Go grab your coffee and sit down with us on a Monday morning for this week’s ATN podcast. Four games last week, two games this week. Plus, hear what Keith thought of the Wesley/Mary Hardin-Baylor game and Pat’s take on the Central/Bethel game. What’s coming up this week? Are we really destined for a threepeat Stagg Bowl?
Listen in.
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cruguy-
teaching children is easier than adults.
adults already think they know everything. What i meant by deal with it is parents should be thinking ahead when going to events like football games. my daughter has attended 4 UWW games and before we went we told her that she should be aware that some language might be offensive and not to repeat it. she is 4 and so far has not said anything bad she has heard. yes between 2 christian schools you wouldnt expect that but unfortunately it might and thats when parents need to step in and explain it to their children. As i said in the beginning of that comment i feel that it has no place in sports but it is there and that is the sad truth. i do applaud you for trying to stop it however, hopefully someone will listen.
Nasedo:
I hope Bethel brings their “A” game. After all, this is the national semi finals. By this time, the cream should be rising to the top.
As I am sure you are aware from the press clippings and the postings here, Mount is playing at a level that, for the entire season, has been superlative to say the least. The only glaring weakness they have is the propensity for penalties.
Your coaches have the tapes. Mount does nothing fancy. They line up 11 versus 11 but they play with a tenacity I haven’t seen in any team for a long time. They play with quiet confidence that if they execute, they will win. They run a hurry up offense, go for it on fourth down, and keep you on your toes ALL THE TIME. There is no let up.
I agree that any team is beatable on any given day but, this year, they are playing in a different league. Just make sure your players understand that their absolute best is needed with no let up. or else you will find that in a blink, you are down 3 touchdowns and have abandoned your game plan to play catch up.
That isn’t bragging. That is fact. Ask the previous 13 opponents.
I haven’t read any opinions about the Gagliardi Trophy. Is Beaver the clear cut winner?
I agree with Nasade that Bethel won’t be intimidated by Mt. Union and i don’t agree with TDD that this shows Bethel is intimidated. Bethel like any team is confident about themselves and their teammates around them with what they can accomplish. I’m not saying Bethel is definitely going to win; I know that Mt. Union is a very talented team, but I do believe that Bethel has the skills to accomplish this feat. I think this game is going to come down to who wants it more and I don’t believe there’s any team that has more heart and drive than Bethel. I just think a team that has won 8 out of the last 11 Stagg Bowls will have the “been there, done that” attitude. Whereas a team like Bethel this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will give everything they have. They are going to lay everything on the line and give it their all, becasue they have nothing to lose and no expectations to live up to. So only Saturday will tell for sure, but i hope that no matter what the outcome is everyone can see that Bethel gave everything they had and that they are teh best representation of the word “team” there is. And to answer you Nasedo Bethel never plays anything less than their “A” game so Mt. Union better be prepared.
bleedpurple,
Does UWW have an indoor practice facility? If they do then they wont have to practice in the cold wet weather all week. It may be in the 70s and 80s here in Belton this week, but that just means UMHB will have better practices (weatherwise) then UWW. Now I know that some think it would be better for our players to practice in cold/wet weather to get use to the game this weekend, but I think they have the experience of playing in cold wet weather already.
Also, do UWW fans tailgate before the game? If so, are UMHB fans invited? I will be there if so. It is going to be a memorable weekend regardless who wins.
RaiderGuy—
Just FYI Bethel doesn’t get out of its game plan…. That’s why they beat the Johnnies both years in a row—they live and die by their game plan. If they’re down by a couple touchdowns they’ll just keep pounding the ball. Bethel won’t give them a game if Wetzell is hurt, if there are turnovers or Mount Union gets up on them early. The only one Mount Union can control is the last one so they better bring their A game to win this game also.
If its tied up in around halftime and Bethel gets the ball in the third quarter, you better force a three and out because the last two years they have had 10-12 mins drives in the third quarter.
