FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[archgemini24]

In the conversation of greatest ever?  Not with 3 TO's and a loss in the 2nd round.  Sorry Lavender.

I don't think he's the greatest ever, or perhaps even in the Top 5. But bizarre timing to take a shot at him when he accounted for 549 yards passing (a record?), an additional 124 yards rushing (record for QB?), and 6 totals TDs.

Clearly DA has reasons to be criticized and his placement in Mount Union history is up for debate, but IMO there's no question he played winning football yesterday.

I guess VK could've put him in at safety or something.

Posting the url to the all-time boards for Mount Union so folks can decide for themselves.

http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/records/histcarr.htm

My 2 cents: What I see is D12 has some pretty impressive numbers. Most of the board wants to put Burke on this pedestal and he was the last QB to get extended run (not counting Scott), so to use him as a point of comparison, Fulford was right there adjusting for throwing the ball 300 less times and running it 150 less times. He was more secure with the football (17 fumbles and lost 9 versus Burke's 19 fumbles and 11 lost), and he also only threw half as many picks (13 versus 25). Both went 1-2 in runs for a title, winning their first run (2012, 2017) and losing their next two (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019). Both also had some lesser games against better competition.

Fulford also ended up splitting more early time with his heir-apparent to get him reps (a fantastic idea, lest anyone think otherwise), further depressing his numbers.

All this is to say I am not sure the pile-on is warranted. Not anymore than is or is not dumped on the 2-time Gagliardi winner, anyway.

[formerd3db]

Best performance against Mount Union that I have ever seen.  Inability to get to Rutter was key.  Central's skill was every bit as good across the board as Mount Union and I, even as a life-long Purple Raider, have to concede to an amazing performance.  NOW, don't leave it here, go finish the job. Congratulations Cardinals.

2013 Stagg Bowl, 52-14? The team that beat Mount actually played defense that night as well as scored 50+ points.

 

Unfortunately, have to concur. That was the best game I have seen played against the Purple Raiders. I would argue the 2014 game was equal or better than this, as well. Take nothing away from the Cardinals, though. Mount kept daring NCC to beat them from the pocket, and that was* exactly what Rutter did. Kept going back to the well until the Raiders (didn't) stop them.

Certainly great choices, gentlemen. But how about the 2001 Stagg Bowl against Bridgewater. That was a great performance by Bridgewater against Mount worthy of consideration/inclusion here.
Regarding that game, I also recall that Mount's starting OL and DL averaged 305 lbs, which wax only 2lbs less than Ohio State:s lines that same year. Awesome, as was the game that year, including the attendance. And BTW, I so enjoyed the hospitality of all the Mount fans who invited this stranger and his student to your tailgates before the game. A lifetime memory. We had seats in Section Two, Row 8 right in front of the ESPN cameras.🙂

[02 Warhawk]

Best performance against Mount Union that I have ever seen.  Inability to get to Rutter was key.  Central's skill was every bit as good across the board as Mount Union and I, even as a life-long Purple Raider, have to concede to an amazing performance.  NOW, don't leave it here, go finish the job. Congratulations Cardinals.

2013 Stagg Bowl, 52-14? The team that beat Mount actually played defense that night as well as scored 50+ points.

 

Unfortunately, have to concur. That was the best game I have seen played against the Purple Raiders. I would argue the 2014 game was equal or better than this, as well. Take nothing away from the Cardinals, though. Mount kept daring NCC to beat them from the pocket, and that was* exactly what Rutter did. Kept going back to the well until the Raiders (didn't) stop them.

Certainly great choices, gentlemen. But how about the 2001 Stagg Bowl against Bridgewater. That was a great performance by Bridgewater against Mount worthy of consideration/inclusion here.
Regarding that game, I also recall that Mount's starting OL and DL averaged 305 lbs, which wax only 2lbs less than Ohio State:s lines that same year. Awesome, as was the game that year, including the attendance. And BTW, I so enjoyed the hospitality of all the Mount fans who invited this stranger and his student to your tailgates before the game. A lifetime memory. We had seats in Section Two, Row 8 right in front of the ESPN cameras.🙂

Maybe if Bridgewater actually won the game.

