FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Onward on, John Carroll]

To all my friends from John Carroll - JCUStreaks70, Bluestreaks66, Onward On, John Carroll and whoever else.

First, congrats on a great season. I know it fell short of your expectations. But, a whole bunch of teams would love to have a 9-2 record. It shows that the Blue Streaks have a solid program and will be heard from in the future. I think every team has it's bad day. Mount certainly has had a few. Unfortunately, yours was in the playoffs.
Second, no one around here (here being in Alliance and the Mount Union community) wanted to play JCU again. No matter what the records may be, UMU vs JCU is always a dog fight. That happened once this year. And once is enough!
Knowing the type of guys you all are, you'll be rooting for the Raiders. Might not be easy, but it is the OAC.
Best to all of you in the off-season. I know you'll be back next year. Have a super and safe holiday.
😃🏈🍺❗️

They looked like and played like kids who wanted to be home for Thanksgiving and not practicing.  That said, I am sure no one feels worse about the result than those same young men who looked so disinterested.  To 2019 . . .

[bluestreak66]

To all my friends from John Carroll - JCUStreaks70, Bluestreaks66, Onward On, John Carroll and whoever else.

First, congrats on a great season. I know it fell short of your expectations. But, a whole bunch of teams would love to have a 9-2 record. It shows that the Blue Streaks have a solid program and will be heard from in the future. I think every team has it's bad day. Mount certainly has had a few. Unfortunately, yours was in the playoffs.
Second, no one around here (here being in Alliance and the Mount Union community) wanted to play JCU again. No matter what the records may be, UMU vs JCU is always a dog fight. That happened once this year. And once is enough!
Knowing the type of guys you all are, you'll be rooting for the Raiders. Might not be easy, but it is the OAC.
Best to all of you in the off-season. I know you'll be back next year. Have a super and safe holiday.
😃🏈🍺❗️

Thanks! I'm pulling for North Central now (my father played there in the 70s), but if they don't win, I hope you guys can bring it home!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Mount Union All OAC Selections:

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/20181118kzbjzy

[Dr. Acula]

Mount Union All OAC Selections:

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/20181118kzbjzy

Ahh, one of my favorite things to chirp about!

First off, as much as I appreciate what VK does year in and year out I feel like Waddle should have won COY again this year.  7-3 and in only one game were they out of it in the 4th qtr.  Think about that.  Etta played the entire season and only against Mount did they not either win or have a shot to win late.  That's a massive step forward.

I still don't understand how you do All-OAC awards where 7 of the 10 QB's in the conference are all-conference.  Three on the first team??  It's just dumb.  And to show I'm not a complete homer asking for Fulford to hog the spotlight I would have moved Petro to 2nd team.  2 RB on first team is right and this year I would have given that to Clark and Canganelli. 

I personally would have flip flopped Herrington and Ruth on the 1st and 2nd team WR.  I know Ruth missed a couple games, but I thought he was a difference maker this year.

Finally, I was happy to see Britt receive recognition on special teams.  He's done an outstanding job of demonstrating that you can make big plays and contribute in ways that are often taken for granted.  He's far too young to know who Steve Tasker is, but he should.

[HScoach]

Mount Union All OAC Selections:

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/20181118kzbjzy

Ahh, one of my favorite things to chirp about!

First off, as much as I appreciate what VK does year in and year out I feel like Waddle should have won COY again this year.  7-3 and in only one game were they out of it in the 4th qtr.  Think about that.  Etta played the entire season and only against Mount did they not either win or have a shot to win late.  That's a massive step forward.

I still don't understand how you do All-OAC awards where 7 of the 10 QB's in the conference are all-conference.  Three on the first team??  It's just dumb.  And to show I'm not a complete homer asking for Fulford to hog the spotlight I would have moved Petro to 2nd team.  2 RB on first team is right and this year I would have given that to Clark and Canganelli. 

I personally would have flip flopped Herrington and Ruth on the 1st and 2nd team WR.  I know Ruth missed a couple games, but I thought he was a difference maker this year.

