Fifteen weeks and 1,100 games have led to this, Stagg Bowl XXXV, between Mount Union and UW-Whitewater.
If you’re new to Division III, these teams have met in the Stagg Bowl each of the previous two years as well. How have things changed since? What can UW-Whitewater do differently in 2007 than it did in 2006 and 2005? What will the Stagg Bowl be like with a healthy Pierre Garcon and Justin Beaver?
Get ready for the Stagg Bowl with Keith McMillan and Pat Coleman’s take in this week’s Around the Nation podcast.
[display_podcast]
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Stagg Bowl prediction,
Both teams look to have solid defenses. However, Mount is going to game plan against two guys, Beaver and Jones. A mobile QB is always tough to defend. UWW on the other hand is going to have to try and stop a Mount team with at least 5 serious threats on the offense. Mount has way to many weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and nobody will run on their defense consistantly enough to win a game. Mount Union 40-17 over the Warhawks.
Just a question: I know this is off topic for the podcast but when viewing the pictures from the UMHB/UWW game I noticed there did not seem to be a ton of people in attendance, or at least as many as I would figure would attend a semi-final game. Are there ususally more people at UWW games (especially semi-finals)? Was it due to the weather that the stands did not seem full? Just curious? Man I would have loved to have been at that game and if I lived anywhere even remotely close I would have gone. I am just interested in the number of people that follow D3 in other areas of the country.
dlippiel-
normally you would see more at the game. they did not have enough staff to clean the snow off the bleachers and walkways. not sure of the attendance numbers but it seemed like more than the wabash game. hope this helps.
Its time for the flood gates to open and the Raider bashing to commence…Alot of people who dont know much about d3 football had a lot to say last year, and Im hoping its not the same this year! Ive been to the past two head to head matchups of these teams, and plan to attend this one! Obviously, Im pulling for my Raiders, but I understand how hard it is to beat a team 3 years in a row, let a lone a team the quality of UW-Whitewater! I know Beavers going to bring it, and every other member of that team who has made the trip to Salem the past two years and come home empty handed will do the same as well! Im pretty sure this one will be the best of all, and I am very much looking forward to it! See you in Salem!
First off R24aider, there is no way, let me repeat for you NO WAY that Mount Union will score 40 points. This in my opinion will be the lowest scoring of the three games. These are the two best defenses in the nation and I doubt that anyone will score even 28. By most accounts this is Mount’s best team out of the last three years and by my account this is Whitewater’s best team also. I have no problem with Mount Union being favored, they are the kings. Their closest game was a 24 point win, but I think that might present a problem. Whitewater has played a ton of close games this year and remain confident when they fall behind, even late in the game. If Whitewater takes say a touchdown lead into the third quarter will Mount Union be able to respond to a situation that they haven’t been in the whole year? I think that Whitewater really needs to breakdown the Ithica game, that’s the only game where the Purple Raiders have shown a weakness and gameplan around that. I have no problem with saying that the Warhawks are better than the Bombers. I’ll have more later, but dlippiel yes there for some reason haven’t been as many people attending this years playoffs for Whitewater. It might be the fact that the weather is so bad becuase I can’t think of another explination. They drew 7,000 in one game this year. Later guys!
BiasD3FootballFan
Actually, Mount is #1 in the nation in total offense and in #1 total defense. WWW is not even listed in the top 50 on offense. Saying that Mount and WWW are the two best defenses in the nation is not accurate either. WWW actually ranks 19th in defense.
Your post is far from BIAS as your screen name implies. Please bring me some FACTS before telling me Mount will be lucky to score 28 let alone 40 on WWW.
If you think WWW needs to breakdown a “monkey stomp” Ithaca loss in order to find success…good-luck. I believe that was the same logic SJF, NJ and Bethel used.
Bias,
I don’t think Mount will put up 40 pts this week either, but I would never say NO Way because of the high octane offense Mount has. They have put some big scores up on some good teams this year, but I know that UWW is another level above those other teams.
