FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I heard that LK was going to keep the starters in for all or nearly all of 4 quarters these last 3 games to get them in playoff shape...even if all we see are field goals in the secong half.
Any thoughts people?

Let Nate Run!

Maybe for JCU and Otterbein, but probably not for Marietta (no offense intended Pios Fans).

[D3 Poster]

I'm all for letting Mount's starters play all four quarters in the Marietta game....as long as they switch over to Navy Blue & White for the second half!

[seventiesraider]

Etta will just set the quarter clock to 8:00 and never stop the clock. They only got a slap on the hand for the last time they did it.


Actually flooding the field would be a good option.

I'm all for letting Mount's starters play all four quarters in the Marietta game....as long as they switch over to Navy Blue & White for the second half!

Am I the only one who needs this explained?

[rscl70]

MUC's JV team lost to Ashland last night.

Coach Owens should be happy - he finally has some bragging rights in the recruiting wars.

[Toph]

I heard that LK was going to keep the starters in for all or nearly all of 4 quarters these last 3 games to get them in playoff shape...even if all we see are field goals in the secong half.
Any thoughts people?

Let Nate Run!

My senior year at Carroll ('05 season) LK ran play action up 63-0 in the fourth.  I wouldn't rule anything out.

[OldOtter]

i don't believe LK ever ran the score up on us. the one thing i will never forget about playing up there last season was watching Garcon get two personal fouls and ejected from the game. i thought lk was going to kill him on the sidelines. For as good of a ball players as he was, and don't get me wrong he was incredible, he sure ran his mouth a lot.

[bambord]

I heard that LK was going to keep the starters in for all or nearly all of 4 quarters these last 3 games to get them in playoff shape...even if all we see are field goals in the secong half.
Any thoughts people?

Let Nate Run!

LK is, again, between a rock and a hard place.  Playing starters to get them in playoff shape is a valid idea.  However, is it fair to have starters kicking field goals or running out of bounds?  Isn't that insulting to opponents?  Is it fair to the depth chart players?  Is it fair to recruiting?  Is it fair to next years team?

As it is, next year may look a wee bit bleak - losing irreplaceable players such as Micheli, Kmic as well as others .  Doesn't the 2009 team need all the work possible, this year?  With, perhaps, only four qb's on the roster, Micheli's replacement needs to be found and playing - this year.

[HScoach]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Micheli's replacement is playing in high school right now

On the topic of playing the starters longer to get ready for the playoffs, that is a great idea if the opponent is strong enough to actually give them a test.  If it's someone like Wilma was last Saturday, the starters are better off sitting on the bench the enitre second have because they are more likely to get sloppy and not be focused because it comes so easily.  Plus you're more likely to get hurt because no one is going hard.  I'd rather have 30 minutes of very focused, very precise game action than an entire 60 minutes of going thru the motions against a completely over matched opponent. 

Where the need to play a full game thing comes in is mentally, not physically.   Practice time will take care of the physical endurance, it's the mental side that gets tested in the games.  And if the opponent sucks, the only mental thing coming out of it late in the game is 'relaxation' which is the exact opposite of what the starters need.

Hopefully JCU provides enough of a battle to warrant the starters playing well into the 4th quarter because MUC needs a good test, preferrably more than just Otterbein next week.  What I expect against Marietta is the starters playing the first series of the 3rd quarter to keep them focused thru halftime, and then rest for Week 11.

Which brings me to Kmic and the rushing record.  Hopefully JCU and Otter puts up enough fight to warrant Kmic getting the ball 25+ times over the next 2 games.  If he is to have a good shot at Bowers' record, he needs 150+ (preferrably 200) yards against Carrol and Otterbein to get within striking distance for the playoffs.  I'm pretty confident in Otterbein providing the challenge, but the JCU offensive stats are ugly. 

