FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[frank uible]

purpled: Nothing like them old biblical names!

[reality check]

Only 58 points?  Did the Raiders forget where the gas pedal was against the Berg?  
ONU blanks OTT 26-0 in another yawner.

I guess the difference between Mount and ONU is Mount has a gas pedal, or does ONU have a pedal but no gas?
It will be interesting to see who is yawning next week.

Great use of the quote feature to omit the line following which answers your own question.  Here, I'll quote myself for your answer regarding ONU's "gas pedal"...

ONU is not the offensive team it was last year but they do a good job of controlling the clock and running the ball.

I just hope it's a great game in Alliance.  I'm looking forward to it but I know that ONU has the deck stacked decidedly against them.  Who knows though.  I look forward to the individual matchups next Saturday: Trusnik vs. the LT, Meadows vs. Kmic and Garcon vs. Gunter. 

[seventiesraider]

Mount's opponents are averaging around 18 net yards per game rushing. Will be interesting to see how Meadows fares against this defense. We haven't seen any backs like him, but he has seen any defenses like Mount's. At last the "Exhibition Season" is over.

[purple]

  The Purple Raider coaching staff and players have been looking forward to Saturday's game with ONU.I know the offensive coaches feel the purple offense has something to prove.There is a little blood in their eyes.The addition of Coach Wakefield has changed the look of the LBs.I'm sure they are seeking redemption for what Meadows did last year.It wont be close.

[raiderguy]

RC

What do you mean the deck is stacked against them?

Home field didn't mean much last year.  Of the Raiders last four losses, three have come at home. Sounds like they need to come to Ada to have a chance. What do ya think? Their current road winning streak is most impressive.

I am sure I echo your sentiments, Wish I could be there!

[reality check]

raiderguy

I get that your comment is all in good fun but I hope we don't get into the "homefield advantage is over-rated" argument.  Despite Mount's pedestrian home record over the last 10-15 years (sarcasm), I'd gladly have them pack their bags and journey to Ada on Saturday. 

And I believe any team that faces Mount has the deck stacked against them despite last year's win in Alliance or any other number of factors you can think of.  Mount Union is the cream of the crop in Division III year in and year out and I know it takes the perfect game and even a favorable bounce or two to topple the Raiders.  ONU had everything happen that needed to happen last season against a great Mount team. 

There is no doubt in my mind Mount Union has the more dynamic offensive attack.  They're averaging 64 points per game and have the top WR in the league and possibly the country along with an extremely effective RB and QB.  ONU will need to do what it did last year and keep the scoring down if they want to win.  They will not win a shootout. 

The keys for ONU would be Gunter's ability to contain Garcon, Trusnik's ability to pressure Jorris and contain Kmic, Meadows' ability to run against that Mount D and Quirk playing big as a senior QB. 

[seventiesraider]

Pat

   Just a note that the Sunday games appear to have screwed up the "Next Opponent" on the Top 25. Please not another Heidelberg game.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Pat C,  I added the Poll in this thread for the question on who is the best QB in the OAC this year.  I would like to change this poll for this week, but don't seem to have the ability to do this (button for new poll is now not showing for my login).  Did I do something wrong?

[HScoach]

.....Trusnik vs. the LT...... 

One advantage ONU has going into this week is that MUC's starting LT  and RG are done for the season.  Good thing MUC has great depth, but the 2nd string guy is usually 2nd string for a reason.

[cufan]

Had a chance to see some of the BW-JCU game .....Nice girth on JCU center, how about mixing in some veggies big fella.

Looking forward to a great Oct in the OAC.

[D3 Poster]

Very impressive.  Initial thoughts after seeing these teams....

Mount - best offense, qb, rb & wr.  the balance with run and pass is unmatched.  Not voting yet on the best defense as I need to see more of the big three.

ONU - huge offensive line and four deep at rb.  Passing game still needs work.  front seven defensively very strong.

Cap - Passing game looks good. Liked the addition of the speed guy at wr.  Defensively, great team speed.