The advantage I see for Mount is coaching. I know these teams have seen each other before but Kehres always seems to beable to make the adjustments that the other coaches don’t see. History proves that the more he’s seen a team the bigger the score is. Like I said before, I don’t know if Mount will put up 40 but UWW may find it hard to score on the Mount D.
OU#25,
Good post. I’m suprised to see that UWW is ranked so low in offense with a back like Beaver and a quarterback like Jones. I really thought their defense would have been ranked in the top 5 with the way they have been playing. onumbers can pretty much be thrown out the window for this game though because UWW is going to come in all fired up looking to avenge the last 2 Stagg Bowl loses. Seeing these numbers though makes my point more valid that UWW may find it hard to score on Mount.
I would like to congratulate Justing Beaver for winning the Gagliardi. What a great accomplishment.
The Mount/UWW trinity is this Saturday and I look for this game to be very intense. To say that Mount will be in a potential disadvantage for not playing close games, or will have problems if the starters need to play all 60 minutes, is not valid in my opinion.
I truly believe with the practice regimen and the level of talent Mount has on their roster, a close game will not be a problem. Will it actually be close? Without sounding too much like a homer, I believe Mount will previal with a comfortable margin (14-17 points). Whether they score 40 is certainly debatable but I have seen these guys play all year and they have so many ways to score, it is just hard to stop ALL of them.
I have nothing but respect for UWW and their entire program but Mount is playing at a different level this year. Bethel made the national semi-finals, had a good defense and still gave up 41 points in the FIRST HALF!
The Ithaca game was disappointing to Coach Kehres and yet they won by 24 points. While not overtly admitting as such, the team took Ithaca lightly. Since then, the intensity level has increased as reflected in the following scores. UWW is a better team than the previous teams faced but, Mount will not overlook UWW, will not let up, and will play with the same intensity EVERY play, whether the score is close or not.
Best of luck to both teams. We’ve played the father and the son. Bring on the holy spirit!
BTW, for those of you who will point to 2003, don’t believe for a second that isn’t in Coach K’s mind. I am sure he has been hammering that point of overconfidence in these kids minds and hearts and will continue to do so.
He is great at learning from past mistakes and providing solutions. Look at Mount’s record against teams they have faced a second time. The adjustments made result in more successful results.
As much as I would like to believe that things will be different this time, unless the breaks go substantially UWW’s way, I think it will be very difficult. First of all, I don’t think this is the best of the Warhawks three teams and offensively it is probably the worst. Say what you want about Danny Jones, but I would rather have the Jacobs / Stanley connection anyday. Furthermore, this clearly looks like Mount Union’s best of the three teams.
My feeling is that MUC crushed Bethel, a team that barely beat UW-Eau Claire. We beat Eau Claire by about 25. My guess therefore is that a 15-20 point MUC win would be the result *unless* we get a few turnovers or special teams touchdowns.
Finally, I am so incredibly pleased about Justin Beaver winning the Galiardi Trophy. What a great young man who has had to overcome quite a bit to get where he is today.
Congrats to Justin Beaver for winning the Gagliardi!
As far as the game goes, I think the “X” factor in this one will be Danny Jones. UWW had a less than athletic QB in the previous 2 match-ups who didn’t seem to play very well when pressured. From everything I can find, it seems like UWW and MUC QB’s are mirror images of each other.
The advantage of meeting 3 times in a row in Salem will be an advantage for Whitewater mainly because all the off-the-field intangibles will be for UWW. Revenge is a great motivator! And complacency can be a big downfall.
IMHO, Whitewater was the better team in ’05, but didn’t handle the spotlight of playing in the Stagg early in the game and mistakenly thought they could go deep on MUC (specifically Stan Watson). It’s understandable why they thought that after seeing Capital burn Watson numerous times, but what they didn’t know was Watson played hurt versus Capital, but was healthy versus UWW. And by the time they adjusted their offensive play calling and settled in, they were down by 14.
