FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[runyr]

Salisbury over St. John Fisher in 4 overtimes!  Too bad someone had to lose.  Talk about evenly matched....

[HScoach]

From the MUC SID:

The No. 1 ranked Mount Union College's football team ran out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in a 49-7 Ohio Athletic Conference victory over No. 4 ranked Capital University Saturday at Mount Union Stadium in Alliance.

The Purple Raiders fast start began on their second offensive play from scrimmage as senior quarterback Greg Micheli (Upper Sandusky/Upper Sandusky) hit junior wide receiver Cecil Shorts (Cleveland/Collinwood) on a 69-yard touchdown pass to make the score 7-0 just 3:12 into the game.

It was the start of a career-day for Shorts who caught nine passes for 207 yards with three touchdowns.  Shorts has now had over 100 yards receiving in each of the five games so far this season.

Capital went three-and-out on its ensuing possession and punted to Shorts, who returned it to the Crusaders' 40-yard line.  It took the Raiders just five plays and 2:40 to make it 14-0 as senior running back Nate Kmic (Delta/Delta) went in from seven yards out.

Kmic ended up with 168 yards rushing on 21 carries with three touchdowns on the ground.  The performance moved Kmic to No. 3 on the NCAA Division III career rushing list with 6,171 yards and his three scores gave him the career rushing touchdown record that now stands at 94.

Mount Union's defense allowed Capital just a total of six yards on its next drive before giving the ball back to offense that took just two more minutes to get on the board as a 40-yard touchdown pass from Micheli to Shorts put the margin to 21-0 with 3:35 left in the first quarter.

Micheli and Shorts hooked up again from 19 yards out on the Raiders first possession of the second quarter to take a 28-0 lead at the break.

Capital got on the board on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Marty Assmann to Ryan Gunnarson to leave the score 28-7 early in the third quarter.  Mount Union answered with a nine-play, 92-yard drive, capped by a Kmic two-yard plunge to get the score to 35-7, before the Raiders tacked on a Kmic 28-yard TD run and a five-yard touchdown run by junior running back Scott Panchik (Natrona Hts., PA/Natrona Hts.) in the fourth quarter for the 49-7 final.

Micheli finished 22-of-29 passing for 335 yards with three touchdown passes as the Raiders offense generated 614 total yards.

The Mount Union defense held the Crusaders, who entered the game as the nation's No. 4 rated offense (496.5 ypg), to just 69 yards rushing and 199 total yards with three sacks and an interception.  Junior James Herbert (Sagamore Hills/Nordonia) had a team-high eight tackles, senior captain Chas Yoder (Martins Ferry/Martins Ferry) had six stops, while junior Matt Williamson (Columbus/DeSales) had five tackles and 1.5 sacks to lead the unit.

[pradierguy]

Just had a Pentello sighting. When the commercial came back from the Ohio State game they showed the sideline and the name jumped off the back of the jersey. I just wonder what kind of 7 year plan Coach Tressel has 

[JK]

Cap had a lot of experience, 3 really good WR's, a 220lb RB, a talented QB (who Jim Collins told me before he left Cap is better than Rocky), an OL that hadn't allowed a sack all season, a defense that was ranked 8th in the nation with 3 returning starters at LB, a good front, DBs that I thought were pretty talented- they had pretty much shut down whoever they had played so far...

Losing Ronnie Smith hurt.  I don't think he would have made the difference, and I don't know if anyone is as fast as Shorts, but I think Smith was Cap's best match to cover him.

MUC had Micheli and Kmic back, but an all new OL, new WR's, and an almost entirely new defense.  I thought Capital matched up very well, even had the edge in experience.

I didn't say Cap should win, I said on paper they had a real chance to win.  But MUC dominated again.

I asked this question earlier:

MUC fans always say "this run will end," but if MUC replaces talent like they lost and handles Cap like that, will it?  

THere's NEVER been anything like this in football...EVER.  MUC loses all that talent, loses as much or more talent EVERY YEAR, and the new guys step up and it just keeps rolling.  I thought this year might be the year MUC gets beat based on al they lost...the end of the run of total dominance, but they look more dominant than ever.  Looking at a roster of 200+, you have to wonder what other talent is hidden in there and when the run will end, cause I don't see it.

[HScoach]

JK,

I was very disappointed in the game plan for Capital to start the game.  They tried throwing deep numerous times instead of trying to move the chains and keep Micheli and Kmic off the field.  Instead they keep going to the 5 step drop and running deep routes which keep giving time for the Raider pass rush to flush Assman from the pocket.  In the first 3 series, the only offense Capital had was Assman scrambling for yardage.  I wasn't until they were already down 21-0 before they went to the quick ball-control type passes.  With Mount's defensive blitzing and great pass rush, deep drops and holding the ball is not a recipe for success without a great O-line.

