Bob Berezowitz came up to me after the game and asked when our All-American team came out. When I told him it came out just before the game, he asked, “Did Kleppe make it?”
Hmm, yes, Ryan Kleppe was first team All-American and our Defensive Player of the Year. The Whitewater program had taken the AFCA All-American snub pretty hard, all things considered. Three state school players in the starting 22 for the AFCA (they only name a first team), six in ours.
Thos who talk about coaches reviewing film (by the way, does anyone still use film and a projector these days?) and make superior choices should use this as a guide. Kleppe’s value was far more evident on video or in person than on a stat sheet.
In the end, no All-American team is superior to any of the others. Some are more prestigious. Some involve less politics. Some are so large they aren’t worth the shirt they’re printed on for you to buy.
But in the end, it only seems fitting that Berezowitz was looking out for the best interests of his players.
THE GAME: You may have been to Salem once or twice. Maybe you haven’t been there in a few years. But if you haven’t, and you’re downplaying the experience based on your one or two trips in, you’re missing the boat.
Here’s what Salem has done for the game that you don’t know about:
Some things were done a long time ago, such as adding more lights and press box space. Most people have seen those in action.
However, if you haven’t been to Salem in the past two seasons, you might not realize that the stadium has a new scoreboard and there is now a large video screen stationed behind one of the end zones for the Stagg Bowl.
An elevator was installed last year to expand access to seating for wheelchairs and those who need help getting around.
This year, the locker rooms were completely overhauled with individual lockers installed for players.
Next year, there will be field turf. In fact, the grass may be coming out as we speak — while most wouldn’t commit to it happening, one person close to the field said the process could start as soon as Monday, today.
Here’s what the NCAA has done for the game that you don’t know about:
The home office’s liaison for Division III football, who has taken the moniker “Idiots of the First Magnitude” that was applied by a person posting a comment to the blog, was behind Division III getting the later time slot and the game on ESPN.
Fans realize that there was a video broadcast of the national semifinals last week. Since we promoted it heavily and our voices were involved, we’ve been getting a lot of credit, but in fact, that’s the NCAA’s doing. They paid for the video and got it done. We just did the talking.
There is probably more I don’t know about or have forgotten to mention.
THE LEGACY: With all apologies to Kenyon, it’s time we started talking about Mount Union football in John Wooden-like terms. This dominance of a major sport is approaching UCLA men’s basketball proportions. We should be talking about Larry Kehres in epic terms that transcend the sport of football, and he should be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible.
Mainjack: Is that Kehres staying ahead of the times or adapting his scheme to fit the available personnel? Either one is impressive but I think the latter might be what’s actually been happening.
Pat
well, when he was the O coodinator in the mid eighties, they were just starting to build some great teams. But when he took on the west coast offense in the early ninties, they really blossomed. I would have to believe that had he wanted great running backs and O lineman that were geared towards run blocking, he could have found them. But he went after pass blockers and speedy receivers instead. As the game started to change, he plugged different types of people into those roles. At least that is my take. But you are right, you always have to adapt to what you have, but in college you get some say in that, vs. high scshool you get what you get.
GBill$: “Screw the rules, the first active coach in the HOF should be Larry Kehres.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t John Gagliardi of St. John’s in the HOF and still coaching? I’d think that counts as “active.”
Don’t get me wrong, I think bending the rules for Kehres is at least acceptable, if not a good idea. Just want to clarify that he wouldn’t be the first active coach to be enshrined.
The rules are pretty clear: To be inducted, a coach must either have been retired for three years, or be over 75 if they are still active.
… but there’s absolutely no doubt, he’s an automatic. I wouldn’t mind bending those either.
John Gagliardi is indeed in the HOF. He was inducted this year. And he’s still very much an active coach.
I agree with Pat that LK is more likely adapting his scheme to his personnel. MUC had some great QBs in the 90s, and has had some great RBs this decade. To me, adapting is one sign of a great coach. Always sticking with one system is often a mistake. I know that Gagliardi invented the quadruple-action offense back in the day when he had the personnel to fit it, and won a national title with it. Kehres, similarly, adapts to the strengths of his team. And then he fools everyone by going pass-happy with his running quarterback. 🙂
repete,
Only 70. Though Gagliardi, Paterno, and Bowden MIGHT qualify even at 75 – not sure! (If there are other active coaches in the HoF, my apologies.)