The second meeting pitted 2 every evenly matched teams physically, but the MUC advantage was finally unveiling Micheli’s passing abilities. Which was 180 degrees from what UWW had spent the week preparing for. Therefore advantage MUC.
The third meeting? Everything on paper points to MUC being the better team, but the games aren’t played on paper.
One thing that often gets overlooked when analyzing the previous 2 Stagg’s is exactly how tightly those games were played at the line of scrimmage. The ultimate difference in the outcome of both games was a couple critical plays that went in favor of Mount.
In ’05, the UWW TE’s drop of a sure TD before halftime, Cameron Rose’s INT at the goal line, stuffing Beaver on 4th and goal, then Kmic’s 95 yard TD run.
The big play in ’06 was the blocked punt returned for a TD that took a 1 score game and blew it open. Beyond that, the difference was UWW kicking FG’s instead of scoring TD’s when they got to the MUC red-zone. MUC scored TD’s, UWW kicked FG’s.
Even though Mount won both games, it’s not like Mount completely dominated Whitewater and it would take a miracle to see a scenario for Whitewater to win. Both previous Staggs could have went to UWW if the couple deciding plays would have been made by the Warhawks instead of the Raiders.
A game where either team is good enough to win? Just the way it should be. I can remember heading to Virginia in 2002 to play the Roy Hampton-less Trinity Tigers knowing that MUC would win easily and it wasn’t that much fun. Same in 1997 with Bill Borchert and Company to play Lycoming. Those games were over before halftime and it really took the edge off.
Honestly, I expect Mount to win Title #10 this weekend, but I don’t think it’s going to be nearly as easy as most people think.
Bias,
I don’t know what UWW team you have been watching this year, but I have been to almost every game the last 3 years and there is NO way that this team is the best of the past 3 years. Don’t get me wrong, this year’s team is very good and I hope that they can pull off the upset on Sat., but there is NO way they are better than the first two teams. Losing the likes of Jacobs, Kleppe, Stanley, Schmitt, Sakallaris, Reuland, Widuch, Jimmy L., etc. are HUGE losses. Two NFL players, a Gagliardi finalist, a two-time WIAC player of the year, and SIX!!!!! All-Americans. Beaver is an unbelievable player, but he can’t do it all by himself.
The 2007 version has a stellar defense, but have did struggle against NCC, a spread team similar to the attack MUC will bring on Sat. But the big difference between the 2007 team vs. the 06 and 05 versions is on offense. UWW does not have many big play threats on the 07 team and the OLine is not playing as well as last years version (losing Sakallaris is a big reason why). Also, Danny Jones is no Justin Jacobs. We all know Jacobs did not play well in the two Stagg Bowls, but you can’t judge a team or a player by one game. And defensively, the loss of Kleppe on the interior DLine will hurt UWW big time on Sat. UWW in 07 has yet to face an OLine and RB like MUC will bring and I sadly think our D will get exposed on Sat.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Warhawks and will be cheering my throat dry on Sat., but there is NO way that this team is better than 05 or 06.
I would also say that I could definitely see MUC put up 40 on us. I’m just being realistic and Bias never say no way to MUC putting up 40 with Micheli, Kmic, Garcon, and Blanchard.
Forgot to mention…the attendance.
The weather this year has been especially poor. Every playoff game has been played in the cold and snow. Furthermore, as has been mentioned earlier, every game is televised locally over cable in the immediate geographic market. I know many people who have said “I’m just going to watch at home,” mostly because of the weather.
You warhawks can’t fool us Purple Raiders with all this reverse psychology. Thank goodness the Mount players and coaches don’t read this stuff, they might actually believe it. I know UWW wouldn’t be here if they weren’t awfully good. They will bring an A game (although this year it doesn’t seem to be good enough). My prediction of 40 was not to be cocky, I just can’t believe what I see from this group of Kids week in and week out. Defensively, somebody new steps up every week! Offensively, it’s ridiculous, Against TCNJ, Bryson Davis was all over the place. Against Bethel, I don’t even know if he caught a ball (only one example of their weapons). Then there is Wray, Bruney, Shorts, and I don’t need to even mention the starters. Mount may not score 40, but it will take nothing short of a miracle for UWW to win this year.
