   52  Mitch Doraty  Jr
LT  75  Matt Fitchet  So
WR  8 Jordan Hargrove Jr
WR  15 Tim Kennedy Jr

2nd Team Offense:
LT  71 Nick Padrick  Jr
LG  57 Tyler Rentz  Fr
C  53  Cody Shaffer Fr
LT  51  Cole Parrish  So
WR 83 Octavion Wilson So
WR  9 Colin Gilbert So
WR  15 Braeden Friss So
WR/TE 17 Lane Herrington Jr
QB  Nick Peyakov Jr
RB  Bradley Mitchell Jr

Biggest Hole to fill is at QB.  There are enough Lineman returning and Skills guys.  You have Mitchell JR at RB and also Dwane Aaron JR and Jamal Johnson SO returning.  It will also be interesting to see which WR comes in to stretch the field.

1st Team Defense:
DE  44 Durum Alarms So
NT  99  Mike Vidal  So
SPUR 10 Zach Deerr Jr

2nd Team Defense:
DE  94  Berry Grant So
NT  93  Lane Breyer So
DT  32  Elijah Berry So
LEO  47  Mike Jackson Jr
MLB  42  Charley Dear Jr
SS  20  Austin White  Fr
WS  2  Brian Groves  So
CB  7  Darrell Sullins  Jr
CB  21  Louis Berry   Fr

Lots of guys graduating from the 1st Team Defense who have been mainstays.  I'm looking forward to see who steps up as the leaders of the 2016 group.

Happy Holidays to all!

Duram Alarms is a senior and is graduating.

[formerd3db]

I posted this question over on the MIAC board and thought I would bring it to the source:
What does a recruiting coordinator at somewhere like Kent State or Miami of Ohio say or do when they have a kid who would really make a contribution to their squad and the kid says that his choices have been narrowed down to their school (MAC school second tier) and Mount Union,and the kid really wants to win championships.

I think it depends on the level of interest, and how much you want to play.  If you are getting a full ride from Kent State or Ohio, I think most kids take that over Mt. Union.  If you had a choice of walking on to a MAC school, then Mt. Union may be a better choice. As much as we all love d3 football here, MAC schools get some pretty decent exposure these days on ESPN and on Bowl Games, and you get to play 1-3 big schools a year (Big 10/ACC).  Playing at a MAC school is still a pretty good experience.  Now you are using bottom tier MAC schools in your example, so that adds another dimension.  That being said, they lose to Minnesota by 3.  Would beating Minnesota be bigger than winning a national championship at Mt. Union in terms of overall experience?  I guess that may be up for debate.

I posted this question over on the MIAC board and thought I would bring it to the source:
What does a recruiting coordinator at somewhere like Kent State or Miami of Ohio say or do when they have a kid who would really make a contribution to their squad and the kid says that his choices have been narrowed down to their school (MAC school second tier) and Mount Union,and the kid really wants to win championships.

I think it depends on the level of interest, and how much you want to play.  If you are getting a full ride from Kent State or Ohio, I think most kids take that over Mt. Union.  If you had a choice of walking on to a MAC school, then Mt. Union may be a better choice. As much as we all love d3 football here, MAC schools get some pretty decent exposure these days on ESPN and on Bowl Games, and you get to play 1-3 big schools a year (Big 10/ACC).  Playing at a MAC school is still a pretty good experience.  Now you are using bottom tier MAC schools in your example, so that adds another dimension.  That being said, they lose to Minnesota by 3.  Would beating Minnesota be bigger than winning a national championship at Mt. Union in terms of overall experience?  I guess that may be up for debate.

Being a Minnesota native and watching the Gophers program wallow in bottom half of the Big 10 through the 9 coaches that I can remember during my lifetime; I would say winning a D3 National Championship would be bigger than beating Minnesota. 

Ha point taken, but I was actually one of those kids who chose a school (Ithaca in the early 1990s) instead of walking on/partial $ to a few 1-AA schools (Maine/Northeastern).  And Maine and Northeastern were not MAC schools either.  Now Ithaca was no Mt. Union (they did win National championships in 1988 and 1991) but they were at the top of d3 every year.  I'm guessing if the 1-AA schools offered me full rides, I would have gone to those schools.  There weren't many low level D1 school conferences in the Northeast like the MAC, although some kids from this area do end up there, so I do not know if I would have chosen those schools or not.

I posted this question over on the MIAC board and thought I would bring it to the source:
What does a recruiting coordinator at somewhere like Kent State or Miami of Ohio say or do when they have a kid who would really make a contribution to their squad and the kid says that his choices have been narrowed down to their school (MAC school second tier) and Mount Union,and the kid really wants to win championships.

