FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Toph]

Hello Mount fans, looking for an early read on John Carroll.  Also, you guys have a tough game this weekend.  I think this may be the best Hopkins team they have had.

Not a Mount fan...

I think this has the makings of a very good game.  Offensively the Streaks bring a balanced attack with big play ability.  Marshall Howell is Moeglin's favorite target, but 4 players have caught more than 20 balls, 300 yards, and at least 2 TD.  They spread the ball around nicely.  What I like best is that they really take care of the football. 

Defensively they typically run a 3-4 and they are aggressive and put constant pressure on the QB.  Even if they don't get sacks, the opposing QB is often forced to move around or outside the pocket to make throws.  Their DBs are big and athletic.

I think this one could go either way.

[wesleydad]

Hello Mount fans, looking for an early read on John Carroll.  Also, you guys have a tough game this weekend.  I think this may be the best Hopkins team they have had.

Not a Mount fan...

I think this has the makings of a very good game.  Offensively the Streaks bring a balanced attack with big play ability.  Marshall Howell is Moeglin's favorite target, but 4 players have caught more than 20 balls, 300 yards, and at least 2 TD.  They spread the ball around nicely.  What I like best is that they really take care of the football. 

Defensively they typically run a 3-4 and they are aggressive and put constant pressure on the QB.  Even if they don't get sacks, the opposing QB is often forced to move around or outside the pocket to make throws.  Their DBs are big and athletic.

I think this one could go either way.

Thanks Toph.  Wesley's weakness is against the passing game.  Looks like John Carroll will be throwing the ball.  If this week is any indication Wesley is going to run the ball more and it will be between the tackles most of the time with zone reads on occasion.  The receivers will be a good match for the DB's and they are fast.  The QB has gotten used to moving as the O line is not the best at pass protection so I don't think this week will change that.  I too think this is going to be a good game.  My dilemma is do I drive 6.5 hours to watch it or 1.5 hours to see Mount play Hopkins which I think is going to be another very good game.  Forecast for the east coast on Saturday is sun and clouds in the 50's, not sure if it is going to be that nice in the Cleveland area.  Have a few days to decide.

[Dr. Acula]

I don't think I've read so many negative comments after a Mount WIN. W-I-N!!!! Victory! Don't care how or by how many. One game closer to the prize!

If you're happy with today's 60 minute tussle with Hobart, there's nothing to say.   A team worthy of "the prize" would have rolled them.

After watching that game I kind of settled on thinking a "typical" Mount team would have won that game 56-7? 63-7?  They would have pretty much scored at will.

p.s. I liked the Hobart guy saying Davis had probably thrown more than a Mount QB had in years because they normally only throw 10-12 passes a game.

[skunks_sidekick]

I don't think I've read so many negative comments after a Mount WIN. W-I-N!!!! Victory! Don't care how or by how many. One game closer to the prize!

If you're happy with today's 60 minute tussle with Hobart, there's nothing to say.   A team worthy of "the prize" would have rolled them.

After watching that game I kind of settled on thinking a "typical" Mount team would have won that game 56-7? 63-7?  They would have pretty much scored at will.

p.s. I liked the Hobart guy saying Davis had probably thrown more than a Mount QB had in years because they normally only throw 10-12 passes a game.

Doc..yah I wondered where he was pulling his information from regarding that comment.  On to Hopkins who I think will be quite a step up from Hobart.  Here's hoping they find a way to get the W.

[Dr. Acula]

No real Mount fan would say that this team is in any way comparable to the past juggernauts.
I believe the coaches are doing a fantastic job getting the most out of these young kids and upperclassmen who may not have seen the field on past teams.
I feel the season is extremely successful, all things considered, and playoff wins are really bonuses this season.  The resilience of this young team has been remarkable and they could have folded the past couple weeks and hung in there proudly. The seniors are doing a great job of leading.
I really do not know if they will beat Johns Hopkins, but they will not be out hustled, out coached, or out prepared.  Their time for bronze and walnut is down the road, maybe as early as next season.
Fight Raiders. We are proud of your efforts.

Well said. It's time this team got some credit for what they have accomplished in their own right instead of being constantly criticized as a disappointment compared to past teams.  They are 10-1 and heading to the second round of the playoffs.  Only at Mount Union (or perhaps Whitewater) would this be considered unsatisfactory.  If they lose next week every one will say "I told you so", if they win everyone will say they should have won by more.  Maybe it's time to be fans instead of critics and give these guys some credit.  The future looks bright and the blowouts will come.  Could it be time to just support this team and enjoy them for their accomplishments instead of constantly pointing out their shortcomings?

My only counter to this would be that they've not only created that standard they embrace it.  It's a point of pride for the program to say with complete seriousness that they expect to win a national title every year.  They recruit on that mantra.  If that's your philosophy then you would want your supporters to hold you to that I'd think.  In all honesty, I think pretty much all the posters on here have been very fair about this team.  There are flaws.  They're noted and expectations (from us) are adjusted.  The expectations in that locker room haven't changed.  Those kids are practicing and preparing to get to Salem.  And that effort and focus should always be respected and applauded. 

[purpled]

raiderpa and rscl70, that's been my point!  IMHO the way the thinking is about Mount's game yesterday then the Buckeyes should have rolled over MSU but only won by what?  Oh yeah, one point!

I'm a loyal fan of Raider football, have been for over 40 years and I'll support them no matter what.  I'm not going to be a critic... I'll leave that up to what the coaches tell the players.  Again, it doesn't matter to me how we played the game... I know each player was playing hard on every play. Hobart was not going to just roll over...they played just as hard and they made some big plays...that's going to happen. We just made more big plays and some very good small plays.