The Warhawks have a new coach and a new attitude… I think all of D3football world would be better off with a UWW win… but If we are on the subject of what is best for D3football, I think UWW and MUC should leave D3 and open the division back up. You guys are so damn good that it is not even fun try half the time. I was impressed by the battle UMHB put up against UWW, but can mount really be touched? Tough to say, I am looking forward to watching on ESPN! People around the nation are probably beginning to wonder if there are any other teams in D3 football… these two powerhouses are getting all the national airtime!
OU#25-
I never said a thing about Whitewater’s offense did I? I knew that they weren’t up there statistically. I’m just gonna hope you watch the game on Saturday and then you can tell me that they are the 19th best D in the nation, stats don’t always tell the whole story, at least that’s what I believe. I’m sorry that I have an opinion that you don’t agree with, but isn’t that what message boards are for? Mount Union didn’t score 40 in either of the other games and while they might have a better offense this year, in my opinion the Warhawks have a better defense.
Like I said earlier Mount Union is a great team and they have shown the last two years that they were better than Whitewater. I have lots and lots of respect for them because of what they’ve done.
Raiderdude-
Would you like to elaborate further as to why you don’t think that not having played a close game all year could present a problem? Practice can only get you so far, when you are in a close game is when you find out what kind of team you have. And I think that against La Crosse, Stevens Point, Capital, Stout, and Mary-Hardin Baylor we found out that Whitewater respondes very well in adverse situations.
williethewarhawk-
I’ve been watching the exact same teams that you have. They did lose some great players over this time, no one will argue that. Lots of the seniors this year though kept on improving (Beaver, A.J., Borzick, 4/5 O-Lineman, Blaze, and Gabe, I could go on and on) I think that this year they have the best team, that’s just my opinion. Danny Jones might not be as strong of a passer as Jacobs. But having watched both of them play the legs of Jones put him over the top of Jacobs IMO. He is a dual threat just like Micheli and I think that makes him more dangerous and harder to plan for and contain.
Whitewater has shutdown every rushing attack they have faced this year and the success that they had against Kmic last year 116 yards and 4.4 a carry lead me to believe that again their biggest problem this year will once again be shutting down Garcon. Honestly I think they need to double him every time and take the chance that the other 9 guys can shut down Kmic and Co.
I think it will be a great game and a defensive battle this year, but I guess that we will only be able to find out on Saturday. And congrats to Justin Beaver, you certantly dersive this award.
Bias:
It is not a problem because the majority of the starters are upperclassmen. Last Saturday, 8 of 11 starters were Seniors (Micheli, Kmic, and Reynolds are Juniors) and 8 of 11 defensive starters are seniors (Millings, Nickoi, and Ely are Juniors). These kids have been in the trenches and have played their share of tight games in big situations.
I am sure you aren’t but, don’t judge this team by the first 14 games it has played. This is a veteran team that has played together for a long time. They understand their tendencies, know their strengths, and compliment each other. They can be beat as much as any other team but, don’t believe that their margin of victories are a source for a weakness. Rather than find a weakness, just know that UWW has to step it up a few notches to match the level Mount is playing right now.
The games are played for a reason and there is no guarantee of a Mount victory this Saturday. I said this last week and I will say it again. While it isn’t guaranteed, it is expected. And that expectation is accompanied by exhaustive preparation and game planning coupled with a confidence that Mount’s best can not be matched.
I will say that, with the exception of last week, Mount is penalized too much. They also had a couple of turnovers (which Bethel could not capitalize on) so there is always room for improvement.
I have alot of respect for the UWW program. Whether you win or lose on Saturday, not many teams can say they have gone to three straight Stagg Bowls. Is that good for DIII? Not sure except it does generate buzz and attention to the division. Just be aware (like the last four opponents have) that this Mount team is like nothing you have faced this year.