[purple]

  I place D'Angelo Fulford in the top three quarterbacks to play for Mount Union.  Of three years starters, you have DA, the Great Jim Ballard, Gary Smeck, Burke, and the Magnificent 7. DA never lost a conference game, and neither did Burke, or Smeck. DA was 10-2 in playoff competition., I think Smeck,and NO.7,were 10-1, and Gary won two National Championships, as did the Magnificent 7. I think most Purple Raiders would put DA in the top four but argue about who goes where. There were great one year starters (T.Scott, Rocco, Gindlesberger) and an undefeated two year starter (Adamson), who won two National Championships. The AFCA had DA as the second team QB last year and I expect he will be First team this year. DA was consistently slighted by D3Football, and one need look no further than the opinion of the AFCA, for proof of that.
DA made his detractors eat crow(again). 688 yards is an incredible performance.
I'm thinking maybe we convert some of our athletic receivers to DB. Our DBs were so over matched yesterday.
Congratulations to NCI. They have great players.

[wally_wabash]

Fulford has had the unfortunate circumstance of sharing his entire career in the same region as Broc Rutter, who, for the entirety of their careers, has been just a tiny bit better.  He has been for four years and he was again yesterday.

[formerd3db]

Best performance against Mount Union that I have ever seen.  Inability to get to Rutter was key.  Central's skill was every bit as good across the board as Mount Union and I, even as a life-long Purple Raider, have to concede to an amazing performance.  NOW, don't leave it here, go finish the job. Congratulations Cardinals.

2013 Stagg Bowl, 52-14? The team that beat Mount actually played defense that night as well as scored 50+ points.

 

Unfortunately, have to concur. That was the best game I have seen played against the Purple Raiders. I would argue the 2014 game was equal or better than this, as well. Take nothing away from the Cardinals, though. Mount kept daring NCC to beat them from the pocket, and that was* exactly what Rutter did. Kept going back to the well until the Raiders (didn't) stop them.

Certainly great choices, gentlemen. But how about the 2001 Stagg Bowl against Bridgewater. That was a great performance by Bridgewater against Mount worthy of consideration/inclusion here.
Regarding that game, I also recall that Mount's starting OL and DL averaged 305 lbs, which wax only 2lbs less than Ohio State:s lines that same year. Awesome, as was the game that year, including the attendance. And BTW, I so enjoyed the hospitality of all the Mount fans who invited this stranger and his student to your tailgates before the game. A lifetime memory. We had seats in Section Two, Row 8 right in front of the ESPN cameras.🙂

Maybe if Bridgewater actually won the game.

Not talking about winning. I should have clarified fhat. Reference was in regard to a great game performance against a great Mount team rather than being blown-out. But...you are right that if it had been a win, if would be among the foo in that category, at least iMO.

[archgemini24]

Fulford has had the unfortunate circumstance of sharing his entire career in the same region as Broc Rutter, who, for the entirety of their careers, has been just a tiny bit better.  He has been for four years and he was again yesterday.

Putting aside Mount Union's defense making it a lot easier for Rutter and never adjusting, I agree. But, like last year's John Hopkins game, I am not convinced that if you switched the two quarterbacks that Mount Union would have won, because the Raiders needed the extra dimension running the ball that Fulford provided after the Cardinals adjusted and stopped giving Fulford a clean pocket to carve them up, as well.

[USee]

Why is the narrative that Fulford was awesome and Mts D was bad instead of both QBs being pretty good and Rutter doing so against the #2 defense in the country? I think These were the two best QBs in the country holding court and they made plays.  A lot of them.  Rutter made just a couple more.

The only way you stop Rutter is to have a DLine better than NCCs OLine. That happened once.  There are a couple All Americans on NCCs Oline.

[wally_wabash]

Why is the narrative that Fulford was awesome and Mts D was bad instead of both QBs being pretty good and Rutter doing so against the #2 defense in the country?

I think it's a fair question.  You've either got the #2 defense or you have terrible DBs.  It can't be both. 