Other than that, this game is a toss up. UWW is going to beat M-HB.
umhb…..it’s Wisconsin,of course, they tailgate. As for practicing they have an indoor facility and sometimes go to the University of Wisconsin and use their indoor facility……
TDD, Bethel isn’t “my” team. I’ve been a St. John’s fan since 1961, I couldn’t care less who wins Saturday. All I’m saying is Bethel plays hard every play until the whistle blows. How you could spin that into showing disrespect for Mt. Union is unfathomable. As for facing anyone the caliber of the OAC, that conference is Mt. Union and little else. All I’ve seen of the OAC this year was in September, when Marietta came to Collegeville. It wasn’t pretty.
Raiderdude, what you said in your third paragraph – about playing with tenacity, going for it on forth down, keeping you on your toes etc. applies to Bethel too. They have an almost fanatical intensity, they’re totally fearless, they never give up on their game plan and they don’t beat themselves. At least that’s what I’ve seen in the three games I saw them play this year. I understand it’s unlikely they will beat Mt. Union in Alliance. (By the way, is anyone here old enough to remember the last time the Raiders won a playoff game on the road?) I’m sure Mt. Union is very good again this year, even though I haven’t seen them play since the 2003 Stagg Bowl 😉 All I said was I wouldn’t be COMPLETELY surprised if Bethel won, it can happen.
This is my first posting….couldn’t resist after reading some of the comments. First let say upfront that I have attended nearly every game that UMHB has played (within a days drive) since the 2000 season. Does that make me a FAN?….well I use to think it did….but based on the definition of some…maybe not. I personally have NEVER witness the type behavior mentioned by an earlier poster at a UMHB home game. I’m certainly not in a position to say it never happened …..I would suggest however, that the behavior the person witnessed was very likely an isolated case. What I have seen over the last 7 seasons, is a collection of fine young men (on both sides of the field) building character and learning lessons about LIFE that will serve them well for years to come. Now, about this idea that UMHB has no chance on Saturday….might I remind you that on Oct 23, 2004 UMHB was embarrassed terribly by Hardin Simmons (49 – 22) who was ranked #3 at the time. On Nov 27 2004 UMHB beat Hardin Simmons 42-28 in the first playoff game. UMHB of course, played in the Stagg Bowl that year. Whitewater is a great team.. they’ve had a great year and has what probably will prove to be the best player in Div III….but don’t believe or assume that UMHB has no chance!
Pat, U ask me what UMHB is “Do”. Yes, They are 4th in the nation, if they haven’t had to to prove something all year and have been given there “do” explain to me,WHY, the fourth seed in the playoffs. YES, they got beat, anyone can be beat, everyone has talked about how it was a blowout, yes score may seemed so, but, take back the 5 fumbles, its a totally different game, if weather is an issue, then we proved it with a 64-0 BLOWOUT NCW, in 38F weather and pouring down rain and is a totally different cold than in snow, its colder, speaking from experience, yes, i played in both, and yes i am PURE TEXAN,they will Do Just Fine. i have watched all the games this yr for UMHB and The Team as a whole have played as a team better than i have ever seen in their tenyr. That has a great deal to do with the coaching staff and the kids as a whole, i am not trying to sway anyone here but um if the team and coaching staff weren’t a gel of a staff/football team then the football coaches across Division III wouldn’t have VOTED FB coach Pete Fredenburg named AFCA Region III Coach of the Year.
That says a great deal for the Organization as a great Program,”CONGRATS CRU”. Soory to go on here, Yet i have one thing to say i might get shunned here but,”PLEASE STOP” hiding behind religion to all of you from across the football land, YES i am a christian, and have a great love in my GOD, but to say that these christian schools should do a better job of controlling the team/crowd Wake Up. We are all Human and Yes we Were created as equal Not Raised that way,Yet all make Excuses for one another but can’t even look at your ownself before you open your mouth/type here. It is not the schools job to control this, this should come from the home that the kids are raised in. have anyone of ya’ll really ever played football, polite football teams on the field LOSE, WAKE UP!!!!, yes intemidation is part to the game, and great coaching and kids that have a love for learning the right way to play the game/watching film, and day to day on the field COLD/ or 120F Yes i DID say 120F HUMIDITY TO BOOT, yes Texas has it all and most from the North can’t candle our Texas weather. i beleave that is why they want to come play our texas teams here in Texas!!!. As i write this i see my 11yrold son grow up in a different World then i grew up in, but if all i do is shelter him from the World Today, he will never have a True take on the real world. i a good man for that i am a single father raising my son on my own. Wake Up America.GO CRU see ya in virginia
So it isn’t that you’ve had to prove everyone wrong all year, it’s that you’ve had to prove the NCAA committee wrong over the past three weeks.
