Published: Friday, December 8, 2006
Vosburgh building program
But his Cardinals will be hard-pressed to upend Mount Union Saturday.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
When St. John Fisher (N.Y.) football coach Paul Vosburgh took over the school's football program a few years back, he knew he'd have his work cut out for him.
The athletic facilities were sub-par and putting a good football team on the field wasn't much of a priority. But times have finally changed at this school, located near Rochester.
They've changed so much that the Cardinals find themselves in unchartered territory, with an opportunity to knock off defending Division III champion Mount Union and put themselves on the map.
"Our success has been a developing story. It has taken a number of years to get where we are. At first, we did not have very good facilities. Then a new administration came in and made a commitment to improving our situation," said Vosburgh.
"The upgrade in facilities and the general commitment to football helped us recruit better student/athletes. Now, the Buffalo Bills train here for a time in the summer. Players want to go somewhere where they feel football is important to that institution and the community."
Dominated Rowan
While the Cardinals might have been playing under the radar for the past few seasons, what they did last week against Rowan certainly caught people's attention — including Mount Union coach Larry Kehres.
"St. John Fisher has been strong for a number of seasons. They have good size, strength, good quickness, and speed where you need it most. I have been very impressed with what I have seen on film," said Kehres, whose squad will play in the national semifinals for the 12th straight year on Saturday.
"And that 31-0 win over Rowan last week certainly got the attention of the men in our football program. That was very impressive."
Both Mount Union and St. John Fisher boast explosive offenses, featuring two of the country's top running backs. The Purple Raiders are ranked No. 1 in the nation in offense — St. John Fisher is No. 2.
Both have running standouts
Mount's Nate Kmic is second in the nation in rushing, while St. John Fisher's Mark Robinson is sixth. Both are dangerous runners with the ability to break a long run and change the game entirely.
Kehres sees a lot of similiarities between the runners and the offenses in general.
"St. John Fisher has a good scheme they come at you with. Offensively, they emphasize the run like we do, but when they throw it, they are very efficient," he said. "Their quarterback, Rob Kramer, I believe has thrown just one interception all season. That's awful impressive.
"Their tailback, Mark Robinson, is bigger than Nate [Kmic] and he seems very strong. He makes great cuts and possesses excellent speed. Our defense will have to make the tackle within 7-10 yards of the line of scrimmage against him. He is used similarly to the way we use our back. There are probably more similarities than differences in both of our running games."
Vosburgh knows his team is in for a challenge, as Mount Union has been in this position many times before while his squad is new to the semifinals. After playing Rowan for the first time ever last week, meeting the Purple Raiders is another first.
"Last week was the first time we played Rowan. They have always been known as the "Best In the East." We knew that going in. But we felt confident we could win that game.
"You would have to be from some foreign country not to know what Mount Union has accomplished — it's second to none. No one has controlled a sport like they have in Division III football. Not taking anything away from Rowan, they are a good football team. But our players know this is different than last week. We go from playing the 'Beast of the East' to the 'Beast In the Nation.'"
Friday, December 8, 2006
But his Cardinals will be hard-pressed to upend Mount Union Saturday.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
When St. John Fisher (N.Y.) football coach Paul Vosburgh took over the school's football program a few years back, he knew he'd have his work cut out for him.
The athletic facilities were sub-par and putting a good football team on the field wasn't much of a priority. But times have finally changed at this school, located near Rochester.
They've changed so much that the Cardinals find themselves in unchartered territory, with an opportunity to knock off defending Division III champion Mount Union and put themselves on the map.
"Our success has been a developing story. It has taken a number of years to get where we are. At first, we did not have very good facilities. Then a new administration came in and made a commitment to improving our situation," said Vosburgh.
"The upgrade in facilities and the general commitment to football helped us recruit better student/athletes. Now, the Buffalo Bills train here for a time in the summer. Players want to go somewhere where they feel football is important to that institution and the community."
Dominated Rowan
While the Cardinals might have been playing under the radar for the past few seasons, what they did last week against Rowan certainly caught people's attention — including Mount Union coach Larry Kehres.
"St. John Fisher has been strong for a number of seasons. They have good size, strength, good quickness, and speed where you need it most. I have been very impressed with what I have seen on film," said Kehres, whose squad will play in the national semifinals for the 12th straight year on Saturday.
"And that 31-0 win over Rowan last week certainly got the attention of the men in our football program. That was very impressive."
Both Mount Union and St. John Fisher boast explosive offenses, featuring two of the country's top running backs. The Purple Raiders are ranked No. 1 in the nation in offense — St. John Fisher is No. 2.
Both have running standouts
Mount's Nate Kmic is second in the nation in rushing, while St. John Fisher's Mark Robinson is sixth. Both are dangerous runners with the ability to break a long run and change the game entirely.
Kehres sees a lot of similiarities between the runners and the offenses in general.
"St. John Fisher has a good scheme they come at you with. Offensively, they emphasize the run like we do, but when they throw it, they are very efficient," he said. "Their quarterback, Rob Kramer, I believe has thrown just one interception all season. That's awful impressive.
"Their tailback, Mark Robinson, is bigger than Nate [Kmic] and he seems very strong. He makes great cuts and possesses excellent speed. Our defense will have to make the tackle within 7-10 yards of the line of scrimmage against him. He is used similarly to the way we use our back. There are probably more similarities than differences in both of our running games."
Vosburgh knows his team is in for a challenge, as Mount Union has been in this position many times before while his squad is new to the semifinals. After playing Rowan for the first time ever last week, meeting the Purple Raiders is another first.
"Last week was the first time we played Rowan. They have always been known as the "Best In the East." We knew that going in. But we felt confident we could win that game.
"You would have to be from some foreign country not to know what Mount Union has accomplished — it's second to none. No one has controlled a sport like they have in Division III football. Not taking anything away from Rowan, they are a good football team. But our players know this is different than last week. We go from playing the 'Beast of the East' to the 'Beast In the Nation.'"
Friday, December 8, 2006
including Mount Union coach Larry Kehres.
"St. John Fisher has been strong for a number of seasons. They have good size,...
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