LK and john galaradi are the best coaches in d3…they could even be really great in d1…my opion though there really is no comparison….yes LK has won a lot of national championships and such but look at the state of Ohio…there is no D2 schools….if really good players dont make it to ohio state or those other d1 schools…they transfer to mount union…they always get good players and so does st. johns but john galardi is the best…to coach that many years and win all those games and be the winningest coach in history…do i need to say more?
radel,
Longevity doesn’t necessarily equate to “greatest ever”. Bobby Knight is about to become the winningest B-ball coach, and although he is an absolute a**, and a very good coach, I wouldn’t call him the best coach ever. Gags is a class act, and a great coach. Hard to quantify Best Ever. By the way…there are some D2 schools in Ohio.
radelphatjohnnie2,
“LK has won a lot of national championships and such but look at the state of Ohio…there is no D2 schools….if really good players dont make it to ohio state or those other d1 schools…they transfer to mount union…”
ummm…OK then how come Capital, Ohio Northern, John Carroll, etc. haven’t won 9 out of the last 12 titles if there is so many really good players laying around the state of OH?
Gags is a legend but you have to consider LK in a class above everyone else to be able to put together a run like he has.
However, Gags is 1-1 vs LK in the big game….
Say more? Nope, already said enough to let us all know you are uninformed and inaccurate on just about everything you say there. Nice work.
Any chance Mount Union fans could just chill out when someone throws down the old transfer stuff? Perhaps there’s no reason to be an ass about it.
Just my $.02.
i agree with alum….people really do need to chill out….i just said john galardi is a better coach that LK…people can disagree or whatever but just chill out…i never said one word of LK being a bad coach…in my opinion he is the second best coach behind john…LK is a great coach and so is john but john has won the most games in d1-2-3 history…yes there is an agruement about him winning more national championships but in my opinion john is the best coach
yes i was wrong about d2 in ohio but there are only 4 d2 schools in ohio and 3/4 have a losing record
Great venue D3 Football. Being new to D3 football this site has become my bible. Informative and a committed group of people bringing an unbias look at D3. The AFCA lost me with their coaches poll. St Johns ahead of LaCrosse????????? Anyway thanks guys for a great year…..
Radelph, that’s not what got you smacked down. It’s this:
“if really good players dont make it to ohio state or those other d1 schools…they transfer to mount union”
That actually is NOT true. However, I would suggest that many Ohio players who could go walk on and eventually earn scholarships in the state choose to go to Mount Union in the first place.
While that isn’t a particularly big difference, you might want to consider your wording was at fault.
bmac: Welcome aboard.
Ric:
What can you say about a Johnnie who can’t spell Gagliardi …. ?
Mr. Ypsi,
Thanks for the correction. I pulled it from an old article by the SJU beat writer. He usually doesn’t miss much, but did this time.
As much as I appreciate all the great coverage of JG, I think it’s fair to say that LK doesn’t get his full due in major media at least in part because there are two great stories to tell in d3. JG’s is a bit more unique, i.e., the the longevity and record win total plotlines. Both are great stories and very deserving, it’s just that d3 coverage is so far off the majors’ radar that few see more than one angle.
And with each title, the MUC/LK story gets harder to ignore. Just guessing, but I’d bet he’s the kind of guy who could care less about this debate.
OK, I try not to criticize spelling and might have gone over the line with that shot … but I think the SJU blinders are getting in radel’s way. I’ve got my own pair but sometimes you have to step back.
That’s not to say we couldn’t have a decent debate on LK/JG. Defining “great” is pretty tough. Not sure that we’re at that time and place yet. Might not be until each coach has completed his full body of work. As a classic headline in the New York Times once said “XXX’s intangibles are hard to quantify.”
When or if we do, a long term perspective would help. For instance, you could argue that Gag’s biggest win was over the Prairie View team with NFL greats Otis Taylor and Ken Houston, a HOFer. Arguably a bigger win than anything in MUC’s run. Still that would only be one of many parts of the argument.
A better topic these days might be if MUC, which has already raised the bar so many times in d3, has elevated it again last Saturday?
And where does this team rank and the great ones? I have a feeling that this title might be one that grows in stature over time …
Make that … “where does this team rank amid the great ones?”