Finally, I was happy to see Britt receive recognition on special teams.  He's done an outstanding job of demonstrating that you can make big plays and contribute in ways that are often taken for granted.  He's far too young to know who Steve Tasker is, but he should.

I couldn't agree more.  If you're not going to actually rank the players and pick a legit roster, then don't bother having the awards!  Just give everyone a participation trophy. 

Jeesz, I sound like a grumpy old guy......

[02 Warhawk]

D3football is a good Twitter follow today. A Centre fan thinks they'll come within 10 points of Mount. Mostly because "22 Centre players made the All SAA team". Also "he's watched film of both teams and they are almost same". No one, not even Pat, can convince him otherwise.

Poor fella is in for a long day. SMH

As much as UWW has received these types of fans from opposing playoff teams over the years, I'm sure you've heard it even more. How many times have we heard "Yeah, but you haven't seen our team yet!"? At least it's entertaining.

[wally_wabash]

Centre Guy has had feelings all year about Centre not being ranked and whatever else.  Oh well. 

[02 Warhawk]

Centre Guy has had feelings all year about Centre not being ranked and whatever else.  Oh well.

"But Mt. Union has a 53rd ranked strength of schedule vs Centre having 7th", is another good one.

[WRMUalum13]

Ahhh the first "you havent seen a team like us" comment. Now it's really the playoffs !

[bluestreak66]

Ahhh the first "you havent seen a team like us" comment. Now it's really the playoffs !

Mount Union has never seen a team like us in the playoffs!
An OAC runner up who horrendously fails to meet expectations and gets bumped in the first round by a weaker conference champion. Never played a team like that.......

[SaintsFAN]

Mount Union All OAC Selections:

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/20181118kzbjzy

Ahh, one of my favorite things to chirp about!

First off, as much as I appreciate what VK does year in and year out I feel like Waddle should have won COY again this year.  7-3 and in only one game were they out of it in the 4th qtr.  Think about that.  Etta played the entire season and only against Mount did they not either win or have a shot to win late.  That's a massive step forward.

I still don't understand how you do All-OAC awards where 7 of the 10 QB's in the conference are all-conference.  Three on the first team??  It's just dumb.  And to show I'm not a complete homer asking for Fulford to hog the spotlight I would have moved Petro to 2nd team.  2 RB on first team is right and this year I would have given that to Clark and Canganelli. 

I personally would have flip flopped Herrington and Ruth on the 1st and 2nd team WR.  I know Ruth missed a couple games, but I thought he was a difference maker this year.

Finally, I was happy to see Britt receive recognition on special teams.  He's done an outstanding job of demonstrating that you can make big plays and contribute in ways that are often taken for granted.  He's far too young to know who Steve Tasker is, but he should.

I couldn't agree more.  If you're not going to actually rank the players and pick a legit roster, then don't bother having the awards!  Just give everyone a participation trophy. 

Jeesz, I sound like a grumpy old guy......

You two are finishing eachother's thoughts now??

[SaintsFAN]

Ahhh the first "you havent seen a team like us" comment. Now it's really the playoffs !

I miss this.  Used to happen every year at the turn of the century and for a few years after that.  And every time Mount Union mount-unioned the other team.

[SaintsFAN]

A lot of ankle injuries.  Are there some gopher holes out there that we don't know about?

In my opinion, I feel that there are more ACL, ankle and head injuries now with everyone playing on turf. The surface has no give , cleats get caught easily and you can take a wrong step that leads to a major injury. Especially non contact injuries, but that's my "I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express" doctor opinion....

