FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[reality check]

Didn't they play the West folks in the last two Stagg Bowls?

[usee]

Well I respect Keith M. as a writer and his D3 knowledge which is much better than mine but I took issue to his ATN article.  First of all, lets include coaching matchup.  LK & co outcoached the other guys hands down two years in a row. Why they were running sweeps and stretch draws is beyond me.  That was right into Mount's strength.  I also question the playcalling.  How do you have that good of a running back, that good of a receiving corp, that good of a line and you are not better on 3rd down. All year, they have not been good on 3rd down.  You have  the best TE in D3 and you only throw him the ball 20 to 30 yds down field.  I would be getting it to him within 10 yds all day.

Mount's DB's were and are better.  Hell one of them made the play of the game by blocking a punt.  I thought maybe he could have said the lines were more even but after seeing Kleppe I have to wonder how that guy was even a Gagliardi finalist.  He is big yes, and fat.  A difference maker? Not that I saw.  He was not the best defensive player on their team, that goes to the MLB that transfered in... that kid was all over the field.  And if I were picking a Dline with both team's players I'd take Stickley over Kleppe hands down.

Gordon, good talking with you before the game. As I said, I thought ultimately the QB would decide the outcome and he did.  None of us imagined though it would be Micheli for Mount Union.  I thought UWW should have done more play action and short passes and that would have made their guy more successful.

At any rate, you guys saw LK at his best Saturday.  He is just amazing.

1st of all, congratulation to Mt for another amazing run. I really wanted to pick against you (in fact i did in the d3 playoff pool but not on the pickems) but couldn't make myself do it.

Ric,

You can't underestimate something here you get to see every week. The MUC Oline is as good an Oline as I have seen. They made all of the nations best dlineman look pretty average this year (trusnick, studebaker, kleppe). I got to see kleppe 3x this year (st johns, wesley, muc) and he is a beast. MUC made him look pretty pedestrian but they have done that to more than a few defensive studs this year.

I totally agree with your assessment of the UWW offense. You said it better than I have been able to so far.  I didn't understand their gameplan vs St Johns, they made a lot more plays against Wesley and I didn't understand the playcalling saturday.

I too loved the way LK gets the ball into his best players hands. Micheli looked like the worst qb I had seen all year as a passer vs wheaton (obviously they didn't need to pass) but he made plays on Saturday. The MUC coaching staff is really the best at stopping the other teams best players and putting their best players in position to make plays. Of course it helps when MUC's best players are at almost every position.

really an amazing run. I have the utmost respect for the school, staff and players and what they continue to accomplish.

[oldhawk]

Good morning to all!

I hope you don't mind this longtime Warhawk booster coming onto your thread, but I just have to give kudos to Mount Union, their players, fans, and most of all their coaching staff.  Congratulations on yet another in a long line of outstanding seasons.  You guys are really something else!  As much as I'm a fan of UWW athletics, I'm just as big a fan of outstanding athletic teams, and MU may just be the definition of such.  Having watched both of the previous two AAS Bowls, it was completely obvious to this guy that the difference in those two games boiled down to the superior coaching of Coach Kehres.  Don't get me wrong, as I have the utmost respect for Coach Berezowitz.  He has done so many good things at UWW during his tenure there, but he, in my opinion has never been what I would consider an above average game planner or play caller.  His forte has ALWAYS been coaching good solid fundamentals and motivation.  This is what has allowed the Warhawks to be as good as they've been the past couple of years.  His play calling, however will never be compared to that of  your coach.  I could go on and on about the less than stellar play calling of UWW, but I came here to tip my hat to MUC.  It is obvious to even the most casual observer that over and above the great kids that are on your roster year in and year out, it is the superior mind, scouting, game preparation and play calling of Coach K that sets your teams apart from that of any other D3 school in the nation.  He always knows the oppositions strengths and figures out a way to neutralize them, then finds their weaknesses and devises a game plan to expoit them.  Most teams on the other hand, UWW definitely included, knows their own strengths, and will cater to them the entire game, even though the other team may have figured out how to negate them.  OK...now I'm rambling here and I'm getting away from the reason I came here in the first place.  Congratulations again to you guys, good luck next year, and always appreciate what you have, as things like this don't last forever, although in the case of MUC it can sure seem like it.