I don’t know … Kehres has gotten a fair shake from a lot of media outlets. I’ve seen the papers in Ohio do real nice stuff with him, and the New York Times has been at the games, etc.
The “Yankees of D3” moniker really doesn’t help, even though it doesn’t fit because Mount Union, for the most part, is playing on an even playing field, where the Yankees spend their opponents to death.
Point being, there’s no conflict or drama, and you really have to get to know Kehres to get the feel-good angle. I remember being a little intimidated by LK in the early years.
From far away, MUC could be perceived as these titans who just win, win, win. But last season did wonders for me, personally, since I didn’t consider them favorites and they overcame a lot. For the first time, for me, they were endearing.
I just think the story doesn’t sell itself. It takes effort to get to know him and the program. Not saying that doesn’t help with Gagliardi, but the “winning with Nos” and being the all-time wins leader are instant hooks.
But yeah, anytime SI wants to do a take-out on the greatest college football coach that ever lived (at least by winning pct.), I’ll read it.
Also,
when you win that much, people think there must be something wrong with your competition. Like “it’s just little ol’ D3 they’re beating up on.”
That’s part of what’s so amazing. They take these teams who are great in their own rights and just beat them. The playing field among elite D3 teams is relatively equal (roster limits & JV programs are one difference) … But size, speed, tradition, confidence … they all have it, but MUC keeps winning the titles.
It’s a tiny little school with limited resources like a lot of the rest of us.
LK and john galaradi are the best coaches in d3…they could even be really great in d1…my opion though there really is no comparison….yes LK has won a lot of national championships and such but look at the state of Ohio…there is no D2 schools….if really good players dont make it to ohio state or those other d1 schools…they transfer to mount union…they always get good players and so does st. johns but john galardi is the best…to coach that many years and win all those games and be the winningest coach in history…do i need to say more?
Hey radelphatjohnnie2, just to correct you, there ARE Division II schools in Ohio. Both Ashland University and the University of Findlay are in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the same conference of powerhouse Grand Valley State. Also, Central State University and Tiffin University of the Great Lakes Football Conference. So, indeed, there are Division II options for those who want to play football in the state of Ohio.
“LK and john galaradi are the best coaches in d3…they could even be really great in d1…my opion though there really is no comparison….yes LK has won a lot of national championships and such but look at the state of Ohio…there is no D2 schools….if really good players dont make it to ohio state or those other d1 schools…they transfer to mount union…they always get good players and so does st. johns but john galardi is the best…to coach that many years and win all those games and be the winningest coach in history…do i need to say more?”
Hey radelphatjohnnie2, just to correct you, there ARE Division II schools in Ohio. Both Ashland University and the University of Findlay are in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the same conference of powerhouse Grand Valley State. Also, Central State University and Tiffin University of the Great Lakes Football Conference. So, indeed, there are Division II options for those who want to play football in the state of Ohio.
Two things here: One…Other than having the utmost respect for what they have accomplished, I am not a Mount Union fan. LK should not have to wait until he is 70 to be inducted into the HOF. I think he is unlikely to retire any time soon so should not have to meet that requirement either. He deserves to be in NOW!! PERIOD!! Change the * * * * rules for induction. He has NINE national championships for Pete’s sake. As for who is the greatest ever….who cares!! Trying to pick the “greatest ever” anything is almost an impossible task. There are usually arguments to support numerous points of view. LK and Gagliardi are both obviously in a fraternity with very few members.
The topic of transfers and MU keeps popping up. Based on what I perceive as common knowledge, MU’s success is not based on transfer athletes. Maybe I am missing something but it seems pretty obvious to me. Ohio is one of the top 4 or 5 hot beds of HS football in the country. If I am a blue chip HS player but borderline D1 I can: A) Go to Ohio State and be a blocking dummy. B) Go to another D2 or D3 school and perhaps play right away. C) Go to Mount Union and have an opportunity to win at least one national championship. D) Go to community college and work part time at Wal Mart. To those that choose A…I think momma must have dropped you on your head when you were a baby. B…your ego is probably so big that MU doesn’t want or need you. D…. just allsky7 being a smart * * * 🙂 So what does that leave…ah…C… Go to MU. It seems a “no brainer” to me.