I'd like to look Into this, I wonder if there are any studies on injury rate vs playing surface

Not true. The undersurface of the new turfs as well as the top surface  itself are much softer than the old synthetic systems. The increased concussions have actually been a combination of several factors inclusive of bigger, faster, stronger players at all levels, and even more so by increased awareness/ recognition and progressive research showing the long-term effects of concussion syndromes. As far as ACL and collateral ligament injuries, when the first synthetic turfs came out the,old AstriTurf and OmniTurf, there was extensive controversy as to whether or not those caused and/or predisposed players to ligament injuries. Many studies were done and the conclusion was a "draw" 1/2 said yes, the other half said no. My personal opinion, after direct observation as well as having played on both surfaces (both old and new) is "no.". One year @ Alma College, all our knee injuries occorred on natural grass fields, while the following year, they all occurred on synthetic turf. Granted, that was back in the late 1990s on the old turf, however, I believe that most of the new i.e. more recent studies that have been published suggest otherwise.. And even if there were ones that say potential increased occurrence or risk, , how does one account for studies that say the exact opposite conclusions of each other. The new "evidence based" medicine philosopgy is not always correct.

Anyway, we can Google the literature and I will check a couple of sports medicine journals to check on your question as to ankle and ACL injuries possible increase with regard to the new turf,. However, even if there are, again, my own opinion, from direct involvement and observation us that it is not true. Those injuries and their occourrane/potential will always obviously be present regardless of the playing surface. Legit question/inquiry though. All that said, the subject remains controversial, as does almost all aspects of medcine and orthopedic surgey, including sports medicine, today.

Has to be that players are bigger and faster now... putting more strain on their bodies.

[HScoach]

Ahhh the first "you havent seen a team like us" comment. Now it's really the playoffs !

Mount Union has never seen a team like us in the playoffs!
An OAC runner up who horrendously fails to meet expectations and gets bumped in the first round by a weaker conference champion. Never played a team like that.......

Well done.  Painful I'm sure, but well done!

[HScoach]

A lot of ankle injuries.  Are there some gopher holes out there that we don't know about?

In my opinion, I feel that there are more ACL, ankle and head injuries now with everyone playing on turf. The surface has no give , cleats get caught easily and you can take a wrong step that leads to a major injury. Especially non contact injuries, but that's my "I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express" doctor opinion....

I'd like to look Into this, I wonder if there are any studies on injury rate vs playing surface

Not true. The undersurface of the new turfs as well as the top surface  itself are much softer than the old synthetic systems. The increased concussions have actually been a combination of several factors inclusive of bigger, faster, stronger players at all levels, and even more so by increased awareness/ recognition and progressive research showing the long-term effects of concussion syndromes. As far as ACL and collateral ligament injuries, when the first synthetic turfs came out the,old AstriTurf and OmniTurf, there was extensive controversy as to whether or not those caused and/or predisposed players to ligament injuries. Many studies were done and the conclusion was a "draw" 1/2 said yes, the other half said no. My personal opinion, after direct observation as well as having played on both surfaces (both old and new) is "no.". One year @ Alma College, all our knee injuries occorred on natural grass fields, while the following year, they all occurred on synthetic turf. Granted, that was back in the late 1990s on the old turf, however, I believe that most of the new i.e. more recent studies that have been published suggest otherwise.. And even if there were ones that say potential increased occurrence or risk, , how does one account for studies that say the exact opposite conclusions of each other. The new "evidence based" medicine philosopgy is not always correct.

Anyway, we can Google the literature and I will check a couple of sports medicine journals to check on your question as to ankle and ACL injuries possible increase with regard to the new turf,. However, even if there are, again, my own opinion, from direct involvement and observation us that it is not true. Those injuries and their occourrane/potential will always obviously be present regardless of the playing surface. Legit question/inquiry though. All that said, the subject remains controversial, as does almost all aspects of medcine and orthopedic surgey, including sports medicine, today.

Has to be that players are bigger and faster now... putting more strain on their bodies.

That's my opinion too.  The athlete is bigger, faster, stronger on the same structural frame.  What do you expect to happen when you increase power and speed without a similar increase in bone, ligament, tendon strength. 

No different that putting a huge engine in front of the same drive train.  It might hold together for awhile, but it's just a matter of time before you start spitting axles and differentials all over the race track.   Not that I have any experience with that sort of thing in my misguided youth........