FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[D3fanboy]

2021 - ran into a buzzsaw with NCC in the semis, no shame
2022 - needed a hail mary bounce off of a BW player to win the conference (after being up 17-0 at half, the only other score was the hail mary)  made a run to the Stagg Bowl.  Offense didn't show up until the 4th quarter after a 21-0 hole
2023 - Alma.  Was the Dartt masterpiece until 12/6/25
2024 - great run to the Stagg Bowl after a couple of turds in OAC play.  The end of the 1st half coaching blunders took away any chance of an upset
2025- peaked in week 2 (or was it the 3rd quarter of game 1?)  went through the motions for much of the OAC year and laid the program's biggest egg yesterday

can't wait to see what is in store for the 2026 Raiders

I know you all might have talked yourself into this being a possibility at the time, but there was no way that NCC team was gonna lose in 2024. Lehnen was not going to be denied regardless of how close the game ever got. They were a juggernaut for a reason.

probably not, but if Mount was to pull the upset over the juggernaut NCC a la Cortland, the complete bonehead coaching as the first half closed could not be a part of the equation.

[blue_jays]

2021 - ran into a buzzsaw with NCC in the semis, no shame
2022 - needed a hail mary bounce off of a BW player to win the conference (after being up 17-0 at half, the only other score was the hail mary)  made a run to the Stagg Bowl.  Offense didn't show up until the 4th quarter after a 21-0 hole
2023 - Alma.  Was the Dartt masterpiece until 12/6/25
2024 - great run to the Stagg Bowl after a couple of turds in OAC play.  The end of the 1st half coaching blunders took away any chance of an upset
2025- peaked in week 2 (or was it the 3rd quarter of game 1?)  went through the motions for much of the OAC year and laid the program's biggest egg yesterday

can't wait to see what is in store for the 2026 Raiders

I know you all might have talked yourself into this being a possibility at the time, but there was no way that NCC team was gonna lose in 2024. Lehnen was not going to be denied regardless of how close the game ever got. They were a juggernaut for a reason.

Did you miss the 2023 Stagg Bowl?

Admittedly yes, NCC was a clearly better team last year, but I don't think a Mount upset was outside the realm of possibility. I mean Lehnen is only 2/4 in Stagg Bowls

I did not miss the 2023 Stagg Bowl, and that game was precisely why Lehnen wasn't going to lose in 2024. They were a team of destiny and you could see it right from Week 1.

[blue_jays]

It is the OAC. Beating up on Wilma, Cap, Musky, et al. means squat. D3's Big Game James. Little F Geoff.

No one in D3 fears playing  the Purple Raiders anymore.

This is patently untrue. While their mystique has lost its luster with NCC's ascension, 99% of teams are intimidated by both Mount's history and on field talent. Mount is everyone's biggest game of the year (NCC excepted), playoffs included.

Truth is, hegemony is not a thing in D3 like it used to be. The on-field talent has risen across the board, and the game has changed a ton over 20 years. Can't stay on top forever.

[WRMUalum13]

2021 - ran into a buzzsaw with NCC in the semis, no shame
2022 - needed a hail mary bounce off of a BW player to win the conference (after being up 17-0 at half, the only other score was the hail mary)  made a run to the Stagg Bowl.  Offense didn't show up until the 4th quarter after a 21-0 hole
2023 - Alma.  Was the Dartt masterpiece until 12/6/25
2024 - great run to the Stagg Bowl after a couple of turds in OAC play.  The end of the 1st half coaching blunders took away any chance of an upset
2025- peaked in week 2 (or was it the 3rd quarter of game 1?)  went through the motions for much of the OAC year and laid the program's biggest egg yesterday

can't wait to see what is in store for the 2026 Raiders

I know you all might have talked yourself into this being a possibility at the time, but there was no way that NCC team was gonna lose in 2024. Lehnen was not going to be denied regardless of how close the game ever got. They were a juggernaut for a reason.

Did you miss the 2023 Stagg Bowl?

Admittedly yes, NCC was a clearly better team last year, but I don't think a Mount upset was outside the realm of possibility. I mean Lehnen is only 2/4 in Stagg Bowls

I did not miss the 2023 Stagg Bowl, and that game was precisely why Lehnen wasn't going to lose in 2024. They were a team of destiny and you could see it right from Week 1.

I get what you're saying now, I just didn't think it was inevitable considering losses in 2021 and 2023

[D3fanboy]

It is the OAC. Beating up on Wilma, Cap, Musky, et al. means squat. D3's Big Game James. Little F Geoff.

