FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[rscl70]

What religious affiliation is Bethel?  Mennonite?

From Bethel's website:

"Bethel began as a seminary for Swedish Baptist immigrants in 1871 and in 1914 combined with a secondary academy, which later became a junior college. In 1947, the addition of a four-year liberal arts college created Bethel College & Seminary. The institution reorganized as Bethel University in 2004 to reflect its broad scope of programs. Bethel is sponsored by the churches of the Baptist General Conference. The institution maintains alliances with many other evangelical organizations and churches."

You'll be happy to know that Dewalt Chapel is directly across the street from the visitor's locker room.  It was going to be built on the other side of campus, but many of our opponents requested a more convenient location.

[bcflyguy1]

What religious affiliation is Bethel?  Mennonite?

From Bethel's website:

"Bethel began as a seminary for Swedish Baptist immigrants in 1871 and in 1914 combined with a secondary academy, which later became a junior college. In 1947, the addition of a four-year liberal arts college created Bethel College & Seminary. The institution reorganized as Bethel University in 2004 to reflect its broad scope of programs. Bethel is sponsored by the churches of the Baptist General Conference. The institution maintains alliances with many other evangelical organizations and churches."

You'll be happy to know that Dewalt Chapel is directly across the street from the visitor's locker room.  It was going to be built on the other side of campus, but many of our opponents requested a more convenient location.

Nice!

A little off topic, but I noticed today that Alliance is very close to Massillon, OH.  I've got a documentary in my DVD collection called "Go Tigers!", filmed a few years ago.  I thought it was good, but how was that received in Tiger country?

[Shark]

If the raiders are going to win, it's probably going to be through the air as Bethel's run D has been very tough as of late.

I'll bet MUC rushes for at least 150 yards versus the Royals.

At least!

Also saw Bethel had 80 rushing attempts @ Central last week . Talk about 3 yards and a cloud of dust (snow ). Doubtful Bethel reaches the 100 rushing yard mark against Mount, no matter how many rushing attempts. As in most games, this one will be won in the trenches.

[raiderfan1983]

If the raiders are going to win, it's probably going to be through the air as Bethel's run D has been very tough as of late.

I'll bet MUC rushes for at least 150 yards versus the Royals.

If MUC doesn't rush for at least that much, Bethel's D will truly be something that Mount fans "have not seen" this year since I don't think any team has come close to holding Mount under 150 yards as a team.

Had to throw this in as well concerning the "Bible thumping" Baptists from Bethel.  What is the difference between a Baptist and a Methodist?  Answer: Methodists drink with the blinds open.

[HScoach]

If the raiders are going to win, it's probably going to be through the air as Bethel's run D has been very tough as of late.

I'll bet MUC rushes for at least 150 yards versus the Royals.

If MUC doesn't rush for at least that much, Bethel's D will truly be something that Mount fans "have not seen" this year since I don't think any team has come close to holding Mount under 150 yards as a team.

It's been a whopping 3 weeks since MUC had less than 150 rushing in a game.  The Mighty Pioneers of Marietta held Mount to 131 yards rushing on 34 carries (3.9 avg).

However MUC threw for 418 yards and 4 TD's

[Jonny Utah]

Im going to say that Bethel is at a disadvantage if their running game is their strength.  Only a passing team with a good QB is going to beat MUC.

[Small but Slow]

If Bethel has 80 rushes Saturday it more than likely won't be good for the Raiders.  Based on the statistics it seems Bethel's D pretty much had its way with Central, and the offense was able to hold the ball and chew up clock.  It's possible the weather played a part in that, but good teams find ways to win in all conditions.  What can we expect weather wise for Saturday?

[Ajwassup]

Since Bethel ran the ball 80 times on Saturday, should we expect another game similiar to the Augustana game a few years ago in the playoffs?  Seems like they are a similiar team 

[Shark]

Since Bethel ran the ball 80 times on Saturday, should we expect another game similiar to the Augustana game a few years ago in the playoffs?  Seems like they are a similiar team 

I don't think so. I think the weather dictated the large number of running plays. I thought I saw they average over 20 passes a game.

80 carries a games indicates to me that they were unable to pull off any big gains off the run, just a few a yards at a time. I don't think Bethel will continuously try to ram the ball down our throats. They are going against the strength of our defense and that would certainly play into our hands

[Shark]

Bethel has only attempted 30 less passes (less than 3 per game) than Mount, according to Ric's tale of the tape http://www.mtunionfootball.com/07betheltaleofthetape.htm   Thanks Ric!

They seem to run more than pass (2-1) but still fairly balanced with 310 passing attempts.

[TC]

Well done on the trivia, and your assessment of the kind of folks from Bethel that you can expect to meet this weekend is spot on.  Don't let the shrill mud-slingers among the SJU supporters fool you.  Like I told Central, meet as many of the Bethel players, coaches, parents, and fans as you can this weekend.  After the game, talk to the players on your team about what it was like to play Bethel.  If after all that you think the Royals are a bunch of hypocritical, Bible-thumping crotch grabbers then so be it.  Central didn't find that to be the case, and I'm sure you won't either.

