FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Raider 68]

Watching the National Championship Game, I was thinking that Athletically Mount Union could play with those two teams.  I think what is missing is teamwork and passion.

In the past, the team was very Self-Confident and showed it in their play.  Now that Mount has come back to the field a bit, and others have improved, you can't just step on the field and hope the other teams piss down their legs.

Mount needs to get some swagger back, as well as the focus that LK/VK had instilled in the team.  Coaches can give all the speeches they want, but the best "Culture" teams I have been around (as a Coach's son, a player and a Coach) have been player led.

Key Upperclassmen on Offense and Defense need to take the lead in the offseason and bring back the mojo of Raiders past.

Well said!

[edward de vere]

The NCC kicking game has been really shaky all season, 15 missed XP for the season.  h....

After further review I think this is the reason NC went for two points after the last touchdown.  If you're NOT confident in your kicking game (a logical feeling based upon season results) and you're VERY confident in your offense (a logical feeling based upon season results) then Brad Spencer's decision is understandable even if you don't agree with it.

[Ice Bear]

Watching the National Championship Game, I was thinking that Athletically Mount Union could play with those two teams.  I think what is missing is teamwork and passion.

In the past, the team was very Self-Confident and showed it in their play.  Now that Mount has come back to the field a bit, and others have improved, you can't just step on the field and hope the other teams piss down their legs.

Mount needs to get some swagger back, as well as the focus that LK/VK had instilled in the team.  Coaches can give all the speeches they want, but the best "Culture" teams I have been around (as a Coach's son, a player and a Coach) have been player led.

Key Upperclassmen on Offense and Defense need to take the lead in the offseason and bring back the mojo of Raiders past.

I think this is a great post. +k

[HScoach]

The NCC kicking game has been really shaky all season, 15 missed XP for the season.  h....

After further review I think this is the reason NC went for two points after the last touchdown.  If you're NOT confident in your kicking game (a logical feeling based upon season results) and you're VERY confident in your offense (a logical feeling based upon season results) then Brad Spencer's decision is understandable even if you don't agree with it.

Agree.  If I'm in his shoes, I'd much rather put the game on my Gagliardi winning athletic QB instead of a kicker that I don't trust.   Now if you want to nit-pick the call of running a QB sweep into the boundary then I'm all in.  That play is a much better choice to the wide side where he has more room to maneuver.

[Raider 68]

The NCC kicking game has been really shaky all season, 15 missed XP for the season.  h....

After further review I think this is the reason NC went for two points after the last touchdown.  If you're NOT confident in your kicking game (a logical feeling based upon season results) and you're VERY confident in your offense (a logical feeling based upon season results) then Brad Spencer's decision is understandable even if you don't agree with it.

Agree.  If I'm in his shoes, I'd much rather put the game on my Gagliardi winning athletic QB instead of a kicker that I don't trust.   Now if you want to nit-pick the call of running a QB sweep into the boundary then I'm all in.  That play is a much better choice to the wide side where he has more room to maneuver.

HScoach,

A few posts from you lately, can we all count on your wisdom for 2024 and the compassion that the Raiders truly need going forward?

[HScoach]

^ I wouldn't count on it.

[emma17]

^ I wouldn't count on it.

Mt football hasn't been the same since you went dark.

[wally_wabash]

My bad...I thought there was much more time on the clock after the two point try.  The fact that there was 80 seconds makes me surely go for the kick and try to win in OT.  Both QB's were amazing, was interesting that the Cortland coach said after the game that his Qb should have won the Gagliardi....I don't disagree as he is sticking up for his kid, but from what I saw, they were both deserving.  Some folks do not know, however, that there is more to the award than just play on the field, and this could be a deciding factor in a close vote.

Gagliardi voting happens, at the very latest, right after the QF games (for those voters who wait until after those games are played...I'm sure some voters send ballots in beforehand) and before the SF or finals are played.  Boyes was the best player on the field on Friday and rightly won MOP. 

[mr_mom]

^ I wouldn't count on it.

Mt football hasn't been the same since you went dark.

I whole heartedly agree! We miss you Coach!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

How about those Streaks and their future plans?

[The Third Division]

How about those Streaks and their future plans?

Now Mount Union will never lose the OAC!!!

[mc1983]

There was a lot of "buzzword bingo" in the official release from JCU. No doubt, the academic profile of the NCAC played a role. However, certainly not every school in the NCAC would be considered academically elite. The overall profiles of Hiram, Wittenberg and OWU are very similar to the OAC. JCU is currently much closer to them than the Denison, Kenyon, Oberlin tier.

As much as some might argue against it, you can't tell me that football didn't play a significant element in this decision. JCU, at its core, is a football school. They are most notable for their numerous alumni in the NFL. Their new AD is a football alumni who has spent his career as a D1 college football coach. Moving to the NCAC clearly allows for easier access to the playoffs in football, allowing them the best shot at a national title.

Add in the academic angle, and it was an easy sell to the university administration.

I feel as though almost any OAC school would have considered this opportunity, given the chance at easier access to the postseason and getting to associate yourself with top-shelf academic schools.

[mc1983]

Now Mount Union will never lose the OAC!!!

The power vacuum will be filled by someone, it's just a question of who. Mount isn't just going to beat everyone by 50 and waltz into the playoffs. Each season, there will likely be a few schools capable of competing.

[D3fanboy]

How about those Streaks and their future plans?

Now Mount Union will never lose the OAC!!!

those Mount-JCU playoff matchups will be something, probably look a lot like the past games in this "rivalry"

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

How about those Streaks and their future plans?

Now Mount Union will never lose the OAC!!!

those Mount-JCU playoff matchups will be something, probably look a lot like the past games in this "rivalry"

If JCU can get past DePauw, Dennison, Witt and Wabash.