No one in D3 fears playing  the Purple Raiders anymore.

This is patently untrue. While their mystique has lost its luster with NCC's ascension, 99% of teams are intimidated by both Mount's history and on field talent. Mount is everyone's biggest game of the year (NCC excepted), playoffs included.

Truth is, hegemony is not a thing in D3 like it used to be. The on-field talent has risen across the board, and the game has changed a ton over 20 years. Can't stay on top forever.

you are both wrong and right.  Mount is still the only d3fb program that is nationally known by casual fans, the biggest TV/social media draw, etc and it's not even close.  Of course, the Raiders are 99.9% of teams "Super Bowl".  But now they have confidence that they can win because the Alma's and JCU's of the world have actually won and now Mount struggles for a half or so against the Capital's, Muskie's and Marietta's a couple of times each season.  70-7, 58-0, 63-6 are probably a little more intimidating than 28-21, 35-28, 23-21, etc


imo, the top of D3FB has dropped a bit with the portal and NIL stuff and not having a consistent #2 contender aside of the new power, NCC.  The old MUC-UWW was so great because each team had insane talent, coaching, etc that went on to greater things and they built each other up.  The days of FBS/NFL level talent at the D3 level are probably gone.  The second level teams are now closer to the top level teams. 

[bluestreak66]

It is the OAC. Beating up on Wilma, Cap, Musky, et al. means squat. D3's Big Game James. Little F Geoff.

No one in D3 fears playing  the Purple Raiders anymore.

This is patently untrue. While their mystique has lost its luster with NCC's ascension, 99% of teams are intimidated by both Mount's history and on field talent. Mount is everyone's biggest game of the year (NCC excepted), playoffs included.

Truth is, hegemony is not a thing in D3 like it used to be. The on-field talent has risen across the board, and the game has changed a ton over 20 years. Can't stay on top forever.

you are both wrong and right.  Mount is still the only d3fb program that is nationally known by casual fans, the biggest TV/social media draw, etc and it's not even close.  Of course, the Raiders are 99.9% of teams "Super Bowl".  But now they have confidence that they can win because the Alma's and JCU's of the world have actually won and now Mount struggles for a half or so against the Capital's, Muskie's and Marietta's a couple of times each season.  70-7, 58-0, 63-6 are probably a little more intimidating than 28-21, 35-28, 23-21, etc


imo, the top of D3FB has dropped a bit with the portal and NIL stuff and not having a consistent #2 contender aside of the new power, NCC.  The old MUC-UWW was so great because each team had insane talent, coaching, etc that went on to greater things and they built each other up.  The days of FBS/NFL level talent at the D3 level are probably gone.  The second level teams are now closer to the top level teams. 

I'm sure it's something that Mount fans don't like hearing, but objectively, it's a lot more fun for the rest of us now that Mount isn't the invulnerable machine they used to be

[D3fanboy]

Davion Grant is entering the transfer portal...

[hsbsballcoach7]

Davion Grant is entering the transfer portal...

Just came here to say this... Not great, but I'm also not sure where he is going unless he's transferring to NCC or another top D3 team that would be a step up. I'm also not sure why you'd leave a team with the QB play Mount typically has, unless the new team throws the ball 40 times a game. At 5-11, 175 lbs, running approximately at 4.5-4.6, has good hands, runs decent routes... He needs to become the man on a good team and continue to work on his craft.

Mount is going to have to change their recruiting strategy if they want to stay in the top 5 programs of D3. They're going to HAVE to begin going after select transfers to fill voids or push certain skill groups, yet balance that that young guys you recruit from HS.

2026 is going to be a year of change for Mount losing some key guys.... Especially Kennedy, Darnell and Kaleb Brown! Those guys were great leaders by example and stepped up huge in many ways. They'll certainly be missed!

[hsbsballcoach7]

Reflecting back on the game.... Both teams made mistakes, but two missed field goals, a fumble when driving at the 15 yard line, missed throws, key drops on 3rd downs all hurt... Not those are things that you must find a way to overcome as a team to win playoff games.

JCU defense seemed bigger and quicker than they were last year all around. Our WR didn't appear to be as open as they're used to and got frustrated.

[Dr. Acula]

Davion Grant is entering the transfer portal...

