Back in 2016, D-III #2 Whitewater beat NAIA #2 Morningside 35-21.  Whitewater got beat, I think, in the 3rd round of the D-III playoffs that year while M'Side lost in the 2nd.  I think if you were to matchup this year's UMHB team w/ this year's M'Side team, I don't think the NAIA team holds up.

I really felt TLU would give the Cru a better game.  I wasn't of the opinion that they would have a good chance of winning it, but I did think that, based on the way they have been playing, they would test UMHB.  Really wasn't even the list bit close.  HSU has rebounded nicely.  Howard Payne has quietly put together a nice season considering where they have been the past few years.  Obviously, McMurry has a long way to go.  Coach Neal will get this thing moving forward so long as the admin is doing all that is necessary to support his efforts.  I think if the Cru plays like they did this past weekend, they will have a shot at getting back to the big game.  They looked much better. 

Quote from: Coolrey on October 25, 2019, 09:37:37 AM
Very interesting week in the ASC in my opinion.  TLU vs. Sul Ross could be a game.  If TLU is on, they should take care of business.  But Sul Ross has the potential to give them a game, so looking forward to that one.  TLU playing for a chance at a playoff berth.  ETBU and Howard Payne could be another really interesting game.  HPU is much improved this year and ETBU is coming off a tight game vs. McMurry.  Not sure if ETBU was off or if McMurry is beginning to respond to the new staff and approach.  ETBU should probably be favored, but I think it can go either way.  Southwestern vs. McMurry could also be a tight game.  McMurry I believe is playing a lot of young players and they appeared to have caught up a bit based on the team's performance vs. ETBU.  With young players, you just can't count on a lot of consistency, but if McMurry can put a game together like they did last week, they may have a chance.  UMHB and HSU will be a battle, but I just don't think HSU has the ability to hang with the CRU for four full quarters.  But you never know when these two meet.  I hope it is a good, tight game.   Looking forward to Saturday!

Haven't had a chance to follow-up on this post.  Sort of figured HSU would make a game of it but thought UMHB would pull away.  That didn't happen.  What an ending. HPU was right with ETBU.  I think they are a much improved team even though their record isn't great.  They are improving and much more competitive than they have been.  TLU is humming along.  That loss against Hendrix may likely come back to haunt them come playoff time unless they can knock of UMHB.  And they could.  McMurry, for the 2nd week in a row, had a chance in the end to win.  They look like they have improved as the season goes on.  They have an emotional game this week vs. Hardin Simmons.  Will be interesting to see if they can hang at least for the first half.  Southwestern struggled on offense but did enough to win.  Looking forward to this weekend.

Quote from: DFWCrufan on October 25, 2019, 11:43:24 AM
Not a good idea to poke an already salty program. Some former HSU players I guess have made shirts mocking the ncaa decision to vacate the titles.
For one, your in belton and not only in belton but at HOCO as well meaning a good number of returning alumns will be there. Some could say that is may knock down the drive of the team on the field, from my experience, it goes the other way. Mocking a program could be detrimental to the outcome for HSU.

See the report here... https://twitter.com/Nick__Mantas/status/1187607624155566081?s=20

That's just not very smart. 

Very interesting week in the ASC in my opinion.  TLU vs. Sul Ross could be a game.  If TLU is on, they should take care of business.  But Sul Ross has the potential to give them a game, so looking forward to that one.  TLU playing for a chance at a playoff berth.  ETBU and Howard Payne could be another really interesting game.  HPU is much improved this year and ETBU is coming off a tight game vs. McMurry.  Not sure if ETBU was off or if McMurry is beginning to respond to the new staff and approach.  ETBU should probably be favored, but I think it can go either way.  Southwestern vs. McMurry could also be a tight game.  McMurry I believe is playing a lot of young players and they appeared to have caught up a bit based on the team's performance vs. ETBU.  With young players, you just can't count on a lot of consistency, but if McMurry can put a game together like they did last week, they may have a chance.  UMHB and HSU will be a battle, but I just don't think HSU has the ability to hang with the CRU for four full quarters.  But you never know when these two meet.  I hope it is a good, tight game.   Looking forward to Saturday!

