FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[CNU85]

I seem to remember watching a team called the Warhawks winning first place - I was in the second row in Salem...50 yd line...behind the MUC bench...cheering for UWW. Now THAT was fun!

"but I have to tell you with just a couple of exceptions (such as last year)"

Yeah, I remember ... that's why I had this line in my post. 

I missed that line. Must have been that 3/4 of a beer I had at the time!

[hasanova]

I seem to remember watching a team called the Warhawks winning first place - I was in the second row in Salem...50 yd line...behind the MUC bench...cheering for UWW. Now THAT was fun!

"but I have to tell you with just a couple of exceptions (such as last year)"

Yeah, I remember ... that's why I had this line in my post. 

I missed that line. Must have been that 3/4 of a beer I had at the time!

I hear you, but that must be some beer! 

[raiderfan1983]

raiderfan1982 --- No argument from me about RMC's successful season.  They won the ODAC after a slow start, won The Game with Hampden-Sydney and made it to the NCAA tournament!  We should all have such a great season!

As an MUC fan, I'm sure winning never gets boring, but I have to tell you with just a couple of exceptions (such as last year) the DIII NCAA football tournament is boring to me.  I feel as though everyone else is (usually) just playing for second.  I'm old enough to remember when UCLA dominated DI basketball ... same thing, you were playing for runner-up.  Personally, as a fan of another school, I like more parity.  If I were in your shoes, no doubt I'd love the status quo! 

I hope it's a well-played and injury-free game tomorrow.  Enjoy!

While I'm not old enough to remember the UCLA dynasty (1983 is actually my birth year and not graduation year), I can certainly empathize with fans wanting more parity.  I've been a Browns/Indians/Cavs fan my entire life and I'm still waiting for some of that parity to come our way  .

[longtimefan]

If it's parity you want, bring your program up !   

[K-Mack]

hasanova- It's not just MUC that has a lot to be proud of in this game.  RMC made it to the second season.  To be one of the last 32 teams left standing isn't something to shrug your shoulders at.  I agree, the fans of RMC seem to be realists. 

Making me proud.

I think I wrote elsewhere that my realistic hope for this game would be to take something away that the Jackets can take on the recruiting trail. "We did this against Mount Union, and with more players like you and the guys who came before you ... "

Not to go off topic, but it seemed like -- for lots of reasons -- that's how the program got off track from the late 90s anyway.

I think this year's seniors have a lot to be proud of in that they set the tone, in terms of work ethic and such, for the future. They might not be the best team since '84 -- 1993, 96, 97, 98 and 2007 all had more wins -- maybe 88-89 too -- but they are the first ones to get back, and that's significant.

Random aside: This means under the AQ system, every ODAC team except Guilford has made the playoffs, and the last 4 AQs were R-MC, H-SC, W&L, Bwater? I take it this has been mentioned.

Back to tomorrow:

Obviously as a player or coach (or parent, I guess), you never go in thinking you are going to lose. You can't think that way.

I think the first 5 minutes and/or first drive against MUC is always key. They have a habit of taking teams out of what they want to do early on so that they're never really themselves.

[HURFMUC]

K-Mack

You have seen Mount play so you should know

[K-Mack]

I don't think the MUC folks have tried to rub any noses with week.  I think all we're trying to stir is somekind of discussion.  Anything.  Does RMC even have a fan base?  Sure doesn't seem like it. 

Randolph-Macon has a fan base.  I think they're just realists.  What good's it going to do for them to posture with Mount Union? 

Seems like another case of damned if you do, damned if you don't. For all the Mount fan griping about how people don't respect them when they're getting ready to play them, I think the R-MC crowd should be commended for how its approached the game, not slandered.

[K-Mack]

Handle it a little better? They kicked field goals on 1st down 3 times and had a punt returner step out of bounds at the 10-yard line instead going in for a touchdown. What more can a coach do when the 3rd string fullback up the middle call can't be stopped?

MUC was up 49-0 and was still throwing deep balls looking for more.  I remember thinking, these guys just don't know how to ease up, I hope they keep something in the tank for next week.
Kicking field goals on second down is not what I would call calling off the dogs. I'd say it was rubbing our nose in it.

I'd file this under the "can't win for losing" file for Mount (or any dominant team for that matter).  They're jerks for throwing, but then they're also jerks for having their returner step out and kicking field goals to keep the score down.  If Mount was looking for much more up 49-0, the score would've been bigger than 66-0...I think. 

I saw Mount run play action against JCU up 63-0.  While it might have miffed me, the fact of the matter remains, JCU still could've stopped them.  If you don't like it...stop them.

I'll finish with this:  If I were a coach, I'd stop trying to score as soon as my opponent did...especially if it's my 2nd or 3rd team against their ones.

I agree with Toph 100%.

I was there, and although I have said before that kicking a FG shows that you're trying not to run up there score but in effect does nothing to soothe the other teams feelings, my recollection is a lot closer to Kehres was trying to respect Bridgewater than embarass them. He had respect for Clark and the 2001 team that pushed one of his best to their limit in Salem.

If you go back to the story of that day, it was really about the Eagles' flawed estimation that they could man cover the Purple Raiders' pair of 6-4 wideouts with their 5-9 corners. Clark and Colbert put all their chips on the table to try to get pressure on Mount Union as no one had done, and blitzed relentlessly ... Knapp and Sirianni had field days.

I'd be willing to bet the late throws snake is referring to were hot reads ... which to a polished QB are trained reactions akin to you punching back when punched in the face.

It's also fair to argue that if the other team is still blitzing, you can still throw hot reads to keep yourself from getting hurt by hanging on to the ball to long. There is no law of fair play that says a QB has to stand in the pocket and get crushed, no matter what the score is.