FWIW, I don't think Mount Union has terrible DBs.  North Central's offense is as good as it gets in the division.  They make a lot of pretty good defenses look pedestrian. 

[WRMUalum13]

Why is the narrative that Fulford was awesome and Mts D was bad instead of both QBs being pretty good and Rutter doing so against the #2 defense in the country? I think These were the two best QBs in the country holding court and they made plays.  A lot of them.  Rutter made just a couple more.

The only way you stop Rutter is to have a DLine better than NCCs OLine. That happened once.  There are a couple All Americans on NCCs Oline.

I think it's Because Mounts passing defense was suspect all year long, the d had less sacks less pass break ups and less INTs then last years unit, and personnel shifted a lot from week 1 to week 12  Mounts secondary and pass rush  was really good, no doubt,  just not at the level of the the 2017 or 2018 groups

Also just because the stats say you are the #2 defense doesn't mean it's true, one of the games mount could have been tested against the pass was in a monsoon where neither team threw much.

If Mounts D is truly the #2 D behind Wheaton I would expect NCC to score in the 50s against UMHB or UWW as well... Which I just don't see happening, hope we get one of those matchups  to find out.

[OzJohnnie]

No, you'll be testing yourself against the Johnnie defense.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Why is the narrative that Fulford was awesome and Mts D was bad instead of both QBs being pretty good and Rutter doing so against the #2 defense in the country? I think These were the two best QBs in the country holding court and they made plays.  A lot of them.  Rutter made just a couple more.

The only way you stop Rutter is to have a DLine better than NCCs OLine. That happened once.  There are a couple All Americans on NCCs Oline.

I'm eager to see the AA QB picks.  These two plus Jackson Erdman (the reigning Gagliardi winner from SJU) will presumably be the top three picks, but in what order?  (And Gavin Zimbelman of Aurora, who came danged close to knocking off SJU, might sneak in there too.)

[HScoach]

Irregardless of what the stars say, the 2019 version of the Mount defense was not a true  national caliber unit.  The Dline was solid against the run, but lacked the ability to rush the passer.  The secondary was average and was exposed by the lack of pass rush to hide their poor ball skills.  The LB's were very good.

Their numbers were built on the back of poor QB play across the OAC.  And as was mentioned previously,  the one good passing opponent was played in a downpour which negated everything.  Which in hindsight was a hindrance as Mount needed to find out their defense was average before they played someone actually capable of beating them. 

Defensively it reminds me of Ciccone and Strauch backfield.  And Zac Bruney at QB.  By the time Mount found out their offense was average it was too late.  Not saying you have to play a murderous schedule every week, but it helps to be pushed.  And the OAC wasn't capable of doing so.

[pradierguy]

Why is the narrative that Fulford was awesome and Mts D was bad instead of both QBs being pretty good and Rutter doing so against the #2 defense in the country? I think These were the two best QBs in the country holding court and they made plays.  A lot of them.  Rutter made just a couple more.

The only way you stop Rutter is to have a DLine better than NCCs OLine. That happened once.  There are a couple All Americans on NCCs Oline.

That wasn't my intention, sorry if it came across that way. Rutter carved up Mount Union and was more
Impressive that advertised.

I was solely looking through a historical Mount Union lens and where DA, and his particular performance, ranked.

[CardsFan1988]

Long time follower of the boards but new to posting. Curious to hear MU fans thoughts on the struggles of both lines yesterday. As impressive as Rutter was, NCC's offensive line controlled that game as Rutter had time to throw and Greenfield seemed to pick up 4 yards everytime he touched the ball. On the other side NCCs line dominated against the run in the first half to the point where MU didn't hand the ball off once in the second half. That allowed NCC to pin their ears back in the fourth quarter to come after Fulford without fear of a hand-off (I know the numbers don't bear that out but almost all of Mounts rushing yards were off of scrambles which it seemed like NCC was comfortable giving up in order to get double coverage on Hill and rush 4 consistently).

Curious when the last time Mount was beat on both LOS other than against a traditional power (UMHB or UWW)

Great game to both sides yesterday!