FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[BillyRayJimBob]

I also remember a playoff game a number of years ago (I think maybe it was against Simpson, but I am not sure) when the blimp was coming back from somewhere south and east of here (Pittsburgh maybe) and flew several circles around Mount Union Stadium in the middle of the game.  It then headed off to home.

I am a little behind, and with time on my hands ... NOT in solitary confinement any more, may you all know, and thank you very much!  That Simpson "contest" eventually led to my first Stagg Bowl attendance ... in the West stands.
Mr. Mom is touting his, and his Frat girlfriends' experience, mooning the Blimp in 1980, in another post that I cannot blend into this post because I am old, and challenged, and forgetful ... and the "Walking Boss" is watching over my shoulder right now.
On a 1980 Saturday, during college, I was selling underwear and clothing in a men's store in nearby Sebring.  (Could have sold something to cover up Mr. Mom's embarrassment in 1980 ...  .)  That little store is where I did meet Coach Wable a couple of times; quite the gentleman.  Looked great in a dress hat (late fall weather, but no playoffs for Mount Union at the time) vice a gameday ballcap.  He said he heard there were a couple of good lineman on the Sebring team.  (Not sure when Sebring was ever known for football, but a rare year, time to time, there was a good athlete.)  I think that was the year we had an OL that went to Muskingum, eventually was an Assistant Coach at Georgia Tech, and who knows where he is at today.  (I do not have any more nickels to put in the Google to learn more.)

[Dr. Acula]

I'm really struggling to understand the JCU/Ott score right about now.  Ott is baaaaad.  Plunk is in at QB to start the second qtr. 

Full disclosure, Plunk played two drives then Fulford came back in. 

[jam40jeff]

I'm really struggling to understand the JCU/Ott score right about now.  Ott is baaaaad.  Plunk is in at QB to start the second qtr. 

Full disclosure, Plunk played two drives then Fulford came back in.

If you want to understand it better, just look at the JCU/Musky halftime score.

[bluestreak66]

I'm really struggling to understand the JCU/Ott score right about now.  Ott is baaaaad.  Plunk is in at QB to start the second qtr. 

Full disclosure, Plunk played two drives then Fulford came back in.

If you want to understand it better, just look at the JCU/Musky halftime score.

This is a case of survive and advance. John Carroll has been very underwhelming. But with all the other pool B candidates losing (Hardin-Simmons), they are almost a shoe in if they finish 9-1

[Dr. Acula]

I'm really struggling to understand the JCU/Ott score right about now.  Ott is baaaaad.  Plunk is in at QB to start the second qtr. 

Full disclosure, Plunk played two drives then Fulford came back in.

If you want to understand it better, just look at the JCU/Musky halftime score.

If I'm them I look at it that you're half way through the season and on schedule.  It has not been pretty, but grind out wins, get to week 11 and take your shot.
This is a case of survive and advance. John Carroll has been very underwhelming. But with all the other pool B candidates losing (Hardin-Simmons), they are almost a shoe in if they finish 9-1

[Pat Coleman]

There's no Pool B this year at all. Everyone is in a conference which has an automatic bid, so we have 27 automatics and five Pool C.

[bluestreak66]

There's no Pool B this year at all. Everyone is in a conference which has an automatic bid, so we have 27 automatics and five Pool C.

My bad. Meant pool c

[mr_mom]

Scoring was much improved in Week 5 of the 2019 OAC Pick-Em.  aueagle led the way with 12 of the potential 14 points.  This propels him to the top of the standings, both in score and alphabetically.

Week 6 spreads will come out Monday night.

[MUC57]

OK! Here goes a can of worms.

Let's set the stage.

Saturday's game - Mount vs Otterbein. Mount's last three possessions - they drive down the field, get in the red zone and kick field goals. Kick field goals! Oh, that's right, we don't want to run up the score.

Let's take a close look at this reasoning.

One of the games from the past, not a Mount game, is an example of running up the score. Team is ahead by 50 some points. They score a TD. Then go for the 2 pt conversion. That is followed up by an onside kickoff.
Whether or not the first team is playing or not, that's running up the score.

Now for Mount Union. Mount get's a big lead and begins substituting, 2nd string, 3rd string, Freshmen. What we are then watching are the future Raiders. Men who have spent a large portion of their life preparing for this moment. Now we tell them not to score. Take a knee, run out of bounds, don't hold your block - just don't score a TD. Right or wrong, that has been the philosophy at Mount for many years.