They still don't have a legitmate running back.  D'Andrea is a large body (6'-2", 220 lbs) but he's not quick enough to do much damage in the shotgun spread.  Ty Parks isn't the answer either.

The WR's had a decent game overall, but Alexander dropped a pass that would have went for 40+ yards (and down to the MUC 25 yard line) in the mid-first quarter when Capital was trying to hang with Mount early.  Assman was very inaccurate throwing the ball when on the move, he's no doubt an absolute stud of an athlete, and hurt Mount with his legs numerous times, but he didn't have a good game throwing on the move.  This is the first time I've seen Assman live, so I don't know if this is a constant weakness or just a bad day for Assman.  His legs bought him time and the WR's were open, but he consistently missed the WR's.

One thing is for sure, Capital better regroup in a hurry as they have JCU next week or their season could be on life support.



On the subjct of when will this end?  WHEN LARRY KEHRES DECIDES HE'S BORED WITH FOOTBALL AND RETIRES.

[reality check]

JK

It will end someday.  LK can't coach forever unless of course he has discovered the secret to immortality.  And as years go by, I'm more and more convinced he might have that figured out too.



Exd3

MUC's secret is attending English Class.  

[JK]

Listening to the game, I had the same thoughts about Cap's gameplan, hscoach.

Jim Collins understood you had to get in a rythym early and keep the MUC rush off you, so he would throw those little quick outs and in-cuts and mix in a draw or two before taking shots downfield.  I questioned Manny Matsakis A LOT today... (in his defense, this is his first MUC game since he was Capital's Kicker in 1984, he'll figure it out, he's a good OC with a great pedigree)

I was disappointed in the D today too.  You could hear early in the 2nd quarter, on one of Cap's sideline reporter's segments, someone tell the defense "You can't arm-tackle him" presumably talking about Kmic.  Cap's D was supposed to be big, physical, and fast, and they got out bigged, out physicaled, and out fasted today.

A lot of guys had a terrible game, starting with Alexander.  He never got involved in the game, was a complete non-factor.  Assmann was pressing because he was running for his life most of the time.  He's normally about as accurate as Micheli.  I think he was ovewhelmed by his first start against MUC, they got in his head a little hitting him early, and that caused him to be off.

You're right, they do need to get their act together in a hurry.  Maybe this will be a wake-up call for Cap like it was in 05 and 06.  Both years MUC handled them pretty good in the reg season and then won by 3 in the playoffs.  Cap realized they had to get better those years and did.  Maybe they will again.

[tv112]

OTT Wins again 42-28. Otterbein came out a little flat in the first half and went in at the half down 14-17. But in the second half both sides of the ball showed up and the offense took advantage of some key defensive and special team plays. See you next week. "Go CARDS"

[purpled]

On the subjct of when will this end?  WHEN LARRY KEHRES DECIDES HE'S BORED WITH FOOTBALL AND RETIRES.


Why do you think it will end when he retires?

[JK]

On the subjct of when will this end?  WHEN LARRY KEHRES DECIDES HE'S BORED WITH FOOTBALL AND RETIRES.


Why do you think it will end when he retires?

My point exactly.  LK isn't going to leave the cupboard bare when he retires.  Someone (or multiple someones) is going to have to end this, by that I mean consistently beat MUC (it doesn't even have to be an OAC team, it could be in the playoffs every year), to convice kids to not go to Alliance and sit (and win a title in the process) before they get their chance.

Look at Joel Sickmeier.  He was an all OAC LB at CAP and he never would have seen the field at MUC if he had stayed.  Kids go to MUC, hope they catch a break, if they don't, no big deal, either transfer or quit, but at least they have a ring...  Think about what those kids could be doing if they would play four years somewhere else...

And they aren't just NE Ohio kids who go to MUC, they are from all four corners of Ohio and beyond... no one else has those kids.  95% of Cap's roster is from the Columbus area.  MUC is state-wide and even has recognition nationally.

It might be time for the other OAC schools to "gang up" on MUC in recruiting.  Keep kids away from them.  You know, "I'd really like it if you came here to (Cap, ONU, wherever), but you really don't want to go to MUC.  I hear (BW, JCU, wherever) is a great school, and I think you would be a better fit there."  Ara Parseigan made a joke at Woody Hayes' funeral that Woody was the second best recruiter ND had, because if he couldn't get a kid to come to OSU he would steer them to ND to keep them away from Michigan.  Maybe that is the tack the rest of the OAC needs to take.  Can you hear it?  "We're pretty set here at QB at Cap the next few years, but Heidelberg could really use a QB with your talents..."

