Quote from: D3fanboy on July 23, 2025, 02:18:23 PMI think the expectation in Alliance would be for an improvement at the QB position.  DeShields played with grit and jam, but he was slightly more than serviceable for then end of the season/postseason.  Now if NCC gets an improvement at the QB position, the rest of the division may be in trouble

I also believe there will be an improvement at QB. DeShields played well in the closing games, but Beaudrie was not at a normal QB level, IMHO. Maloney offers more for 2025, but filling other holes will be a challenge. For the first time in a while, the Raiders will open with a very good opponent followed by a good Grove City team. We will know soon if they merit a #2 ranking?

I am a little surprised by the D3 Preseason Poll with both "1 and 2"
NC loses several players, and the Raiders will have many new starters including a QB.

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on July 19, 2025, 09:19:25 PM

Quote from: Raider 68 on July 18, 2025, 07:44:01 AMIt cost $65.19 for season tickets for 6 home games including the processing fee.

Did you order you season tickets? I'm having a difficult time with available seats showing up.

I did order online. Did you receive an email with 5-digit code? If not, call the ticket office and they can send the email link.
Sometimes the link is hard to find your reserved seats from the prior year.

It cost $65.19 for season tickets for 6 home games including the processing fee.

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on July 14, 2025, 03:49:29 PMLast year was a successful season and the team was in a better position to win the Stagg Bowl than I anticipated after going through the regular season last year. The run of stomping JCU in November, then beating Carnegie Melon, Salisbury and Johns Hopkins was impressive to me because they had to win each of those games in a different fashion. There were some poor decisions from coaches and players in the Stagg Bowl that cost them the chance, but NCC was a better team on paper.

As for the 2025 version of the Purple Raiders, I think it will certainly be an exciting one.
Things I'm fairly positive about: Maloney will start at QB and be a similar style of player to Kevin Burke (not saying he'll have that same career). The Oline will be solid like last year and provide good holes to run and time to pass. WRs won't be a huge question, just a matter of who becomes #1,#2, etc. Dline returns experience and will provide a solid foundation. Kicking game was solid for most of the season last year!

Questions in my mind:
There won't be an Echeverry this year, so RB will probably be by committee until someone proves they can handle a majority of the carries. Marks, Williams, Minner come to mind depending on other transfers as well and if they decide to play offense or defense. There are many talented RBs on the roster who were very good HS players,  but need to see who steps up. The defensive backfield will be the toughest to predict and get up to speed.
Levak played major time at one safety spot in the playoffs. Thrasivoulou played at Trine, but is smaller, but this group will need help or a general defensive scheme overhaul may need to be looked at. Many LBs have been in the program, but none with starting experience.

Altogether, there are holes to fill and experience to gather quickly with Wheaton, Grove City and BW to start three season. They may be relying on the offense, but hopefully guys will fill those inexperienced quickly.

Go Purple Raiders..... and go everybody!!! (In memory of MUC)

Thanks hsbsballcoach7 for your analysis!  

Quote from: Dr. Acula on July 10, 2025, 03:06:11 PMBeaudrie transferred to Adrian.

Why did he leave the Raiders? Competition for playing time? Other reasons?

Is QB Noah B. done?  Thought he had one remaining year?

Quote from: D3fanboy on July 09, 2025, 11:12:33 AMwith the Dartt experiment entering its 6th year and Mount not having raised the walnut and bronze since '17, is 2025 one of the most pivotal years in Mount Union football history?

there are no if ands or buts, Mount (Dartt) needs to win the big one and it's lining up pretty well...

- Dr. Luke Lehnen finally graduated

- there's no WIAC superpower any longer with everybody having 5th (6th) year seniors

- UMHB plays in an intramural league and none of their vaunted transfers stay in school past September

- even Geoff can handle the east coast "powers"

- homefield advantage in the Stagg @ Canton

if it doesn't happen this year, when will it happen for Dartt?

I just cannot understand why the Raiders would have 14 coaches and no OC. Dartt has proved that he cannot be both a HC and OC. Where is he AD on this? Despite North Central great team in 2024, the Raiders should have won the Stagg Bowl last year. Could they return this year, we'll see?

There are several questions this year, who will be the RB's, can they improve the secondary and many more?

Congratulations to Coach Nick Sirianni! Well deserved!

K & J Dad,

Time to look what the Raiders have coming back for 2025, you're on!

Just a small tidbit, in 2003 Mount Union had a great year, blowing out everyone, had a few D1 players and won on of their playoff games by 60 points (maybe the semi-final). They faced a very good St. John's team and lost in the Stagg bowl. Hope NC reads their press clippings and resembles the 2003 Mount team in the Stagg. Could it happen, yes since no team has yet to challenge them this year. Maybe Mount has the opportunity?

Great win away today. The Raiders have been consistent in the playoffs thus far and have earned the right to play at home again. Inserting Noah was aimed at JHU and NC. DJ has had very positive games and I look forward to Saturday. The Defense is really stepping up their game and it showed today.

After attending the game today, I came away with a few thoughts.

Carnegie Mellon

- big OL and D's
- Offense forced away from Kicking game (horrible)
- #12 QB was their difference, could throw well and accurate, but slow
- Running game was limited
- not a clean team, several infractions not called


Mount Union

- brought intensity again today
- play selection and shifting good again
- more adjustments were needed since CM ran and threw to the right all day
- long drives, but not enough execution at times
- DeShields showed poise again today
- forced to dig deep to stop CM on their final drive
- Not enough QB pressure today
- No turnovers which was great

Salisbury

- Triple option could be an issue, but wide-open spread is not their style
- some healing on defense is critical for this one Saturday.
- CM has a better defense, so we will see how Mount attacks Salisbury.

The Raiders can win this quarter-final match-up. It would be great to play UMHB at home if
that happens.

Unlike some, I hoped Archbishop Hoban would get to the football finals. I am sure that since
my oldest grandson plays basketball there, I am a bit biased. GO Knights.

However, Mike Elder has done a great job at Avon, Kudos to him!

Look for ticket information on Monday.