(By the way, is anyone here old enough to remember the last time the Raiders won a playoff game on the road?)
———–
they’ve won 9 of them in salem. and that’s salem, va., not salem, ohio.
uwwHOOT-
Is field turf in the Perk a done deal for next year? I can’t imagine they would do that being that the natural grass was Berez’ baby.
“I’ve seen the schedule for Bethel this year and I think its safe to say that they haven’t faced anyone of the caliber of the OAC.”
—
Wow, nice hyperbole. I’ve got plenty of respect for MUC and I’m not so much sticking up for Bethel … but someone has to shoot down this BS post.
Bethel beat the No. 2 team in the WIAC, which is a better conference than the OAC. (And the OAC’s No. 2 team lost to a WIAC team by nearly 3 TDs in round one… yeah, yeah injuries, blah, blah,blah).
Bethel beat Central and St. John’s, but you’re saying neither one is the caliber of the OAC???? SJU and Central aren’t “the caliber” of Mount this season, but the OAC is not a conference of Mount Unions.
Way to advance the discusssion …
I don’t think betel is going to put up 40, but i really don’t think mt. union is going to either. Bethel has a solid “d” and seems to come up with key plays a the right time in the game. I know that people are already putting mt. union in the finals, but don’t underestimate a team that plays like the true definition of a team. Not just on the field but off as well. Don’t be surprised if this one comes down to the wire.
“take back the 5 fumbles, its a totally different game…”
C’mon, you have got to be kidding me. Take back 5 UWW touchdowns and its a totally different game as well.
C’mon buddy, you’re better than that
Whitewater does plan on getting field turf in the off season due to high maintenance costs of natural grass.
take back the 5 wesley fumbles and you arent even playing this week.
Hey Ric,
can we renew your bet to run naked in Salem if Bethel scores against the Mount Defense? We need a little spice in here!!
Wesleydad,
Same came be said if I take back the 5 Turnovers vs UWW…then last week’s game is played in Belton.
Personally, I think we would all prefer watching teams with no T’s in a game and let the OL and DL battle in the trenches….
While UMHB has an excellent team, I think that they are facing a steep uphill battle this weekend.
First, UWW is a team that is senior DOMINATED – and most of the seniors have played together for three successful years.
Second, the weather factor in Perkins Stadium is going to be a MAJOR factor. i don’t know what it is but the times that I have attended a game at UWW, it has always seemed a lot colder than the air temperature once you get inside the stadium. I know that sounds a little wacko but the way it sits in a bowl seems to capture and hold in the cold. And this is from someone who has lived in Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit for years.
I wish that i could attend the game this weekend but I barely made it through the St. John’s game last year … guess I am done for the year unless I make it to the Independence Bowl later this month.
Okay. Okay We get it…..it is cold in Wisconsin. We do have the weather channel in Texas. 🙂 Also, 5 fumbles here, 5 there….makes no difference…Wesley lost last week . UMHB lost to UWW earlier in the season. UWW lost to St. Cloud. Games all lost on the turnover battle. You turn the ball over….usually you lose. Bottom line. The game will be decided there. A little wind or snow will not be the deciding factor. Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers.
My hat is off to UWW because they are a excellent football team. UMHB also is a excellent football team. I say this because both have been ranked in the top 5 the last few years and both have been to the Stagg. I have seen both games played and this is what I noticed.
The major difference between these teams are quarterback play, period! Both play great defense, both have a great running game and excellent coaching. However, I believe Jones is by far the better QB. (Only if he would have transfered to UMHB then maybe we would be going to the Stagg although we have a chance with Josh) UMHB, please stay with what has brought you. Run, run again, and run some more. Pass less than 10 times and throw 2 for TD’S.