Coming into this weekend, JCU has been so pass-happy it isn't even funny (see below).  Without the threat of the running game, Millings and Herbert will be camped out in the JCU backfield.  A one dimensional offense, especially a passing one, against an agressive VK called defense with the speed they have at the edges is not a recipe for success.  I'm seeing a very long and painful day for quarterback Mark Petruziello 

Tale of the tape:

Mount Union................Offense............. John Carroll
47.0............................. Pts/Gm...........................23.4
551.4....................... Total yds/gm.....................322.3
247.6.......................Rush yds/gm......................88.0
41.3.......................... Carries/gm........................30.4
6.0..............................Yds/carry...........................2.9
303.9....................... Pass yds/gm.....................234.3
25.4..........................Pass att/gm.......................33.4
15.3....................... Yds/completion....................10.6


Mount Union.......... Defense allows....... John Carroll
4.7................................Pts/gm...........................13.9
166.0....................... Total yds/gm.....................280.9
34.9.........................Rush yds/gm....................119.3
29.4.......................... Carries/gm........................39.3
1.2..............................Yds/carry...........................3.0
131.1....................... Pass yds/gm.....................161.6
25.6..........................Pass att/gm.......................27.3
9.3......................... Yds/completion......................9.8



Otterbein on the other hand with their running game and offensive balance could present the Raiders with a very good test.

[Desertraider]

I heard that LK was going to keep the starters in for all or nearly all of 4 quarters these last 3 games to get them in playoff shape...even if all we see are field goals in the secong half.
Any thoughts people?

Let Nate Run!

LK is, again, between a rock and a hard place.  Playing starters to get them in playoff shape is a valid idea.  However, is it fair to have starters kicking field goals or running out of bounds?  Isn't that insulting to opponents?  Is it fair to the depth chart players?  Is it fair to recruiting?  Is it fair to next years team?

As it is, next year may look a wee bit bleak - losing irreplaceable players such as Micheli, Kmic as well as others .  Doesn't the 2009 team need all the work possible, this year?  With, perhaps, only four qb's on the roster, Micheli's replacement needs to be found and playing - this year.

Is it fair? Maybe not - but this is not a discussion about "feelings" or whether Suzy got a bigger piece of cake than Tommy. It is football. Not everything is fair - and players/former players know this. However, using the "fair" terminology: Is it fair to this years starters to pull them at the half at the possible expense of not having them in "playoff shape"? I think that to a man this years team would prefer a championship and the ring that goes with it - over being fair to all parties.

Is it insulting to opponents, maybe. But we have had this discussion on this board before. If opponents want to change the result then it starts with them - not Mount. It is still "insulting" to put 50 on the board before halftime - but what choice is there? Score only on even numbered possessions? For every TD Mount scores, Micheli/Kmic/and Shorts have to line-up with the opposing teams offense and run against the Mount D?

As far as the depth chart goes - well if the 2nd and 3rd stringers want more time on the field then they know how to do that: work harder (more weight room time, more off the field training, etc.) and crack the starting line-up. The back-ups know and accept this - just ask them.

Next year may look bleak (perhaps) but nobody is irreplaceable. Mount found a way to replace Chuck Moore, Dan Pugh, Jim Ballard, Bill Borchert, Irgang, Marino, Smeck, Adamson.............my god so many great ones. The point is that Mount will find a way - my faith is in LK! LK for President 2008!!

[michael.fineman]

I heard that LK was going to keep the starters in for all or nearly all of 4 quarters these last 3 games to get them in playoff shape...even if all we see are field goals in the secong half.
Any thoughts people?

Let Nate Run!

LK is, again, between a rock and a hard place.  Playing starters to get them in playoff shape is a valid idea.  However, is it fair to have starters kicking field goals or running out of bounds?  Isn't that insulting to opponents?  Is it fair to the depth chart players?  Is it fair to recruiting?  Is it fair to next years team?

As it is, next year may look a wee bit bleak - losing irreplaceable players such as Micheli, Kmic as well as others .  Doesn't the 2009 team need all the work possible, this year?  With, perhaps, only four qb's on the roster, Micheli's replacement needs to be found and playing - this year.

dumbest post ever on this board?

[Toph]

Where the need to play a full game thing comes in is mentally, not physically.   Practice time will take care of the physical endurance, it's the mental side that gets tested in the games.  And if the opponent sucks, the only mental thing coming out of it late in the game is 'relaxation' which is the exact opposite of what the starters need.

Hopefully JCU provides enough of a battle to warrant the starters playing well into the 4th quarter because MUC needs a good test, preferrably more than just Otterbein next week.  What I expect against Marietta is the starters playing the first series of the 3rd quarter to keep them focused thru halftime, and then rest for Week 11.

