FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

raiderfan1983 · December 05, 2007, 08:48:58 AM

Quote from: hscoach on December 04, 2007, 10:24:54 AM
Quote from: raiderfan1983 on December 04, 2007, 08:41:54 AM
Quote from: DuffMan on December 03, 2007, 09:45:01 PM
Quote from: AO on December 03, 2007, 06:56:40 PM
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

hscoach: Thanks for setting me straight. As I now pull my foot out of my mouth, I'll say this. Your post shows why this offense is so deadly. Even if a team can stop Nate and the rushing attack, Mount has the ability to stretch the field and dominate through the air.

P.S. Would you mind if I run any statistical posts past you first so that I can avoid further embarassment?

pradierguy · December 05, 2007, 10:32:20 AM

The impression I am getting from players on campus is confident but VERY focused on this upcoming game. Actually heard someone mention Stagg Bowl in a class and a player made a big point letting them know it wasn't time for that. Sounds like Lk has his boys ready to go.

Small but Slow · December 05, 2007, 10:53:36 AM

At least they are saying the right things. We will find out Saturday. I'm finally leaving the warmth of the Sunshine State in December to see my first live playoff game since '95!

Shark · December 05, 2007, 10:59:15 AM

I just listened to Bethel's coach (Johnson) on 1130 AM KFAN. He was talking about this week's game with Mount. He said no one has really lined up against them and "punched them in the mouth". He believes that's how to beat Mount......punch them in the mouth (pound them between the tackles). He believes they can control the ball with his running game, thus shortening the game.

Despite my earlier post to the contrary, if this is their approach (I don't think it will work!) this game may resemble playing Augustana

Toph · December 05, 2007, 11:01:14 AM

Quote from: Shark on December 05, 2007, 10:59:15 AM
I just listened to Bethel's coach (Johnson) on 1130 AM KFAN. He was talking about this week's game with Mount. He said no one has really lined up against them and "punched them in the mouth". He believes that's how to beat Mount......punch them in the mouth (pound them between the tackles). He believes they can control the ball with his running game, thus shortening the game.

Despite my earlier post to the contrary, if this is their approach (I don't think it will work!) this game may resemble playing Augustana

I think teams have tried to "punch them in the mouth," but haven't had any success. Hell, Fisher was still trying to run the ball down by 38 points.

jaypeter · December 05, 2007, 11:17:11 AM

Running against Mount Union--this year in particular--is not a recipe for success. Especially when they have shown in other games that they are willing to give up some extra passing yards if it means shutting down a strong running game (IC). Bethel may very well show the Raiders that they have the best running game that Mount has seen this year. But, I am a long way from being convinced that running against Mount Union spells success.

Small but Slow · December 05, 2007, 11:22:12 AM

The last team I recall beating Mount relying almost solely on the run was Denison nearly 20 years ago and that was the single wing. A good running game can beat them, but it's going to have to be well balanced with a deep threat against that scheme.

CruAlum39 · December 05, 2007, 11:28:18 AM

Small but Slow-

I don't necessarily believe the last part of your quote. It does take a VERY good team to beat MUC, however if it is done in the Semis or the Natl Championship, I don't think it is because the otehr team caught them in an "off day". That late in the season there is a small possibility that the other team might be better.

I played MUC in the semis in '04, and they were ahead 17 pts in the fourth. We came back and beat them, which is something not many can say in the past 13 or 14 yrs. But I think you need to give credit where credit is due. Not say that they had an off day.

I look forward to seeing you guys again in the Stagg. Hope we can get over the hump and beat UWW this weekend. It would be a very fun rematch. I'll be at the Stagg either way.

UMHB relies almost solely on the run...

skunks_sidekick · December 05, 2007, 11:44:08 AM

Yah...and it was two "heave it up there and hope someone catches it" touchdowns by your QB that got you over the hump. Shame on Mount for not stopping it, but it wasn't the run that beat them. Oh......and it was Mount's inability to move the ball in the 4th quarter that did them in as well (kudos to the MHB defense).

I HOPE there is a rematch at the Stagg. We will see what Mount can do against this pesky, tries harder as a team than anyone else

, Bethel team, and let's see if you can go up to WW and not get schmacked!

skunks_sidekick · December 05, 2007, 11:46:30 AM

And according to the Bethel coach.....not only are the Bethel players going to be crotch-grabbing (allegedly)...they are now going to be punching the Mount players in the mouth!

That is SO un-Christianlike......

HScoach · December 05, 2007, 12:01:08 PM

Quote from: skunks_sidekick on December 05, 2007, 11:46:30 AM
And according to the Bethel coach.....not only are the Bethel players going to be crotch-grabbing (allegedly)...they are now going to be punching the Mount players in the mouth!

That is SO un-Christianlike......

ba da bing

Small but Slow · December 05, 2007, 12:09:06 PM

CruAlum - I have never stated that Mount is necessarily superior to any opponent they have met in the playoffs, in fact, there have been numerous occasions I felt the match-ups favored the opposition. My statement is simply that to beat Mount a team has to be talented, well coached, execute an excellent game plan and catch a few breaks. Mount has caught their share of those breaks as well.

jaypeter · December 05, 2007, 12:24:03 PM

hscoach...look for a PM

jaypeter · December 05, 2007, 12:30:30 PM

smallbutslow,

With this year's defense, I think it would take a highly exceptional running game to beat Mount Union. There is not a running team in the country right now that would really make me nervous. I would give them proper respect, but I don't know that Mount's running defense can be beaten this year.

The side that does concern me more is what Mount would do when faced with a top-level passing offense with a semi-decent running game. It has been shown that Mount's pass-defense is not quite as dominant as their running defense. They also have not yet been faced with a top QB and wide receiver set. Against Ithaca, which looks to be the team to have most tested the Mount passing D, we were stacking the box against the run, knowing we would be sacrificing some passing yards. I don't yet have an answer as to how we would fare against a good O-line and a top passing team.

CruAlum39 · December 05, 2007, 12:55:25 PM

skunks-sidekick--

It was actually one "heave it up". UMHB's passing came worked for us in the 4th, but the running game got us to that pass. Running the option on 3rd and 4th for first downs to keep the ball moving down the field was huge.

Small but slow--

I apologize if I took it out of context, but maybe you can see how I might have. Anyways, that was along time ago. I hope we get the chance to do it again!