Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC)
2014 Football Standings
2014 Media Guide
Looking back: The University of Mount Union Purple Raiders continued their dominance of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in 2014, as they once again finished undefeated in conference play at 9-0. They advanced to yet another Stagg Bowl, losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater, 43-34.
Yet there was another OAC team that had a banner year in 2014, as the John Carroll University Blue Streaks advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals, losing both times to Mount Union by a combined 15 points in both games.
Looking ahead: Will Mount Union win yet another OAC championship trophy, and go on yet another march towards a potential national championship? Or will 2015 be the year that John Carroll or another league team finally breaks the stranglehold the Purple Raiders have had on the OAC since 1990? One of those two burning questions will be answered this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Mount Union (14-1): You'd have to go all the way back to 1989 to find the last time a Purple Raiders failed to win at least a share of the OAC crown, let alone advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Head Coach Vince Kehres must replace starting quarterback Kevin Burke, who graduated after passing for more than 12,000 yards in his career last year.
2. John Carroll (11-2): Don't look now, though, because here come the Blue Streaks. With players such as senior offensive lineman Anthony Latina returning this fall, JCU will be trying to win its first OAC title since 1989.
3. Heidelberg (8-2): The Student Princes have compiled a 33-8 overall record, including one NCAA playoff win, over the last four years, including 2014. If they're to continue that impressive run in 2015, head coach Mike Hallett must replace the winningest senior class in program history, as well as tough out a brutal schedule that includes visits to Cortland State and Ohio Northern, not to mention playing host to strong teams in John Carroll and Mount Union.
4. Ohio Northern (7-3): Head Coach Dean Paul has had just one losing season in his 11 years at the Polar Bears helm. If ONU hopes to add another winning record to its history this fall, Paul must replace three out of eight All-OAC players, including senior defensive lineman Steven Kenny, as well as quarterback Patrick Angle and linebacker Dillon Kwiat.
5. Otterbein (5-5): Head Coach Tim Doup hopes that the return of five All-OAC players from last season will help the Cardinals move up in the conference standings this season.
6. Baldwin-Wallace (5-5): 14th-year head coach John Snell looks to lead the Yellow Jackets program back to prominence in the OAC after struggling to a 4-5 mark in league play last year.
7. Muskingum (3-7): The Muskies must find a way to stay competitive if they're to compete in the OAC this year, as all seven of their losses came by 12 or more points.
8. Capital (3-7): The Crusaders face yet another uphill battle after a disappointing 2014 season. However, head coach Craig Candeto does return three All-OAC players for the 2015 season, which includes rising seniors Jake Skelton at wide receiver, as well as rising juniors Brent Walton at running back, and Jimmy Curtis at defensive back.
9. Marietta (2-8): The Pioneers will look for significant improvement as they enter their third season under head coach Andy Waddle.
10. Wilmington (0-10): The Quakers head into the 2015 season looking to snap a 23-game losing streak that dates back to October 27, 2012.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
4 years ago
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