As far as shutting down Kmic and Garcon, don’t fall alseep on Greg Micheli, or Justin Wray or Bradon Boehm, or Chad Reynolds, or Bryson Davis, or Trevor Bruney. IT isn’t the rushing attack you need to stop. It’s the entire offense. They are not one dimensional by any stretch of the imagination.
And yes….. my congratulations to Justin Beaver on the Gagliardi and to the toher finalists! What an honor!!!
First off I would like to say congrats to both Mount and UW for making it to another Championship. I dont mean to say this in the wrong way, but UW has no chance. Mount Union is and has always been the best program in the country for D3. No put down to UW because what they do is also great, but the one word I can find that seperates the two is domince. Mount Union is domiant in every catagory. A team is not suppoust to win semifinal games 62-14. I mean come on, I thought those games were suppoust to be competitve. 10th national championship coming up!!!!!!!
If I recall, UWW beat Wesley 58-6 in ’05… anything can happen…
Ok, time to be realistic… this UWW team is the best Defensively, but the worst Offensively… I remember watching the UWW vs. Oshkosh game… and I was going crazy because our offense looked horrible… however, the O has really started to click in the playoffs
I’m thinking Mount wins by anywhere between 17-24
the biggest difference in this game is going to be micheli – the D3 version of tim tebow.
Just so ya’ll know, the 3rd Time is usually the charm for Whitewater. Whitewater was NCAA runner up in 2000 and 2001 with the National Player of the Year in Volleyball, and took a less talented team and beat a HEAVILY favored Washington University in the 2002 final. (The team has since made two more championship games and won another title)
I agree that any other team over UWW in 2005 would have been considered a major upset. Mount Union over UWW was an upset (UWW was higher ranked, and probably had more talent), but mount union is well, mount union.
I see one of two things happening
Whitewater 24 Mount Union 21 (if Whitewater forces some turnovers)
Mount Union 35 Whitewater 14 (if the MUC run game runs over UWW)
Whitewater is clearly a “Top 2” in NCAA Div III right now, but a UWW win over MUC would have to be considered a MAJOR upset, maybe one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Div III history.
This is basically the New England Patriots playing the Green Bay Packers for the Superbowl. Green Bay is a darn good team, but the Patriots (like MUC) might be the best ever
Does anyone know who the commentators on ESPN will be this weekend?
Props to many of the UWW fans who are not blowing off with jibberish like some have done in the past on this board. I truly hope the Stagg is a great game. Both teams are very impressive to say the least. I think one would have to favor MUC and possibly by 40 (even though I don’t think that will happen). Yet I would not be surprised if UWW made this game close and possibly pulled an upset. No team is unbeatable, I just think some, when looking at their success, are pretty darn close and MUC is one of them.
hscoach, great analysis and points about why this could and maybe should be a close game. uww is very good on defense, not flashy on offense. they have been here before so they are not going to panic. i expect them to play a good football game. umhb is certainly better than bethel, and uww did a pretty good job on a pretty strong offense. this will be my first trip and i believe that it will be a close game. good luck to both teams and safe trips to all who are traveling to salem this weekend.
redhawk93 says:
“Mount Union is and has always been the best program in the country for D3.”
For the record, Mount Union won its first NCAA D-III national championship in 1993. Prior to that, they’d never even played in the Stagg Bowl. I hope that you didn’t actually mean “has always been the best program in the country”.
If so, you’ve overlooked the many outstanding D-III football programs who’ve won championships prior to or even since (PLU, SJU, Linfield) the establishment of the MUC dynasty!
Finally, despite the fact that Mount Union is unquestionably the most successful D-III program in the country over the past 15 years, some might argue that MUC is actually the worst thing in the country “for D3″…
The one thing that I find comical is the people saying that it will be a blowout. Mount Union is great, they should be the favorites but I don’t see where people are coming from when they say that it will be a blowout.