[HScoach]

.....  It is obvious to even the most casual observer that over and above the great kids that are on your roster year in and year out, it is the superior mind, scouting, game preparation and play calling of Coach K that sets your teams apart from that of any other D3 school in the nation.  He always knows the oppositions strengths and figures out a way to neutralize them, then finds their weaknesses and devises a game plan to expoit them.  ....

+ karma for a WWW fan for understanding what makes the Raider Dynasty really tick.

[seventiesraider]

Many is the time that I've walked across the parking lot across from the Mount Union field house on my way home from an evening class and seen the blue glow of a video monitor in Larry's office. Few have more of a passion for the game of football than Larry Kehres. Thanks for your thoughts Oldhawk and good luck to your program in the years to come.

[raiderpa]

The most telling picture of Larry Kehres was taken on the field, after the game.  He posed at midfield with his wife and grandchild...
Hell of a coach, better family man...

[SaintsFAN]

Congrats to MUC on another title.  First time seeing them this year for me, and they definitely looked like the more explosive and team that played harder.....they got what they deserved.  I also think its funny the guy that was spewing trash on the blog on here hasn't been back to eat his crow. ...Figures.

On a down note for myself and my alma mater, we've lost another former MUC player as our Head Coach to an OAC school.  I wish Coach Hallett well at the 'Berg, I know he'll make them respectable.  Great addition for the OAC, he'll help to make your league even more competitive. 

[JK]

Belated Congrats from me to MUC on number 9.

The last few weeks I was thinking about how one dimensional the Raiders had become, and was thinking that with Micheli taking over as the (presumably) full time QB next year that MUC might become TOO reliant on the running game.  I will always believe that if you get too reliant on one phase of the offense you become beatable, and I started to think that MUC might get too one dimensional for their own good with Kmic and Micheli.  Then Micheli goes out and throws for 200+ in the Stagg, and there goes that idea.  I still think that MUC will be ground oriented in 2007, but I think Micheli allayed a lot of fears about the passing game with his performance.  It wouldn't really surprise me to see MUC in a lot of one back, shotgun sets with runs out of the spread for Kmic and lots of quick throws to Garcon next year, much like Texas did for Vince Young last year and OSU has done for Troy Smith this year.

The rest of the OAC will be interesting.  Cap should be to the point where they can reload, although losing Rocky and two of the Hauslers, you would expect a little fall off.  BW appears to be back to what they have historically been and should be strong again, and JCU is presumably back to being JCU. ONU certainly has all the pieces to continue their success.  Otterbein fell off a bit this year after a really good 7-3 in 2005, but they should continue to improve.  I think losing Vrable will impact Etta a bunch and expect them to backslide a bit next year.  Wilma actually showed some signs of life this year and I think they will continue to improve.  I think the Berg made a great choice of HC's with Hallett, and although he might not turn them around overnight, they should at least be more competitive next year.  Musky is a big question mark with a new coach, but those of us who have been following the OAC for a decade or more know that they are capable of achieving some success as well.  My early 2007 prediction for the OAC:

1) MUC
2) BW
3) ONU
4) Cap
5) JCU
6) OTT
7) Wilma
8. ) Etta
9) Heidleberg
10) Musky

Over the last few years the OAC has been MUC and one or two teams that were legit contenders.  In the best years, maybe the top FOUR in the OAC were among the top 50 in the Nation.  Next year the top SIX might all have legitimate playoff aspirations, and all six might be among the top 50 or so teams in D3.  Next year, although MUC will certainly be the class of the league again with what they have coming back from another title team, it might be the year the OAC unseats the WIAC as the best conference in D3 (although we all have thought that for years anyway!)

