FB: Empire 8

[Frank Rossi]

I think Rowan proved what happens when you try to pass on Stepnick!

So did Union.  (Sorry Frank)

He had a 100yd int return for a TD.

No need to apologize -- 'tis what 'tis.  That sealed Union's fate, turning a potential 18-point deficit into a 32-point deficit to open the second half.

[Frank Rossi]

Obviously the 4-4 defense has worked well for SJF this season.  Curious how it holds up against 4 & 5 WR sets?  You may not be aware that Mount's 2 QB's would rank #1 & #2 in the nation in passing efficiency if they had the minimum amount of throws this season.  Splitting time has cost them this distinction.

Ironically, Kramer's efficiency is right up there (in the 177 range when I called the SJF/Springfield game).  This shapes up like an interesting battle on paper.  Granted, this game will test the East Region's best against the North Region's best -- so it's not a given that the "on paper" part will hold true.

[skunks_sidekick]

I would guess a lot of D-backs that faced Garcon over the past few years hate him as well.   

He can be "spiritied", and really doesn't take any crap from anyone.  It's amazing how strong he has become.  You saw him at Norwich before Mount had a chance to show him what total committment means Raider style.  He is so much stronger now then when he got here.

If SJF puts 8 guys in the box, Garcon will have a minimum of two touches and about 15 catches.  That's the pandora's box that is Mount's offense. 

[OU#25]

Obviously the 4-4 defense has worked well for SJF this season.  Curious how it holds up against 4 & 5 WR sets?  You may not be aware that Mount's 2 QB's would rank #1 & #2 in the nation in passing efficiency if they had the minimum amount of throws this season.  Splitting time has cost them this distinction.

Ironically, Kramer's efficiency is right up there (in the 177 range when I called the SJF/Springfield game).  This shapes up like an interesting battle on paper.  Granted, this game will test the East Region's best against the North Region's best -- so it's not a given that the "on paper" part will hold true.

I think it will be an interesting matchup on Saturday.  If Mount goes 4 wide with a single back (Kmic) it could cause some matchup issues with the DB's since I'm assuming your backers are strong hence the 4-4 scheme.  Garcon generally needs doubled so I think that could be exploited as "Skunks" indicated. 

[The Truth 00]

yea, since i'm the only sc poster alive on these boards, i'll say this about that 55 point game: springfield played a flawless game on offense. they didn't punt the ball once. chris sharpe is one of the best athletes in the country and on that day, no one could stop him. sjf didn't tackle well and they turned the ball over quite a bit. they were missing 3 starters on defense and they were manhandled at the point of attack.  also, sjf was facing an unconventional offense, which takes a lot of time to prepare for vs. other conventional offenses. the 2nd game was much more telling. fisher had those 3 starters back, tackled much better, dominated the sc line, played better assignment football, and got to see the same team for the 2nd time in a season. i hate to admit it but the better overall team is in the semifinals...but i'm also pumped for fisher because they are representing the east well. (sorry if i reiterated some of the things that have already been written)

i don't want to talk down mount union's competition because i think MUC is the best d3 team i've ever seen. whenever i've had a chance to watch them on television, i have. they get legit players, some former d1 recruits. i think fisher can legitimately match up with them. fisher's front 8 are a solid core of guys, led by lang. if the DTs do their job by clogging lanes and demanding double teams to free lang up to run, fisher has a chance. gene lang is a fun guy to watch on the field because he's everywhere. i would say that the weakest part of the defense is the secondary. they haven't been truly tested this postseason. stepnick is one hit away from sublexing his shoulder again. however, he does have some fresher legs than the other guys.  i don't know everything about fisher football but what i'm saying is if there is a weakness on d, it is probably the secondary. they are well-coached and will adjust to those 4 and 5 wr sets. in fact, i'd imagine MUC throwing the ball more than usual this satErday.

as far as garcon is concerned, he is the real deal. that phantom call at norwich might make you fisher guys bitter but remember this - norwich should have never had the ball with 50 seconds remaining in that game. fisher was passsing the ball with a lead on 3rd down and norwich was out of timeouts. norwich should have got the ball back with maybe 25 seconds on the clock, if not less, and the whole field to go...just remember that. now with what sarge said, i've also heard that he was an a-hole. however, the kid was 18, blowing up the league as a freshman, and quite immature. plus, he was probably miserable in northfield, vt so he needed something to do. lets not get down on him too much with the comments. remember, he's just a 21 year old kid who is a legit fb player. i wish i was there satErday to see how the fisher secondary handles him.

wow, i'm long-winded right now.

[Frank Rossi]

Of course, the great equalizer for speed can be weather...

But things look good in Alliance for Saturday...

Sunny - High 39F, Low 28F.