I don’t think anyone can argue that Whitewater has played a stronger schedule up ’til this point. They played a D-2 team, a team that made it to the semi’s (UMHB) and a Lakeland team that was alright this year in non-conference. Mount Union’s nc game was against a team that was 0-10 this year. I’m not even gonna get into the whole conference thing, but the WIAC is, by the experts considered the top conference in D3, while the OAC follows at #2. I would also venture out to say that there playoff run has been against better teams.
I’m very excitied for the game and just learned that I will be able to attend! And to you people knocking the Whitewater offense, you’re right they might not have the same quick strike ability that they have had. But this team under coach Leipold likes to grind it out, that’s what I’ve noticed this year.
How’s the weather supposed to be in Salem on Saturday, anyone knonw?
RE: “Third Time is a Charm”
MTU has already won three Stagg Bowls in a row twice, so third time is a charm really means the Raiders are going to win this year. Next year is the year for them to not win the championship. 😉
Different from the last two years MUC will have to deal with one of their own on the other side of the ball. WWW OC Jim Zebrowski brings the Xfactor to the game with the kind of know how to bring the trophy home to Whitewater.
Xfactor
That’s funny. But for the record, way back when Zebrowski played at Mount, the Raiders weren’t even a factor. In his four years, they played one playoff game and lost it. Good try though. :o)
Thanks Mainjack,
If we use that logic then explain to me Coach K’s record as a player for MUC and the fact that he now holds the best coaching record in any division?
Point is, Leipold is a smart man for talking Zebrowski into leaving a head coaching position and joining the WWW team and bringing his offensive schemes with him. It just might come in handy.
On paper, this doesn’t look good for WW. If WW holds Garcon out of the endzone, they take this game. I agree MU has some serious weapons other than him, but he’s the key…..if I had the answer on how to do that, I’d send an email to Leipold. I think you have to be aggressive with him at the line of scrimmage so he can’t run those underneath routes and get YACs. I agree this is not WW’s most talented O, but this team has continued to find ways to win. They have something mentally that I’m not sure I’ve seen before. They played a scholorship school tough, and MHB was a frickn good football team with a better D than MU (stats don’t tell all). The most talented teams don’t always win, evidenced by the 05 loss to MU. I thinking upset. 28-24 WW.
First of all I would like to congratulate my little cousin Justin WAY TO GO!!! We are all very proud of you. Those of you that have never had the chance to meet Justin WOW what a kid. Heart, Smart, oh yes and kinda Talented!!!
Justin when you guys win this one, just know your Dad is looking down with God and saying “That’s my Son, isn’t he BEAUTIFUL”. You did it, …. You did it.
zebrowski factor, tuffer conferance, better oponents in the playoff run, new coach, prohibative favorite, unstoppable offence, 8 seniors on offence and defence,best program in the country……looks like it’s going to be a hell of a game saturday!
Hey,
Anyone who knows of any prominent MUC or UWW alum planning to go to the game Saturday (and by prominent, I probably mean ex-players, but be creative), drop the name and probable arrival time to Keith@D3football.com. Might respond with a request for more info.
Also, I have several Stagg Bowls on video, but I do not have the access to the past two. If anyone has those games in full, especially either on DVD or online somewhere, please let me know at the same e-mail address.
Thanks.
In my Warhawk opinion, there is no doubt that UWW has to play the game of their lives to have a chance, while MUC has to make more mistakes than the depth of their program is able to overcome. The difference between a UWW chance to win and a blowout is the gap between UWW’s game of their lives and MUC’s mistakes.
Go Warhawks!
Just for the record, most weeks 8 of 11 on offense is the case, but last week G Tim Reash (a senior) sat out with a hamstring injury. Geoff Dartt moved over from T and backup T Luke Summers, a junior, started at T.
Giving them 7 of 11 on offense. But if Reash plays this week it will be 8 on both sides again.
Speaks to Mount’s depth, which is absurd. Hardly a sophomore to be found on the two-deep.
