FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

I was impressed with Poorman's accuracy.  The biggest question mark I had with him was how important does the staff view running ability?  Davis appeared to be the best of the trio running the read option if that's in the plan going forward.  Each guy had different strengths so it'll be fun to see who did the most to address their weaknesses in the offseason. 

[Craft_Beermeister]

I was impressed with Poorman's accuracy.  The biggest question mark I had with him was how important does the staff view running ability?  Davis appeared to be the best of the trio running the read option if that's in the plan going forward.  Each guy had different strengths so it'll be fun to see who did the most to address their weaknesses in the offseason.

I agree that's they all of various different strengths that can be leveraged to success in 2017.  My bet is on the one that LK invested the most time and effort recruiting.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I was impressed with Poorman's accuracy.  The biggest question mark I had with him was how important does the staff view running ability?  Davis appeared to be the best of the trio running the read option if that's in the plan going forward.  Each guy had different strengths so it'll be fun to see who did the most to address their weaknesses in the offseason.

I agree that's they all of various different strengths that can be leveraged to success in 2017.  My bet is on the one that LK invested the most time and effort recruiting.

If that is true, why didn't he regain the top spot last year once he was healthy again?

[rscl70]

I was impressed with Poorman's accuracy.  The biggest question mark I had with him was how important does the staff view running ability?  Davis appeared to be the best of the trio running the read option if that's in the plan going forward.  Each guy had different strengths so it'll be fun to see who did the most to address their weaknesses in the offseason.

I agree that's they all of various different strengths that can be leveraged to success in 2017.  My bet is on the one that LK invested the most time and effort recruiting.

If that is true, why didn't he regain the top spot last year once he was healthy again?

By the time he was healthy again it was very late in the season.  Davis had been running the team well for a long time and the other players were comfortable with him.  I suspect it has a great deal to do with the old adage "don't switch horses in the middle of a stream."

[ITH radio]

It seemed to be that Davis didn't necessarily  "win" the job but the injuries at QB forced Coach K to go with the "next man up" and fortunately for Mt fans, most next men up on the Raiders roster are bona fide starters. I think Davis did well and is clearly a running threat, but he obviously struggled - like FY are going to do - in a couple of big games.

The good news is that the QB competition and the returning team coming back makes Mt a clear preseason favorite like every other year. I kind of agree with Pat they deserve a preseason 1 vote (vs. the old defending champs get the automatic 1 philosophy).

Will be interested to see how it plays out.

[Dr. Acula]

In the least surprising news of the summer Chuck Moore was selected to be inducted into the M Club HOF in his first year of eligibility.  I think that in honor of that Ric should return and post that audio highlight of the 95 yard score in Salem!  I enjoy Sam Bourquin, but I do miss Ric on the mic.  And I guess that other guy too...   

[Sherburne]

In the least surprising news of the summer Chuck Moore was selected to be inducted into the M Club HOF in his first year of eligibility.  I think that in honor of that Ric should return and post that audio highlight of the 95 yard score in Salem!  I enjoy Sam Bourquin, but I do miss Ric on the mic.  And I guess that other guy too...   

Doc,
You've sure got that right! Ric, please!
Sherb

[Pat Coleman]

Not the call you'd probably prefer, but I have mine and Keith's handy:
http://www.d3football.com/audio/sb29/mooretd95.mp3

[section13raiderfan]

Was that the play where Chuck was tearing down the field and all of a sudden Pierre Garcon runs past him to throw a block?😀😂👍 Chucks fast....but Peirres real fast! GREAT memory for me. Chucks a slam dunk if there ever was one for the M CLUB.

[Sherburne]

Was that the play where Chuck was tearing down the field and all of a sudden Pierre Garcon runs past him to throw a block?😀😂👍 Chucks fast....but Peirres real fast! GREAT memory for me. Chucks a slam dunk if there ever was one for the M CLUB.

section13,
I'm 'almost' certain you are correct. Whenever, wherever that play occurred, with Garçon blowing by Chuck Moore was mind boggling. Thanks!

[Dr. Acula]

Stumbled across this OAC preview on Twitter.  It's written by ONU student Grant Pepper.  While I of course disagree with his predictions I tip my cap for writing it.  Those previews take some real time and homework.  I applaud a student taking the time to do so.

OAC preview

p.s. What would the odds be on Mount actually finishing 3rd in the OAC?  I don't think even HScoach or mr. mom would touch that one!

[wally_wabash]

Stumbled across this OAC preview on Twitter.  It's written by ONU student Grant Pepper.  While I of course disagree with his predictions I tip my cap for writing it.  Those previews take some real time and homework.  I applaud a student taking the time to do so.

OAC preview

p.s. What would the odds be on Mount actually finishing 3rd in the OAC?  I don't think even HScoach or mr. mom would touch that one!

Zero.  He's a year behind trying to build ONU optimism on a foundation of UMU "rebuilding".  I'm not sure I see many credible arguments for Mount Union not being an overwhelming OAC favorite in 2017. 

[Dr. Acula]

I'm still bullish on JCU so I'd say I could see either way on Mount and JCU, but I think those two are the clear favorites.  I certainly can't see ONU beating Mount.  Williams is a nice RB, but they just don't have the horses elsewhere to pull that off.  He's correct in pointing out that Mitchell was a huge part of the 2016 offense and he's gone.  But how much of that was forced by the QB situation last year?  You had freshmen QB's and a productive senior RB who, despite his size, just did not fumble the football.  Any coach would lean heavily on the RB there. 

I think Mount's D should be significantly improved (no secret to anyone who watched the final game against UMHB).  The return of Charlie Dear at MLB is huge.  They have to replace Mitchell, Kennedy and a couple very good O linemen, but I don't see any of those things as cause for concern.

I'm glad Pepper wrote it because it gives us something to talk about while we painstakingly wait until camp starts! 

[Sir Battlescars]

2017 is going to be a great year for OAC football! I agree with a lot of what Grant Peppers has to say and enjoyed reading his thoughts and predictions about the upcoming season. It couldn't have showed up at a better time, as I was just starting to get that itch for some D3 football. So now that Mount Union's 24 year dominance over the OAC has finally come to an end, it will be interesting to see if the Coaches and Media polls will look anything like Mr. Peppers predictions. I personally think this will be the most exciting season for the OAC since 1994 when there was a three way tie for 1st.

It's nice having three, four, and possibly five OAC schools with a legitimate chance of winning the conference this year for a change.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Mount Union picked #1 in both OAC Coaches and Media polls

Did only receive 8/10 1st place votes in Coaches poll

They normally receive 9/10.  One 1st Place vote for JCU

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2017-18/releases/20170727gu7w8g