FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[mucgrad06]

I have to wonder how all these transfers got accepted at JCU? Didn't JCU announce they were leaving the OAC because, sniff, the "academics" were better, or something to the effect their new sister schools were more like them. Wait until a few NCAC members go belly up in the next few years. Wittenburg is on life support, and a few more are so desperate for students anyone who can pay is accepted. The NCAC admins will soon realize JCU is going to, every year, win the conference in nearly every men's and women's sports: basketball, track, wrestling, golf, swimming, cross country, baseball and soccer. NCAC sports is now a one school show.

John Carroll won't be beating Kenyon or Denison in swimming anytime soon.

[hsbsballcoach7]

Looking back at the loss to JCU, it took many things to happen for JCU to win....
They had a super senior, FCS transfer QB
Former D1 basketball player, transfer at WR
Other impact senior transfers at TE, DB, etc
Mount missed two kicks (one was really tough) and seemed intent on running the ball inside, key turnovers in the redzone, etc.... All for JCU to win by 3 points.

With some adjustments, Mount will be fine next year. Retain the guys you can and go get more in the portal with talented HS recruits. I will say that I could see Mount becoming a stepping stone for those guys not getting the scholarship offers they believe that they should be with the way college football is now played.

I'm hoping to see a competitive Stagg Bowl!

I hope that you're wrong.  The new college football and the transfer portal is generally disgusting.  I'm all for kids getting their fair share at the highest level, but the "agents" and "advisors" at the D3FB level are the lowest of the low and the vast, vast majority of these kids entering the portal are pretty much ending their playing days the moment that the enter.  It's truly sad, and it is hurting the overall level of play in college football.

D3 could be a jumping off point for a very few players, but there is a reason why these guys are at this level. Get your degree, make lifelong bonds and memories and learn life lessons while playing football is a pretty good deal. D3FB is great football, but I really hope that it doesn't become minor league FCS/D2 football.  For the life of me, I can't imagine how being an impact player at a high level D3 is worse than being a rotational type at a no name D2.  But I'm not a 19 year old with a super cool broccoli hairdo that knows everything.

I wish many of these kids being 'advised' by their 2nd uncle or other agents looking to get paid by D3/D2/FCS student athletes to move on, could see past a season or two of development at a high end D3 school. As much as it is the goal for many HS players to get a D2 'offer', the truth is that many Mount guys could go play at Walsh University, but they'll never make the playoffs or play meaningful games. At a place like Mount, you have a chance to play in a top program with name recognition, get a good degree (I can vouch for the quality of graduates compared to other institutions in my field), create those bonds and set yourself up for great post graduate opportunities. Walsh just had their best finish in D2 going 6-5 this year. They have good people running their program, but it's just not the same. This is just an example of one D2 school that is nearby.

I hope the coaching staff is using this unusual time off to re-evaluate the game plans, improve roster, recruiting talent, and not resting easy on past achievements.

Anyone going to the Stagg in Canton? The only way I see UWRF winning is if the game becomes a track meet like vs Cortland a couple of years ago.

[WRMUalum13]

I think Mount's problem vs JCU was not their defensive performance against D1 transfers. If I had told you they would hold JCU to 10 pts before the game I'm pretty sure most Mount fan would have taken that in a heartbeat. No way anyone thought Mount would only score 7 in that game. I still can't believe it and I watched it.

Totally agree, the offensive transfers are getting too much attention, they didn't do much better than last year's playoff matchup, and in fact Capital scored more in the first half against Mount than JCU did all game!

It was JCU's defense that should get the credit, but more likely just a Mount Union offensive that struggled with consistency all year finally playing a very good Defense.

[WRMUalum13]

Looking back at the loss to JCU, it took many things to happen for JCU to win....
They had a super senior, FCS transfer QB
Former D1 basketball player, transfer at WR
Other impact senior transfers at TE, DB, etc
Mount missed two kicks (one was really tough) and seemed intent on running the ball inside, key turnovers in the redzone, etc.... All for JCU to win by 3 points.

With some adjustments, Mount will be fine next year. Retain the guys you can and go get more in the portal with talented HS recruits. I will say that I could see Mount becoming a stepping stone for those guys not getting the scholarship offers they believe that they should be with the way college football is now played.

I'm hoping to see a competitive Stagg Bowl!