I honestly have so much other stuff to work on I can’t get in to responding to a lot of the stuff I have read so far, but it’s definitely interesting. A couple points:
1. I agree with HScoach about the key plays that turned each game.
2. I really think UW-W should have gotten MUC when they had the chance in ’05. This is the tallest task, though not impossible.
3. I do like UW-W having been tested in close games. But I think MUC would actually relish being able to play a close one. I really don’t see MUC cracking under pressure anyway.
4. If UW-W is going to win this one, they are going to have to tackle well and straight-up outplay MUC. I don’t think they can rely on forcing many mistakes.
5. MUC definitely respects UWW as much as anyone. I believe they will go into this game thinking they can be beaten if they don’t play well, which is not always the case.
Anyway, we’ll be breaking this game down five ways to Saturday, so I won’t get too far into it here. Should be plenty of expert take on the game this week for everyone who is hungry for it.
Seems like this is the D3 version of the NFL. MUC (NE) unstoppable vs UWW (NFC) needing a prayer.
Anyways, I hope it’s a close game and I get the feed.
muc24 www17
There are as many opinions as there are people in this thread. Just for the record, I don’t believe it is good for DIII football to have a “blowout” this Saturday and I truly don’t think there will be.
That being said, I do believe Mount will prevail by at least a couple of touchdowns. To me, a definition of a blowout is like last week’s Bethel game. 41-0 at halftime with second string playing a the majority of the second half. That won’t be the case this week.
Nobody is puffing out their chest and proclaiming a Mount “monkey stomp” over UWW. UWW has been there, the seniors want to leave with a W over Mount and take the trophy, etc. It will be a hard fought game for 60 minutes.
Let’s just not use the conference strength or non-conference argument as reasons for a UWW win. If it gives you confidence with your chances Saturday, so be it but don’t overplay it’s importance. Mount’s games have made ALL their opponents look ordinary (ask the #5 team in the country or the #9 team to name the last two opponents).
This game will be won by the better team that executes their game plan and brings it every play with no let up!
MHB was a frickn good football team with a better D than MU (stats don’t tell all).
———-
i’m sure MHB was a good team, but a better defense than mount?
mount union has allowed 73 points, has 7 shutouts. games with double-digit points allowed: 18, 14, 14, 10.
MHB allowed 227 points, had 2 shutouts. games with double-digit points allowed: 41, 30, 23, 20, 19, 19, 16, 14, 14, 14, 10.
In retrospect, I believe it is obvious that these are the two teams that deserve to be in this game. The playoff system has worked again. Both of these teams have earned the right to be here.
As much as I love UWW, it is impossible for me to make a logical argument against Mt. Union. Statistically, track record, coaching, talent. Let’s face it, Mount has it all. However, they are not unbeatable. Most Mount fans will agree with that. The only people that seem to label them as unbeatable are people that whine about them belonging in D2. I believe Mount is good for D3 football (even though there presence has cost UWW two national championships!). They are a class program. They give every program in D3 something to shoot for. UWW is an excellent football team with a lot of heart and an undeniable will to win. If there is any team who can upset Mount this year, it is UWW. As much I’ve already been called a ‘homer’ on this board (inappropriately), I have to acknowledge that a UWW victory would be an upset. Could it happen? Of course!
I’m impressed by the respect shown for each team and program in this thread so far. Truthfully, both teams are filled with great kids and athletes that should make D3 fans proud. Mount fans should be proud and should be confident. Heck, they almost never lose! However, it is good to see most of them respect UWW. UWW fans should also be proud and confident. Their team has beaten some excellent teams this year and this is a different team than the one Mount has defeated the past two years. Fans can debate which UWW team is better of the last three years all they want. The fact is that this particular group of kids has never lost to a D3 team. Ever. Mount Union has not ever beaten this group.
It will all be decided Saturday. It is my hope that as fans from both teams get “pumped up” for the game and express their confidence and opinion, they are able to do so with appropriate respect for their opponent. Regardless of who you root for, your opponent has earned your respect.
buddy:
As far a Mount’s defense is concerned, the points allowed by the first team are even more sick.