The FIELD will be a factor not the weather (UMHB has played in the cold, I was at the UNCW game and the conditions were horrible) because UWW has a natural grass surface and it will be either a frozen tundra or wet and nasty AND THAT IS NOT WHAT UMHB IS USED TO PLAYING ON.
UMHB did hold Beaver to 77 yrds on 29 carries, again the difference was the qb play. I believe that UWW off/def coordinator had a better game plan than UMHB’S as well. I think UMHB off/def coordinator’s out thinked themselves a bit. Also, Thrasher is banged up, the center is banged up, Henri is banged up as well and Oliver is out.
With all that said I’m not counting the cru out. The odds are against them but they will need to play almost a perfect game to win. UWW does not make that many mistakes, but they are due a bad game as the last one was against St. Cloud and they lost. Force some turnovers and run, run, and run, pass when they least expect it and make them pay for putting 9 in the box.
I am a UMHB fan. I’m telling you the way I see it. I’m not being a homer like many of my fellow purple brothers or the purple foe this weekend. So here are my predictions. UWW 35 UMHB 21 (MARK MY WORDS QB PLAY AND FIELD CONDITIONS) MUC 52 BETHEL 14. (MUC IS THAT GOOD)
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I wasn’t disrespecting Bethel. They are in the national semi-finals for a reason.
My point was that the last 13 teams that have played Mount Union this year have probably all said that they will stick to a game plan, only to find that not to be true.
I will be in Alliance on Saturday and am looking forward to a hard fought and entertaining game played by two teams that want it. Just don’t think for a second that because Mount has won as many titles as they have that they are not hungry. Each game is like a championship to them. They understand that the best is required every play in order to succeed. I know that most teams also think that way but Mount backs it up as evidenced by the games played not only this year but in recent memory.
Johnnieboi – I beg to differ with you that the game is a toss up. Mount Union will certainly be favored but, as I said, I am looking forward to an entertaining game.
Raiders doing well in the classroom as well. Seven players (Micheli, Blanchard, Safran, Wray, McCullough, Carpenter and Kappas have been named to the All-OAC academic team-the most from any OAC school. Best of luck to all four teams this weekend!
This my first catch-up for the week, but looks like most of the posts that necessitated responses already got measured, well-thought out ones. Nice job by board as a whole.
A few things:
Cold weather most certainly IS a factor in a football game, if you don’t think so, I highly doubt you’ve played. The ball hurts when it hits your hands, it’s tougher to grip to throw (unless you wear gloves), and if you’re one of the dudes that stands around a lot and comes in for a special teams play every once in a while, it can get to you, a lot more so than if you are constantly moving.
Add precepitation into the mix and you can be drenched to the skin by mid-first quarter.
That’s all in addition to the obvious ways it can be a factor in a game.
It is true though that it affects both teams. Not always equally, based on how some offenses, in partcular, are built. But it is also fair to say that UMHB and UWW are both built to win in this kind of weather since both can run the ball.
What people are trying to say, I gather, is that weather won’t be the difference in the game. That’s a fine opinion to have, but it’s much different from claiming it won’t be a factor.
UMHB is not a size defense, it is a speed defense. It is a defense that can cover in the secondary and pursue to the ball on run plays. If the footing is uncertain, it most certainly does not play into their hands.
Bottom line, as any coachspeaking coach will tell you, both teams have to play in it. I feel confident neither will consider it an excuse for winning or losing, and there are many more significant ways we can discuss this matchup.
I would advise UMHB to look into wearing whatever shoes UWW wears though 🙂
Interesting (to me, anyway) that the Stagg Bowl has always been played in the cold on grass but is going to be on turf this year for the first time since its been in Salem, if not ever.
TDD, you kinda jumped down Nasedo’s throat there. He didn’t sound like SJF Fan at all. He didn’t come out disrespecting Mount Union or its conference mates, he came out saying he was confident in his team. Nothing wrong with that.
There had been no Bethel chatter to that point. We want to encourage the opposition to come here and discuss rationally, not scare them away. Lay off … at least until there’s a real reason to get all fired up.
I wasn’t going to respond to R24aider’s taunt, it was lame but harmless. Gordon and I both picked TCNJ to go for 7 the week before. So we showed SJF too much respect, shoot us.