Unfortunately, self-reporting and assessing your own penalties will not dismiss consequences that the NCAA and its committees assess.  Whether an institution attempts to cover up an infraction or self-reports when one is discovered, really doesn't make that much of a difference.  A wrong is a wrong.  If your own kid steals from the store and then admits it and returns it with an apology, most parents are going to commend him/her for being truthful (integrity) but will still deal out consequences.  Unless the NCAA rule was determined to be obscure, poorly written or very unclear, it is the responsibility of the institution to ensure they comply.  If not, as in this case, consequences must be assessed.  Carelessness and failure to know the rules is not an excuse.  I'm not saying I necessarily agree with penalties, but they are what they are.  Great program, great coaches and great school.  Just an unfortunate lapse in judgement.

That was kind of my initial point.  Did that final pass with .39 seconds to go and up by 72 points really accomplish anything for the Cru from a developmental standpoint?   

Point taken.  Again, I'm not taking issue with it.

Quote from: DFWCrufan on October 07, 2019, 12:48:03 PM

Quote from: Coolrey on October 07, 2019, 11:51:38 AM
TLU has a very good team.  They were opportunistic on turnovers which was the key factor in this game.  Statistically, they did not match HSU and had there been no turnovers, it would likely have been a different outcome.  But turnovers count.  Just like they did in 2015 when HSU was on the ropes and TLU turned the ball over and had untimely penalties.  If TLU can hang w/ UMHB, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't get a post-season bid so long as they don't get upset by someone else.  UMHB needs to get tested.  Belhaven was not a test, even though the score indicated a tight game.  McMurry is in the first year of a new staff and is made up of mainly freshmen and sophomores, so they were in no position to present any kind of a challenge to UMHB.  Was a bit surprised that UMHB was throwing the ball so late in that game, but they do have to work on their passing game.  Just felt that it was a little bit over-the-top.

I am not at all being critical as I did indicate that UMHB needs to continue to work on their passing game.  Also, I'm very well aware that UMHB isn't a "let's run it up on these guys" kind of a program.  The 2nd, 3rd and 4th string guys want to score just as much as the 1st team guys do.  And if the other team can't stop it, it is their problem.  It just seemed to me that they threw the ball more toward the end of the game than they normally would with a big lead.  I may be wrong, but I may not be.
the late passing comes down to getting reps for new players, like coach fred says, we are worried about us, not the other side. If plays come down to the last second to get some play time for players, so be it. It's not a personal thing, it's taking the opportunity to get players in a game setting and getting some reps. Ever wonder why the top programs keep getting there? think about it, more play time, up to 4 more games for some and 5 for the very few. That is half a season for some programs facing ever stiffening talent. It's not like coach pete is out there saying "Run it up!" it's play time and experience. Nothing personal

TLU has a very good team.  They were opportunistic on turnovers which was the key factor in this game.  Statistically, they did not match HSU and had there been no turnovers, it would likely have been a different outcome.  But turnovers count.  Just like they did in 2015 when HSU was on the ropes and TLU turned the ball over and had untimely penalties.  If TLU can hang w/ UMHB, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't get a post-season bid so long as they don't get upset by someone else.  UMHB needs to get tested.  Belhaven was not a test, even though the score indicated a tight game.  McMurry is in the first year of a new staff and is made up of mainly freshmen and sophomores, so they were in no position to present any kind of a challenge to UMHB.  Was a bit surprised that UMHB was throwing the ball so late in that game, but they do have to work on their passing game.  Just felt that it was a little bit over-the-top.