As for speed in the secondary against the 4-man front, it's tough for me to give a good answer with regard to SJF's secondary.  Steve Angiletta for Union had 170 yards receiving against SJF -- but most of that came in the late 3rd and the 4th quarters when a number of starters were coming out of the game.  Against Springfield, SJF gambled with 9 in the box sometimes, if memory serves, because Springfield wouldn't throw.  Against Rowan, the wind started Rowan's passing game off wrong, and it never got any better.  Probably, we could use the Rowan game as some indicator -- and the answer is that the secondary did pretty well with an 4-4 scheme for most of the game.  Remember, too, that the 4-4 can penetrate to the passer -- meaning that even if Garcon has all the speed in the world, the QB has to get the pass off.  It's still no guarantee, but as you said, poses an enigma.

[Frank Rossi]

OU#25 -- I'm a Union College guy -- I'm just speaking as someone that has watched SJF play twice (doing play-by-play for Union/SJF and color for SJF/Springfield) and listened to last week's game.  Aside from East Region camaraderie, I have no real stake in the game.  I'm looking at it from purely a game of football fan's view here.

[JQV]

If SJF puts 8 guys in the box, Garcon will have a minimum of two touches and about 15 catches.  That's the pandora's box that is Mount's offense. 

Ithaca plays a pretty open set and had some success throwing the ball against SJF but, that was pretty early in the season.

My question to the MUC fans is, what did Capital do to keep the game close?

[OU#25]

Frank,

Thanks for your input!  It is very much appreciated.  No one knows what will happen on Saturday and that's why they play the game...which should be a great one!

I was just throwing out a scenario which I think could be problematic for SJF.  If Mount goes 4 wide with Kmic as the single back...SJF will need to commit one way or the other on every play and you're either going to leave single coverage on Garcon or 5-6 men in the box to stop Kmic and the running game.  This 4 wide formation would neutralize the play of the backers since you would not be able to get your best 8 defenders on the field (presumably DL & LB's) to combat that formation.  Just my thoughts on how I would attack the 4-4....but hey what do I know.  I'll be down in Cincinnati on Satuday working at Macy's as a magician for Mrs. Claus arrival. Woo-hoo

[OU#25]

If SJF puts 8 guys in the box, Garcon will have a minimum of two touches and about 15 catches.  That's the pandora's box that is Mount's offense. 

Ithaca plays a pretty open set and had some success throwing the ball against SJF but, that was pretty early in the season.

My question to the MUC fans is, what did Capital do to keep the game close?

Capital has played Mount 4 times over the last two years and is extremely talented with one of the best D3 QB's of all-time running their team (12,000+ yards).  Both teams are very familiar with one another and I think that contributed to the low score especially in a playoff environment.  Remember...when you're Mount Union EVERYONE comes with their best game and "balls out" mentality.  Finally, had Capital won they would have had a excellent chance to be national champs this season in my opinion.

[superman57]

it's looking like fisher is going to be very well represented they are offering a bus package for 12 bucks to students and I think they said they have something close to like 145 seats so it could be a very good fisher crowd there on saterday

[sjfcards]

How do you think Stepnick will match up against Garcon this weekend? Stepnick is probably the best corner for Fisher and he might have to play the game of his life against MUC, for Fisher to have a chance.

[CadetGrad]

First post by me, I have read this forum for years but never posted before so I hope this first post comes out looking correct.  Well just wanted to say first off, that the great Norwich SJF game a couple years back was unbelievable.  A few facts are mixed up though.  Garcon had an UNREAL game although it wasnt him that made the final catch of the game.  It was Andreas Craig.  Garcon did have a sick catch on the sideline the play before to set up the final pass which although SJF fans say was caught further and further from the goalline each time its posted was actually caught at about the half yard line before Andreas Craig was pulled back and  tackled.  He did not catch it at the 2 yard line or even at the 1 yard line, nor was it across the goalline.  Craig was a 6'4 reciever and came down the with the ball and turned and turned and stretched out his arms before the SJF players grabbed him and tackled him back.  Did the ball cross the line or not?  Depends on if you ask the SJF fans or Norwich fans.  The referee was standing no more than 6 yards away and was on the goalline and immediately ran in with his arms raised saying he stretched the ball across the line.  He was closer than anyone and with the best line of sight.  Anyways, it is past history and it was Craig that made that catch not Garcon.  As far as people saying Garcon has a bad attitude.  From my experience, he was very shy off the field and quiet and was a great kid.  On the field he was a different animal, and VERY intense.  He wasnt getting in fights with his teammates at Norwich and was a nice kid to be around.  Best of luck to SJF and have fun, what an experience that will be to play at Mount Union

[fisheralum91]

Don't doubt Stepnick.
He has proved game in and game out that he is an asset to this team!
Matchup with Garcon, im sure is a welcomed thing....You always wasnt to play against the best...

Kid's a player.

Great heart and vision.

Good matchup.

[Tags]

How do you think Stepnick will match up against Garcon this weekend? Stepnick is probably the best corner for Fisher and he might have to play the game of his life against MUC, for Fisher to have a chance.

I truly believe Stepnick can hang w/ Garcon. Garcon will get his catches guaranteed, every great receiver does. Here's something to think about - They'll put Miranto back to safety and put Turell at corner. This will allow Fisher to double Garcon w/ their two best coverage guys they have and still allow for a safety & the backers to focus on Kmic. I truly believe this will be our best shot at stopping them, and I happen to think it will work.