Otterbein scored their 14 points against the second team, St. John Fisher scored their lone touchdown against the second team, Bethel scored their 14 points against the second team. Ithaca is the lone team to score two touchdowns against the first team in 14 games.
UMHB didn’t get to the national semi-finals by just running the ball. They certainly had to have a great defense. It is just preposterous to say that UMHB’s defense was better than MUC. Stats or no, MUC had the best defense in DIII this year.
Buddy: I agree 100%. Outside of MHB playing UWW twice, there isn’t anyone on their schedule that looks much different than MUC’s schedule. I have no doubt that Whitewater, Mount and MHB have great defenses, but I’m not ready to put MHB’s above Mount’s. I have to believe the weather and field conditions had as much to do with Whitewater’s limited offensive production last week as MHB’s defense did.
Which brings me to one advantage Mount will have this year in Salem that wasn’t there in the previous 2 Staggs versus UWW. FIELD TURF
Mount has played on grass only once this season (at Ohio Northern on a dry, warm day in early October). All other MUC games were played on turf. Whereas Whitewater has played at least 9 of their games on grass (I’m too lazy to see how many of their road games were on grass/turf). And most importantly the last 4 in less than perfect field conditions.
While I don’t think there’s much of a difference for a grass team to switch to turf, there definitely is an effect on a turf team playing on grass. Especially if the grass field is a little sloppy like the ‘05 Stagg was. The ‘06 field conditions were very good though as the field was dry and tight.
One of the interesting little differences I’m going to be watching this year is how much better Kmic and Beaver look as runners given the perfect field conditions and therefore the ability to drive their feet and cut at will. Kmic had a 2 yd TD run last week versus Bethel that might have been the best 2 yd run I’ve ever seen by a MUC running back. It was just a simple dive play where the blitzing LB came thru the line with a clear shot at Nate in the backfield immediately after he took the handoff. One quick lateral step and he had a clear path to the endzone untouched. A move that isn’t possible on a soft grass field. Likewise, I’m curious to see how much quicker and stronger Beaver looks this year on turf.
I’m looking forward to a great game between clearly the top 2 teams in all of D3 becuase they EARNED their trip to Virginia. Not because the voters “thought” UWW and MUC were the top 2.
No excuses, the best team ON SATURDAY will win. If either team gets sloppy with the ball and turns it over 3-4 times, they will lose. If one team (MUC) thinks it’s going to be easy because of last year and forgets to show up, they will lose. I’m hoping both teams play at their best and we all get to enjoy the show.
“Just so ya’ll know, the 3rd Time is usually the charm for Whitewater. Whitewater was NCAA runner up in 2000 and 2001 with the National Player of the Year in Volleyball, and took a less talented team and beat a HEAVILY favored Washington University in the 2002 final. (The team has since made two more championship games and won another title)”
No offense, but VOLLEYBALL??!! You can’t possibly be using a volleyball result as a reason a football team will get over the hump. This is a classic post.
Look, UWW is a great football program right now and deserve all the credit for what they’ve accomplished. I’m just not sure that their team this year is strong enough to acomplish where they’ve fallen short in the past.
Great post Bleed!
I agree 1000% Neither of these programs are here by accident. It is a result of hard work and effort on the part of the players, coaches, parents, and faculty. These are not just good athletes but good students and citizens.
It is only fitting for the fans to reflect that same character.
Here’s to hoping it’s a good game. I’ve been to 4 mount games this year. I havent seen a 4th quarter yet. The second team is in by the 3rd qtr, so you get to see who’s comin up next. And let me tell you there are athletes sitting and waiting for their chance. Their non-starters are better than most opponents starters, even for the playoff teams I do believe this is the most “complete” mount team. The offense goes without saying, but to give up 209 yrds rushing for the season??!! That is just mind boggling. Halftime should be around 5:30. I just hope I’m not heading home by then. GO MOUNT. GO UWW. Please try and make it a game.