TLU had a very strong game vs. SW.  This team looks like it could be on a similar level as their 2013-2015 teams.  That 1st game loss to Hendrix may cost them a playoff bid unless they can knock of HSU this week.  And I think they can, but it will take a huge effort.  They beat HSU on the road in 2014 for the first time ever, I believe.  They gave the game away in 2015 with offensive penalties and turnovers in a very tight game in Seguin.  Since then, HSU has pretty much dominated.  I look forward to this one. I think it will be a very physical game.   McMurry is going thru 1st-year coach growing pains for sure.  It's been a tough go, but so long as the new coach is getting a full commitment from the university, I think that program will move forward.  In order to be competitive, they need the same commitment from their administration that their neighbors (HSU) get.  Hopefully they understand that upgrading facilities and supporting the coaching staff in what they need will improve the overall university in many ways.  With UMHB coming to town, they should see what sort of excitement and benefit a successful football team brings to a campus.  Looking forward to this weekend's games.

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 11, 2019, 10:59:58 PM

Quote from: TheChucker on September 11, 2019, 01:28:24 PM
Hey Cru followers. I live in the north and follow the top D3 games here in MIAC/WIAC country, but my kid is a UMHB student this year so I've been following them too starting late last season. I don't know that much yet about the other ASC conference schools. A lot of the MIAC and WIAC teams are playing each other in tough nonconference games last week and this week in the northland and getting tested early. At what point do you think UMHB will get tested? I know Hardin Simmons is always a top team, but do you think anyone else will give UMHB a tough test this year before the playoffs?

Welcome to the ASC board!

Top teams to challenge this year will be:

1. HSU
2. Southwestern
3. ETBU
4. TLU

This Saturday will be interesting against Albright. They will be hungry with a game under their belt, a poor showing to avenge from last year, and a seemingly young offense attacking them. New QB, new RB, new WRs, and several up and coming lineman will make this game interesting. Thankfully our first few games are "easier" so that we can get some guys up to speed.

I think TLU will surprise some people this year.  A bit under the radar.  We'll see.

Next week's game between Howard Payne and McMurry will be interesting.  Watched a bit of both games (McMurry on Thur).  Howard Payne looks like they've improved, however I'm not sure how good Austin College is at this point.  Trinity looked pretty good while McMurry looked like a team that has a new staff (which they do) and enduring growing pains.  McMurry's QB looks like an athlete, although he didn't run the ball much.  Will be interesting to see what type of improvement we see in both these teams next Saturday.

Texas Lutheran has had some really good safeties over the last 6 or so years.  James Bell is a pre-season All-American.  I think one or two before him received national recognition as well.  TLU's defense should be pretty good this year. 

Quote from: Toby Taff on August 17, 2019, 03:05:07 PM

Quote from: Ron Boerger on August 17, 2019, 09:29:03 AM

Quote from: Coolrey on August 17, 2019, 08:59:58 AM
Looks like McMurry has committed to a complete revamp with a total coaching staff overhaul.  I'm sure it is tough to compete in the same town w/ HSU and combined with the failed Hal Mumme DII experiment, it will be a tough road.  But Neal has a good reputation and has legitimate credibility, so this could be just what  McMurry needs.  I would think this program is already better than what it was prior to Neal arriving and just being more competitive in games will be a huge step.  Best case scenario IMO, is that it results in a 4 win season.

https://ktxs.com/sports/college-sports/mcmurry-football-seeks-to-find-a-way-to-return-to-winning

Nice find - thanks for sharing.  +k !

I think Neal can take his history from HSU days (personal and program winning heritage) plus what he did with the offense at Hendrix to make a real difference at McM.   A new class of 70 (including transfers) is huge for his first year in the program!  Fascinating that he got a two-year starter at QB to move to WR ... must have some incoming talent to make a move like that, and kudos to Hurley for wanting to do what's best for the program instead of what's best for him.  All the best to McMurry.

I think Jordan will do a fantastic job, Following his recruiting posts this off season it seems like he went after quality character guys to build a high character atmosphere of players (yes i did some social media stalking). He has tons he can teach a QB from personal exp. and a great IQ for the offensive side of the ball. I'm glad I live down the road from McM. Ill be in attendance supporting my friend when I'm not in Belton. I hope to see great strides in the program.

Here's another local story regarding the new staff and program at McMurry.

https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/sports/mcmurry-begins-jordan-neal-era-with-first-workout/