RE: MTU getting all the Ohio State Cast off players…
There are 6 MAC schools in Ohio that take 2nd tier D1 talent (Miami, OH; Toledo; Bowling Green; Ohio U; Kent State; and Akron). Cincinnatti is there also. Dayton and Youngstown State are IAA. The aforementioned 4 teams in DII (Ashland, Tiffin, Findlay, and I forget the other). As well 20 other D3 Football schools in OH. Also some NAIA in Malone and Walsh.
There are reasons that MTU gets the players and it is not because they are the only other choice besides the D1 schools.
They are Tradition and Excellence.
the ohio state or mount theory just doesn’t fly – ohio has a ton of options for high school football players – you have OSU, of course. you have cincinnati, dayton, miami, ohio u., bowling green, toledo, kent, akron, youngstown state, plus all D2 schools, plus all the D3 schools, and there are a lot of them. and i know i’ve forgotten some schools.
I un……..
Ohio State was used just for example purposes. OSU, BG, YS, etc. It doesn’t matter. These schools still attract players that are at a higher level for the most part than D3. They are going to get their’s. The Garcon’s of the world are the exception rather than the rule. I don’t consider him a borderline player. He is legit D1. There is enough HS talent in Ohio and there are enough blue chip players that MU has a pretty darn good selection left after the MAC’s, I-AA’s get their players.
I do agree that excellence and tradition are part of the equation also.
I realize that this is not always a black and white issue where a kid chooses to go. There are other factors. EG: Proximity to home (a biggie), where Dad and Uncle Bob played ball, cost, school degree offerings, etc. But I do think that the numbers game is a part of it. IMHO 🙂
keith,
pretty much agree on the coverage. the MUC/LK story certainly isn’t as easy to get your hands around.
guess a better way to make my point — especially at a time when “It’s a Wonderful Life” is back on TV is … if JG had not been born, LK would be THE iconic figure in small college FB. He’s just doing this amazing job at the time of another amazing figure.
I see that the showboating is poo poo’d, but there are those of us who don’t appreciate it.
There is something to be said about the word “team” or “we” and players who catch the ball are well advised to remember the rest of the team and the role of each one in the successes or failures in a game.
We need to look beyond the obvious in order to acknowledge the skills of each team member.
I’m not objective about Kleppe, but I have to say that he seems to have been “snubbed” as one of you said.
Congratulations to UWW for their on field and off field manner. This can only (in my opinion) come from the coaching.
Cheese58,
While the “dive” catch has taken some heat if you watch the replay of the game there was a defensive back in position to push Garcon out of bounds before he scored. Who knows what would have happened if he didn’t score. It was a spectacular play but it is used by many to accomplish the goal of scoring without being considered a showboat. I will agree Pierre does have a touch of “me” in “team” but there is me in team. If you watch him off the ball he is one of the best blocking receivers you are going to find and that is all about helping the rest of the players on the field. Remember a certain 95 yd play last year???? It was Pierre that escorted and blocked the entire length of the field for Kmic and Pierre started on the oposite side of the field. Not many receivers do that IMO.
My take on the “dive” is that it was not a showboat effort. Maybe the outcome of the game didn’t depend on his scoring the touchdown, but I don’t think that’s the point. When you have the chance to score, you do what you can to make it happen.
I found nothing wrong with the “dive”. My complaints with Pierre was when he was jawing at the official over a blown spot, and his showboating in the endzone after the first TD run. But as someone pointed out earlier, Stanley did his own share of trash talking and showboating, but when you don’t find the endzone during the game, it seriously cuts down the amount of chances you have to toot your own horn. I know it’s all part of the game these days, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
i love how on this site that i can say one thing and people just have a spas…thats really funny…gag’s is the best coach in d3
radel
we’ll compromise……he’s the best coach over 70 years of age in D3. :o)
radel,
You’re not saying something. You’re trying to state something as fact. SJU has a great coach. He has the most longevity of any coach in college history and has a tremendous record.
Me, I’ll take LK anyday with his astronomical win percentage and 9 and counting national titles.
mainjack,
Agreed on the real hot dog taunting showboat stuff. It won’t end until officials eject the players or the coaches bench them. Don’t hold your breath.
