FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[D3fb4me]

I re-watched the Stagg Bowl last night.  One of the biggest throws of the season was in the 2nd quarter of that game.  Down 14-0 on 3rd and 4 Scott rifled a ball perfectly in stride to Namdar for 8 yards on a slant to avoid a 3 and out.  Mount went on to score a TD to make it 14-7 on that drive.  That was a HUGE play.  They needed to put points up and slow UST's momentum a little bit and they did. 

Also, I have to say that the Gould fumble recovery TD should have never happened.  That PI flag on Jones on 2nd and 26 before that was absolutely atrocious.  If that's PI then they should have thrown a flag on every single pass play of the game.

Finally, the 2nd half was an offensive clinic.  UST had no answers defensively.  The UWW game was so impressive, but the 2nd half of the UST game was absolutely dominant by the O line.  The last first down summed it up perfectly when Scott just ran a QB sweep behind the left side of the line on 4th and 4 and it was just a big rugby scrum pushing the pile 8 yards downfield. 

i rewatched the game on Christmas Eve and it was a great game.  Two good teams slugging it out.  St. Thomas had bigger lines on both sides of the ball and Mount Union had more overall team speed and skill players.  The stronger team won out.

[purpled]

I hope all had a great Christmas Holiday! I was able to spend time with the grandkids...the 4 year olds are truly a gift! Watching them open their presents makes for a Blessed Christmas.

Has there been any word when the Championship banquet will be held?

Should anyone have a spare copy of the title game, please email me at purpleraider@gmail.com

I don't have a copy - would love one for the collection - but have watched this on youtube 5 times since the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qkRGiKMZuI

DesertRaider...I too have watched the SB at least 5 times along with the semi-final game...don't like birds.")

[purpled]

As I watch the SB again I see the obvious...the Tommies had no answer for Namstar!

Dr.Acula...I don't like Caruso so yep, I would've laid 50+ on their butts.

[Dr. Acula]

I doubt very many outside of UST like Caruso.  He certainly seems easy to dislike.  I can't imagine what I'd think of him if I was an SJU alum!  I don't think Mount has seen a coach since Keeler that was on par with Caruso in that respect.  But once they converted the 4th and 4 the game was over.  Unlike last time Caruso didn't behave like a sore loser against victory formation so why not just take a knee and celebrate? 

[Desertraider]

On the Mount possible TD at the end - 2 years ago VK would have done it. I think he has matured a bit since the 2012 game. Regardless-

On another note. Prior to the Stagg Bowl this year I saw a picture, in an article about Mount, of the previous 11 championship rings. I am now trying to find it again and can't. Did anyone else see it? Igf so could you post a link (yes I have tried google  )

[raiderpa]

VK showed the class learned from his father by not punching in the last TD, which would have been automatic considering how they were dominating. I lack that class and would have taken it in.  Regarding Caruso, the first time we  played STU, I was present for some of his interviews, press conference, etc.  He came across to me as an raving egomaniac who was all about #1.  Me me me, I did  I am I was :  all I heard, and when it was not spoken, it was inferred.  He was a quote matching who appeared to seek the spotlight and attention.   I was immediately turned off and totally disliked the guy.  He, to me, was K.C. Keeler without the shades.  I could not have stomached losing to this guy. 
BTW, KC got humiliated in the playoffs..lost by like 50.

[Desertraider]

VK showed the class learned from his father by not punching in the last TD, which would have been automatic considering how they were dominating. I lack that class and would have taken it in.  Regarding Caruso, the first time we  played STU, I was present for some of his interviews, press conference, etc.  He came across to me as an raving egomaniac who was all about #1.  Me me me, I did  I am I was :  all I heard, and when it was not spoken, it was inferred.  He was a quote matching who appeared to seek the spotlight and attention.   I was immediately turned off and totally disliked the guy.  He, to me, was K.C. Keeler without the shades.  I could not have stomached losing to this guy. 
BTW, KC got humiliated in the playoffs..lost by like 50.

At this point it should be known that references to KC Keeler must be followed by  . In most cases the name is not even needed, simply a reference followed by  . Thanks for playing 

[wally_wabash]

I doubt very many outside of UST like Caruso.  He certainly seems easy to dislike.  I can't imagine what I'd think of him if I was an SJU alum!  I don't think Mount has seen a coach since Keeler that was on par with Caruso in that respect.  But once they converted the 4th and 4 the game was over.  Unlike last time Caruso didn't behave like a sore loser against victory formation so why not just take a knee and celebrate?

Seems that way, but this past month as UST and Wabash intersected and then UST went on for two more weeks that I was able to follow along, I honestly didn't see or hear anything from Caruso that warranted the level of vitriol people seem to have toward him.  He's done some things that get groans (running it up on Carleton for no good reason, the goofy business at the end of the 2012 championship game chief among them), but he came across to me as a confident dude coaching a really good team.  Wouldn't go as far as to say I'm a Glenn Caruso fan, just that what I saw from him over the last three weeks of the season didn't seem to match the reputation he has. 

And maybe it was a different story in 2012.  But guys learn and change.  I remember VK absolutely losing his **** on national television for no good reason at the end of one of the earlier UMU/UWW Stagg Bowls (think it was the first or second one that UWW won).  It wouldn't be fair to judge him ad infinitum for that episode. 

[emma17]

FYI- formaldehyde is also used in the No Iron clothing craze- which I hate.

Regarding Caruso- I'm surprised by the volume of dislike for him.
In cases like his- or Bobby Knight, I always ask- What do his players think of him?

[purpled]

Obviously VK did the right thing at the end of the game...you never want to have something come back and haunt you...eh?

As for Keeler...It was rumored that after Delaware he coached Pop Warner but was expelled after the league found out he was bringing in DI high school players and passing them off as 12 year old kids.

He has since signed with Sam Houston State as head coach.

[HScoach]

In regards to Caruso, his over the top exuberance is either because  he's a self-centered egomaniac, or a crazily high on life optimist.  Both of which I find rather annoying.  The references to Shades Keeler aren't a direct correlation but the dislike of him is very similar.

It's a good thing I wasn't the HC in 2012 because I'd have thrown over the top at the end of the game given their bush league actions.  That attitude amongst my other limitations is likely why I was in the radio booth not the coaching booth all those years.....

[jamtod]

In regards to Caruso, his over the top exuberance is either because  he's a self-centered egomaniac, or a crazily high on life optimist.

Why not a little bit of both? I can't claim to know him well, but what I've seen of him I like.  I've hesitated to offer my opinion because it will clearly be slanted. 
Caruso is (or is working on?) a PhD in Psychology.  UST's basketball coach is a Psychology professor that still teaches a class (I had him for 2 of the 5 classes in my Psychology minor).  Those two apparently get together 5 days out of the week and discuss the psychological aspects of their coaching. They are very passionate about what they do.
Caruso is an extreme Type A personality. He's intense, but he's got a good heart and his players love him, from everything I've seen.

[Desertraider]

I finally found the pic I was looking for!



Can't wait to see the new ring!

[purpled]

Thanks Draider...nice! Where are these located?

[Desertraider]

Thanks Draider...nice! Where are these located?

I found the pic at #GoMountGo Scroll down - through all the Raider tweets and pics. A bunch of cool comments on the game etc.

edit - ok so the hyperlink doesn't work. Just enter that in your browser and it will take you to it.