FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Fido0650]

Another drive killing penalty, #5, and a blocked field goal.
Maybe all the Mount fans here are actually in Columbus watching Capital play.  Ohio Northern is not that good for it to be
0-0 with 2 minutes left in 2nd.

[Dr. Acula]

Calling that an uninspired offensive effort in the first half is way, way too generous.  Sheesh.

[D3fanboy]

A zero point 2nd half vs Etta and a 7 point 1st half vs ONU.... the son-in-law should ask for some of Daddy's old playbooks

[Fido0650]

A very inspired defense today.
The offense, meh not so much.

[edward de vere]

Regarding the sturm und drang regarding Mount Union's defeat of Marietta by only 28 points, I would like to point out that Marietta is now 3-0 against teams not named Mount Union.

(Just sayin'.)

[Dr. Acula]

I'm not sure it was the 28 point total so much as the getting shutout in the 2nd half with your starters playing that raised an eyebrow.   

[D3fanboy]

I'm not sure it was the 28 point total so much as the getting shutout in the 2nd half with your starters playing that raised an eyebrow.   

not doubt, Mount absolutely dominated the Pios in quarters 1 and 2 (286 to 2 yards).  The Raiders were an INT and weird fumble away from another 10+ points in the 1st half.  The second half Mount finished with 70 yards of offense including drives of 6 plays for 3:49, 8 plays for 4:24 and 8 plays for 5:08.  The complete shutting down of the offense (with the starters in) is something that was not something typically seen with Mount

[D3fanboy]

I dove into the Mount offense a little bit today.  With returning All-Americans at QB, WR (NFL bound), RB and OG, a FCS transfer WR, and an entire OL worth of starters facing the four-game gauntlet of Defiance, Marietta, Muskingum and ONU, the offense should be cooking.  I was looking for explosive (20+ yard) plays.

so through four games, the starting offense has run 209 offensive plays with 15 going for 20+ yards - 13.9% - against pretty poor opponents.  Plunk is sitting at 8.22 yards per attempt, the lowest in his career. But the other seasons include playoff games vs top teams, winter weather and the typical top OAC squads.  Every Mount game in '23 has been 80 and sunny so far

For the national runner-up with a million returning starters and covid super seniors, I expected a much, much more crisp offense.  But the players can only play the plays that are called, I guess.  I hope that I'm wrong, but it seems like there is a lack of leadership on this year's Raiders offense, whether its coaching, players or both

[Raider 68]

I dove into the Mount offense a little bit today.  With returning All-Americans at QB, WR (NFL bound), RB and OG, a FCS transfer WR, and an entire OL worth of starters facing the four-game gauntlet of Defiance, Marietta, Muskingum and ONU, the offense should be cooking.  I was looking for explosive (20+ yard) plays.

so through four games, the starting offense has run 209 offensive plays with 15 going for 20+ yards - 13.9% - against pretty poor opponents.  Plunk is sitting at 8.22 yards per attempt, the lowest in his career. But the other seasons include playoff games vs top teams, winter weather and the typical top OAC squads.  Every Mount game in '23 has been 80 and sunny so far

For the national runner-up with a million returning starters and covid super seniors, I expected a much, much more crisp offense.  But the players can only play the plays that are called, I guess.  I hope that I'm wrong, but it seems like there is a lack of leadership on this year's Raiders offense, whether its coaching, players or both

When you do not have an OC and the HC does not have offensive expertise, why are you surprised? That said, I agree that with those returning players and their goal to win it all this year, it is very puzzling as to why the offense looks so un-Mount like.

On the other hand, these guys know that the first four opponents were not the tough teams, and unfortunately, teams often play to their level of competition. Let's if the offense shows up at Heidelberg. The offense wanted to play the second half, they know they were not sharp in the first half, maybe the lightbulb went on for the players. Tyler Echeverry was the spark in the second half.

The Defense has been awesome thus far and are playing with confidence and they will determine how far the Raiders will go this year, once the schedule gets tougher. JCU will be the real test. BW is not that great this year.

JCU may have a tougher game in Marietta then many may think.

[Dr. Acula]

I dove into the Mount offense a little bit today.  With returning All-Americans at QB, WR (NFL bound), RB and OG, a FCS transfer WR, and an entire OL worth of starters facing the four-game gauntlet of Defiance, Marietta, Muskingum and ONU, the offense should be cooking.  I was looking for explosive (20+ yard) plays.

so through four games, the starting offense has run 209 offensive plays with 15 going for 20+ yards - 13.9% - against pretty poor opponents.  Plunk is sitting at 8.22 yards per attempt, the lowest in his career. But the other seasons include playoff games vs top teams, winter weather and the typical top OAC squads.  Every Mount game in '23 has been 80 and sunny so far

For the national runner-up with a million returning starters and covid super seniors, I expected a much, much more crisp offense.  But the players can only play the plays that are called, I guess.  I hope that I'm wrong, but it seems like there is a lack of leadership on this year's Raiders offense, whether its coaching, players or both

When you do not have an OC and the HC does not have offensive expertise, why are you surprised? That said, I agree that with those returning players and their goal to win it all this year, it is very puzzling as to why the offense looks so un-Mount like.

On the other hand, these guys know that the first four opponents were not the tough teams, and unfortunately, teams often play to their level of competition. Let's if the offense shows up at Heidelberg. The offense wanted to play the second half, they know they were not sharp in the first half, maybe the lightbulb went on for the players. Tyler Echeverry was the spark in the second half.