The thing about actually having the cojones to share your picks on a weekly basis is you’re going to be wrong a bunch. I really don’t stress about it, we do it for the fans (in this case, everyone who isn’t a player or coach) to have something to chew on. Anyone that wants to feel cool after the fact by giving me a hard time for a pick I missed, knock yourself out.
I’m fairly certain 90-some-odd percent of our readers don’t process humor that way and would rather tip their hats to the people who spend a good portion of their lives giving them a D3 website for free, but some do. We understand you’re only giving us crap, it’s no big. To be in this position you have to have thick skin and let things go.
Not to mention that if I responded like this to every fan who thought I didn’t give his team its propers, either in foresight or hindsight, I’d never get anything done.
Keith:
Couldn’t agree more about the weather “factor”. I may not have been clear in my post regarding it’s effect but I was trying to illustrate that both teams are affected and, yes, a running team does tend to fair better than one that throws more or runs a spread offense with lots of gimmick plays.
It’s a truism, but the teams that execute, play as “mistake free” as possible, and prevent the short field will have the best chance of advancing this weekend.
Bring it on!
It’s also very true that UMHB-MUC a couple years ago was played in a light snow. It adds to the legend to remember it as a snow game, but both the quarters this week were far worse than the conditions that day.
I think talking about the game three years ago is very relevant, as is mentioning the 7-3 game last year vs. UWW/UMHB. It lets the Cru know that if they play well, they are not out of their league against either team.
That’s important to know for teams that have previously only known the Raiders and Warhawks through ESPN’s Stagg Bowl broadcasts.
Bethel, for instance, is going to have to get some stops early and turn it into a grind (if not somehow jump out in front), something teams did not do well against the mighty (MUC and UWW) last week. Those got out of hand in a hurry.
Also, if I were a UMHB fan, I would be concerned about their sloppy play early last week. They cleaned it up, to their credit, and they didn’t hurt themselves with penalties or missed opportunities like Wesley did. They did put it on the turf a couple times and were fortunate to be in place to recover. There were also some mistimed pitches.
For what it’s worth.
I doubt that the Mount-Bethel game will come down to the wire. I’ve been to the last two Stagg Bowls and Mount is better than last year. Looking at statistics Mount has put up 695 pts. an average of 53.5 a game. The defense is even more impressive only giving 59 pts. up, an average of 4.5 points a game. Bethel’s offense has scored 401 pts. averaging 30.8 pts. a game. Their Defense has given 229 pts. up, an average of 17.6 pts. a game. I’m looking forward to a good game Saturday.
For the record, most of us have been fairly certain since last year’s Stagg Bowl that Mount was going to be better this year, since they brought back Kmic, Garcon, Wray, et al., turned the job over to Micheli and had Blanchard/Safran/Reash back on the OL. Then you’ve got Parr, Rees, Kostelnik, etc. back on defense. Really the only major losses were some OL parts and the two DEs, right?
Barring major injury or major upset, there may not be a lot of drama this year.
That doesn’t mean we all can’t hope for some exciting games to watch.
Raiderdude:
You’re good, I was speaking generally to the weather posts, but you made some of the well-thought out ones I referred to.
D3Keith,
Sorry if it sounded like I was jumping down his throat, but I’m so tired of hearing someone say “their team won’t be intimidated and they are going to be ready to play. They make it sound like the other 13 teams Mount has played this year didn’t come ready to play. They all come hyped up and ready because to say you knocked off the king of the hill is bragging rights. Most teams in the playoffs consider the game against Mount as the championship because they are not going to go any further anyway. Like Raiderdude said,”every game is like a championship game to Mount”. The expectations at Mount are very high, but what do you expect from a coach who has won over 90% of the games in his career. Thats why they are always well prepared and ready to play because loosing is not in the vocabulary there.
Thanks Keith.
I think it is admirable as a former player and current “fan” to ardently support your team. More importantly, I think it is important to support D3 Football and the work you guys all do to provide this forum and information to fill the void left by the national media.
