FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[seventiesraider]

Great to see #19, freshman Cortez Jones contributing on defense in his first game. If it wasn't for some unfortunate HS injuries he'd be playing D1. Look for big things out of #19

[Toph]

Too bad about JCU.  I didn't get a chance to listen to the game so I don't know how things went, but there's always a bright side.  I hear that this is one of the best recruiting classes the Streaks have had in years.

[theaprof]

As promised (or dreaded) here is my report on JCU from the Wooster vs. JCU game that I attended today. (Wore Mount Union garb and was told by a JCU student that I should leave because this was a JCU game!)

I'm not sure what JCU was thinking, but the quarterback (I don't remember the number) they started with was pretty pathetic--lots of lame ducks and he didn't seem to be able to scramble much at all.  Fumbles, interceptions......looked like it was going to be a long, long season.  The first half of the first game was certainly painful to watch.  For most of the first half I was actually almost feeling sorry for the blue buggers.  

They played the second half with a different QB (#9?)..someone with a name that sounded like Pentello, turns out it's Petruziello, I think.  He was much sharper and actually got the offense going a little.  But it was still not a very strong showing.

The biggest thing I noticed was the center--the roster says he's 6'3" and 350 pounds.  I don't believe either of those numbers--he's shorter and heavier than that.  Somebody needs to donate money to JCU's program so they can buy some uniforms that fit--his kept creeping up to his armpits and he had to pull it down after every play.  The second thing I noticed was a decidedly slow offensive line--very little downfield blocking and lots of standing around after they blocked their first assignment.  Looked very inexperienced and easy to take advantage of with blitzes.

Defense seemed a little better than the offense except for the deep backs--they were getting beaten all day long.  I'm sure their numbers against the rush will be pretty good, but that was mainly due to the lack of imagination by the Wooster RBs--I didn't see a single time that a RB changed directions or tried to bounce to the outside when the hole closed.  The LBs seemed pretty solid and did well against the option that Wooster was running near the beginning of the game, and kept some decent pressure on the Wooster QB--but he was a stud--scrambled well and got the ball downfield.

I also felt that the officiating was gawd awful--bad spots--blown calls, etc.  Wooster had a kickoff that stoped on the three inch  line (I was standing right there) that was called a touchback--the Wooster QB was scrambling, had his helmet torn off by a blatant facemask, had a receiver open in the end zone--and the zebras whistled the play dead as he threw the ball--etc.  They were even placing the ball on the wrong set of hashmarks after some of the plays..........Hope we don't ever get this crew at Mount.

On the positive side, the Wooster band was great.  I loved how the bagpipes piped the team down the hill at the start of the game.  They had a really good halftime show and they played really interesting music--Everything from Offenbach's "Can-Can" from the opera "Orpheus in the Underworld" (part of the halftime show) to "Back in Black" by AC/DC (in the stands)--overall quite an impressive range of music--also, as little side note their band/pipers has over 180 members--not bad for a school of about 1800.  How many DIII schools have bands that are bigger than their football teams?

OK--enough of my ramblings--How long 'til MUC plays again?  Two weeks???

[e_lee]

I remember seeing Petruziello lead Lake Catholic to a state title in 2001 I think.  He went to Ohio U initially.  I have no idea about the guy who started, but seeing how he played in HS and knowing he is a former D1 scholarship QB, I can't imagine this job not being Putruziellos.

[amonachino]

Yahoo had a article on college uniforms, good bad and very ugly.  Here are some of the bad.  This was Sat. around 10:PM.

1. Oregon State -- Every day is Halloween in Corvallis!

2. Notre Dame (green jerseys) -- These were great the first few times they made a special appearance. Now they're getting hokey. They're also not working.

3. Tulsa -- Royal blue doesn't look good in a jersey, and it's even worse on a helmet.

4. Mount Union -- Good thing the Purple Raiders have won eight Division III titles in 13 years or people would really make fun of their grapelike duds.

[e_lee]

The article that amonoachino refers to.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-nancyarmour&prov=ap&type=lgns

[runyr]

Theaprof, thanks for the nice game summary.

amonachino & e lee, thanks for info and link on uniforms.

For history buffs:
Michigan borrowed their helmet design from Princeton when the Princeton coach moved to Michigan way back in the dark ages.

[frank uible]

That football coach wasn't any old guy. He was Fritz Crisler who coached at Michigan (1938-47), Princeton (developed the " winged helmet " there) and Minnesota for an aggregate record of 116-32-9. Although it may have all occurred in the dark ages, Crisler was,  is and should be remembered as a coaching giant.

[Desertraider]

What a relief! Football season is back!!! I think I have worn out the MUC Stagg Bowl DVD from last year!

I listened to the MUC game via the internet and was impressed with the way they moved the ball. Also, the defense seems to be dominant - again (especially against the run). Only a couple of concerns: it sounded like the secondary had some coverage issues (pass interference) early; and Kmic did not seem to have many holes. Granted I was not watching the game so it may have been a whole different story for those in Danville. Other than that who is this Wray kid and what happened to Aaron Robinson?

[Desertraider]

Theaprof, thanks for the nice game summary.

amonachino & e lee, thanks for info and link on uniforms.

For history buffs:
Michigan borrowed their helmet design from Princeton when the Princeton coach moved to Michigan way back in the dark ages.

For more info on the winged helmet design (and other designs) check out The Helmet Project link on Rics website:

http://www.mtunionfootball.com/mtunionfootball/links.htm

[seventiesraider]

Sadly, I gotta agree with the assessment of the purple on purple uniform set. Just a hair too much purple

[Toph]

theaprof-
Thanks for the game breakdown.  JCU lost quite a bit on both sides of the ball last year, so I'm not quite sure what to expect this season.  As for Petruziello, I heard about him transferring in, but didn't hear much about him when I got reports from camp from a few people.  I've heard more about Rudy Kirbus (Fr., Iggy) than anyone else.

[cufan]

Hoag and Robertson were cut yesterday

[section13raiderfan]

"Other than that who is this Wray kid and what happened to Aaron Robinson?"

Could Robinsons running style be why he didnt play much? Looking back to last years playoffs and the slippery playing surfaces late in the season, Aaron fell trying to make sharp cut backs against the flow resulting in short gains or losses. His calling card is speed which a wet surface can work against. Maybe Averetts field conditions factored into which runners saw the field. As for Wray.....I guess he is the future. Bring on the future! I still believe Robinson can be a contributer given the right conditions. Hes too good not to play somewhere. One thing for sure...Averett knew who Kmic was and was determined not to let him run wild.

[MountFan08]

As far as Aaron Robinson is concerned, it is hard to say what the season holds for him.  He was the fourth running back to enter the game, behind Kmic, Wray and Matthew Barge.  Wray is said to be the fastest player on the team, even faster than Garcon and Barge looked good when he was in there.  I think the running back position is one of, if not the deepest position on the team and that all these guys have the opportunity to move up or down the depth chart depending on how they perform week to week.