FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Small but Slow]

CruAlum39 - I look forward to a rematch as well because that will mean we both won this Saturday.  That is the beauty of DIII football.  We get to settle it all on the field and debate it here.

jaypeter - We will find out Saturday how much respect the Raider "D" has for the BU passing game.  I realize Ithaca had good stats and gave MUC one of its biggest challenges of the year, but it was still a 42-18 win in the playoffs so it was an effective strategy.  Some of us see anything less than total domination as failure.  I get caught up in that trap as well.

[jaypeter]

I don't see Mount's success in the first playoff game as a failure.  It was a good calculated risk.  I just have not seen this year how Mount would play against a top level passing attack, and wonder how they would do.  I think Whitewater could match up well against Mount in that respect, if both teams make it that far.  UWW would have the best passing game Mount has seen this year, I believe and that would be the biggest unknown heading into that game.

[HScoach]

hscoach...look for a PM

I just sent one back to you.

[Small but Slow]

Has Mount faced a top shelf passing team this year?  The stats against Mount show they've still been pretty tough to throw on consistently. 

[jaypeter]

My impression is that they have not yet faced one.  That's why--for me--it's the one unknown with this team.  My hope comes from understanding that Ithaca was a decent passing team, and even with selling out against the run, we still were able to bend without breaking against their pass.

I could be wrong about facing a top passing team, and we just did a good job of stopping them that day.

[fredsdriveinn]

My impression is that they have not yet faced one.  That's why--for me--it's the one unknown with this team.  My hope comes from understanding that Ithaca was a decent passing team, and even with selling out against the run, we still were able to bend without breaking against their pass.

I could be wrong about facing a top passing team, and we just did a good job of stopping them that day.

Mount faces the best passing offense in the country everyday...in practice.  People seem to forget that fact.

[CruAlum39]

fredsdriveinn--

That is a good point.  Its funny how most good defenses are complimented with a good offense and vice versa.

[Knightstalker]

Back from the game....major props to Ithaca for a well-fought game today.  Their QB is the real deal.  His one receiver #8 was a real jekyll/hyde guy.  Would make a great catch, and then drop a ball when he was wide open.

Mount's pass defense needs to get MUCH better as they move on.  Offensively Mount was "good", but not great.  Great effort by Kmic, and Garcon was the most talented player on the field by a MILE.

I know that the Ithaca people said their kicking game was weak...but COME ON!  I saw the guy warming up before the game and he couldn't kick as well as a few kids I had on my son's PeeWee team.  Couldn't they recruit a kid off the soccer team?

The officiating was HORRIBLE!  I think the penalty yardage was something like 15-150.  There was at LEAST three phantom holding calls, and the Mount kid clearly tipped the ball before hitting the punter but they called it any way.  BAD BAD BAD officials.

If you go back to around page 876 and on you will see many posts basically stating the above about Ithacas passing game and Mounts pass D.  It seems Mount has faced a very good passing offense and it showed where Mount needed to improve.  It appears that the pass d will not get tested again unless mount plays UW-WW.

[pradierguy]

I agree Fred. However, when the wind and snow are blowing and the pressure is on its a whole new ballgame. I'm excited for the game Saturday to see Mount's secondary really get tested. It should be a great battle!

[jaypeter]

But will they be tested this week?  It seems Bethel is a stronger running team than passing team.  I think the thought that the only major test Mount's secondary would pass in the playoffs would be UWW is quite accurate.

Are we all just saying the same thing in different ways and just sort of talking past each other?  It kind of feels that way a bit.

[DuffMan]

You're not gonna see MUC's secondary tested this weekend.  Bethel prefers to run the ball, and they're QB has a gimpy shoulder.

[AO]

all shoulder's considered--I still wouldn't be surprised to see bernstetter or lee find the end zone on Saturday.

[jaypeter]

I absolutely agree.  As I think about this more and more, I see this playing out similar to the first round Ithaca game.  Especially if Mount Union is looking at a team that prefers to run and has a quarterback with a shouler less than 100%, they may again be satisfied to stack the box against the run, give up some yards and possibly a TD through the air, but know that they are controlling the game in the trenches and allowing their offense to do what Mount's offense does.  That kind of approach will give up significant yards through the air, and even with a score or two, it's a "bend but don't break" sort of thing.  I can live with that, particularly if it means we don't have to show our full defensive package.

[usee]

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

This could very well resemble an augie game. remember 1999 when they pounded it and still lost despite holding a 48-12 advantage in TOP.

I do think its viable to run right at the Mount defense. One way to neutralize athleticism and speed is with power. IF you have it. and that is a big IF. I haven't seen Bethel play but if they have better, stronger players than MUC they will have success with this strategy. If you can line up with 2 tight ends and 2 running backs and pound the ball good for you. I have yet to see a team at the D3 level that can match up with MUC up front and if Bethel has the ingredients then they will deserve the prize.

I also think its often much harder on a secondary vs a strong running team that can pass the ball effectively. Augie has never had a viable passing attack to comlement their running game. The way Mt Union plays their safeties, if Bethel can be effective with play action down the middle of the field it will create some problems. Again, that goes back to their ability to actually be successful with the running game, which no one has vs MUC this year.

Maybe MUC's defense hasn't seen a running game the way Bethel brings it??  8) or perhaps, maybe Bethel hasn't seen a defensive front the way the purple raiders bring it??? 

I know what most people outisde of the twin cities think is the answer to this but that's why they play the game.

[Redtooth]

all shoulder's considered--I still wouldn't be surprised to see bernstetter or lee find the end zone on Saturday.

They might find the end zones during warmups, but after that only if they are chasing Mount Union's DBs or LBs into the end zones after picks and fumbles.