FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Fido0650]

Let see:

Mount plays an undefeated top 25 team.

Mount wins a close hard fought game against said undefeated top 25 team.

Mount drops down one place on D3's top 25 list.  Went from 4 to 5.

Makes sense to everyone,  right?

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Let see:

Mount plays an undefeated top 25 team.

Mount wins a close hard fought game against said undefeated top 25 team.

Mount drops down one place on D3's top 25 list.  Went from 4 to 5.

Makes sense to everyone,  right?

I'm assuming it's because QB1 was injured.

[WRMUalum13]

Let see:

Mount plays an undefeated top 25 team.

Mount wins a close hard fought game against said undefeated top 25 team.

Mount drops down one place on D3's top 25 list.  Went from 4 to 5.

Makes sense to everyone,  right?

I'm assuming it's because QB1 was injured.

That performance didn't exactly inspire confidence in me. As a neutral observer I'd probably put us outside the top 10 based on recent playoff performance and lack of dominance in the OAC this year. Really depends n how good Marietta truly is though.

[D3fanboy]

Coming in off the bench isn't the easiest thing.  I'd really like to see Mount air it out a bunch against Muskie, get Deshields some confidence and then have a couple of weeks to get him ready for the playoff run

[Raider 68]

In attendance at the Mount/Marietta game. It was a great atmosphere on a nice Saturday.

Some thoughts:

Marietta

- A solid team with senior leadership.
- Great defense and offense at or near the top in most OAC categories.
- Well coached and very effective play calling
- Large turnout from Marietta fans
- Came to win yesterday, with no concern about the Raider tradition
- Very good team speed and good WR's

Mount Union

- Played a cautious game until later part of 4th Quarter
- Penalties were ridiculous, some bad calls and some bad judgement extended Marietta's
  drives
- Raider play calling again suspect
- Loss of QB1 impact on the game
- Team did not give up and fought to the end
- Tyler E. was the best offensive player on both teams on Saturday.
- Credit to QB DeShields coming in and leading the team


Marietta was the best team the Raiders faced this season with a better defense than JCU.
They outplayed the Raiders until mid 4th Quarter. This win was critical for Mount in many
ways, tough opponent before the playoffs, forced them to come back after their QB1
was injured and maybe set the tone for the coming games. How far will they go, not sure,
but at least they have an opportunity to prepare for it. Marietta's team reminded me
of a North Central 4-5 years ago, big, fast and skilled. The Raiders will be facing
others like that depending on their advancement.

[Pat Coleman]

Let see:

Mount plays an undefeated top 25 team.

Mount wins a close hard fought game against said undefeated top 25 team.

Mount drops down one place on D3's top 25 list.  Went from 4 to 5.

Makes sense to everyone,  right?

I'll reply to you like I replied on X:

It seems voters think that Mount Union and Marietta were too far apart on their ballots, given the result of the game.

[Desertraider]

I think the only reason Mount and Marietta are so far apart on the ballots is because they are both being judged by their respective histories. Mount is ranked top 5 because of the tradition. Same with Marietta - if they were named John Carroll they would have been a top 10 team for a couple of weeks now. I have no issue with Mount dropping a notch, they should. But I think Marietta is still a top 20 team. I hope they dont collapse after this defeat and they close strong.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I think the only reason Mount and Marietta are so far apart on the ballots is because they are both being judged by their respective histories. Mount is ranked top 5 because of the tradition. Same with Marietta - if they were named John Carroll they would have been a top 10 team for a couple of weeks now. I have no issue with Mount dropping a notch, they should. But I think Marietta is still a top 20 team. I hope they dont collapse after this defeat and they close strong.

Good Take!

[MUC 2008]

I think the only reason Mount and Marietta are so far apart on the ballots is because they are both being judged by their respective histories. Mount is ranked top 5 because of the tradition. Same with Marietta - if they were named John Carroll they would have been a top 10 team for a couple of weeks now. I have no issue with Mount dropping a notch, they should. But I think Marietta is still a top 20 team. I hope they dont collapse after this defeat and they close strong.

I'll drink to this.

[purple blood]

DeShields reminds me a little bit of Kurt Rocco. Not quit as big and strong armed but just the way he looked out there. At least from the tv broadcast . Speaking of Rocco , how good was he. Kinda flew under the radar cause he only got to start one season. Dude had a cannon and could run like a Giraffe escaping a lion.

[D3fanboy]

DeShields reminds me a little bit of Kurt Rocco. Not quit as big and strong armed but just the way he looked out there. At least from the tv broadcast . Speaking of Rocco , how good was he. Kinda flew under the radar cause he only got to start one season. Dude had a cannon and could run like a Giraffe escaping a lion.

the '09 Stagg Bowl might have been a little different had Rocco not been knocked out of the semi's with a pretty cheap shot to the head against Wesley.  He was one of the best "one year wonders" at QB in Mount history, would have loved to see him in the national championship without a concussion six days prior

with the most experienced OL in the country and three top notch RB's, I think Mount could tailor an offense that utilizes Deshields' strengths at QB.  Will they? is the question.  I'm not sure that the RPO/bubble screen offense is up TJ's alley.  Ball control, play action and a strong OL seems like something that a talented 24 year-old can be thrown into with some success. "The Standard" was always "players-formations-plays".  We'll see if that happens, or if Mount's play-calling stays the same

[Raider 68]

Anyone heard anything concerning N. Beaudrie's injury and whether he could play again in the playoffs?

[Pat Coleman]

Anyone heard anything concerning N. Beaudrie's injury and whether he could play again in the playoffs?

This information isn't likely to be shared for public knowledge. I obviously don't know anything about the specific injury, but barring a loss on Saturday, Mount Union will be headed for a first-round bye and won't have to play a postseason game until after Thanksgiving, so that will help.

[WRMUalum13]

Am I crazy or is Mount Union perpetually undersized? Going up against NCC the last several years I thought we looked small, but now even Marietta looked like they had a size advantage on us in many positions.

[Dr. Acula]

When it came to NCC and UWW before that Mount was always smaller from what I recall.  I think that traces back to VK.  It seemed like he opted for trading some size in favor of speed/athleticism/versatility.  For how many years now have they had smaller DE/LB?  Both starting LB are 210 lbs?  And you have a DE about that size too.  Liebler is the perfect example of what they want.  Superior player who is undersized for higher divisions (and is not big for a D3 CB).  On the OL I always wondered if they settled into more of the 6'2", 275 lb types in part because the D2 programs grab the 6'4" 300 lb guys that they once got.

FWIW VK still does this at Toledo from what I've seen and he's drastically improved the Rocket defense in his tenure.  He likes athletes all over so it gives him tons of options to be aggressive with pressure.