[allsky7]

Handle it a little better? They kicked field goals on 1st down 3 times and had a punt returner step out of bounds at the 10-yard line instead going in for a touchdown. What more can a coach do when the 3rd string fullback up the middle call can't be stopped?

MUC was up 49-0 and was still throwing deep balls looking for more.  I remember thinking, these guys just don't know how to ease up, I hope they keep something in the tank for next week.
Kicking field goals on second down is not what I would call calling off the dogs. I'd say it was rubbing our nose in it.

I'd file this under the "can't win for losing" file for Mount (or any dominant team for that matter).  They're jerks for throwing, but then they're also jerks for having their returner step out and kicking field goals to keep the score down.  If Mount was looking for much more up 49-0, the score would've been bigger than 66-0...I think. 

I saw Mount run play action against JCU up 63-0.  While it might have miffed me, the fact of the matter remains, JCU still could've stopped them.  If you don't like it...stop them.

I'll finish with this:  If I were a coach, I'd stop trying to score as soon as my opponent did...especially if it's my 2nd or 3rd team against their ones.

I agree with Toph 100%.

I was there, and although I have said before that kicking a FG shows that you're trying not to run up there score but in effect does nothing to soothe the other teams feelings, my recollection is a lot closer to Kehres was trying to respect Bridgewater than embarass them. He had respect for Clark and the 2001 team that pushed one of his best to their limit in Salem.

If you go back to the story of that day, it was really about the Eagles' flawed estimation that they could man cover the Purple Raiders' pair of 6-4 wideouts with their 5-9 corners. Clark and Colbert put all their chips on the table to try to get pressure on Mount Union as no one had done, and blitzed relentlessly ... Knapp and Sirianni had field days.

I'd be willing to bet the late throws snake is referring to were hot reads ... which to a polished QB are trained reactions akin to you punching back when punched in the face.

It's also fair to argue that if the other team is still blitzing, you can still throw hot reads to keep yourself from getting hurt by hanging on to the ball to long. There is no law of fair play that says a QB has to stand in the pocket and get crushed, no matter what the score is.

     IMO, this whole argument about running the score up or whatever you want to call it is silly. 60 to zip or 160 to zip...who gives a S!! If a coach is playing 2nd and 3rd team players, then let them run the offense for gosh sake. They bust their ass in practice every week and deserve a chance to play when the opportunity arises. Purple Raider scrubs get that chance way more than most so maybe their 3 and 4 deep on the depth chart guys get PT. If there is a minute left in the game, it's one thing but half way through Q3 is something else. What are they supposed to do, roll over and play dead? If the expectation is to quit trying with a quarter or more left in the game, then maybe they should just let the clock run like some states do in high school. 
     And for the record, I have been on the short end of this stick more times than I care to admit. Ironically, the worst case was a 74 to 12 (or thereabouts) loss to...you guessed it....the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets!! 

[raiderfan1983]

allsky7 is absolutely right.  Once you've got the 2nd and 3rd team in there, they need to learn how to run the offense as well.  I too was at the Bridgewater game, and Kehres was trying to do everything not to "rub their noses" in it.  The reason he was kicking field goals on 1st down was because the Bridgewater D was giving up 4 and 5 yards a rush.  His only other options were to 1. Tell his players to go down at the line of scrimmage or 2. Take 3 knees and then kick the field goal.  The only option that is not disrespectful is kicking on 1st down.

[raiderfan1983]

Don't know if RMC is streaming this game, but just in case they aren't you can pick up the MUC broadcast here...  http://www2.muc.edu/Athletics/broadcasts/broadcast-center.aspx

[seventiesraider]

I'm sure somebody said it, but the winning team is still playing next week and needs it's starters to get gametime experience. It's of little value next week playing what few 3rd stringers there are in a 50 man roster. Let us suit up all 200 and we can probably boot the ball around with the best or rest of them.

While it's not an excuse to run up the score, kicking on first down is humiliating to the other team. For what it's worth, I only suspect Larry Kehres of running up the score once and that was because of an absolutely insensitive thing the opposing coach said about the team they beat the week before.

[abnrgr]

RMC got smitted no doubt it seems but they got to the show. Good season.

I sense there is talk of running it up. But after watching the ODAC since 2000 I have seen on side kicks to open an half when leading by 50+ so no snivelling allowed. How can I say that? I use to snivel.

Mount Union is freak of nature. They probably could run over some conferences in DII. They might take ECU down....

[raiderpa]

To the RMC fans who travelled to Mount Union...you are a super bunch of fans and the support you showed your team gained great respect for you and your program. ...Hope your visit, other than the score, was pleasant and the trip home a safe one.  I was impressed with the way the Jackets took it right to Mount Union from the very beginning and thought that your running back, #25 played his heart out.
I think your coach had a good plan, but not many schools can put the talent position for position on the field that Mount does.  Eventually the speed and athleticism they put on the field snowballs on you.

great turnout by great and vocal fans, good luck in the future.

[theaprof]

To the RMC fans who travelled to Mount Union...you are a super bunch of fans and the support you showed your team gained great respect for you and your program. ...Hope your visit, other than the score, was pleasant and the trip home a safe one.  I was impressed with the way the Jackets took it right to Mount Union from the very beginning and thought that your running back, #25 played his heart out.
I think your coach had a good plan, but not many schools can put the talent position for position on the field that Mount does.  Eventually the speed and athleticism they put on the field snowballs on you.

great turnout by great and vocal fans, good luck in the future.

I'll second that--and say that your tight end was a beast!