Kitchen,
The deal with the grass, from the same source as the future of said grass, is that the last two years they have been battling a disease at the complex at both the diamond and Salem Stadium and that was a major push to replacing it with field turf.
As a photographer that has ‘survived’ warm, cold, wet, and frozen games at the Stagg Bowl, I will welcome the change with open arms. The stadium does get a lot of use, but I feel that the field will be in better condition in 25 years than the HHH Metrodome is in Minneapolis after just 18 months. But that’s apples to oranges, the Dome is used 3.5 days/week year round. Dave, Scott and I shot 5 games there for the UMAC this past October and my knees were aching much like they did when there was astroturf in there after just two quarters.
Anywho, that’s more insider knowledge about the field conditions at Stagg. Thankfully, it’s over.
Well,
I said on the broadcast (I think) that Garcon looked like he could have scored scooting inside the pylon, but took his time and leapt over the player instead. Nobody on the D3 team agreed with me.
I don’t know if that’s showboating anyway. Pat Cummings thought the defender had a clear shot at his legs and it was the most efficient way to score, it just looked so bad b/c Pierre has mad ups. I didn’t see it so much as a bad thing as it was just Garcon being that dominant that he could have chosen either way to score.
The thing about ejecting players or coaches getting involved with the showboating is you don’t know where to draw the line. There’s certain stuff that’s just outrageous, and that should be handled, but you don’t want to give the officials any more judgement calls than they already have. If we have to err on one side or the other, I say let the kids play.
Coaches spend so much time trying to get these guys to bring out all of that emotion in their games; it’s foreign for them to try to turn around and snuff it.
As long as you do the little things, be respectful to teammates and opponents more often than not, I don’t mind a little celebration.
I do hate when a guy does what he’s supposed to do (make a 1-yard tackle for loss or an 11-yard catch for first down) and makes a big freakin’ scene.
I also hate when a team is getting pummeled and the guy celebrates the TD. Hey, spike it real quick or give the ball to the ref. You ain’t good though, you’re down by 21!
These aren’t really beefs I have with the D3 game though.
I think people watching don’t realize how fast this all happens; that’s why I really couldn’t beef with Garcon’s leap even if I thought he was showboating. You just can’t imagine how fast it all happens out on the field and how quickly you have to react. You will make some wrong decisions … maybe some of those decisions will make you look like a showboat.
That’s why it’s funny to me when they penalize a DB for hitting too hard … it’s like how the heck is supposed to slow up?
Watching it in live action, I actually thought Garcon could have made a quick cut to the left and walked into the endzone. But he was going full speed and had to make a choice and he scored.
Pierre did nothing wrong he didnt do anything that someone else wouldnt have done given the circumstances of the game. I mean it was the stagg bowl on espn, how exciting is that let the guy play his game and watch it and enjoy it instead of finding ways to critisize him.Watch the OSU Florida game you will see showboating. But know one will Bit?h about that….Go Buckeyes……..
who cares…garcon didnt showboat…if he did so what…what are they gonna do fine him!?…when your so into the game and your competitive you will do a little showboating…but if he did so what just relax people
Just to clarify, I didn’t think he showboated. I can’t imagine a player running towards the corner thinking “I could cut left and walk in, but I think I’d rather fly over this dude.” I believe it was just an instinct to leap into the endzone.
I am old school and hate to see all the showboating in todays game. I didn’t see Garcon’s leap as showboating at all. I thought the defender was there and possibly had a chance to make a play. My guess is instinct told Garcon the defender would go low…so he went high. No biggie. It was just that…instinct. He didn’t have time to think about it.
Just to clarify . . . I didn’t mention specific players as far as showboating goes. I just prefer not to see it. Showboating makes me think of the recent commercial about a spelling bee winner.
Play the game well and it will be noticed.
Also, I’m not referring to running on the tips of your toes or diving to make a play. As someone said things happen so fast that the players have to do what they have to do.
Raiderguy: I DO remember the play you mentioned and I agree with what you said 100%!!
These are just personal opinions and I respect that others may feel differently.
For what it is worth, I thought Garcon showboated alot more in last years game. The leap was fine with me. I agree that the defender may have suceeded in taking out his legs or forcing him out inches before the goal line so it is hard to fault him for going over. The kid has a hell of a verticle leap!!
opps, vertical.