The Defense has been awesome thus far and are playing with confidence and they will determine how far the Raiders will go this year, once the schedule gets tougher. JCU will be the real test. BW is not that great this year.

JCU may have a tougher game in Marietta then many may think.

Dartt doesn't have offensive expertise?  He's literally never coached anything but offense including 5 years as the OC at Mount.  According to his bio they lead the nation in scoring 3 of those 5 yrs.  I think the issue is that it's really hard to be HC and a coordinator.  VK was better off once Kappas started running the defense as I recall.  Dartt will figure it out just like VK did.  I just wish there was an OC this year given the talent back. 

[hsbsballcoach7]

From the limited games I've watched, it seems like predictable play calling hurts us at times because guys just aren't open and we're not fooling anyone. When there are plays that gets someone open, Plunk has missed them and there have been some drops too (even by Ruby). The focus just isn't there yet for some reason. I hope they find ways to get 14 (Williams?) the ball more. He's electric with the ball in his hands. He reminds me of BJ Mitchell, but gets upfield more often. The offense will get there, but they can't designate a play for one person all of the time and Plunk needs to throw to the open receiver, which isn't always option 1.

The defense on the other hand seems improved from last year getting pressure on the QB and stopping the run. Obviously, the opponents aren't top tier yet, but you play who's on your schedule. Returning guys have continued to lead and step up. Many other guys have stepped into important roles and made plays too (Brown, Yansenns, Stancovich, Cramer).

Don't give up on these guys. They've got the talent and coaching to get where they need to be. Just go 1-0 each week and keep improving. Many other top teams in D3 aren't blowing away teams and some struggling to win. Enjoy the ride!

[D3fanboy]

From the limited games I've watched, it seems like predictable play calling hurts us at times because guys just aren't open and we're not fooling anyone. When there are plays that gets someone open, Plunk has missed them and there have been some drops too (even by Ruby). The focus just isn't there yet for some reason. I hope they find ways to get 14 (Williams?) the ball more. He's electric with the ball in his hands. He reminds me of BJ Mitchell, but gets upfield more often. The offense will get there, but they can't designate a play for one person all of the time and Plunk needs to throw to the open receiver, which isn't always option 1.

The defense on the other hand seems improved from last year getting pressure on the QB and stopping the run. Obviously, the opponents aren't top tier yet, but you play who's on your schedule. Returning guys have continued to lead and step up. Many other guys have stepped into important roles and made plays too (Brown, Yansenns, Stancovich, Cramer).

Don't give up on these guys. They've got the talent and coaching to get where they need to be. Just go 1-0 each week and keep improving. Many other top teams in D3 aren't blowing away teams and some struggling to win. Enjoy the ride!

I don't think anybody is giving up on the Raiders.  I just hope that the offensive starters don't need to step on the field in the 2nd half of the three games prior to JCU. 

I dove into the Mount offense a little bit today.  With returning All-Americans at QB, WR (NFL bound), RB and OG, a FCS transfer WR, and an entire OL worth of starters facing the four-game gauntlet of Defiance, Marietta, Muskingum and ONU, the offense should be cooking.  I was looking for explosive (20+ yard) plays.

so through four games, the starting offense has run 209 offensive plays with 15 going for 20+ yards - 13.9% - against pretty poor opponents.  Plunk is sitting at 8.22 yards per attempt, the lowest in his career. But the other seasons include playoff games vs top teams, winter weather and the typical top OAC squads.  Every Mount game in '23 has been 80 and sunny so far

For the national runner-up with a million returning starters and covid super seniors, I expected a much, much more crisp offense.  But the players can only play the plays that are called, I guess.  I hope that I'm wrong, but it seems like there is a lack of leadership on this year's Raiders offense, whether its coaching, players or both

When you do not have an OC and the HC does not have offensive expertise, why are you surprised? That said, I agree that with those returning players and their goal to win it all this year, it is very puzzling as to why the offense looks so un-Mount like.

On the other hand, these guys know that the first four opponents were not the tough teams, and unfortunately, teams often play to their level of competition. Let's if the offense shows up at Heidelberg. The offense wanted to play the second half, they know they were not sharp in the first half, maybe the lightbulb went on for the players. Tyler Echeverry was the spark in the second half.

The Defense has been awesome thus far and are playing with confidence and they will determine how far the Raiders will go this year, once the schedule gets tougher. JCU will be the real test. BW is not that great this year.

JCU may have a tougher game in Marietta then many may think.

Dartt doesn't have offensive expertise?  He's literally never coached anything but offense including 5 years as the OC at Mount.  According to his bio they lead the nation in scoring 3 of those 5 yrs. I think the issue is that it's really hard to be HC and a coordinator.  VK was better off once Kappas started running the defense as I recall.  Dartt will figure it out just like VK did. I just wish there was an OC this year given the talent back. 

100%.  I can't believe that they didn't replace Junior Collins as OC when he left for the Colts in April

[The Third Division]

Did Dartt just go "Trust me bro I got this" or did the college somehow decide "sorry we can't pay for an OC"

[WRMUalum13]

Did Dartt just go "Trust me bro I got this" or did the college somehow decide "sorry we can't pay for an OC"

We didn't have one last year so probably the former

[Pat Coleman]

I am guessing that maybe April isn't the best time to find an offensive coordinator the quality a perennial power would want to hire, either.