I have nothing but respect for any of the teams left in the tournament and hope both games are competitive. Naturally, I am rooting for Mount to not only win Saturday but to also “3 pete” but I admire those posters that feel the same for their team.
Good luck to Bethel and while I think the weather may be nasty, let’s hope the game isn’t.
R24:
Re: Gagliardi, I find it hard to believe that Beaver won’t win, but I tried and feel I succeeded in giving everyone a fair shake by reading their packet and their recommendation letters. When Larry Kehres or John Gagliardi says something in their letter, or a school president does, it can have a real effect.
The interesting thing is the panel is made up of former Gagliardi winners and D3 stars or people who have gone on to success from D3 programs. So while it’s a Who’s Who of D3, I wonder how closely some of them are able to follow the Division III season given their regular obligations in the NFL, broadcasting, whatever.
So I think that opens it up a bit even though Beaver is clearly the biggest star on one of the best teams.
Last year, for instance, Brehm was a worthy winner, but him being a QB, his impact was easier to digest through numbers than say, Kleppe’s. Derek Blanchard might be facing that same uphill battle this year even though it’s pretty clear Kehres thinks he is a game-changing player.
Another thing to note is that all 10 of these kids are awesome. When you read their packet, not just about their game achievements, but how strongly the coaches feel about their leadership roles, their place in their individual school’s history, the things they have overcome or done off campus … it really makes you feel good about Division III as a whole.
Would be nice if we could get all 10 to Salem for the ceremony and the game. I don’t know why, just to find a way to honor them I guess … (and yes, some are usually there playing, but if not, sometimes they fly in Thursday and have to leave town before the game)
TDD:
Fair enough. I understand where you’re coming from, I’ve seen it for years upon years now. But I didn’t think the Bethel guys said anything out of line, and I don’t expect any of them will.
I mean, what do you want them/their fans to say?
“We’re pretty sure we’re gonna get our butts kicked and it’ll just be an honor to step on the same field as Mount Union?”
“Trash talking is part of male machismo. Legislating that emotion is a worthwhile effort but will not gather broad support.”
I wouldn’t support Cruguy’s idea, even though it sounds good in theory.
The last thing we need is another judgement call for the officials to make, and to have player and coach participation hang in the balance.
Where would we draw the line for what’s acceptable to say? Certainly we can’t expect every player on every team to never lose their cool. What about the potential for misunderstandings, especially with players from a different cultural background or different generation from teh official are maybe understanding each other in a good-natured way and the official doesn’t see it that way.
I think officials have the proper latitude as it is to limit trash-talking and clean it up quickly if they see it. Nothing will get a guy yanked quicker than a random 15-yard penalty or two.
As long as your coaches’ head is screwed on straight (and I have seen in HS where that is not the case) then the guys really crossing the line in trash-talk on the field are really in the minority.
The fans can be a different story.
Probably should move this to that recent thread about respectful spectating.
D3Keith,
I was also wondering, how is the team picked for the Aztec bowl? I don’t remember ever seeing any kids from Mount. Is that because Mount usually goes so deep in the playoffs?
Please move all the garbage, excuse me I mean discussion, about trash talking to another location. Some of you have lost site of what this string started out as. Football playoffs not the Mormon Tabernacle Choir code of conduct. Not to discount your whinning about a 22 year old testosterone laden football player dropping the F bomb on some other 22 year old testosterone laden football player who just got laid out or parents who can’t keep thier alcohol stupor induced foul mouths under control. But for us heathens move it some place else so we can talk football not church.
I am a football official in Texas. I disagree with Cruguy’s opinion to fix the “trash problem”. D3 Keith you are right, we don’t need another judgement call placed on us. I had to call a couple unsportsmanship calls this year. Each time the coaches cleaned it up. Also, I warn the players when the trash stuff begins and most of the time I don’t have problems.
I have to officiate a high school playoff game during the UMHB-UWW game. I was going to watch the video feed which leads me to this question. Is there anyway I can get a copy of the game? Maybe you UWW and UMHB fans can point me in the right direction here.
As stated earlier, the difference will be field conditions and QB play. I hope I’m wrong and I do hope the cru wins to play one more time this year.