Enjoy your holidays everyone.  School is out at UK, so I have a lot of free time now, but I will probably be dropping off the net for a while as the wife, baby, and I will be going to Europe to visit family and friends in the week between Christmas and New Year's.   So, if I don't post again, Merry Christmas and many happy returns for the New Year.  God bless you all, and God bless D3, the best football out there!

[Small but Slow]

A belated congrats to MUC and all the Purple Raider Nation on #9.  Congrats to Coach Hallett and everyone at the 'Berg.  Given the support and facilities the Princes can win again.  Does Heidleberg have its own stadium?  Back in the day they played their home games at Tiffin Columbian High School. 

[e_lee]

JK,

One of the players I coach is probably going to end up as a Kentucky Wildcat, unless someone else comes into the picture.  Right now its between South Carolina and Kentucky, and South Carolina hasn't really recruited him well.  Was late with an offer.  Joker Phillips has done a great job of recruiting him.  Michigan State is another possibility.

If he ends up a Wildcat, I plan on taking in a game over the next few years.  See you then:)

[JK]

elee,

I will probably only be here, at least as an ROTC instructor, for one more school year after this.  However, early indications without really digging into all options, are that I will end my Active Duty military career and remain in the Lexington area following next year.  So, if you do happen by, let me know.

All,

A link to foxsports.com's story on the Stagg:

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6279872

[reality check]

E lee

UK's football field is a great place to catch a game.  I watched Tennessee and Kentucky play there around 2000.  We drove all the way down to Lexington and ended up sitting about three rows away from our family veterinarian from Dayton who just happened to be Josh Betts' (Miami Redhawk QB) father.  UK was recruiting him apparently to take over after Lorenzon but it didn't pan out.  Nonetheless it's a cool stadium. 

Michigan State is a great place to end up at though as well.  I don't know what to expect post-John L. Smith but I know three CJ kids have started for the Spartans over the last 5 years so they're my second favorite team in the Big Ten.

[Pat Coleman]

elee,

I will probably only be here, at least as an ROTC instructor, for one more school year after this.  However, early indications without really digging into all options, are that I will end my Active Duty military career and remain in the Lexington area following next year.  So, if you do happen by, let me know.

All,

A link to foxsports.com's story on the Stagg:

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6279872

That's just an AP story -- not like Fox cared to send someone to cover the game.

[raiderpa]

If Muskingum were smart, they may want to  look at a couple of Mount's young assistant coaches...

Not that there aren't many good young coaches to be found, but guys like Matt Campbell, Jason Candle, Vince Kehres, Ed Hogya, jeff Wojotowitz...these guys have recruited, coached, and know how to prepare for the OAC...

I believe that you look at winning programs when you look for coaches, and get a young energetic coach who can communicate and sell a program.  The resumes of any of these guys fits the bill.

I would like some opinions on how you think these guys would do, and if you feel that they are ready for the jump...

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

If Muskingum were smart, they may want to  look at a couple of Mount's young assistant coaches...

Not that there aren't many good young coaches to be found, but guys like Matt Campbell, Jason Candle, Vince Kehres, Ed Hogya, jeff Wojotowitz...these guys have recruited, coached, and know how to prepare for the OAC...

I believe that you look at winning programs when you look for coaches, and get a young energetic coach who can communicate and sell a program.  The resumes of any of these guys fits the bill.

I would like some opinions on how you think these guys would do, and if you feel that they are ready for the jump...

Wojo is probably ready, but don't know if he has HC aspirations after this long.  Campbell, Candle, and V. Kehres (don't forget about Bruney) may need some more seasoning (not that I have any inside info, but probably a few more years calling the plays).  I believe Hogya is just a PT coach and is a FT Buisness Man.  Don't know if he wants to be a HC either.

Stan Watson has been the DC for Monty at Emory & Henry for the past two years.  He may also be ready for a HC job in the coming years.