[HScoach]

Because they're won't be another LK. 

I'm not saying Mount will instantly become terrible, but there is no way in hell that Mount continues the year-in and year-out dominance that Kehres has led them to.    The last run like this in a mainstream sport (forget Kenyon swimming) was the UCLA basketball teams under Wooden. 

Let's just enjoy the ride for however long it lasts........

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I used to think there would be a drop off when Montgomery left, I was wrong.

I sort of think that there will be a drop off when LK decides to step down, but who knows with the coaching tree/legacy he has created.  There is someone out there to come back and take over the offense (Campbell, Siriani, Hallett, Paul, Bruney, etc...).

Just enjoy the ride while it lasts...

[reality check]

I wasn't implying it would turn south overnight either.  I wouldn't be surprised if MUC won a title or two in the years after LK rides off into the sunset.  But eventually things will change after LK moves on.  Of course, "things changing" could mean another half dozen OAC titles a decade, a Stagg Bowl or two and a measly winning percentage of 86%. 

Just enjoy the ride while...... nevermind.   

[Ex D3 Athlete]

Hello MUC fans, I'm highly IMPRESSED by your program! I just read that the new WR is prolly better than Pierre is! Kmic seems to be on pace to a record-breaking season! Thank goodness you guys are in the OAC instead of the NJAC! I noticed other powerhouse programs has slipped a little over the years while MUC just keep on rollin! Something seems a little too good to be true ... even D1 teams go through bad seasons? Michigan, Penn State, Miami, Notre Dame even Florida State to name a few! How do MUC do it after all these years, hmmmm I wonder??? Well this is the point when I always ask "Why don't MUC put a D2-D1AA or even a lower tier D1A on their schedule if for no other reason than to use as a measuring stick? I've heard the excuses year after year (What do the D2-1AA-1A teams gain - Who would watch - Power rankings - Money allotment - travel expenses) but I think those excuses are HOGWASH! There is at least 1 team somewhere in this country that would play them as a favor to someone associated with the MUC program! TRUST ME, they have powerful friends on every level of college football! Heck, they just had a WR drafted to the NFL this year!
Good Luck beating the snot outta D3 teams this season MUC! ;o)

Please go away with your hatchet job of the English Grammar, as well as your weak attempts to claim that MUC is somehow doing something wrong.  Wouldn't you think that the NCAA would have investigated by now with all the success over the years?

Also, how does Pierre Garcon playing for the Colts help MUC schedule a D2, DIAA or DIA school?  Please go have another beer and restrain yourself from posting until sober.

Let me get this straight, you just criticized my English grammar? Your critique has so many grammatical errors that I lost count. I suggest you concentrate on being Kira's dad and go have a beer. Maybe then you will stop playing English teacher! 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Hello MUC fans, I'm highly IMPRESSED by your program! I just read that the new WR is prolly better than Pierre is! Kmic seems to be on pace to a record-breaking season! Thank goodness you guys are in the OAC instead of the NJAC! I noticed other powerhouse programs has slipped a little over the years while MUC just keep on rollin! Something seems a little too good to be true ... even D1 teams go through bad seasons? Michigan, Penn State, Miami, Notre Dame even Florida State to name a few! How do MUC do it after all these years, hmmmm I wonder??? Well this is the point when I always ask "Why don't MUC put a D2-D1AA or even a lower tier D1A on their schedule if for no other reason than to use as a measuring stick? I've heard the excuses year after year (What do the D2-1AA-1A teams gain - Who would watch - Power rankings - Money allotment - travel expenses) but I think those excuses are HOGWASH! There is at least 1 team somewhere in this country that would play them as a favor to someone associated with the MUC program! TRUST ME, they have powerful friends on every level of college football! Heck, they just had a WR drafted to the NFL this year!
Good Luck beating the snot outta D3 teams this season MUC! ;o)

Please go away with your hatchet job of the English Grammar, as well as your weak attempts to claim that MUC is somehow doing something wrong.  Wouldn't you think that the NCAA would have investigated by now with all the success over the years?

Also, how does Pierre Garcon playing for the Colts help MUC schedule a D2, DIAA or DIA school?  Please go have another beer and restrain yourself from posting until sober.

Let me get this straight, you just criticized my English grammar? Your critique has so many grammatical errors that I lost count. I suggest you concentrate on being Kira’s dad and go have a beer. Maybe then you will stop playing English teacher! 

At least your verb tense was correct this time.

Try again please.