#1. A lot has been said about UMHB’s fumbles earlier this year. Not much has been said about last weeks game with Wesley in reference to UMHB 2 fumbles because they didn’t lose the ball either time. But one observation I did make was that there were at least three occasions that Cru tailbacks bobbled the ball and didn’t fumble. Which leads me to the weather issue. It was colder last week in Dover the any game I can remember over the last 13 yrs I have been attending games. It will likely be colder in Wisconsin. UMHB has put the ball on the ground a lot(36 times) they have just been better at getting them back. If that percenatge changes it will hurt them.. I would think playing in Wisc. in Dec. is a whole lot diferent than playing there in Oct.
#2 If UWW’s can pass the ball they will win…. It appeared the Cru D didn’t want to chance blitzing and open the field for Wesley’s speedy receivers but they still left a lot of receivers open. It’s doesn’t matter if you keep the ball for ten more minutes that the opposition if the opposition can score quickly.
D3Keith-
The reason I don’t find the 2004 “snow” game and the game last season between UWW and UMHB valid arguments for this weekends game is because they are different teams. I think UMHB knows they have the talent and the coaching to hang with and beat top tier teams. I have an issue with UMHB saying they can play and win in cold and snow because they won a game 3 years ago. I think they can win, I think the game will be closer than the one earlier this year I just don’t see the comparison between last years UMHB team, 2004’s UMHB team and the ability to win on Saturday, in whatever the weather brings.
Just wanted to offer my take on the weather situation for the UMHB-UWW game this weekend. If the forecast holds, we’re looking at snow and a high of around 25, but it will probably feel colder with the wind chill.
That being said, there are two ways you can look at it. First, remember that both teams have to play in the exact same conditions. Given what I have seen from UWW in the last 3 years, most recently last weekend, I know what they are capable of doing in adverse conditions. From what I have seen and heard of UMHB, I have no reason to believe that the conditions will slow them down any. Both of these teams have a strong enough defense and rushing attack to do just fine. We should see a classic smashmouth, slug-it-out kind of game, which is something that fans from both Wisconsin and Texas should be well familiar with (think NFC “Norse”, Big 10, Big 12 type of football).
Advantage: Draw
The other factor with the weather is the issue of how it actually feels. UWW hasn’t played a game further South than Whitewater since last year’s Stagg Bowl. They’re just plain used to the snow, the cold, the field conditions, etc… Now I know UMHB has played in some bad conditions the last few years. But they are still spending the majority of their time in Texas, where the temps. this week are 40-50 degrees higher than in Wisconsin. Does anyone know when they are traveling up here? At most, they’ll have maybe two days to get used to it, but experience tells me that when they step out of the locker room, they’re going to feel the cold more than the UWW guys.
Advantage: UWW
Now for the disclaimer: I realize that is just a small part of the game, but its going to add to the psychological factor for UMHB, along with being a long way from home, memories of what happened 6 weeks ago, etc.. How much of an impact will it have? We’re never going to really know. But I’m looking forward to seeing it decided on the field this Saturday, the way it should be. Safe travels to everyone coming from Texas, Wisconsin, and anywhere else. See you there.
ok nasedo, i’ll answer the question you meant to ask and pose one of my own.
the last time the raiders played an away game in the playoffs (not counting salem) was 1996. but when you go 10-0 virtually every year and are ranked #1 most of the time, you do get rewarded with home games. isn’t that the way it should work?
now, my question: when was the last time mount union LOST an away game (again, not counting salem)?
answer: 1994, at albion in the 2nd round of the playoffs. i was at that game.
how amazing is it that a team can go 13 seasons without losing an away game?
and since that loss, mount is 163-4 (97.6% winning percentage).
Dallas:
My understanding is that the student approved a fee to pay for most of the cost to install fieldturf in both the football and baseball complex. More than one donor has expressed interest in funding the difference. I am not sure if all the details have been worked out.
The current athletic administration would love to keep the grass, but it simply is becoming too difficult to play this many games year after year, find practice locations outside the stadium given recent contruction, and continue to host non-football events like the State band competition.
Thank god we are talking football again. I thought I logged on to the 700 Club web site for while there.