We won...period...nothing else matters.

ROLL RAIDERS ROLL!!

"Just win baby!"

[Raiderplaybyplay]

I don't think I've read so many negative comments after a Mount WIN. W-I-N!!!! Victory! Don't care how or by how many. One game closer to the prize!

If you're happy with today's 60 minute tussle with Hobart, there's nothing to say.   A team worthy of "the prize" would have rolled them.

After watching that game I kind of settled on thinking a "typical" Mount team would have won that game 56-7? 63-7?  They would have pretty much scored at will.

p.s. I liked the Hobart guy saying Davis had probably thrown more than a Mount QB had in years because they normally only throw 10-12 passes a game.

YES! That was driving me crazy. Maybe he was confusing Mount with UWW.

[hsbsballcoach7]

No real Mount fan would say that this team is in any way comparable to the past juggernauts.
I believe the coaches are doing a fantastic job getting the most out of these young kids and upperclassmen who may not have seen the field on past teams.
I feel the season is extremely successful, all things considered, and playoff wins are really bonuses this season.  The resilience of this young team has been remarkable and they could have folded the past couple weeks and hung in there proudly. The seniors are doing a great job of leading.
I really do not know if they will beat Johns Hopkins, but they will not be out hustled, out coached, or out prepared.  Their time for bronze and walnut is down the road, maybe as early as next season.
Fight Raiders. We are proud of your efforts.

Well said. It's time this team got some credit for what they have accomplished in their own right instead of being constantly criticized as a disappointment compared to past teams.  They are 10-1 and heading to the second round of the playoffs.  Only at Mount Union (or perhaps Whitewater) would this be considered unsatisfactory.  If they lose next week every one will say "I told you so", if they win everyone will say they should have won by more.  Maybe it's time to be fans instead of critics and give these guys some credit.  The future looks bright and the blowouts will come.  Could it be time to just support this team and enjoy them for their accomplishments instead of constantly pointing out their shortcomings?

My only counter to this would be that they've not only created that standard they embrace it.  It's a point of pride for the program to say with complete seriousness that they expect to win a national title every year.  They recruit on that mantra.  If that's your philosophy then you would want your supporters to hold you to that I'd think.  In all honesty, I think pretty much all the posters on here have been very fair about this team.  There are flaws.  They're noted and expectations (from us) are adjusted.  The expectations in that locker room haven't changed.  Those kids are practicing and preparing to get to Salem.  And that effort and focus should always be respected and applauded.

I think this is the message that I've been trying to say to people that ask me. They expect to win and that has become the standard in this program (so this season may not be the usual), but I'm extra thankful this year to watch the process of going from a good team to a great team. I hope this team is ready to make their stamp on the program and not be molded into a certain type of team. A championship is what they train for, but when the season is over, I think they will find a team that came a long way.

I do think that the coaches are still finding the identity of this team as we go. They have never been run/pass/defensive dominant yet. I think VK is trying to take less chances than he would've in the past and just trying to win each game rather than try to "dominate" an opponent. I'm ok with having to play Tresselball this year.

Btw, when was the last time a Mount team has ever only thrown 10-12 times a game? Late 90's?

Hers to another week of playoff football! Go Raiders!

[Dr. Acula]

I do think that the coaches are still finding the identity of this team as we go. They have never been run/pass/defensive dominant yet. I think VK is trying to take less chances than he would've in the past and just trying to win each game rather than try to "dominate" an opponent. I'm ok with having to play Tresselball this year.

This is a really good point.  Given the makeup of the starters VK may very well be opting for "win the surest way."  For example, I was floored when he punted from the Hobart 29.  That's waaaaay conservative, especially for VK.

 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

From footballscoop.com

Wilmington (D-III – OH): Head coach Stacey Hairston has resigned after four years with the program and a 1-39 mark.

[Dr. Acula]

From footballscoop.com

Wilmington (D-III – OH): Head coach Stacey Hairston has resigned after four years with the program and a 1-39 mark.

I feel bad for the next guy that is going to try to convince himself he can win there.  You know how the OAC has been down?  The Quakers have won exactly ONE conference game in the last 7 years.  1-62 in OAC play since 2010. 

[edward de vere]

There was a game in the playoffs a few years ago against - Fisher?  Ithaca? - where LK played very conservatively when he didn't necessarily have to.  But he obviously felt safer just giving the ball to Kmic, so that's what he did, over and over and over again.

[Jonny Utah]

There was a game in the playoffs a few years ago against - Fisher?  Ithaca? - where LK played very conservatively when he didn't necessarily have to.  But he obviously felt safer just giving the ball to Kmic, so that's what he did, over and over and over again.

I was at the Ithaca game.  Mt. Union sped the game up in the 2nd half running some no huddle.  Not really sure if that means they played conservatively in the 1st half, as they did throw the ball around, but going no huddle with a team like Mt. Union can definitely make an impact on the game.  That 2007 Mt. Union team was a little more experienced I believe too (Kmic, Garcon, Micheli and Shorts played some WR I believe but not that much).

The Hobart game yesterday seemed to drag on a little, with both teams running the clock down and taking their time.

[Dr. Acula]

It might have been Hobart.  I went back last week and looked at the box score the last time Mount played them and I think Kmic had a lot of carries that game relative to the score.

[edward de vere]

Okay, I found the game I was talking about.

2006 Semi-Final:  Mount Union 26 - St. John Fisher 14.

Nate Kmic:  371 yards on 42 carries.

(Yes, 371 yards on 42 carries.)