I think it depends on the level of interest, and how much you want to play.  If you are getting a full ride from Kent State or Ohio, I think most kids take that over Mt. Union.  If you had a choice of walking on to a MAC school, then Mt. Union may be a better choice. As much as we all love d3 football here, MAC schools get some pretty decent exposure these days on ESPN and on Bowl Games, and you get to play 1-3 big schools a year (Big 10/ACC).  Playing at a MAC school is still a pretty good experience.  Now you are using bottom tier MAC schools in your example, so that adds another dimension.  That being said, they lose to Minnesota by 3.  Would beating Minnesota be bigger than winning a national championship at Mt. Union in terms of overall experience?  I guess that may be up for debate.

Being a Minnesota native and watching the Gophers program wallow in bottom half of the Big 10 through the 9 coaches that I can remember during my lifetime; I would say winning a D3 National Championship would be bigger than beating Minnesota. 

This is always an interesting discussion.  Obviously, there are numerous factors that come into consideration when making the choice.  However, confining it to only the football aspect for purposes of this current discussion, you are right that it comes down to how much someone wants to play,  how they see their chances of doing so, and how much P.T. limitation they are willing to accept.  Some student-athletes are fine with accepting a full ride to a DI school (including the top tier programs) knowing that their playing time will most likely be limited to special teams over their four years.  I know of several examples of that, including at U of Michigan and those guys were completely fine with that.  On the other hand, as you all have mentioned, the chance to play more regularly as well as a real possible chance at winning a National Championship at DIII for others makes the choice. 

Since JU has shared his personal experience, I will share mine.  My brother, who was 10 X the athlete I was in college (despite his being smaller than me), was being recruited by U of Michigan and Western Michigan for football.  However, his "first love" was baseball and he wanted to play both sports in college.  As the big schools said they would only consider him for football, he ended up choosing Alma College, where he had a stellar/standout career in both sports, including playing right away his freshman year.  As for me, I had an opportunity to walk-on at U of Michigan as well as a partial-ride to U of Illinois and U of Wisconsin (and that was more of my initial pursuance as opposed to recruited more at the DIII schools).  While I knew I would have a good chance at some eventual P.T. for special teams at Wisconsin (it helped that I knew the assistant coach I was in contact with), after looking at all the options, from a football standpoint, I chose Hope College.  I am glad I did as I had the opportunity to play for Head Coach Ray Smith, himself a former UCLA standout and two-way performer there as well as Jim Bultman. my DB coach, who later became President of Hope.  Both of those men had tremendous influence on my life (in addition to my own father) and I am so thankful for that.  I am glad I made the decision I did.

Yet, as I'm sure we all will agree, again, each recruit will choose according to what they are willing to accept.   

P.S.  I will just also add that I admit that I looked at the rosters of all the schools I was looking at (both DI and DIII) to see how many upper classmen were ahead of me at my position.  That was a minor factor simply from a #s standpoint, and although I realize that could change each year with new people coming in, it still is a legit factor to consider at any level for a recruit, IMO.

[Raider 68]

MTU Returners from the Stagg Bowl Two Deep (Class this season):

1st Team Offense:
LT  56  Brooks Jenkins  Jr
C   52  Mitch Doraty  Jr
LT  75  Matt Fitchet  So
WR  8 Jordan Hargrove Jr
WR  15 Tim Kennedy Jr

2nd Team Offense:
LT  71 Nick Padrick  Jr
LG  57 Tyler Rentz  Fr
C  53  Cody Shaffer Fr
LT  51  Cole Parrish  So
WR 83 Octavion Wilson So
WR  9 Colin Gilbert So
WR  15 Braeden Friss So
WR/TE 17 Lane Herrington Jr
QB  Nick Peyakov Jr
RB  Bradley Mitchell Jr

Biggest Hole to fill is at QB.  There are enough Lineman returning and Skills guys.  You have Mitchell JR at RB and also Dwane Aaron JR and Jamal Johnson SO returning.  It will also be interesting to see which WR comes in to stretch the field.

1st Team Defense:
DE  44 Durum Alarms So
NT  99  Mike Vidal  So
SPUR 10 Zach Deerr Jr

2nd Team Defense:
DE  94  Berry Grant So
NT  93  Lane Breyer So
DT  32  Elijah Berry So
LEO  47  Mike Jackson Jr
MLB  42  Charley Dear Jr
SS  20  Austin White  Fr
WS  2  Brian Groves  So
CB  7  Darrell Sullins  Jr
CB  21  Louis Berry   Fr

Lots of guys graduating from the 1st Team Defense who have been mainstays.  I'm looking forward to see who steps up as the leaders of the 2016 group.

Happy Holidays to all!

K & J,

As always, thanks for putting this together. The key for next year will be the QB, and the Raiders need another Logan Nemeth
RB in my opinion. The returning RB's are good, but the size is needed. Have a great Holiday in warm Florida!