FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

ONUBearbacker:

I'm not from this board, however, welcome to all the boards.  Interesting info regarding ONU's JV team and I agree with your comments regarding the opportunity it provides new players coming into the program.  Yet indeed on occasion, some freshman still have the opportunity to be promoted to the varsity for special teams and/or specific position roles with great play during JV games.  At any rate, I wish your son all the best as he starts his collegiate football career and you and your family a great experience in following him.

As far as report dates, in past years, as far as I recall, the NCAA has had a rule prohibiting teams from starting official pre-season practice any earlier than 3 weeks prior to the first game of the season.  Hope reports next Monday Aug 13th with the first game being Labor Day Weekend Sat Aug 1st.  I noticed that ONU's first game is not until the following Sat Aug 8th, so I am surprised that they would be allowed to start next week.  On the other hand, if the NCAA rule has changed of recent, then I obviously missed that somewhere (not sure how?  and if so I am !!. unless it has something to do with the practice change a couple of years ago regarding the "two-a-day" and pads rules.  Perhaps some of our colleagues here and/or Pat can clarify this. 

Anyway, again welcome to the board and good luck to your son.

[ONUBearbacker]

d3db:

You are right. They do not report until the 16th for returners and the 17th for newbies. Team meetings and such on the 18th and practice begins on the 19th. 1st game is not until the 9/8/07.

I noticed the Hanover helmet. My #2 son is being seriously "courted" by their coaching staff. Not sure whether he'll be a Panther or yet another Polar Bear!

In either case, I'm quickly becoming D3football parent extraordinaire!

[reality check]

In either case, I'm quickly becoming D3football parent extraordinaire!

AKA: My wallet is getting lighter and lighter.


A highlight from my freshman camp was the Arm Bowl.  I don't know if they still do it or not as it was part of Kaz's camps.  There was this ratty old latex manechin's arm with black sharpie marker all over it.  I have no idea why the football team got it but the last day of camp, the freshmen O and D squared off in a scrimmage over the arm with all the varsity players watching.  We won on defense which meant that we had to keep the arm in our possession until the end of the season when it was battled over again.  My roommate and I were the "keepers of the arm" because we were housed in the safest location: the freshmen honors dorm and we were the only two football players in the building. 

Good times. 

[ONUBearbacker]

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing photos and stories on all the OAC schools.

[HScoach]

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing photos and stories on all the OAC schools.

Welcome to the board!  Always nice to see newbies.

Not sure how long you've been around lurking, but here's an OAC Preview from earlier this summer: http://www.mtunionfootball.com/2007season/07oacpreview.htm

[HScoach]

......ratty old latex manechin's arm.......My roommate and I were the "keepers of the arm".......

Under no circumstances do I want to know what you and your roomie did in Ada with an old latex arm!

[kcreds]

To the best of my knowledge OWU does not have a JV team per say but they played some JV games. I personally think not having an actual JV team hurts them for the very reasons you all have already pointed out. I, however, disagree with only playing Freshman. There are several upperclassmen that need more experience prior to playing varsity. They want to be part of the team and they put in all the hard work too so let them play.  It may be a good opportunity to see how new transfers play. I believe OWU played upperclassmen in their JV games. Marietta has a 6 game JV schedule but I'm not sure if upperclassmen play on it. I truly hope that Jr. gets JV time if he doesn't play that much varsity. He is considered a Junior academically but a Sophomore eligibility wise. I don't see him staying a fifth year so these next 2 years will be it. For those of you that have been concerned and gracious enough in the past to ask, Jr. has not been experiencing any back trouble for several months. I'm really anxious about fall practice though because that is when he experienced back issues last year. Goooooo Pios!

[ONUBearbacker]

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing photos and stories on all the OAC schools.

Welcome to the board!  Always nice to see newbies.

Not sure how long you've been around lurking, but here's an OAC Preview from earlier this summer: http://www.mtunionfootball.com/2007season/07oacpreview.htm

Thanks! Pretty thorough preview with a few exceptions:

Addition of 6'8" 300# OL Michael Hunter - basketballer turned(returned) to football. Hunter was a BGSU football transfer that gave up the gridiron to play hoops. Coach Paul convinced him to play his Sr. year. Could be interesting....
Several incoming sophomores that played selective roles last year but will now be impact players this season. Specifically, LB's Gabe Washington, Jose Santiago and Jake Myers.
Gunter being back is really going to help the secondary.
R.J. Meadows had a bad case of dropitis last year. If he's cured, the Bears will be back in business. Trevis Stephens is another power RB that could be part 2 of a 1-2 backfield punch.
Wittwer at WR was also not mentioned. He along with Delk will be Pankrantz go-to guys. I think the Bears are going to surprise people this year. I can't wait until the start of the season!

[Muskie1]

I'm pretty sure Muskingum has a JV Team(at least thats what the coach told my son during Recruiting). The Football team reports this Friday, 8/10.

[reality check]

bearbacker

I hadn't heard about Hunter coming over from the hardwood.  I do remember seeing his picture in basketball last season and thinking he should have been protecting the passer and not protecting the paint.  He might be a big addition to the O-Line.

There are a couple of transfers on their way to ONU from Ashland and Morehead St. for the 2007 season.  The freshman class should include no less than 21 All-State (1st, 2nd, HM) players.  15 kids coming from out-of-state this year.  On paper, there's a First TeamD-I all Ohio WR that could push for playing time early as well.

I am getting more and more excited about ONU's 2007 squad by the day.

[runyr]

Don't miss great stories of former players, the memories and where they are now:
http://www.mtunionfootball.com/mtunionfootball/raidersnewsletter/07junejuly2.pdf

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

I see that Trusnik is listed on the Jets roster as an LB, does anyone have any news on how his camp is going or what his chances are?  He was a tremendous player at ONU.

[reality check]

I see that Trusnik is listed on the Jets roster as an LB, does anyone have any news on how his camp is going or what his chances are?  He was a tremendous player at ONU.

I don't know his chances but I did read this on a Jets fan site regarding his camp so far...

"What in the hell is going on with Ferguson? I just read a report on the Jets official site that he was pushed back into the backfield and knocked flat on his ass by a 250 lb. DE by the name of Jason Trusnik. On the very next play Trusnik knocked Ferguson's hands down and got a clear path to the backfield.

It is very disheartening to read a report like this. This is not what you expect from a #4 pick in his second year.

On the other hand, the report stated that Trusnik is quietly having a very good camp. Maybe we have a keeper here."

I know he's unofficially listed as the third string ROLB behind Victor Hobson and Cody Spencer.  There are  currently 13 LB's on the roster.  The guys fighting for those last couple LB slots appear to be former Buckeye Anthony Schlegel, NFL Europe alum Blake Costanzo, newly signed free agent rookie Jerry Mackey (signed 8/4) and possibly one of the older vets like Wadsworth.  While Trusnik has to prove himself, I think it helps that he is so quick, could be valuable in Special Teams and can rush on the end at a discounted salary.  Even if he doesn't make the active roster, you have to like his chances of catching on with the practice squad and becoming a Mangini project.

[formerd3db]

bearbacker and other OAC friends:

One of our MIAA colleagues has posted on our MIAA board the link to the NCAA rules regarding DIII fb practices and start times that were instituted in 2003.  That should help clarify for all of us the questions that were being asked and discussed by many of us concerning this topic.  Hope that is helpful for you (it was for me, anyway).

[ACRULZ]

Good for Jason Trusnik!  I am an Adrian College fan and believe me, Trusnik made his presence felt at the annual scrimmage between ONU and AC!