Coming into this weekend, JCU has been so pass-happy it isn't even funny (see below).  Without the threat of the running game, Millings and Herbert will be camped out in the JCU backfield.  A one dimensional offense, especially a passing one, against an agressive VK called defense with the speed they have at the edges is not a recipe for success.  I'm seeing a very long and painful day for quarterback Mark Petruziello 

Tale of the tape:

Mount Union................Offense............. John Carroll
47.0............................. Pts/Gm...........................23.4
551.4....................... Total yds/gm.....................322.3
247.6.......................Rush yds/gm......................88.0
41.3.......................... Carries/gm........................30.4
6.0..............................Yds/carry...........................2.9
303.9....................... Pass yds/gm.....................234.3
25.4..........................Pass att/gm.......................33.4
15.3....................... Yds/completion....................10.6


Mount Union.......... Defense allows....... John Carroll
4.7................................Pts/gm...........................13.9
166.0....................... Total yds/gm.....................280.9
34.9.........................Rush yds/gm....................119.3
29.4.......................... Carries/gm........................39.3
1.2..............................Yds/carry...........................3.0
131.1....................... Pass yds/gm.....................161.6
25.6..........................Pass att/gm.......................27.3
9.3......................... Yds/completion......................9.8

Unfortunately for the Blue Streaks, their best threat to run is Mark Petruziello.  Like I said earlier, I haven't been to a game yet, but I do try to listen as much as possible and I check the box scores each week.  Offensively the Streaks have simply struggled to move the ball.  The Cap game was a perfect example.  I forget, JK, how many turnovers did Capital have?

All those TOs and only 13 points.  I have to agree with hscoach, I see Petruziello running for his life in this one.

[HScoach]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Micheli's replacement is playing in high school right now

Won't help for next year, but the kid could keep his uniform to wear at Mount in 2010
http://www.jjhuddle.com/news/articles/2008/10/29/lexingtons-avery-minutemen-having-another-standout-season

Gotta love the ex-Raiders taking The Machine to the high schools.

[usee]

I heard that LK was going to keep the starters in for all or nearly all of 4 quarters these last 3 games to get them in playoff shape...even if all we see are field goals in the secong half.
Any thoughts people?

Let Nate Run!

LK is, again, between a rock and a hard place.  Playing starters to get them in playoff shape is a valid idea.  However, is it fair to have starters kicking field goals or running out of bounds?  Isn't that insulting to opponents?  Is it fair to the depth chart players?  Is it fair to recruiting?  Is it fair to next years team?

As it is, next year may look a wee bit bleak - losing irreplaceable players such as Micheli, Kmic as well as others .  Doesn't the 2009 team need all the work possible, this year?  With, perhaps, only four qb's on the roster, Micheli's replacement needs to be found and playing - this year.

dumbest post ever on this board?

A guy with 2 posts hasn't been around long enough to remember the likes of ThunderMom and some of the other playoff opponents....so the answer is No, not even close.   

[reality check]

I heard that LK was going to keep the starters in for all or nearly all of 4 quarters these last 3 games to get them in playoff shape...even if all we see are field goals in the secong half.
Any thoughts people?

Let Nate Run!

LK is, again, between a rock and a hard place.  Playing starters to get them in playoff shape is a valid idea.  However, is it fair to have starters kicking field goals or running out of bounds?  Isn't that insulting to opponents?  Is it fair to the depth chart players?  Is it fair to recruiting?  Is it fair to next years team?

As it is, next year may look a wee bit bleak - losing irreplaceable players such as Micheli, Kmic as well as others .  Doesn't the 2009 team need all the work possible, this year?  With, perhaps, only four qb's on the roster, Micheli's replacement needs to be found and playing - this year.

dumbest post ever on this board?

Usee already said it but...

NO.  Not even close.  He's not even close to the ring of honor: Busta99, Stoonk, Thundermom and this year's nominee ExD3Athlete.

[matblake]

A guy with 2 posts hasn't been around long enough to remember the likes of ThunderMom and some of the other playoff opponents....so the answer is No, not even close.   

I love lurking here at playoff time, the chest thumping of opponents is amusing.  They keep it going until about 12:10 p.m. when Mount is up about 17-0 and then they get strangely quiet.   Repeat for the next opponent, etc.