I hope that you're wrong.  The new college football and the transfer portal is generally disgusting.  I'm all for kids getting their fair share at the highest level, but the "agents" and "advisors" at the D3FB level are the lowest of the low and the vast, vast majority of these kids entering the portal are pretty much ending their playing days the moment that the enter.  It's truly sad, and it is hurting the overall level of play in college football.

D3 could be a jumping off point for a very few players, but there is a reason why these guys are at this level. Get your degree, make lifelong bonds and memories and learn life lessons while playing football is a pretty good deal. D3FB is great football, but I really hope that it doesn't become minor league FCS/D2 football.  For the life of me, I can't imagine how being an impact player at a high level D3 is worse than being a rotational type at a no name D2.  But I'm not a 19 year old with a super cool broccoli hairdo that knows everything.

I wish many of these kids being 'advised' by their 2nd uncle or other agents looking to get paid by D3/D2/FCS student athletes to move on, could see past a season or two of development at a high end D3 school. As much as it is the goal for many HS players to get a D2 'offer', the truth is that many Mount guys could go play at Walsh University, but they'll never make the playoffs or play meaningful games. At a place like Mount, you have a chance to play in a top program with name recognition, get a good degree (I can vouch for the quality of graduates compared to other institutions in my field), create those bonds and set yourself up for great post graduate opportunities. Walsh just had their best finish in D2 going 6-5 this year. They have good people running their program, but it's just not the same. This is just an example of one D2 school that is nearby.

I hope the coaching staff is using this unusual time off to re-evaluate the game plans, improve roster, recruiting talent, and not resting easy on past achievements.

Anyone going to the Stagg in Canton? The only way I see UWRF winning is if the game becomes a track meet like vs Cortland a couple of years ago.

I'll be there along with my friend who loves D3 football but isn't active on these boards. 

[maripp2002]

I have to wonder how all these transfers got accepted at JCU? Didn't JCU announce they were leaving the OAC because, sniff, the "academics" were better, or something to the effect their new sister schools were more like them. Wait until a few NCAC members go belly up in the next few years. Wittenburg is on life support, and a few more are so desperate for students anyone who can pay is accepted. The NCAC admins will soon realize JCU is going to, every year, win the conference in nearly every men's and women's sports: basketball, track, wrestling, golf, swimming, cross country, baseball and soccer. NCAC sports is now a one school show.

John Carroll won't be beating Kenyon or Denison in swimming anytime soon.

And Wabash has a very strong wrestling program (not that the NCAC sponsors that sport). I think you're overstating how competitive the NCAC is, generally. Hell, by the transitive property of losses, UMU would have been roughly somewhere between 2-4 in the NCAC this year IN FOOTBALL (JCU beat both Wabash and UMU by 3 and DPU by 4). If the NCAC hadn't had any recent national success, I'd buy that argument, but the truth is there are always competitive teams across all the sports in the NCAC.

As I said when JCU was picked to be third in the NCAC in the preseason, there is a reason they play the games. On paper it's easy to say that a group should be setup, but making it happen in reality is a different beast.

[BergAlum2]

Looks like Heidelberg's previous coach, Mike Hallett is out of a job at Toledo, spent like 10 years there, but seems like the new coach did not retain him, hope he finds something.

[D3fanboy]

Looking back at the loss to JCU, it took many things to happen for JCU to win....
They had a super senior, FCS transfer QB
Former D1 basketball player, transfer at WR
Other impact senior transfers at TE, DB, etc
Mount missed two kicks (one was really tough) and seemed intent on running the ball inside, key turnovers in the redzone, etc.... All for JCU to win by 3 points.

With some adjustments, Mount will be fine next year. Retain the guys you can and go get more in the portal with talented HS recruits. I will say that I could see Mount becoming a stepping stone for those guys not getting the scholarship offers they believe that they should be with the way college football is now played.

I'm hoping to see a competitive Stagg Bowl!

I hope that you're wrong.  The new college football and the transfer portal is generally disgusting.  I'm all for kids getting their fair share at the highest level, but the "agents" and "advisors" at the D3FB level are the lowest of the low and the vast, vast majority of these kids entering the portal are pretty much ending their playing days the moment that the enter.  It's truly sad, and it is hurting the overall level of play in college football.

D3 could be a jumping off point for a very few players, but there is a reason why these guys are at this level. Get your degree, make lifelong bonds and memories and learn life lessons while playing football is a pretty good deal. D3FB is great football, but I really hope that it doesn't become minor league FCS/D2 football.  For the life of me, I can't imagine how being an impact player at a high level D3 is worse than being a rotational type at a no name D2.  But I'm not a 19 year old with a super cool broccoli hairdo that knows everything.

