FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[D3fanboy]

Any thoughts on our vulnerability to Wartburg's passing attack? In the post game presser Dartt said the defense was put in bad positions several times and the defenders got tired, but I feel like that's not a great explanation.

Not sure if it was scheme or what but it felt like Wartburgs receivers were getting wide open pretty regularly

WRMUalum13,

The D line did a great job both on Wartburg's run game and QB pressure. I thought Mount's pass defense was confused
at times and left the middle wide open. The one long open TD was caused in part to a late substitution of defensive backs.
The Coach's comments about bad positions and being tired is a little misleading.

NC relies first on their run game. L Lehnen has thrown for 2,568, 70% completion 185/266 and 35 TD's. B Plunk is 74%, 355/477 and 47 TD's. Whartburg's passing game had  more yards but less TD's than NC.  NC will probably run as much as they can, until Mount slows it down and then mixes passes to keep the defense honest. Lehnen likes to run the ball as well.

Oh yeah just to clarify I was only talking about the defensive backs not the dline. I thought the dline got consistent pressure for most of the game especially on that last drive. Yeah it just seemed like our DBs didn't know who was supposed to cover what or just weren't able to run with Wartburg's receivers over the middle or for out routes.

I was very impressed with how well the Mount D stopped Wartburg's running game, "Turbo" was basically a non-factor with Wartburg held to only 58 rushing yards (26 net after the sacks).

The Mount Run defense is playing as advertised, but I'm very curious as to how they'll hold up against NCC.

the Raiders dline is finally getting some dudes back, Lilja played some snaps vs Wartburg but I was at little shocked not to see Franklin and Brown out there.  If Mount can get them back for Friday, they could actually have a DL rotation for the first time in over a month

[D3fanboy]

the forced Mount Union-D3sports availability should be...something. 

[wally_wabash]

the forced Mount Union-D3sports availability should be...something.

I'm looking forward to being able to write a few hundred words about the journey these outstanding student-athletes have been on climbing back to the national title game.  It stinks that we haven't been able to chronicle more of it over the last month, but c'est la vie.  I'm excited to have some good conversations this week.   

[Pat Coleman]

the forced Mount Union-D3sports availability should be...something.

For what it's worth, it was handled professionally by Vince Kehres and players in 2017 and 2018. I don't expect any different this year but the NCAA liaison and committee chair will be there.

[D3fanboy]

the forced Mount Union-D3sports availability should be...something.

For what it's worth, it was handled professionally by Vince Kehres and players in 2017 and 2018. I don't expect any different this year but the NCAA liaison and committee chair will be there.

I have no doubt that the Mount guys will handle the situation with grace

[D3fanboy]

Coach Sirianni wearing a Purple Raiders sweatshirt to his press conference today... that's the Mount Union difference

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1602389205879246848?s=20&t=3FSxxxM5mJ_2Hk4bXu3dtg

12 mins or so in

since the D3 guys are struggling for Mount Union content lately

[New Tradition]

Coach Sirianni wearing a Purple Raiders sweatshirt to his press conference today... that's the Mount Union difference

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1602389205879246848?s=20&t=3FSxxxM5mJ_2Hk4bXu3dtg

12 mins or so in

since the D3 guys are struggling for Mount Union content lately

That's actually really cool.  He's HYPED!

[CardinalAlum]

Coach Sirianni wearing a Purple Raiders sweatshirt to his press conference today... that's the Mount Union difference

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1602389205879246848?s=20&t=3FSxxxM5mJ_2Hk4bXu3dtg

12 mins or so in

since the D3 guys are struggling for Mount Union content lately

That is a great shout out! 

[D3fanboy]

feel free to repost the North Central alumni in major college football or the NFL with the well wishes, it's pretty neat

[purple]

I don't think Pat and the staff at D3Football have been unfair to the Raiders this year. I don't think any of their pickers will select Mount Union to win, but I see that not as bias but as common sense. I see us as 14-17 point underdogs. In my eyes, it depends on the weather. If we can throw the ball we have a chance, because Braxton and company aren't only good, they're lucky.

[D3fanboy]

I don't think Pat and the staff at D3Football have been unfair to the Raiders this year. I don't think any of their pickers will select Mount Union to win, but I see that not as bias but as common sense. I see us as 14-17 point underdogs. In my eyes, it depends on the weather. If we can throw the ball we have a chance, because Braxton and company aren't only good, they're lucky.

Plunk bouncing a ball off of a NCC defender's head to Ruby would cement his place in Mount history, gagliardi trophy or not

[WRMUalum13]

I don't think Pat and the staff at D3Football have been unfair to the Raiders this year. I don't think any of their pickers will select Mount Union to win, but I see that not as bias but as common sense. I see us as 14-17 point underdogs. In my eyes, it depends on the weather. If we can throw the ball we have a chance, because Braxton and company aren't only good, they're lucky.

Plunk bouncing a ball off of a NCC defender's head to Ruby would cement his place in Mount history, gagliardi trophy or not

I feel like that play is more of a Ruby highlight, but yeah anybody on that play is gonna have a place in UMU history, especially if they win it all

[Stagg Again!!]

Coach Sirianni wearing a Purple Raiders sweatshirt to his press conference today... that's the Mount Union difference

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1602389205879246848?s=20&t=3FSxxxM5mJ_2Hk4bXu3dtg

12 mins or so in

since the D3 guys are struggling for Mount Union content lately

Thanks for posting this link D3 fanboy.  Going to have to respectfully disagree with Coach Sirianni on this one.

[Craft_Beermeister]

Coach Sirianni wearing a Purple Raiders sweatshirt to his press conference today... that's the Mount Union difference

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1602389205879246848?s=20&t=3FSxxxM5mJ_2Hk4bXu3dtg

12 mins or so in

since the D3 guys are struggling for Mount Union content lately

https://twitter.com/45_rendina/status/1602452534160924674?s=61

[Raider 68]

I don't think Pat and the staff at D3Football have been unfair to the Raiders this year. I don't think any of their pickers will select Mount Union to win, but I see that not as bias but as common sense. I see us as 14-17 point underdogs. In my eyes, it depends on the weather. If we can throw the ball we have a chance, because Braxton and company aren't only good, they're lucky.

Purple makes very valid points.

With the consensus of many that the Raiders will lose by multiple touchdowns, here are some thoughts:

- Last year NC won 26-13, had almost 300 yards rushing, under 100 passing, but 80+ QB Running
- NC TOP was 38-22 over the Raiders
- Ethan Greenfield had 190 yards, penalties and turn-overs were not a factor
- Weather was fine - correction wrong playoff game

NC and Mount are in the top five of D3 for most categories per the NCAA.

In order for this to be a close game, the Raiders, IMHO, will have to achieve the majority of the following:

Defense

- Do not give up the big play
- Keep E. Greenfield under 150 yards
- Keep Kehnen under 250 passing and 100 yds rushing
- Keep QB pressure as much as possible
- Correct DB coverages from the Warburg game
- Warburg had a very good running game, which was stopped, but their passing game made it a close game.
- Make adjustments with the assumption that NC will run, mix and run again to control the clock

Offense

- High tempo plays, quick release throws  and mix up formations
- Run the ball as a second option ( D. Parker may not play)
- Ruby will be double covered, use the tight end more
- Protect the ball
- Keep penalties to a minimum
- Coach D needs to call a good game, no poor choices inside the 10 yard line
- make adjustments at half time.