[D3 Poster]

I saw two good QBs on Saturday and I'd say very comparable

Pentello 18 of 37 = 49% completion
Vrable 32 of 57 = 56%

Yds
Rocky 333
Jason 338

Pass completions over 15 yds
RP 6
JV  9

Better dbs = Capital

Both offenses struggled running the ball:
Crusaders over 100 because second team finished a 54 yd drive
Over half Mulkey's carries were for 2 yards or less

Correction, at 8 yards, Marietta didn't struggle running the ball, they couldn't.

Vrable didn't play the final two series for Etta.  Pentello played a little in CU's final series...no big deal.

If Collins listens to the fans, please ask him to throw more to Alexander.

[crusader26]

If Collins listens to the fans, please ask him to throw more to Alexander.

If Collins listened to the fans, their defense probably should of been in some sort of Nickel or Dime package, instead of letting their LBs match up with 'Etta's WRs.  When you have a QB throw 57 times, you would think you might want to mix up your defense somewhat, or maybe blitz or stunt.  It was very frustrating watching, b/c with MUC's talented Offense, they will dominate Cap's D if they continue to play in their Base Defense the entire game.  Or, maybe, Cap's staff thought they didn't need to, or want to show it??  However, if Vrable's WRs didn't drop the balls they did, and 'Etta not turning the ball over as much as they did late in their drives, this game could & probably would have been a shoot-out.

I saw two good QBs on Saturday and I'd say very comparable

Pentello 18 of 37 = 49% completion
Vrable 32 of 57 = 56%

Yds
Rocky 333
Jason 338

Pass completions over 15 yds
RP 6
JV  9

Vrable didn't play the final two series for Etta.  Pentello played a little in CU's final series...no big deal.

I am not sure Vrable is comparable to Pentello.  But, I think I have made this argument already.  I think Vrable's arm strength is below average, and would have trouble throwing 15+ yards consistently.  That is why he had 3 picks, b/c it wasn't like Cap was putting pressure on him all day.  Sure, they had three sacks, but that was mostly b/c he stayed in the pocket too long.  Very few times did he roll out scrambling b/c of pressure.  Rocky's completion % was not very good, nor was it better than Vrable's on Saturday, but 'Etta runs an entire different system.  Rocky threw downfield Saturday, whereas Vrable gained from his dink & dunks, along with his WRs taking advantage of the mismatches of Cap's LBs.

Lastly, after watching Wilmington & Marietta, they may surprise some teams, and make other teams sweat a little this year.  Though, Wilmington's Offense is not very good, I was rather impressed with their Defense.  As far as Marietta, they have a good WR core, and will be able to score some; however, their running game is nonexistent and their defense is not very fast.  They may be able to get past BW & JC to place 4th or 5th in the conference from what I saw Saturday night's BW & JC game.  Guess we will have to wait & see how the cards are dealt, as October will be huge for a lot of teams!!

[raiderpa]

Perhaps Coach Collins is a little brighter than we posters and does not want to show his nickel package before Mount Union...I did e-mail Collins a complimentary note last year  and got a very polite return thank you....showed great class...

Regarding Mount...Garcon took away from an unbelievable personal effort yesterday with his showboat that got the flag...I thought he had grown up...Maybe I am just too old, but this kind of stuff bugs me and makes me lose respect for some of these players....

The backup QB has a cannon for an arm and looked ready to step in whenever and if ever needed.  Would like opinions on whether he has a stronger arm tha Jorris..I think he does...

I saw Mount's back up running backs jogging to keep from scoring, and "slipping" on the field when they got near the endzone... I believe Kmic took a dive as well...

How do the linebackers look different, now that Wakefield is there??  I am not technically knowledgable to see that, but would like an explanation..

Jorris' interception was an overthrow...The DB was lost in the back of the endzone and the ball flew over the open receiver right into his hands...

Is Mount as FAST as they look....every position player seems to be able to fly....

[cufan]

Nickel or no nickel Etta only ave about 10 yards a catch.  Cap had 3 sacks and 3 picks, not bad defensive numbers.