Just came here to say this... Not great, but I'm also not sure where he is going unless he's transferring to NCC or another top D3 team that would be a step up. I'm also not sure why you'd leave a team with the QB play Mount typically has, unless the new team throws the ball 40 times a game. At 5-11, 175 lbs, running approximately at 4.5-4.6, has good hands, runs decent routes... He needs to become the man on a good team and continue to work on his craft.

Mount is going to have to change their recruiting strategy if they want to stay in the top 5 programs of D3. They're going to HAVE to begin going after select transfers to fill voids or push certain skill groups, yet balance that that young guys you recruit from HS.

2026 is going to be a year of change for Mount losing some key guys.... Especially Kennedy, Darnell and Kaleb Brown! Those guys were great leaders by example and stepped up huge in many ways. They'll certainly be missed!

Brought in Grant, Cockrell and Kosta all of whom were key contributors.  They need that and more now.  They basically only played 3 WR and all of them are now gone.  You hope with Maloney they can attract some guys, but as fanboy referenced earlier since you didn't get many guys snaps this year since you didn't blow many teams out early you're now in a tough spot where aside from transfers you've maybe got one WR that's done anything on varsity.

[D3fanboy]

just because a player enters the portal does not that they are gone.  Mount's had kids in the past enter, but not leave.  It blows my mind that d3fb players have "representation" and agents giving them, generally, such horrible advice

[pradierguy]

Davion Grant is entering the transfer portal...

Yawn. Nothingburger.

[IC798891]

No longer are extremely talented kids choosing to come to Mount knowing they might not play until their Junior or Senior years. Kids would rather take the "easier" route to playing time a join programs like BW, Wittenberg, etc. so they can play immediately


It used to be a honor to wait your turn at Mount Union, but now that is just an insult to the player and their families if they aren't starting.

What's wrong with a player wanting to play throughout their career?

This just reads like bitterness that every quality football player in the area doesn't worship at the altar of Mount Union, and like every other OAC program should have to make due with the players Mount doesn't deem worthy enough to play for the Raiders.
 

[Ice Bear]

No longer are extremely talented kids choosing to come to Mount knowing they might not play until their Junior or Senior years. Kids would rather take the "easier" route to playing time a join programs like BW, Wittenberg, etc. so they can play immediately


It used to be a honor to wait your turn at Mount Union, but now that is just an insult to the player and their families if they aren't starting.

What's wrong with a player wanting to play throughout their career?

This just reads like bitterness that every quality football player in the area doesn't worship at the altar of Mount Union, and like every other OAC program should have to make due with the players Mount doesn't deem worthy enough to play for the Raiders.
 

I'm going to disagree with my LLPP poster IC here and say that I didn't take this post in that way at all (although it could possibly be that, I don't think it is). I think this post references the changing culture in sports and in life itself.

Instant gratification and the plague of enhanced self importance/child's importance in the eyes of their parents, are part of what's changing the sports culture. It has trickled down and made it's way into the D3 world (as some have been posting about here).

Working towards something great used to mean something. While I agree with IC in that a kid has the right to want to go somewhere to play immediately, I disagree that a Mount poster who is used to seeing players come and work the "process" of working and waiting their turn to play at an incredible and unique school like MUC (who IMHO has certainly earned the right to consider itself and it's players elite with the program's overall performance over the past two and a half decades) is being "bitter." MUC fans have had the privilege of watching incredibly talented student athletes come to their school, work their ass off, wait their turn, with only the best of the best, at this level, getting the opportunity to play. That has certainty dissipated over the past couple years and I'm sure it sucks as a MUC fan to see. Many of those former kids now "don't have the time" or the desire to put in the work to play at this elite school. They'd rather have immediate gratification (which they do have the right to) and play somewhere else because the level of commitment/time and work to play and excel at MUC is below them...or they hear from Mom and Dad the "my kid doesn't need to wait and work for greatness, they are great now!" bull****...

Is this the case with everyone that now doesn't go to MUC, I'm guessing no. Yet I'm also guessing this attitude based on the change in culture has played a large role in many kids not going to an MUC, which I believe every MUC fan has the right be to disappointed and let down about. Seeing greatness slip is never enjoyable.

[WRMUalum13]

just because a player enters the portal does not that they are gone.  Mount's had kids in the past enter, but not leave.  It blows my mind that d3fb players have "representation" and agents giving them, generally, such horrible advice

I was also surprised by this as well, if you're a d3 level talent I can't think of a better place to showcase yourself as a wide receiver than at Mount Union. I don't think any D3 school has the legacy of receiver talent that we do.  The #1 receiver at Mount Union is pretty much guaranteed to get at least some NFL attention.