FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[hsbsballcoach7]

I know yesterday wasn't the outcome many wanted, but I'm confident in this roster and coaching staff to have the necessary adjustments. I will stay as difficult as it was for Petro to run on the UMHB defense, he showed great strength and balance.  I really like the freshman Reed to step up. I think he's perfect for Herrington's spot. Very similar with great hands and catch radius, might be a little quicker.
I'm interested to see the growth in backup QBs. Will it be a current freshman like Homol, Moore, or an incoming freshman?

The two guys I think that will be most difficult to replace will be Robinson and Ruth. Not to say the other seniors weren't important, but those guys were key cogs and experienced.

[MUC57]

When were rings given out at Mount Union? I wonder if Luke Poorman was left off the list.

Pat

I hope I didn't jump the gun on Poorman. I'll check it out when I can! Pat, you're such a stickler for accuracy. Actually, I knew that? I'll get back to you! 🤔

[wally_wabash]

When were rings given out at Mount Union? I wonder if Luke Poorman was left off the list.

I would hope not.  He did start and win that QF game. 

[edward de vere]

I would find it almost impossible to believe that Poorman didn't receive a ring.

[Craft_Beermeister]

My thoughts on the Stagg Bowl.

1.  UMU had a good and effective game plan on defense, but the stellar play of Josey caused Mount to adjust with limited effectiveness which opened up the game for other UMHB players on offense.
 
2.  For many years part of UMU's success is the result of their opponents feeling the need to make a major adjustment to be competitive with Mount Union which results in the opponent playing out of character causing their adjustments often to backfired resulting to an additional edge for UMU. In yesterday's game, Mount was the team adjusting to prevent long punt returns by the Cru and for the most part these adjustments backfired.  I can't say this was a major contribution to the outcome of the game, but collectively it resulted in an advantage to UMHB by making Mount D exerted a lot of energy to combat impact on field position. UMU is often superior in adjusting as the game goes on, but the punt scheme didn't work.

3.  I heard Fulford tore a tendon in the Marietta game and after the swelling went down he couldn't do more damage.  It was a matter of how well Fulford could suck it up and play with pain.  It was obvious during the game Fulford still had adequate straight forward speed, but I suspect cutting on the ankle was difficult for him.  Maybe the the lack of sliding on runs had something to do with the ankle, we will probably never know. Same for what impact of a torn tendon had on passing we probably will never know.

4. At this time of year all teams play with injuries, but this year Mount Union was hit fairly hard on offense. Ruth is a stud when healthy, but from what I heard he pulled his hamstring multiple times in his career and going into the game he was far from 100%. Ruth at 60% is still a hell of a player, but he didn't have his ability to fly and stretch the field. Most every thing thrown to Ruth yesterday was short routes and though this strategy was somewhat effective it wasn't Ruth at 100%.

5.  UHMB won the game fair and square, though I still think the teams are fairly closely matched which will probably result in a rematch next year.

[Toph]

I don't mean to harp on the Akron situation, but when I said "cash strapped" I meant it.  UA has to pay $385k to buyout Arth from UT-C.  As of right now, they don't know how they're going to pay it.

I just don't know that that's a winning situation.  I hope I'm wrong.

[Desertraider]

I know how they will pay it. They are going to cut academic budgets.  They did that in the 80s and early 90s when Faust was HC. He only would fly first class, top hotels and all the perks when on recruiting trips. Normally blew threw recruiting budget for the year in 3 months (seriously). So the academic depts got the short end and had to make cuts. Ask any dept chair from that period about trying to trim 15 to 20% from an a budget that was 60% of what they needed.

[hsbsballcoach7]

I don't mean to harp on the Akron situation, but when I said "cash strapped" I meant it.  UA has to pay $385k to buyout Arth from UT-C.  As of right now, they don't know how they're going to pay it.

I just don't know that that's a winning situation.  I hope I'm wrong.

I truly hope Arth succeeds at Akron, but I have a hard time seeing it. He's going to need to get the local kids that are talented and get the local ties to buy in. He needs to get local fan support and that only comes by winning and with area kids IMO.

[edward de vere]

I don't mean to harp on the Akron situation, but when I said "cash strapped" I meant it.  UA has to pay $385k to buyout Arth from UT-C.  As of right now, they don't know how they're going to pay it.

Plus another $600 grand to pay Bowden to shuffle papers.

[edward de vere]

Question about D3 sports medicine:  Both starting quarterbacks were banged up but played Saturday night.  They both took a fair number of hits but kept going.

In general, are painkilling shots given in D3 football?  D1 football?  High school?

[HScoach]

I know how they will pay it. They are going to cut academic budgets.  They did that in the 80s and early 90s when Faust was HC. He only would fly first class, top hotels and all the perks when on recruiting trips. Normally blew threw recruiting budget for the year in 3 months (seriously). So the academic depts got the short end and had to make cuts. Ask any dept chair from that period about trying to trim 15 to 20% from an a budget that was 60% of what they needed.