I wish many of these kids being 'advised' by their 2nd uncle or other agents looking to get paid by D3/D2/FCS student athletes to move on, could see past a season or two of development at a high end D3 school. As much as it is the goal for many HS players to get a D2 'offer', the truth is that many Mount guys could go play at Walsh University, but they'll never make the playoffs or play meaningful games. At a place like Mount, you have a chance to play in a top program with name recognition, get a good degree (I can vouch for the quality of graduates compared to other institutions in my field), create those bonds and set yourself up for great post graduate opportunities. Walsh just had their best finish in D2 going 6-5 this year. They have good people running their program, but it's just not the same. This is just an example of one D2 school that is nearby.

I hope the coaching staff is using this unusual time off to re-evaluate the game plans, improve roster, recruiting talent, and not resting easy on past achievements.

Anyone going to the Stagg in Canton? The only way I see UWRF winning is if the game becomes a track meet like vs Cortland a couple of years ago.

3400 players in the portal currently from just D2 and D3, the D1 kids can't even enter until Jan 2nd.  A great majority of those kids will never play a down of football again in their lives.  It's sad, it's stupid and it is degrading the greatest sport known to man...all the way down to the D3 level.

[Raider 68]

K & J's Dad,

For so many years you have taken the time to post the returning 2 deep roster
of returning Raiders. This time I may have missed it, or you are too busy.
Also, your interest level may have dropped off, I know mine has. 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

K & J's Dad,

For so many years you have taken the time to post the returning 2 deep roster
of returning Raiders. This time I may have missed it, or you are too busy.
Also, your interest level may have dropped off, I know mine has. 

I was in mourning after the JCU loss. I'll take a look this week.  Harder with all the grad years and transfers.

[Dr. Acula]

K & J's Dad,

For so many years you have taken the time to post the returning 2 deep roster
of returning Raiders. This time I may have missed it, or you are too busy.
Also, your interest level may have dropped off, I know mine has. 

I was in mourning after the JCU loss. I'll take a look this week.  Harder with all the grad years and transfers.

I've grown so apathetic with Mount football that I had already shifted to hoops mode by the JCU game.  At this point until proven otherwise I will assume the same outcome in the playoffs.  I'm happier for it.  Fuline and the guys extended the school record best start to 13-0 today with a win over #8 Calvin.

[hsbsballcoach7]

K & J's Dad,

For so many years you have taken the time to post the returning 2 deep roster
of returning Raiders. This time I may have missed it, or you are too busy.
Also, your interest level may have dropped off, I know mine has. 

I was in mourning after the JCU loss. I'll take a look this week.  Harder with all the grad years and transfers.

I've grown so apathetic with Mount football that I had already shifted to hoops mode by the JCU game.  At this point until proven otherwise I will assume the same outcome in the playoffs.  I'm happier for it.  Fuline and the guys extended the school record best start to 13-0 today with a win over #8 Calvin.

I hope Purple Raider fans begin noticing and showing up for this team. I went today and saw a team similar to the one that was national runner-up... They've got great guard play from more than one guy, bigs that are physical, play great team defense and different players step up each day. This team has a chance to be special!

[Dr. Acula]

You're preaching to the choir with me.  The basketball team is precisely what the Mount fanbase loves.  They're really good, they play hard, they're well coached and they're mainly local NE Ohio kids.  Not just NEO, their two best players are from Stark county.

[D3fanboy]

Looks like Heidelberg's previous coach, Mike Hallett is out of a job at Toledo, spent like 10 years there, but seems like the new coach did not retain him, hope he finds something.

If Big Mike can't find a FBS job (he should), I wonder if he'd like to spend a summer, maybe even the fall in Alliance...

[D3fanboy]

K & J's Dad,

For so many years you have taken the time to post the returning 2 deep roster
of returning Raiders. This time I may have missed it, or you are too busy.
Also, your interest level may have dropped off, I know mine has. 

I was in mourning after the JCU loss. I'll take a look this week.  Harder with all the grad years and transfers.

Godspeed friend

[D3fanboy]

You're preaching to the choir with me.  The basketball team is precisely what the Mount fanbase loves.  They're really good, they play hard, they're well coached and they're mainly local NE Ohio kids.  Not just NEO, their two best players are from Stark county.

well coached?  that must be something