Are you saying that Bethel players only grab Johnnie crotches?  How flattering.  Kinda. 


As I mentioned on the MIAC board, I'm expecting yet another MUC blowout but I think Bethel is as well-suited as anyone to at least keep the game somewhat competitive.  For this to happen, Bethel will need to execute their game plan flawlessly (which goes without saying), hope Mount Union makes some mistakes, take some calculated risks and hope all the bounces go their way.  If they shoot themselves in the foot like they did numerous times against St. John's--the blocked field goal, the multiple long, time consuming drives resulting in no points--this one will be over early.

Still, it will be interesting to see an MIAC team besides St. John's take on the Purple Raiders.  I'll argue until I'm blue in the face that, outside of Ohio/Mount Union, the best D3 football is played in the West Region.  Now it's time to find out if our region can back that up.

[TC]

Bethel has only attempted 30 less passes (less than 3 per game) than Mount, according to Ric's tale of the tape http://www.mtunionfootball.com/07betheltaleofthetape.htm   Thanks Ric!

They seem to run more than pass (2-1) but still fairly balanced with 310 passing attempts.

I think it is important to see who Bethel was passing the ball against this season.  In, arguably, their 4 most important games (at St. Olaf, St. John's, and the playoff games against UW-Eau Claire and at Central), the Royals had their four lowest passing attempt totals on the season (StO-18, SJU-18, UWEC-14, Cen-10).  This is a combination of a lot of factors--the games all happened from late October on, suggesting cold weather, they ran fewer total plays against better teams (and no, I'm not going to take the time to run the pass/run percentages right now), etc.--but I think it illustrates the point that, ideally, Bethel wants to run the ball to try to beat good opponents.

In their one loss, against a crappy Buena Vista team, Bethel threw the ball 47 times.  In their other 12 games, all wins, they averaged just under 22 pass attempts (the Royals averaged 54 runs per game).  They attempted fewer passes than their opponent in 10 of 13 games this season.  Their QB was league MVP, but that was based off of his 79 rushing ypg far more than his 144 passing ypg (coupled with the fact that the other players who put up huge offensive numbers played for bad teams).

This isn't a run-only team, it's a team with a reasonably balanced offense who would be content running the ball nearly every down if it is working.

[jaypeter]

The saddest thing about my last post that got appropriately criticized, is that I actually went back at one point and added that last sentence.  I should have left the post ending with Rowan's excitement at beating Mount Union having to do with the past history between the programs.  Oh well.  Although I will admit to being a homer towards MUC and to some extent UMHB as well.

On to this week...I think it's interesting to look at the strengths of both of these teams and how they match up with each other.  It looks like it will be an exercise in which team performs best with what they already do well.  Mount is a great running team and is facing (another) stout running defense.  Will the MUC line be able to win the battle or will Bethel's defense be up to the challenge?  Also, Bethel has shown recently a tendency to want to push the ball ahead with a running game, picking up small chunks of yards on a consistent basis.  Will their running game be able to stand up to Mount's beast of a run defense?  History in this year's playoffs seems to show that Mount will likely win both of these battles.  Does Bethel have the QB and receivers to make Mount Union nervous about stacking the box to stop the run?  So far the best quarterback Mount has faced was from IC and they weren't able to make Mount Union pay for concentrating on the run.  I have yet to see a reason why we should expect anything less from this week. 

I think Mount Union wins a game where the score doesn't necessarily show how even the stats ended up being.  Mount Union finds a way to score, it seems like Bethel has not always been able to do that.

[Small but Slow]

Bethel will have to capitalize on any opportunity Mount Union gives them and eliminate big plays.  Over the years Mount has been able to make more game breaking plays than the opposition at key points of the game.  Two years ago UWW drives down the field and scores as if MUC sent the jv defense out the first series.  The offense looked a bit shaky the first couple plays then hit the home run to Garcon.  Later in the game it looks as though UWW is regaining some momentum with Mount pinned inside their five when Kmic uncorks the long TD run.  Big plays can make otherwise evenly played games appear lopsided. 

[Freebird]

Mount Union faithful,

I feel honored to get the chance to post on this board let alone my school  play your team. Mount union almost seems like a mythical program from all the stories I have heard.

Our Bethel boys plan to give you a good game because I bet you are getting bored with blow outs.

Best of luck this weekend!

Where have you been to get -220k? 

He has the proclivity to taunt SJU fans on this board.   

They don't like that.....and respond.   

What!!! I don't taunt.....ok maybe a little but those SJU guys get so worked up about it I can hardly help myself    Beating them twice in a row helps too 

The negative karma can mainly be attributed to a very dedicated off season smiter from Saint Johns.