How is that viewed? To some, it's a sportsman like gesture. Thank you for sparing my woeful team any further pain. The Raiders are true gentlemen.

But there is another side. To many, and I have talked to many, this action is a slap in the face. Their response is usually, "You're telling me your 3rd team can score a TD on my 1st team defense any time, so why bother? That's an insult to my players." These comments, paraphrased, represent the feeling of at least some coaches at various levels in the sport.

It seems to me, and to many others, that the opposing team has the onus of stopping the Raiders. It should not be Mount's responsibility to stop Mount Union.

That's my opinion, which just happens to be shared by more than a few others. I don't know how I would react if I were a senior, playing in my first game after years of waiting, and was told "don't score a TD". I know for a fact that this very scenario has occurred at least once in the past.

Well there, now I've done it. We possibly can have a discussion on something we've touched on once before or I'll have to look under my car before I start it. But hey, I'm a Mount grad. I love my alma mater. I follow the football team religiously. Just my opinion (protected by the 1st amendment - thought I'd throw that in).

To close out my ramblings, GO RAIDERS!   

[skunks_sidekick]

It's an "LK thing" and it ain't changing anytime soon my friend.  The belief is enough is enough and you will get your chance at some point with ALL the blowouts that should be happening from here to the end of the season.

Plus it gives our kicker a chance to work on his craft (which COULD come into play in the playoffs).

[MUC57]

It's an "LK thing" and it ain't changing anytime soon my friend.  The belief is enough is enough and you will get your chance at some point with ALL the blowouts that should be happening from here to the end of the season.

Plus it gives our kicker a chance to work on his craft (which COULD come into play in the playoffs).

But you haven't addressed some of my points. Will a player get another chance to play and not score? Allowing the kicker some playing time is a pi$$ poor reason for this philosophy.
Thanks for getting the discussion going, I think! 

[formerd3db]

MUC57:
Oh, boy, my friend! You may have , indeed, opened a can of worms with that dissertation! However, excellent analysis. At the risk of getting pies thrown at me or worse, even loss of reputation or worse😬💩😁 (oh, the latter probably was already gone as viewed by some here long ago😬🙂), here is my coaching opinion on that.

Certainly, this can be/is a sensitive issue and dilemma. However, I agree with you in your analysis. Personally, I believe that for the non-starters, and especially any senior in such a scenario as you outlined, should be allowed to run the offense as they are taught coached. Agree that if they score, that is just the way it is and supposed to be (including reasonable passing plays)as long as no trick plays and going for two point conversions, on+sides kicks, etc are not employed. Those players deserve the opportunity to get on the field and play in those situations and I believe it is not fair if they are asked to compromise.

Now that said, I am absolutely not saying/pointing fingers at your Mount coaching staff as they, indeed, are gentlemen and I think it is absolutely okay that they have toned down the offensive attack in those by the reserves in those situations. I bieve that were I in  that scenario, I wouldn't tell my players they shouldn't score. And, ad you have mentioned, some coaches feel that as an insult to them and their players. Again, not saying Mount coaches have done that, I am only giving you my opinion as to how I would coach. I think we all know what constitutes running up the score as you have nicely outlined, and, if we are truly honest with ourselves.

Now, I will get out my helmet and pads as well as be ready to (uh, that should be said as try to😁) reenact my old college days db agility drills to avoid those thrown projectiles at my (i.e. anyone remember Pres. George Bush and the flying shoes?!😁)

[MUC57]

Formerd3db

Thanks for your comments. I respect your opinion and it is always welcomed. Yes, I remember President Bush and the shoe incident. Hell, I remember FDR talking about his dog "Fala".
Looking forward to following the exploits of those Flying Dutchmen from Hope. Go get 'em! 

[formerd3db]

Thank you, good man! Love your levity!(check out my reply post to your over on the NW board😁) And I also always enjoy and respect your perspectives here on the boards.
I will be following your Mount as well.

BTW, I don't think I ever mentioned this before, but our Head Athletic Trainer at Hope is a Mount Union grad- an excellent trainer and a real gentleman as well. And I do have a very nice Mount Union hat courtesy of our mutual friend Raider 68!
Thanks again,
Your friend,
doc ( that old db)

[jamtod]

Good thoughts and insights here. As a St Thomas fan, y'all probably know what stance I'm going to take on this, but I think some folks (fans, teams getting thumped) get way too hung up on the unwritten rules and what is/isn't ok and we should give pretty broad lattitude on this, outside of a few very clear things with few exceptions.