There's where the problem began.  I was there when Akron got the crazy idea that they could/should play big boy football and stepped up to D1.  Huge mistake.   Hiring Faust only made it worse.   They haven't been right since.   Should have stayed 1AA with Youngstown State.

Quite sad to see where the university is headed.  Only thing left worth its weight is the engineering school.  Everything else is in the toilet.

[formerd3db]

Question about D3 sports medicine:  Both starting quarterbacks were banged up but played Saturday night.  They both took a fair number of hits but kept going.

In general, are painkilling shots given in D3 football?  D1 football?  High school?

Edward d v:

As a former 4 year d3 player and long time collegiate football team surgeon/physician, my opinion (and that of many other  team physicians) those have absolutely no place whatsoever in college football (or for that matter in youth or high school football or any sports for that matter), including even in any post-season game and/or championship game I am not so naive to know that it occurs in the process, although it should not really happen there either. Not illegal, but unethical and anyone who says otherwise is being disingenuous ( and I'm using that term lightly.) Fir college, it would violate the NCAA sports medicine and ethical guidelines.  All that being said, I know it has happened on occasion at some d3 schools, but it shouldn't.

[formerd3db]

I know how they will pay it. They are going to cut academic budgets.  They did that in the 80s and early 90s when Faust was HC. He only would fly first class, top hotels and all the perks when on recruiting trips. Normally blew threw recruiting budget for the year in 3 months (seriously). So the academic depts got the short end and had to make cuts. Ask any dept chair from that period about trying to trim 15 to 20% from an a budget that was 60% of what they needed.

There's where the problem began.  I was there when Akron got the crazy idea that they could/should play big boy football and stepped up to D1.  Huge mistake.   Hiring Faust only made it worse.   They haven't been right since.   Should have stayed 1AA with Youngstown State.

Quite sad to see where the university is headed.  Only thing left worth its weight is the engineering school.  Everything else is in the toilet.

HScoach:

Obviously, you know much more about the "inside" aspects about the Akron program than I do (actually, I know nothing other than what I read in the media and what those of you who know have shared with us here.) Regardless, if what you have shared of your opinion about the Akron program (and if that is also the sentiment of many people about Akron), IMO,  it is also fair to say (and I am of the opinion) that all the MAC programs really should not be FBS, rather they really should be FBS. While they do on occasion beat some Big Ten teams ( and I have no problem with them playing those non-conference games), in reality, the MAC teams are not big-time FBS calibur, but more appropriately FCS caliber.

Personally, I believe Akron will come up with the $ you are discussing. Heck, if schools like even DII Michigan Tech can raise 3.5 million in less than 3 months as they did a few years ago to save the football program that was voted to be axed ( actually, it was officially axed for that period until it was saved by alumni and interested groups including community groups, AND they did not cut into acdemic program budgets nor did they use State money), there is no way that Akron groups can't do it. And, it can be done without hitting  into academic programs.) However, you are much more familiar with the situation than I am.

[Dr. Acula]

I know yesterday wasn't the outcome many wanted, but I'm confident in this roster and coaching staff to have the necessary adjustments. I will stay as difficult as it was for Petro to run on the UMHB defense, he showed great strength and balance.  I really like the freshman Reed to step up. I think he's perfect for Herrington's spot. Very similar with great hands and catch radius, might be a little quicker.
I'm interested to see the growth in backup QBs. Will it be a current freshman like Homol, Moore, or an incoming freshman?

The two guys I think that will be most difficult to replace will be Robinson and Ruth. Not to say the other seniors weren't important, but those guys were key cogs and experienced.

I would put Lou Berry as my #1 guy to replace.  All of the DB's had plays they'd want back, but VK likes aggressive dudes back there who go make plays and he gives them the freedom to do it.  Lou made big plays.  Lots of them.  Robinson was a stud, but I think Williams and O'Hara are going to step right up.  Williams is a stud now.  O'Hara is going to be IMO.  Ruth I'll really miss.  He just seemed like a quiet kid that did his thing.  He reminded me of Junior Collins in that he was good at every aspect.  He had the speed to get deep, but he was equally as valuable catching short passes because of his ability to make the tough catches.  It's a shame he was hurt this year because he would have earned the recognition he deserved with a full season of stats. 

[Toph]

I know how they will pay it. They are going to cut academic budgets.  They did that in the 80s and early 90s when Faust was HC. He only would fly first class, top hotels and all the perks when on recruiting trips. Normally blew threw recruiting budget for the year in 3 months (seriously). So the academic depts got the short end and had to make cuts. Ask any dept chair from that period about trying to trim 15 to 20% from an a budget that was 60% of what they needed.

The school is already facing a $16 million budget shortfall next year (which is an improvement over years past, scary to say).  They have a huge problem. 

Read the quotes from their AD.  He's talking about "creative ways" to pay the buyout and the remainder on Bowden's contract.  They've floated the idea of offering a game at Infocision Stadium between UT-C and Akron...but I don't see how that helps UT-C in the least.  "Come play at our huge, empty stadium, and we'll call that debt even."  Seems delusional to me.