Bottom line in my humble opinion is. WW D has to hold down as much as possible the MHB run game early. No contest in the passing game WW wins. Turnovers or lack thereof WW wins by a slim margin.
Biggest unknown and not talked about much…… The special teams play. Who can punt, catch and kick feild goals.
Can’t wait to see the reactions of the MHB guys when they come out of the locker room with long sleeves, long johns, gloves, etc and look over to see the UWW players with no sleeves and big smiles on their faces. Those guys eat this weather up, and they know that has a phsycological effect on their opponents.
Few other things I’ve wated to comment on from reading the DD: UWW does practice outdoors unless it’s a cold, rainy type day….the cold/snow is a part of life up there…..they enjoy it….an upper 30’s temp is much different than a mid 20’s temp, light snow, and a 10-15 mph wind…..Panhandle weather is MUCH different than Belton weather.
Some of these little points might add up in a hurry when you take the field against a team that already beat you by 30 points earlier in the year….in nice weather.
Enough about the weather. Ok, it’s cold in WI and it’s warm in TX. Let’s see how the game turns out.
I do believe special teams will be a big factor as well because a lot of these guys are standing on the sideline freezing and come into the game cold. Maybe a good coach would take note of that and play starters on the special teams. You could see a lot of fumbles on the special teams which will give the other team great field position in most cases.
Also, I don’t know how well the option pitch will work for UMHB, it could cause some turnovers if not careful.
Hey does anyone know how I can get a copy of the game?
Mount Fans-
I’m the third generation of my family to graduate from Bethel, played for the Royals from 97-00, and was a Senior on the first Bethel team to get into the play-offs. I would like nothing more than to see my guys playing in the biggest game in the school’s history and to meet all the fine people who support Purpler Raider football, but work commitments will keep me on the wrong side of the Pacific for that.
Honestly, there really is nothing that we as Bethel fans can point to in the build-up to this game that indicates it will be anything other than a comfortable win for Mount. Is that ever not true when somebody plays the mighty Purple? Having said that, this team wasn’t expected to beat SJU or Central in the lead-up to those games either. Mount’s team is a cut above anything Bethel has seen before, but Bethel has done a phenomenal job of raising their game to the level of the opposition this year. What I can tell you is that our boys are good, we’re as proud of them as we can be, and Mount will get nothing less than the best everybody can offer from Coach Johnson on down the roster. It will take a special effort to get a win, but this team has already done lots of special things. We’ll see what happens this Saturday. Safe travels to all who will be in attendance, and enjoy the afternoon!
Dallas, Thanks for the heads up. Having been born and raised in Texas I never knew there was a difference in the weather in vairous parts of the state. I mean just because you can go over 1000 miles north and south you think there might be a difference in the temp in different parts of the state. That was my point actually. It is a little off the mark for folks up north to lump Texas in one basket when it comes to weather. When I was suffering a snow storm in the Panhandle that winter there was another Texan catching some rays in 80 degree weather in the Rio Grande Valley. The kids at Mary Hardin are from all over in Texas and used to all kinds of weather. What you will see Saturday on the UWW and UMHB sidelines is a fine bunch of outstanding young men who will not be near as concerned about the weather as the fans in the stands. Personnally I disagree with what seems to be your personal oppinion of UWW. I really think the Warhawks are planning on winning a football game on the meris of their football ability. I don’t think they are overly concerned about the smiles on their short sleved frozen faces being a factor. However, I can see where you are coming from and I am willing as a native Texan to concede that Wisconsin is colder than Texas. I shall make sure you get a certificate to that effect suitable for framing. Silly me I gave the UWW team and coaches credit for having been at the last game between these two fine teams and for respecting the obvious fact that UMHB is a great team that had a very bad day. Of course I’m sure you have never had a bad day. Obviously, a guy raised in low temp is superior to us folk who were raised in higher temps. Frankly, I’ll bet you that UWW is taking the UMHB Crusaders very seriously and not expecting the 5 gifts (turnovers) to repeat Saturday. I guessing they plan to win by playing the game of football to the best of their ability and are not looking for an automatic wiw via the weathere. But hey you know them better than I do, you could be right. They may have practiced their cold weather smiles all week.